Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

143 . Fragment on Sensibility

RUSTICITY’S ungainly form

May cloud the highest mind;

But when the heart is nobly warm,

The good excuse will find.

Propriety’s cold, cautious rules

Warm fervour may o’erlook:

But spare poor sensibility

Th’ ungentle, harsh rebuke.