Page 448

Robert Burns. (1759–1796) (continued)

4745

And there began a lang digression
About the lords o’ the creation.

The Twa Dogs.

4746

Oh wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursel’s as others see us!
It wad frae monie a blunder free us,
And foolish notion.

To a Louse.

4747

    Then gently scan your brother man,
  Still gentler sister woman;
Though they may gang a kennin’ wrang,
  To step aside is human. 1

Address to the Unco Guid.

4748

What ’s done we partly may compute,
But know not what ’s resisted.

Address to the Unco Guid.

4749

Stern Ruin’s ploughshare drives elate
Full on thy bloom. 2

To a Mountain Daisy.

4750

O life! thou art a galling load,
Along a rough, a weary road,
To wretches such as I!

Despondency.

4751

Perhaps it may turn out a sang,
Perhaps turn out a sermon.

Epistle to a Young Friend.

4752

    I waive the quantum o’ the sin,
  The hazard of concealing;
But, och! it hardens a’ within,
  And petrifies the feeling!

Epistle to a Young Friend.

4753

    The fear o’ hell ’s a hangman’s whip
  To haud the wretch in order; 3
But where ye feel your honour grip,
  Let that aye be your border.

Epistle to a Young Friend.

4754

An atheist’s laugh ’s a poor exchange
For Deity offended!

Epistle to a Young Friend.

4755

And may you better reck the rede, 4
Than ever did the adviser!

Epistle to a Young Friend.

Note 1.
See Pope, Quotation 113. [back]

Note 2.
See Young, Quotation 53. [back]

Note 3.
See Burton, Quotation 83. [back]

Note 4.
See Shakespeare, Hamlet, Quotation 43. [back]