Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

153 . Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the Poet

NO sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay,

“No storied urn nor animated bust;”

This simple stone directs pale Scotia’s way,

To pour her sorrows o’er the Poet’s dust.

She mourns, sweet tuneful youth, thy hapless fate;

Tho’ all the powers of song thy fancy fired,

Yet Luxury and Wealth lay by in state,

And, thankless, starv’d what they so much admired.

This tribute, with a tear, now gives

A brother Bard-he can no more bestow:

But dear to fame thy Song immortal lives,

A nobler monument than Art can shew.