Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
308 . The Epitaph on Captain Matthew Henderson
S
And truth I shall relate, man;
I tell nae common tale o’ grief,
For Matthew was a great man.
Yet spurn’d at Fortune’s door, man; A look of pity hither cast, For Matthew was a poor man. That passest by this grave, man; For Matthew was a brave man. Canst throw uncommon light, man; Here lies wha weel had won thy praise, For Matthew was a bright man. Wad life itself resign, man: Thy sympathetic tear maun fa’, For Matthew was a kind man. Like the unchanging blue, man; This was a kinsman o’ thy ain, For Matthew was a true man. And ne’er guid wine did fear, man; This was thy billie, dam, and sire, For Matthew was a queer man. To blame poor Matthew dare, man; May dool and sorrow be his lot, For Matthew was a rare man. For Matthew’s was a bright one! His soul was like the glorious sun, A matchless, Heavenly light, man.