MEMORIALS OF A TOUR IN SCOTLAND, 1803
IV. TO THE SONS OF BURNS
MEMORIALS OF A TOUR IN SCOTLAND, 1803
‘MID crowded obelisks and urns I sought the untimely grave of Burns; Sons of the Bard, my heart still mourns With sorrow true; And more would grieve, but that it turns Trembling to you! Through twilight shades of good and ill Ye now are panting up life’s hill, And more than common strength and skill Must ye display; 10 If ye would give the better will Its lawful sway. Hath Nature strung your nerves to bear Intemperance with less harm, beware! But if the Poet’s wit ye share, Like him can speed The social hour–of tenfold care There will be need; For honest men delight will take To spare your failings for his sake, 20 Will flatter you,–and fool and rake Your steps pursue; And of your Father’s name will make A snare for you. Far from their noisy haunts retire, And add your voices to the quire That sanctify the cottage fire With service meet; There seek the genius of your Sire, His spirit greet; 30 Or where, ‘mid “lonely heights and hows,” He paid to Nature tuneful vows; Or wiped his honourable brows Bedewed with toil, While reapers strove, or busy ploughs Upturned the soil; His judgment with benignant ray Shall guide, his fancy cheer, your way; But ne’er to a seductive lay Let faith be given; 40 Nor deem that “light which leads astray, Is light from Heaven.” Let no mean hope your souls enslave; Be independent, generous, brave; Your Father such example gave, And such revere; But be admonished by his grave, And think, and fear!