Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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

308 . The Epitaph on Captain Matthew Henderson

STOP, passenger! my story’s brief,

And truth I shall relate, man;

I tell nae common tale o’ grief,

For Matthew was a great man.

If thou uncommon merit hast,

Yet spurn’d at Fortune’s door, man;

A look of pity hither cast,

For Matthew was a poor man.

If thou a noble sodger art,

That passest by this grave, man;

There moulders here a gallant heart,

For Matthew was a brave man.

If thou on men, their works and ways,

Canst throw uncommon light, man;

Here lies wha weel had won thy praise,

For Matthew was a bright man.

If thou, at Friendship’s sacred ca’,

Wad life itself resign, man:

Thy sympathetic tear maun fa’,

For Matthew was a kind man.

If thou art staunch, without a stain,

Like the unchanging blue, man;

This was a kinsman o’ thy ain,

For Matthew was a true man.

If thou hast wit, and fun, and fire,

And ne’er guid wine did fear, man;

This was thy billie, dam, and sire,

For Matthew was a queer man.

If ony whiggish, whingin’ sot,

To blame poor Matthew dare, man;

May dool and sorrow be his lot,

For Matthew was a rare man.

But now, his radiant course is run,

For Matthew’s was a bright one!

His soul was like the glorious sun,

A matchless, Heavenly light, man.