Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 388. Extempore on some commemorations of Thomson |
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| DOST thou not rise, indignant shade, | |
| And smile wi’ spurning scorn, | |
| When they wha wad hae starved thy life, | |
| Thy senseless turf adorn? | |
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| Helpless, alane, thou clamb the brae, | 5 |
| Wi’ meikle honest toil, | |
| And claught th’ unfading garland there— | |
| Thy sair-worn, rightful spoil. | |
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| And wear it thou! and call aloud | |
| This axiom undoubted— | 10 |
| Would thou hae Nobles’ patronage? | |
| First learn to live without it! | |
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| To whom hae much, more shall be given, | |
| Is every Great man’s faith; | |
| But he, the helpless, needful wretch, | 15 |
| Shall lose the mite he hath. | |
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