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.
(Robert Burns)
More Poetry from Robert Burns:
Robert Burns Poems based on Topics: Man, Fate & Destiny, Friendship, Fear, Art, Soul, Light, Fire, Wit, Grief, Courage- A Dedication (Robert Burns Poems)
- Address to the Devil (Robert Burns Poems)
- A Dream (Robert Burns Poems)
- Address ToThe Devil (Robert Burns Poems)
- Address to the Unco Guid (Robert Burns Poems)
- Address To A Haggis (Robert Burns Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Light Poems, Soul Poems, Friendship Poems, Fire Poems, Fear Poems, Art Poems, Fate & Destiny Poems, Praise Poems, Grief Poems, Courage PoemsBased on Keywords: brief, rare, resign, glorious, canst, noble, throw, hast, story, ain, fun