153. Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the Poet

 NO 1 sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay,
 “No storied urn nor animated bust;”
This simple stone directs pale Scotia’s way,
 To pour her sorrows o’er the Poet’s dust.



ADDITIONAL STANZASShe mourns, sweet tuneful youth, thy hapless fate;
 Tho’ all the powers of song thy fancy fired,
Yet Luxury and Wealth lay by in state,
 And, thankless, starv’d what they so much admired.



This tribute, with a tear, now gives
 A brother Bard-he can no more bestow:
But dear to fame thy Song immortal lives,
 A nobler monument than Art can shew.



 Note 1.
 The stone was erected at Burns’ expenses in February-March, 1789.
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