153. Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the Poet
Read '153. Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the Poet' by 'Robert Burns' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.
153. Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the Poet by Robert Burns
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. [back]
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