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.

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