Poetry of Burns
Robert Burns
born 1759, died 1796 |
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A Wish
(from verses entitled "to the guidwife of wauchope house")
I mind it weel, in early date,
When I was beardless, young, and blate,
An' first could thresh the barn,
Or haud a yokin' at the pleugh;
An' tho' forfoughten sair eneugh,
Yet unco proud to learn;
When first amang the yellow corn
A man I reckon'd was,
An' wi' the lave ilk merry morn
Could rank my rig and lass,
Still shearing, and clearing
The tither stooked raw,
Wi' claivers, an' haivers,
Wearing the day awa.
Ev'n then a wish (I mind it's pow'r),
A wish, that to my latest hour
Shall strongly heave my breast -
That I for poor auld Scotland's sake
Some usefu' plan or beuk could make,
Or sing a sang at least.
The rough burr-thistle, spreading wide
Amang the bearded bear,
I turn'd the weeder.clips aside,
An' spar'd the symbol dear:
No nation, no station
My envy e'er could raise,
A Scot still, but blot still,
I knew nae higher praise.
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