Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

169 . Address to Wm. Tytler, Esq., of Woodhouselee

REVERED defender of beauteous Stuart,

Of Stuart, a name once respected;

A name, which to love was the mark of a true heart,

But now ’tis despis’d and neglected.

Tho’ something like moisture conglobes in my eye,

Let no one misdeem me disloyal;

A poor friendless wand’rer may well claim a sigh,

Still more if that wand’rer were royal.

My fathers that name have rever’d on a throne:

My fathers have fallen to right it;

Those fathers would spurn their degenerate son,

That name should he scoffingly slight it.

Still in prayers for King George I most heartily join,

The Queen, and the rest of the gentry:

Be they wise, be they foolish, is nothing of mine;

Their title’s avow’d by my country.

But why of that epocha make such a fuss,

That gave us th’ Electoral stem?

If bringing them over was lucky for us,

I’m sure ’twas as lucky for them.

But, loyalty, truce! we’re on dangerous ground;

Who knows how the fashions may alter?

The doctrine, to-day, that is loyalty sound,

To-morrow may bring us a halter!

I send you a trifle, a head of a bard,

A trifle scarce worthy your care;

But accept it, good Sir, as a mark of regard,

Sincere as a saint’s dying prayer.

Now life’s chilly evening dim shades on your eye,

And ushers the long dreary night:

But you, like the star that athwart gilds the sky,

Your course to the latest is bright.