Epitaph of the Amused

"A Bard's Epitaph" by Robert Burns

Is there a whim-inspired fool,
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule,

Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool,

Let him draw near;
And owre this grassy heap sing dool,
And drap a tear.

Is there a bard of rustic song,
Who noteless, steals the crowds among,

That weekly this area throng,
O, pass not by!
But, with a frater-feeling strong,
Here, heave a sigh.

Is there a man, whose judgment clear
Can others teach the course to steer,
Yet runs, himself, life's mad career,
Wild as the wave,
Here pause-and, thro' the starting tear,
Survey this grave.

The poor inhabitant below
Was quick to learn the wise to know,
And keenly felt the friendly glow,
And softer flame;
But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stain'd his name!

Reader, attend! whether thy soul
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole,
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole,
In low pursuit:
Know, prudent, cautious, self-control
Is wisdom's root.

Prudent, cautious, self-control, wisdom's root. But Rabbie never had any of this and none of this makes the Bard what he is, and it is those enrapt in my thoughtless follies, those laid low by them that stop to drap a tear.

While I toast the haggis, and drink the wine, make the fellows laugh; across the countryside bonnie lasses cry in the dark. Were it not for them, the secret and not-so-secret muses, thinking they are getting while I am taking there would not even be a Bard.

Were it not for the Nellies, Peggies, Alisons and all the rest there would not be a Bard at all. There would be only a sad, overworked, and poor man named Robert Burness. For the love of a woman, the chase of the muse that amused me, there would be no verse and no epitaph. And so, I must ask, is it I that am the Bard, or only the voice of the bonnie lasses once young, once loved, always loved and always forever in my song? I have an epitaph, they live on--even if I broke their hearts.

And as I wax on I must advise, find a muse and she will educate you more than all the universities in the world, for she can inspire even a lowly farm laborer to sing the song of a country and of time. "O, Once I Lov'd a Bonnie Lass...."