PoemsandSongsofRobertBurnsLinesOnFergusson,ThePoet

linesonfergusson,thepoet

ill-fatedgenius!heaven-taughtfergusson!

whatheartthatfeelsandwillnotyieldatear,

tothinklife'ssundidsete'erwellbegun

tosheditsinfluenceonthybrightcareer.

owhyshouldtruestworthandgeniuspine

beneaththeirongraspofwantandwoe,

whiletitledknavesandidiot—greatnessshine

inallthesplendourfortunecanbestow?