Robert Burns

Lines Sent to Sir John Whiteford, of Whiteford, Bart

With the lament on the death of the Earl of Glencairn

THOU, who thy honour as thy God reverest,
Who, save thy mind’s reproach, nought earthly fearest,
To thee this votive offering I impart.
The tearful tribute of a broken heart.
The friend thou valued’st, I the Patron lov’d;
His worth, his honour, all the world approv’d.
We’ll mourn till we too go as he has gone,
And tread the shadowy path to that dark world unknown.