Robert Burns

Written on the Blank Leaf of a Copy of the First Edition of his Poems, Presented to an Old Sweetheart, then Married

ONCE fondly Iov’d, and still remember’d dear,
  Sweet early object of my youthful vows,
Accept this mark of friendship warm, sincere;
  Priendship! ‘tis all cold duty now allows.

And when you read the simple artless rhymes.
  One friendly sigh for him-he asks no more,
Who distant burns in flaming torrid climes.
  Or haply lies beneath th’ Atlantic roar.