Page:The poetical works of Robert Burns.djvu/224

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THE POEMS OF BURNS.

'IN VAIN WOULD PRUDENCE.'

In vain would Prudence, with decorous sneer,
Point out a cens'ring world, and bid me fear;
Above that world on wings of love I rise,
I know its worst- and can that worst despise.
'Wrong'd, injur'd, shunn'd; unpitied, unredrest,
The mock'd quotation of the scorner's jest.'
Let prudence' direst bodements on me fall,
Clarinda, rich reward! o'erpays them all!

'THOUGH FICKLE FORTUNE.'

Though fickle Fortune has deceiv'd me,
She promis'd fair and perform'd but ill;
Of mistress, friends, and wealth bereav'd me,
Yet I bear a heart shall support me still.—

I'll act with prudence as far's I'm able,
But if success I must never find,
Then come misfortune, I bid thee welcome,
I'll meet thee with an undaunted mind.—

THE LOYAL NATIVES' VERSES.

Ye sons of sedition, give ear to my song,
Let Syme, Burns, and Maxwell pervade every throng,
With Crackn the attorney, and Mundell the quack,
Send Willie the monger to hell with a smack.

These verses were handed over the table to Burns at a convivial meeting, and he indorsed the subjoined reply:

BURNS—EXTEMPORE.

Ye true 'Loyal Natives,' attend to my song,
In uproar and riot rejoice the night long;
From envy and hatred your corps is exempt;
But where is your shield from the darts of contempt?

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