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INSCRIPTION ON FERGUSSON'S TOMBSTONE by ROBERT BURNS

Poet Analysis

First Line: NO SCULPTURED MARBLE HERE, NOR POMPOUS LAY
Last Line: A NOBLER MONUMENT THAN ART CAN SHEW.
Subject(s): FERGUSSON, ROBERT (1750-1774);

No sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay,
"No storied urn nor animated bust;"
This simple stone directs pale Scotia's way,
To pour her sorrows o'er the Poet's dust.

She mourns, sweet tuneful youth, thy hapless fate;
Tho' all the powers of song thy fancy fired,
Yet Luxury and Wealth lay by in state,
And, thankless, starv'd what they so much admired.

This tribute, with a tear, now gives
A brother Bard -- he can no more bestow:
But dear to fame thy Song immortal lives,
A nobler monument than Art can shew.



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