Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SUCH A PARCEL OF ROGUES IN A NATION, by ROBERT BURNS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SUCH A PARCEL OF ROGUES IN A NATION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Farewell to a' our scottish fame
Last Line: Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!
Subject(s): Scotland - Relations With England; Treason & Traitors


Farewell to a' our Scottish fame,
Farewell our ancient glory;
Farewell ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae fam'd in martial story.
Now Sark rins over Solway sands,
An' Tweed rins to the ocean,
To mark where England's province stands --
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!

What force or guile could not subdue,
Thro' many warlike ages,
Is wrought now by a coward few,
For hireling traitor's wages.
The English stell we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane --
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!

O would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak this declaration;
We're bought and sold for English gold --
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net