The poem
NO 1 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.
ADDITIONAL STANZASShe 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.
Note 1. The stone was erected at Burns’ expenses in February-March, 1789.