Verses inscribed under a Noble Earl’s Picture

Portrait of Robert Burns
Robert Burns 1759–1796
156Poems and Songs. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

WHOSE 1 is that noble, dauntless brow? And whose that eye of fire? And whose that generous princely mien, E’en rooted foes admire?

Stranger! to justly show that brow, And mark that eye of fire, Would take His hand, whose vernal tints His other works admire.

Bright as a cloudless summer sun, With stately port he moves; His guardian Seraph eyes with awe The noble Ward he loves.

Among the illustrious Scottish sons That chief thou may’st discern, Mark Scotia’s fond-returning eye,— It dwells upon Glencairn.

Note 1. The Nobleman is James, Fourteenth Earl of Glencairn.

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