Читать книгу The Complete Works - Роберт Бернс, Robert Burns - Страница 106
THE POETICAL WORKS OF ROBERT BURNS
CIV. TO JOHN M’MURDO, ESQ
Оглавление[John M’Murdo, Esq., one of the chamberlains of the Duke of Queensberry, lived at Drumlanrig: he was a high-minded, warm-hearted man, and much the friend of the poet. These lines accompanied a present of books: others were added soon afterwards on a pane of glass in Drumlanrig castle.
“Blest be M’Murdo to his latest day!
No envious cloud o’ercast his evening ray;
No wrinkle furrowed by the hand of care,
Nor ever sorrow add one silver hair!
O may no son the father’s honour stain,
Nor ever daughter give the mother pain.”
How fully the poet’s wishes were fulfilled need not be told to any one acquainted with the family.]
O, could I give thee India’s wealth,
As I this trifle send!
Because thy joy in both would be
To share them with a friend.
But golden sands did never grace
The Heliconian stream;
Then take what gold could never buy—
An honest Bard’s esteem.
