Lines Written On A Banknote
lines written on a banknote
wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf!
fell source o' a' my woe and grief!
for lack o' thee i've lost my lass!
for lack o' thee i scrimp my glass!
i see the children of affliction
unaided, through thy curst restriction:
i've seen the oppressor's cruel smile
amid his hapless victim's spoil;
and for thy potence vainly wished,
to crush the villain in the dust:
for lack o' thee, i leave this much-lov'd shore,
never, perhaps, to greet old scotland more.
r.b.
wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf!
fell source o' a' my woe and grief!
for lack o' thee i've lost my lass!
for lack o' thee i scrimp my glass!
i see the children of affliction
unaided, through thy curst restriction:
i've seen the oppressor's cruel smile
amid his hapless victim's spoil;
and for thy potence vainly wished,
to crush the villain in the dust:
for lack o' thee, i leave this much-lov'd shore,
never, perhaps, to greet old scotland more.
r.b.