...honest pen gives the lie to the unwise friends of his memory who take up a position so untenable:— " The poor inhabitant below, Was quick to learn and wise to know, And keenly felt the social glow And softer flame, But thoughtless follies laid him low, And stained his name." Nor can...

...life's mad career, Wild as the wave; Here pause — and, through the starting tear Survey this grave. The poor inhabitant below, Was quick to learn, and...softer flame; But thoughtless follies laid him low, And stained his name! Reader, attend — whether thy soul Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole, Or darkling...

...prediction of the fate which he saw awaiting him against all ever advanced on the opposite side : — " The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn, and wise to know, And keenly felt the social glow And safter flame; Bat thoughtless follies laid him low, And stained his name." Despite...

...in the one he wrote for himself, than which nothing could be imagined more simple or more true : u The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn, and...thoughtless follies laid him low, And stain'd his name." A subscription for the benefit of the Poet's family was commenced immediately after his death. Seven...

...life's mad career '5 Wild as the wave? Here pause — and thro' the starting tear Survey this grave. The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn and wise to know, 20 And keenly felt the friendly glow And softer flame; But thoughtless follies laid him low, And stained...

...himself, life's mad career Wild as the wave? Here pause— and thro' the starting tear, Survey this grave. The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn, and...fancy's flights beyond the pole, Or darkling grubs this earthy hole, In low pursuit; Know, prudent, cautious self-control Is wisdom's root. Robert Burns (1759-1796)...

...failures, at least all the best of us. The greatest Scotsman that ever lived wrote himself down a failure: "The poor Inhabitant below Was quick to learn and...softer flame. But thoughtless follies laid him low. And stained his name." Perhaps the saddest lines in poetry, written by a man who could make things new...

...How much unlike ! Your hearts are just a standing pool, Your lives, a dyke ! And again, on himself, The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn and wise...thoughtless follies laid him low, And stain'd his name ! The poet who wrote these verses knew the delight of riding on the crest of the wave, with a following...

...solely on the weight and force of that which with entire fidelity it utters, Burns could show him. The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn and wise...thoughtless follies laid him low And stain'd his name. Every one will be conscious of a likeness here to Wordsworth; and if Wordsworth did great things with...

...life's mad career Wild as the wave? Here pause — and thro' the starting tear, Survey this grave. The poor inhabitant below Was quick to learn, and...softer flame; But thoughtless follies laid him low, And stain 'd his name! Reader, attend ! — whether thy soul Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole, Or...