Hughie’s Monument, pp.44-46.

[Horace in Homespun Contents]

Non omnis moriar.” – CAR. III. 30. 

IN vain the future snaps his fangs, 

The tyke may rage – he canna wrangt’s, 

I put my haund upon my sangs 

Withoot a swither; 

To me this monument belangs, 

I need nae ither. 

– 

It’s no’ in granite to endoor, 

Sandstane comes ripplin’ doon like stoor, 

Marble – it canna stand the shoo’r, 

It lasts nae time; 

There’s naething yet has hauf the poo’r 

O’ silly rhyme. 

– 

The pyramids hae tint their tale, 

It’s lang sin’ they begoud to fail, 

They’re either murlin’ doun to meal 

Or fog-enwrappit, 

While Homer at this hoor’s as hale 

As e’er he stappit. 

– 

Sae I may say’t withoot a lee, 

I dinna a’thegither dee; 

Therefore forbear to greet for me 

When I’m awa, 

An’ keep a dry, a drouthie ee, 

I chairge ye a’. 

– 

When at my door the hearse draws up 

An’ Kate haunds roun’ the dirgy-cup, 

Nae friend o’ mine will tak’ a sup 

For that the less, 

But calmly wi’ a steady grup 

Cowp owre his gless. 

– 

The better part o’ me remains! 

Whaur Allan Watter weets the plains, 

An’ Devon, crystal but for rains, 

Gangs wanderin’ wide, 

Lang after me ye’ll hear my strains 

On Ochilside. 

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