A BARD'S EPITAPH.§ Is there a whim-inspir'd fool, Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule, And owre this grassy heap sing dool, Is there a Bard of rustic song, Who, noteless, steals the crowds among, O, pass not by ! But, with a frater-feeling strong, Here, heave a sigh. Is there a man whose judgment clear, Wild as the wave; Here pause and, thro' the starting tear, Survey this grave. Burns alludes to the conduct shewn to Mr. Hamilton for his spiritual offences, which has been already alluded to. Printed in the Kilmarnock and every other edition without any variation. The poor Inhabitant below Was quick to learn and wise to know, But thoughtless follies laid him low, Reader, attend-whether thy soul Know, prudent, cautious, self-controul EPITAPH ON MY FATHER. † O YE, whose cheek the tear of pity stains,' The pitying heart that felt for human woe; 66 'For ev'n his failings lean'd to virtue's side. VAR. who sympathize with Virtue's pains. + Printed in the Kilmarnock and all other editions. The variation of the title and first line is from a copy in the Poet's autograph. EPITAPH ON JOHN DOVE, INNKEEPER, HERE lies Johnny Pidgeon; What was his religion? Wha e'er desires to ken, To some other warl' Maun follow the carl, For here Johnny Pidgeon had nane! Strong ale was ablution,— Small beer persecution, A dram was memento mori; But a full flowing bowl Was the saving his soul, And port was celestial glory. EPITAPH ON JOHN BUSHBY, WRITER, HERE lies John Bushby, honest man! Printed in the Glasgow Collection in 1801. He kept the Whitefoord Arms, at the entrance of the Cowgate, at Mauchline. EPITAPH ON A WAG IN MAUCHLINE.|| LAMENT him, Mauchline husbands a', For had ye staid whole weeks awa, Your wives they ne'er had miss'd ye. Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye pass EPITAPH ON A PERSON NICKNAMED HERE lies a mock Marquis whose titles were shamm'd, If ever he rise, it will be to be damn'd. 1801. This epistle was printed in the Glasgow Collection in |