The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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ON THE COMMEMORATION OF RODNEY'S VICTORY
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 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
ON THE COMMEMORATION OF RODNEY'S VICTORY
KING'S ARMS, DUMFRIES, 12TH APRIL 1793
Instead of a song, boys, I'll give you a toast:Here's the Mem'ry of those on the Twelfth that we lost!—
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For their fame it shall live while the world goes round.
The next in succession I'll give you: the King!
And who would betray him, on high may he swing!
And here's the grand fabric, our Free Constitution
As built on the base of the great Revolution!
And, longer with Politics not to be cramm'd,
Be Anarchy curs'd, and be Tyranny damn'd!
And who would to Liberty e'er prove disloyal,
May his son be a hangman—and he his first trial!
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |