The Poetry of Robert Burns Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson |
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WHY SHOULD WE IDLY WASTE OUR PRIME |
 | The Poetry of Robert Burns |  |
57
WHY SHOULD WE IDLY WASTE OUR PRIME
I
Why should we idly waste our primeRepeating our oppressions?
Come rouse to arms! 'Tis now the time
To punish past transgressions.
'Tis said that Kings can do no wrong—
Their murderous deeds deny it,
And, since from us their power is sprung,
We have a right to try it.
Now each true patriot's song shall be:—
‘Welcome Death or Libertie!’
II
Proud Priests and Bishops we'll translateAnd canonize as Martyrs;
The guillotine on Peers shall wait;
And Knights shall hang in garters.
Those Despots long have trode us down,
And Judges are their engines:
Such wretched minions of a Crown
Demand the people's vengeance!
To-day 'tis theirs. To-morrow we
Shall don the Cap of Libertie!
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III
The Golden Age we'll then revive:Each man will be a brother;
In harmony we all shall live,
And share the earth together;
In Virtue train'd, enlighten'd Youth
Will love each fellow-creature;
And future years shall prove the truth
That Man is good by nature:
Then let us toast with three times three
The reign of Peace and Libertie!
| The Poetry of Robert Burns | |