That e’er has gi’en mankind a blink
O’ Hope—tho’ ev’n in that puir licht
They s’ud ha’e seen their hopeless plicht.
This puir relation o’ my topplin’ mood,
This country cousin, streak o’ churl-bluid,
This hopeless airgh ’twixt a’ we can and should,
This Past that like Astarte’s sting I feel,
This arrow in Achilles’ heel.
Yank oot your orra boughs, my hert!
Mebbe we’re in a vicious circle cast,