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Epitaph on Holy Willie, By: Robert Burns

October 19, 2026 by Editors

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Here Holy Willie’s sair worn clay
Taks up its last abode;
His saul has ta’en some other way,
I fear, the left-hand road.

Stop! there he is, as sure’s a gun,
Poor, silly body, see him;
Nae wonder he’s as black’s the grun,
Observe wha’s standing wi’ him.

Your brunstane devilship, I see,
Has got him there before ye;
But haud your nine-tail cat a wee,
Till ance you’ve heard my story.

Your pity I will not implore,
For pity ye have nane;
Justice, alas! has gi’en him o’er,
And mercy’s day is gane.

But hear me, Sir, deil as ye are,
Look something to your credit;
A coof like him wad stain your name,
If it were kent ye did it.

Read all of Robert Burns's poems · About Robert Burns

More by Robert Burns

  • Second Epistle to J. Lapraik
  • Epistle to William Simson
  • One Night as I Did Wander
  • Tho' Cruel Fate Should Bid Us Part
  • Rantin', Rovin' Robin

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