lines written on a banknote
wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf!
fell source o' a' my woe and grief!
for lack o' thee i've lost my lass!
for lack o' thee i scrimp my glass!
i see the children of affliction
unaided, through thy curst restriction:
i've seen the oppressor's cruel smile
amid his hapless victim's spoil;
and for thy potence vainly wished,
to crush the villain in the dust:
for lack o' thee, i leave this much-lov'd shore,
never, perhaps, to greet old scotland more.
r.b.