Classic Poem

Man , put your bonnet on your heid,
Gin ye hae ony brain!
Hoo daur ye gie a thing like me
What's due to God alane?

I'd rather that the very earth
Would ope and swallow me,
Than I should stand wi' hat in hand
To ony lord I see.

Are ye o' Robin Burns's line,
A countryman o' Knox,
Wi' nae mair harns than yon auld cairns,
Green kail, or cabbage stocks?

Can ye no' honor worthy folk
(And some deserve it well),
Yet stan'na like a barber's block,
Dishonoring yersel'?

It's time that potentates and kings,
And men o' ev'ry station,
Should learn that honor never springs
Frae human degradation.

No, never throw your manhood doun,
Whatever may befa''
Aye see, 'yont sceptre and 'yont croun,
God's universal law.

He sets the highest dignity
Upon the human brow;
To our puir frail humanity
Baith King and Pope maun bow.

It's time indeed that all should know,
Tho' titles may look braw,
Such things are but a passing show,
And worth's abune them a';

And manhood is abune a' price
To shield us frae the wrang —
Gin ye are wice, tak' my advice,
And never let it gang!

Gie honor to the brave and good,
To them, and them alone;
E'en tho' inspired by gratitude,
Man, keep your bonnet on.

Hey! there's a shilling, ye leuk wae!
Hey! tak' it and begone!
But min', my lad, whate'er ye dae,
Aye keep your bonnet on.

Be eident aye; aye speak the truth
And dae the best ye can.
Nae thanks to me — but henceforth see
And try to be a man.