Quote#Death
I would not die like Socrates
Quote byRobert Burns · 1759–1796
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: I Murder Hate by Field or Flood, st. 2.
English (original)
I would not die like Socrates, For all the fuss of Plato; Nor would I with Leonidas, Nor yet would I with Cato. The zealots of the church or state Shall ne'er my mortal foes be, But let me have bold Zimri's fate Within the arms of Cozbi!
— Robert Burns
More from Robert Burns
All in this mottie, misty clime, I backward mus'd on wasted time, How I had spent my youthfu' prime An' done nae-thing, But stringing blethers up to rhyme For fools to sing.
I'm truly sorry Man's dominion Has broken Nature's social union, An' justifies that ill opinion Which makes thee startle, At me, thy poor, earth-born companion, An' fellow-mortal!
The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft a-gley; And leave us naught but grief and pain For promised joy.
Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body cry?
Wee, sleekit, cow'rin', tim'rous beastie, O what a panic's in thy breastie! Thou need na start awa sae hasty, Wi' bickering brattle! I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee, Wi' murd'ring pattle!
When chill November's surly blast Made fields and forests bare.