Quote#Money & Wealth
Ye high, exalted, virtuous dames
Quote byRobert Burns · 1759–1796
Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Address to the Unco Guid, sts. 6–7 (1787).
English (original)
Ye high, exalted, virtuous dames, Tied up in godly laces, Before ye gie poor Frailty names, Suppose a change o' cases: A dear-lov'd lad, convenience snug, A treach'rous inclination— But, let me whisper i' your lug, Ye're aiblins nae temptation. Then gently scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman; Tho' they may gang a kennin wrang, To step aside is human.
— Robert Burns
More from Robert Burns
The best laid schemes o' mice and men Gang aft a-gley; And leave us naught but grief and pain For promised joy.
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.
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!
Gin a body meet a body Comin thro' the rye, Gin a body kiss a body, Need a body cry?
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!
When chill November's surly blast Made fields and forests bare.