For Willie Soutar, October 1943

Twenty year beddit, and nou
the mort-claith.
This suld gar ilk ane grue,
sic a daith.

Was his life warth livan?
Ay, siccar it was.
He was eident, he was blye
in Scotland’s cause.

Liggan quate, his hairns were thrang
for Libertie,
his pen wove thegither sang
and musardrie.

In the time of tyrants he
testified truth,
and sae our yirth bydes aye free,
saut wi fresh youth.

Sic smeddum, kindliness, and wit,
hope and faith,
nou that his corp is by wi it,
outlive daith.