SONNET to the 25th 'Januar' by RS

SONNET to the 25th Januar.



Again the twenty fifth of ‘Januar’
Is here, round which the dearest mem’ries throng.
This day was born Scotia’s king of song,
Her greatest genius, honour’d near and far,
That through the ages shines her brightest star,
The champion of the poor, be book’d no wrong,
In sturdy independence, firm and strong
Against oppression waged relentless war,
But sang as no man ever sang before,
Or even man may hope to sing again.
His heav’n taught soul to lofty issues soar
He plumb’d the depth of misery and pain,
Whate’er the theme his fiery breath blow o’er,
Leapt ftrom the dust and lives for evermore.


R.S.
c.1979