Lines Written On A Banknote

    lines written on a banknote
    wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf!
    fell source o' a' my woe and grief!
    for lack o' thee i've lost my lass!
    for lack o' thee i scrimp my glass!
    i see the children of affliction
    unaided, through thy curst restriction:
    i've seen the oppressor's cruel smile
    amid his hapless victim's spoil;
    and for thy potence vainly wished,
    to crush the villain in the dust:
    for lack o' thee, i leave this much-lov'd shore,
    never, perhaps, to greet old scotland more.
    r.b.