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.