---
title: "Motto Prefixed to the Author’s First Publication"
author: "Robert Burns"
form: "Poem"
year: "1786"
location: "Mossgiel"
source: "Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns"
source_url: "https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1279/pg1279.txt"
canonical_url: "https://robert-burns.com/poems/motto-prefixed-to-the-authors-first-publication/"
---

# Motto Prefixed to the Author’s First Publication

## Poem
The simple Bard, unbroke by rules of art,  
He pours the wild effusions of the heart;  
And if inspir’d ’tis Nature’s pow’rs inspire;  
Her’s all the melting thrill, and her’s the kindling fire.

---

Source: [Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1279/pg1279.txt)  
Canonical HTML: https://robert-burns.com/poems/motto-prefixed-to-the-authors-first-publication/