Stop, passenger! my story’s brief,And truth I shall relate, man;I tell nae common tale o’ grief,For Matthew was a great man.4
If thou uncommon merit hast,Yet spurn’d at Fortune’s door, man;A look of pity hither cast,For Matthew was a poor man.8
If thou a noble sodger art,That passest by this grave, man;There moulders here a gallant heart,For Matthew was a brave man.12
If thou on men, their works and ways,Canst throw uncommon light, man;Here lies wha weel had won thy praise,For Matthew was a bright man.16
If thou, at Friendship’s sacred ca’,Wad life itself resign, man:Thy sympathetic tear maun fa’,For Matthew was a kind man.20
If thou art staunch, without a stain,Like the unchanging blue, man;This was a kinsman o’ thy ain,For Matthew was a true man.24
If thou hast wit, and fun, and fire,And ne’er guid wine did fear, man;This was thy billie, dam, and sire,For Matthew was a queer man.28
If ony whiggish, whingin’ sot,To blame poor Matthew dare, man;May dool and sorrow be his lot,For Matthew was a rare man.32
But now, his radiant course is run,For Matthew’s was a bright one!His soul was like the glorious sun,A matchless, Heavenly light, man.36