Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation

Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation.

Written on occasion of the Union between England and Scotland.

 

Farewell to a' our Scottish fame, Farewell our ancient glory;Farewell e'en to the Scottish name, Sae famed in ancient story!Now Sark rins o'er the Solway sands, And Tweed rins to the ocean,To mark where England's province stands: Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!

What force or guile could not subdue Through many warlike ages,Is wrought now by a coward few For hireling traitors' wages.The English steel we could disdain, Secure in valour's station;But English gold has been our bane: Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!

I would, ere I had seen the day That treason thus could sell us,My auld grey head had lain in clay Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace!But pith arid power, to my last hour I'll make this declaration,—We're bought and sold for English gold: Such a parcel of rogues in a nation!