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Yet was Rob Roy as wise as brave;
Forgive me if the phrase be strong;—
A Poet worthy of Rob Roy
Must scorn a timid song.
Say, then, that he was wise as brave;
As wise in thought as bold in deed:
For in the principles of things
He sought his moral creed.
Said generous Rob, "What need of Books?
"Burn all the Statutes and their shelves:
"They stir us up against our Kind;
"And worse, against Ourselves.
"We have a passion, make a law,
"Too false to guide us or control!
"And for the law itself we fight
"In bitterness of soul.
"And, puzzled, blinded thus, we lose
"Distinctions that are plain and few:
"These find I graven on my heart:
"That tells me what to do.
