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Public-domain lyrics

Stanzas on the Duke of Queensberry

Robert Burns

“Stanzas on the Duke of Queensberry” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 335 1887 · historical text
Public domainScottish songSong lyrics
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from The Poetical Works of Robert Burns, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

How shall I sing Drumlanrig's Grace,

Discarded remnant of a race

Once great in martial story?

His forbears' virtues all contrasted—

The very name of Douglas blasted—

His that inverted glory.

Verse 2

Hate, envy, oft the Douglas bore;

But he has superadded more,

And sunk them in contempt.

Follies and crimes have stained the name,

But, Queensberry, thine the virgin claim,

From aught that's good exempt.

Credits

Written by Robert Burns

Words by Robert Burns. Historical text published in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887), “Stanzas on the Duke of Queensberry”

Every text in this 1887 collected edition is by Robert Burns (1759-1796), who died more than 230 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination and a pre-1931 United States publication.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-25. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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