Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

Verses to Chloris, with a copy of the last edition of his Poems

Robert Burns

“Verses to Chloris, with a copy of the last edition of his Poems” as printed in The Poetical Works of Robert Burns (1887).

Robert Burns: Collected Lyrics Text 483 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

'Tis Friendship's pledge, my young, fair friend,

Nor thou the gift refuse,

Nor with unwilling ear attend

The moralizing muse

Verse 2

Since thou, in all thy youth and charms,

Must bid the world adieu,

(A world 'gainst peace in constant arms)

To join the friendly few.

Verse 3

Since, thy gay morn of life o'ercast,

Chill came the tempest's lower,

(And ne'er misfortune's eastern blast

Did nip a fairer flower.)

Verse 4

Since life's gay scenes must charm no more,

Still much is left behind;

Still nobler wealth hast thou in store—

The comforts of the mind!

Verse 5

Thine is the self-approving glow,

On conscious honour's part;

And, dearest gift of heaven below,

Thine friendship's truest heart.

Verse 6

The joys refin'd of sense and taste,

With every muse to rove:

And doubly were the poet blest,

These joys could he improve.

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), “Verses to Chloris, with a copy of the last edition of his Poems”

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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