'From POEMS and SONGS [1875 Edition]' by Robert Tannahill


14

SINCERITY

1804

PURE emanation of the honest soul, Dear to my heart, manly Sincerity! Dissimulation shrinks -- a coward foul -- Before thy noble art-detesting eye. Thou scorn'st the wretch who acts a double part, Obsequious, servile, flatt’ring to betray, With smiling face that veils a ranc’rous heart, Like sunny morning of tempestuous day. Thou spurn'st the sophist, with his guilty lore, Whom int'rest prompts to weave the specious snare; In independence rich, thou own'st a store Of conscious worth, which changelings never share. Then come, bright Virtue, with thy dauntless brow, And crush Deceit, vile monster, reptile low.






© Copyright Len Nicholson, 1996, 1997, 1998