All devil as I am-a damned wretch, <br />A hardened, stubborn, unrepenting villain, <br />Still my heart melts at human wretchedness; <br />And with sincere but unavailing sighs <br />I view the helpless children of distress: <br />With tears indignant I behold the oppressor <br />Rejoicing in the honest man's destruction, <br />Whose unsubmitting heart was all his crime. - <br />Ev'n you, ye hapless crew! I pity you; <br />Ye, whom the seeming good think sin to pity; <br />Ye poor, despised, abandoned vagabonds, <br />Whom Vice, as usual, has turn'd o'er to ruin. <br />Oh! but for friends and interposing Heaven, <br />I had been driven forth like you forlorn, <br />The most detested, worthless wretch among you! <br />O injured God! Thy goodness has endow'd me <br />With talents passing most of my compeers, <br />Which I in just proportion have abused- <br />As far surpassing other common villains <br />As Thou in natural parts has given me more.<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/tragic-fragment/
