Man was Made to Mourn - A Ballad

An original manuscript in Burns' own hand.   Man Was Made To Mourn When chill November's surly blast Made fields and forests bare One ev'ning as I wander'd forth Along the banks of Ayr, I spied a man, whose agèd step Seem'd weary, worn with care; His face was furrow'd o'er with years, And hoary was his hair. Young stranger, whither wand'rest thou?' Began the rev'rend sage; `Does thirst of wealth thy step constain, Or youthful pleasure's rage ? Or, haply, prest with cares and woes, Too soon thou hast began To wander forth with me to mourn The miseries of man. The sun that overhangs yon moors, Out-spreading far and wide, Where hundreds labour to support A haughty lordling's pride- I've seen yon weary winter-sun Twice forty times return, And ev'ry time has added proofs That man was made to mourn. O man ! while in thy early years, How prodigal of time! Mis-spending all thy precious hours, Thy glorious youthful prime! Alternate follies take the sway; Licentious passions burn; Which tenfold force give nature's law, That man was made to mourn. Look not alone on youthful prime, Or manhood's active might; Man then is useful to his kind, Supported is his right; But see him on the edge of life, With cares and sorrows worn, Then age and want, oh ! ill-match'd pair! Show man was made to mourn. A few seem favourites of fate, In pleasure's lap carest; Yet think not all the rich and great Are likewise truly blest. But oh! what crowds in ev'ry land All wretched and forlorn, Thro' weary life this lesson learn- That man was made to mourn. Many and sharp the num'rous ills Inwoven with our frame! More pointed still we make ourselves Regret, remorse, and shame! And man, whose heaven-erected face The smiles of' love adorn- Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn. See yonder poor o'erlabour'd wight, So abject, mean, and vile, Who begas a brother of the earth To give him leave to toil; And see his lordly fellow-worm The poor petition spurn, Unmindful tho' a weeping wife And helpless offspring mourn. If I'm design'd yon lordling's slave,- By nature's law design'd -- Why was an independent wish E'er planted in my mind? If not, why am I subject to His cruelt, or scorn ? Or why has man the will and pow'r To make his fellow mourn? Yet let not this too much, my son, Disturb thy youthful breast; This partial view of human-kind Is surely not the last! The poor oppressèd honest man, Had never sure been born, Had there not been some recompense To comfort those that mourn! O Death, the poor man's dearest friend, The kindest and the best! Welcome the hour my aged limbs Are laid with thee at rest! The great, the wealthy, fear thy blow. From pomp and pleasure torn; But oh ! a blest relief to those That weary-laden mourn.   Part of the James McKie Collection