Stephenson's Graded Classical Poems

What though on hamely fare we dine,
Wear hoddin-grey, and a' that;
Gie folks their silks, and knaves their wine,
A man's a man for a' that.
For a' that, and a' that,
Their tinsel show, and a' that;
The honest man, though e'er sae poor,
Is king of men for a' that.

Ye see yon birdie, ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, and stares, and a' that;
Though hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a coof for a' that;
For a' that, and a' that,
His riband, star, and a' that;
The man of independent mind,
He looks and laughs at a' that.

A prince can mak' a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, and a' that;
But an honest man's aboon his might,
Guid faith, he mauna fa' that!
For a' that, and 'a that,
Their dignities, and a' that;
The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth,
Are higher ranks than a' that-
Then let us pray that come it may,
As come it will, for a' that,
That sense and worth o'er a' the earth,
May bear the gree, and a' that.

For a' that, and a' that, It's coming yet, for a' that,
That man to man, the warl' o'er, small brothers be for a' that.

Robert Burns

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