[Thoughts of Burns\u2014with apologies to his immortal spirit for making him speak in Jamaican dialect.]<\/p>\n
DEY read[1]<\/sup><\/a> ’em again an’ again, My poverty quickly took wing, Dey tek me away from me lan’, I went to de ballroom at night, I flirted wid beautiful girls, But soon I was tired of it all, Te-day I am back in me lan’,
\nAn’ laugh an’ cry[2]<\/sup><\/a> at ’em in turn ;
\nI felt I was gettin’ quite vain,
\nBut dere was a lesson fe learn.<\/p>\n
\nOf life no experience had I;
\nI couldn’ then want anyt’ing
\nDat kindness or money could buy.<\/p>\n
\nDe gay o’ de wul’ to behold,
\nAn’ roam me t’rough palaces gran’,
\nAn’ show’red on me honour untold.<\/p>\n
\nAn’ danced wid de belles of de hour;
\nHalf dazed by de glitterin’ light,
\nI lounged in de palm-covered bower.<\/p>\n
\nAn’ drank 0′ de wine flowin’ red;
\nI felt my brain movin’ in whirls,
\nAn’ knew I was losin’ my head.<\/p>\n
\nMy spirit was weary to roam;[3]<\/sup><\/a>
\nDe life grew as bitter as gall,
\nI hungered again for my home.<\/p>\n
\nForgotten by all de gay throng,
\nA poorer but far wiser man,
\nAn’ knowin’ de right from de wrong.<\/p>\n