Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

252 . Lines to John M’Murdo of Drumlanrig

O COULD I give thee India’s wealth,

As I this trifle send;

Because thy joy in both would be

To share them with a friend.

But golden sands did never grace

The Heliconian stream;

Then take what gold could never buy—

An honest bard’s esteem.