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Brooks: For a' that
FOR A' THAT AND A' THAT
(In imitation of Burns)
More luck to honest poverty,
It claims respect, and a' that;
But honest wealth's a better thing,
We dare be rich for a 5 that.
For a' that, and a' that,
And spooney cant and a' that,
A man may have a ten-pun note,
And be a brick for a' that.
What though on soup and fish we dine,
Wear evening togs and a' that,
A man may like good meat and wine,
Nor be a knave for a' that.
For a' that, and a' that,
Their fustian-talk and a' that,
A gentleman, however clean,
May have a heart for a' that.
You see yon prater called a Beales,
Who bawls and brays and a' that,
Tho' hundreds cheer his blatant bosh,
He's but a goose for a' that.
For a' that, and a' that,
His Bubblyjocks, and a' that,
A man with twenty grain' of sense,
He looks and laughs at a' that.
A prince can make a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, and a 9 that,
And if the title's earned, all right,
Old England's fond of a' that.
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