Born 25 January 1759 Rabbie Burns, Scotlands' favourite son just has to be mentioned in this the 250th anniversary year of his birth!  One of his best known follows:

Ae Fond Kiss, And Then We Sever


1791
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him,
While the star of hope she leaves him?
Me, naecheerful twinkle lights me;
Dark despair around benights me.

I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy,
Naethingcould resist my Nancy:
But to see her was to love her;
Love buther, and love for ever.
Had we never lov'd sae kindly,
Had we never lov'd saeblindly,
Never met-or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.

Fare-thee-weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare-thee-weel, thou best and dearest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, Enjoyment, Love and Pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Aefareweeli alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee.