The Bookworms
Burns saw a splendidly bound but sadly
neglected copy of Shakspere in the
Robert Burns. library of a nobleman in Edinburgh,
and he wrote these lines on the ample
margin of one of its pages, where they
were found long after the poet’s death.
Through and through the inspired leaves,
Ye maggots, make your windings;
But oh, respect his lordship’s taste,
And spare the golden bindings.