Must man then of his mother tongue
Desist and cease anon?
Shall I give up, a something wrong
Which early I have done,
To speak in ways which but prolong
Man’s sorrows once begun?
So it were then: despite one’s mother
May coo vociferous
The native charms, unto his brother
Be man devoted thus--
To owe, however, to another
Truth and respect, because
It were no other option left,
Lest man would dare extinguish
That spirit leaving him bereft--
Therefore I maun relinquish
That gift that had been like a theft
As stole so sweet: my English.