CORNELL
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
THE MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM
F. E. GURLEY BOOK FUND
liorneii university Library
PR 4300 1880.N53
The poetical works of Robert Burns:
3 1924 013 446 376
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THE
POETICAL WORKS
EOBEKT BTIENS:
WITH ALL TBE OORBESPONDENOE
AND NOTES
BY
ILLUSTRATED.
NEW YORK:
THE ARUNDEL PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO.
MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS.
Robert BtmifS was born on the 35th day of January, 1758, in a small
house about two miles from the town of Ayr, and within a few hundred yards
of Alio way Church, which his poem of Tajno' S/ianter has rendered immortal.
The name, which the poet and his brother modernized into Burns, was
originally Burnes, or Burness. Their father, William Burnes, was the son of
a farmer in Kincardineshire, and had received the education common in Scot-
laud to persons in his condition of life ; he dould read and write, and had some
knowledge of arithmetic. His family having fallen into reduced circumstances,
he was compelled to leave his home in his nineteenth year, and turned his steps
toward the south in quest of a livelihood. He undertook to act as a gardener,
and shaped his course to Edinburgh, where he wrought hard when he could
obtain employment, passing through a variety of difficulties. From Edin-
burgh William Burnes passed westward into the county of Ayr, where he
engaged himself as a gardener to the laird of Fairly, with whom he lived two
years; then changed his service for that of Crawford of Doonside. At length,
being desirous of settling in life, he took a perpetual lease of seven acres of
land from Dr. Campbell, physician in Ayr, with the view of commencing
nurseryman and public gardener, and, having built a house upon it with his
own hands, married in December, 1757, Agnes Brown. The first fruit of this
marriage was Robert, the subject of these memoirs. Before William Burnes
had made much progress in preparing his- nursery, he was withdrawn from
that undertaking by Mr. Ferguson, who purchased the estate of Doonliolm, in
the immediate neighbourhood, and engaged him as his gardener and overseer,
and this was his situation when our poet was born. When in the service of
Mr. Ferguson, he lived in his own house, his wife managing her family, and
her little dairy, which consisted of two, sometimes of three milch cows ; and
this state of unambitious content continued till the year 1766. His son Robert
was sent by him, in his sixth year, to a school in AUoway Miln, about a mile
distant, taught by a person of the name of Campbell ; but this teachfer being in
a few months appointed master of the workhotise at Ayr, William Burnes, in
conjunction with some other heads of families, engaged John Murdoch in his
stead. The education of our poet, and of his brother Gilbert, was iii common ;
and whilst under Mr. Murdoch, they learned to read English tolerably well,
and to write a little. He also taught them tlie elements of English grammar,
in which Robert made some proficiency — a circumstance which had consider-
able weight in the unfolding of his genius and character ; as he soon became
remafkable for the fluency and correctness of his expression, and read the few
books that came in his way with much pleasure and improvement.
It appears that William Burnes approved himself greatly in the service of
Mr. Ferguson, by his intelligence, industry, and integrity. In consequence of
this, with a view of promoting his hiterest, Mr. Ferguson iea.-ed to him the
farm of Mount Oliphant, in the parish of Ayr ; consisting of upwards of seventy
acres (about ninety, English Imperial measure), the rent of which was to be
forty pounds annually for the first «is years, and afterwards forty-five pounds/
6 MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS.
Mr. Ferguson also lent liim a hundred pounds to assist in stocking the farm, to
•which he removed at Whitsuntide, 1766; But this, in place of being of advan-
tage to William Burnes, as it was intended by his former master, was the
c6mmeueement of much anxiety and distress to the whole family, which is
forcibly described by his son, Gilbert, in a letter to Mrs. Dunlop:
" Mount Oliphant, the farm my father possessed in the parish of Ayr, is
almost the very poorest soil I know of in a state of cultivation. A stronger
proof of thisl cannot give, than that, notwithstanding the extraordinary rise
in the value of lands in Scotland, it was, after a considerable sum laid out in
improving it by the proprietor, let a few years ago five pounds per annum lower
than the rent paid for it by my father thirty years ago. My father, in conse-
quence of this, soon came into difficulties, which were increase d by the loss of
several of his cattle by accidents and disease. To the bufEetings of misfortune,
we could only oppose hard labour and the most rigid economy. We lived very
sparingly. For several years butcher's meat was a stranger in the house, while
all the members of the family exerted themselves to the utmost of their
strength, and rather beyond it, in the labours of the farm. My brother, at the,
age of thirteen, assisted in thrashing the crop of corn, and at fifteen was the
principal labourer on the farm, for we had no hired servant, male or female.
The anguish of mind we felt at our tender years, under these straits and dif-
ficulties, was very great. To think of our father growing old (for he was now
above fifty) broken down with the long-continued fatigues of his life, with a
wife and five other children, and in u. declining state of circumstances, these
reflections produced in my brother's mind and mine sensations of the deepest
distress. 1 doubt not but the hard labour ar^ sorrow of this period of his life,
was in u great measure the cause of that depression of spirits with which.
Robert was so often afflicted through his whole life afterwards. At this time
he was almost constantly afflicted in the evenings with a dull headache, which,
at a future period of his life, was exchanged for a palpitation of the heart, and.
a threatening of fainting and suffocation in his bed, in the night-time.
" By a stipulation in my father's lease, he had a right to thi'ow it up, if lie
thought proper, at the end of every sixth year. He attempted to fix himself in
a better farm at the end of the first six years, but failing in that attempt, he
continued where he was for six years more. He then took the farm of Loch-
lea, of 130 acres, at the rent of twenty shillmgs an acre, in the parish of Tar-
holton, of Mr. , then a merchant in Ayr, and now (1797) a mer-
chant at Liverpool. He removed to this farm at Whitsuntide, 1777, and pos-
sessed it only seven years. No writing had ever been made out of the condi-
tions of the lease ; a misunderstanding took place respecting them ; the sub-
jects in dispute were submitted to arbitration, and the decision involved my
father's affairs in ruin. He lived to know of this decision, but not to see any
execution in consequence of it. He died on the 13th of February, 1784"
Of this frugal, industrious, and good man, the following beautiful character
has been given by Mr. Murdoch: — "He was a tender and affectionate father;
he took pleasure in leading his children in the path of virtue; not in driving
them as same parents do, to the performance of ^uties to which they them,
selves are averse. He took care to find fault but very seldom; and therefore,
when he did rebuke, he was listened to with a kind of reverential awe. A
loo^of disapprobation was felt; a reproof was severely so; and a stripe with
the tews, even on the skirt of the coat, gave heartfelt pain, produced a loud
lamentation, and brought forth a flood of tears.
"He had the art of gaining the esteem and good- will of those that were la-
bourers under him. 1 think I never saw him angry but twice: the one time it
was with the foreman of the band, for not reaping the field as he was desired,
and the other time it was with an old man, for using smutty iuuendoes and
double entendres. Were every foul-mouthed old man to receive a seasonable
MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS;
check in tliis way, it ^ould' be to the advantage of th'o rising generation. As
he was at no time overbearing to inferiors, he was equally incapable of that
passive, pitiful, paltry spirit, tliat induces some people to keep booing and boo-
ing in the presence of a great man. He always treated superiors with a becom-
ing respect; but he never gave the smallest encouragement to aristoeratieal arro?
gance. But I must not pretend to give you a description of all the manly quali-
ties, the rational and Christian virtues, of the venerable William Burnes. Time
would fail me. 1 shall only add, that ho carefully practised every known
duty, and avoided everything that was criminal; or, in the ajjostle's words,.
' Herein did he exercise himself, in living a life void of ofEence towards Go(i
and towards men.' Oh for a world of men of such dispositions ! We shouldi
then have no ware. I have often wished, for the good of mi^nkind, that it
were as customary to honour and perpetuate the memory of those who excel in
moral rectitude, as it is to extol what are called heroic actions: then would the
mausoleum of the friend of my youth overtop and surpass most of the monu-
ments 1. see in Westminster Abbey !"
Under the humble roof of his parents, it appears indeed that our poet had
great advantages; but his opportunities of information at school were more
limited as to time than they usually are among his countrymen, in his condi-
tion of life; and the acquisitions which he made, and the poetical talent which
he exerted, under the pressure of early and incessant toil, and of inferior, and
perhaps scanty nutriment, testify at once the extraordinary force and activity
of ills mind. In his frame of body he rose nearly five feet ten inches, and as-
sumed the proportions that indicate agility as well as strength. In the various
labours of the farm he excelled all his competitors. Gilbert Burns declares that
in mowing, the exercise that ti'ies all the milscles most severely; Robert was
the only man that, at the end of a summer's day, he was ever obliged to ac-
Icnowledge as his master. But though our poet gave the powers of his body
to the labours of the farm, he refused to bestow on them his thoughts or his
cares. While the ploughshare under his guidance passed through the sward,
or- the grass fell under the sweep of his scythe, he was humming the songs of
his country, musing on the deeds of ancient valour, or rapt in the illusions of
Fancy, as her enchantments rose on his view. Happily the Sunday is yet a
sabbath, on which man and beast rest from their labours. On this day, there-
fore. Burns could indulge in a freer intercourse with the charms of nature. It
was his delight to wander alone on the banks of Ayr, whose stream is now immor-
tal, and to listen to the song of the blackbird at the close of the summer's day.
But still greater was his pleasure, as he himself informs us, in walking on the
sheltered side of a wood, in a cloudy winter day, and hearing the storm rave
among the trees; and more elevated still his delight to ascend some eminence
daring the agitations of nature, to stride along its summit while the lightning
flashed around him, and, amidst the bowlings of the tempest, to apostro-
phize the spirit of the storm. Such situations ho declares niost favorable to
devotion— " Rapt in enthusiasm, I seem to ascend towards Him w7io walks on
the wingsvf the wind !" If other proofs were wanting of the character of his
genius, this might determine it. The heart of the poet is peculiarly awake to
every impression of beauty and sublimity; but, with the higher order of jjoets,
the beautiful is less attractive than the sublimfe.
The gayety of many of Burns' .writings, and the lively and even cheerfdl
colouring with which he has pourtrayedhis own character, may lead some per-
sons to suppose, that the melancholy which huag^over him towards the end of
his days was not an original part of his constitution. It is not to be doubted,
Indeed, that this melancholy acquired a darker hue in the progress of his life;
but, independent of his own and of hjs brother's testimony, evidence is to be
found among his papers that he was subject very early to those depressions
of mind, which are perhaps not wholly separable from the sensibility of gemus,
but which in him rose to an uncommon degree.
8 MEMOIR t)F ROBERT BURNS.
' The energy of Burns' mind was not exliaiisted by his daily labours, tlie
effusions of his muse, his social pltsasdres, or his solitary meditations. Some
time previous to his engagement as a flax-dresser, having heard that a debat-
ing-club had been established in Ayr, he resolved to try kow such a meeting
■would succeed in the village of Tarbolton. About the end of the year 1780,
our poet, his brother, and five other young peasants of the neighbourhood,
formed themselves into a society of this sort, the declared objects of which
were to relax themselves after toil, to promote sociality and friendship, and to
improve the mind. The laws and regulations were furnished by Burns. The
members were to meet after the labours of the day were over, once a week, in
a small public house an the village; where each should offer his opinion on a
given question or subject, supporting it by such arguments as he thought
proper. The debate was to be conducted with order and decorum ; and after it
was finished, the members were to choose a subject for discussion at the ensu-
ing meetuig. The sum expended by each was not to exceed three-pence; and,
with the humble potation that this could procure, they were to toast
their mistresses and to cultivate friendship witli each other.
After the family of our bard removed from TaTbolton to the neighbourhood
of Mauchline, he and his brother were requested to assist in forming a similar
institution there. The regulations of the club at Mauchline were nearly the
same as those of the club at Tarbolton; but one laudable alteration was made.
The fines for non-attendance had at Tarbolton been spent in enlarging their
scanty potations: at Mauchline it was fixed, that the money so arising should
be set apart for the purchase of books; and the first work procured in
thifl manner was the Mirror, the separate numbers of which were at that time
recently collected and published in volumes. After it followed a number of
other works, chiefly of the same nature, and among these the Lounger:
The society of Mauchline still subsists, and was in. the list of subscribers to
the first edition of the works of its celebrated associate.
Whether, in the humble societies of which he was a member, Burns acquir-
ed much direct information, may perhaps be questioned. It cannot however be
doubted, that by collision tlio faculties of his mind would be excited, that by
Jiractice his habits of enunciation would be established, and thus we have some
explanation of that early command of words and of expression which enabled
him to pour forth his thoughts in language not unworthy of his genius, and
which, of all his endowments, seemed, on his appearance jn Edinburgh, the
most extraordinary. For associations of u, Jiteraiy nature, o|tr poet acquired a
considerable relish; and happy had it been for him, after he toerged from the
Condition of a peasant, if fortune had permitted him to enjoy tljern in
the degree of \Vhich he was capable, so as to have fortified his' principles of
virtue by the purification of his taste, and given to the energies of his mind
habits of exertion that might have excluded other associations, in which it
must be acknowledged they were too often wasted, as well as debased.
The whole course of the Ayr is fine; but the banks of that river, as it beUds
to the eastward above Mauchline, are singularly beautiful, and they Were
frequented, as may be imagined, by our poet in his solitary walks. Here the
muse often visited him.
At this time Burns' prospects in life were so extremely gloomy, that he had
decided upon going out to Jamaica, and had procured the situation of ovei-seer
on an estate belonging to Dr. Douglas ; not, however, without lamenting, that
want of patronage should force him to think of a project ^o repugnant to his
feelings, when liis ambition aimed at no higher object tlian the station of an
exciseman or ganger in his own country. But the situation in which he was
now placed cannot be better illusti-ated than by introducing the letter which he
wrote to Dr. Moore, giving an account of his life up to this period. As it was
never intended to seethe light: elegance, or perfect' correctness of composition.
MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS. 9
Will not be expected. These however, "will be compensated by the opportunity
of seeing our poet, as lie gives the incidents of his life, unfold tjie .peculiarities
Bf his character- with all the careless vigor and open sincerity of his mind.
"Sir : Maucuiline, 2d August, 1787.
' " For some months past I have been rambling over the country ; but I am
now confined with some lingering complaints, originating, as'I'takc it, in the
stomach. ^To divert my spirits a little in this miserable fog of ennui, I hfive
taken a whim to gvfe you a history of myself . My name has made some little
noise in this country ; you have done me tlie honour to interest yourself very
warriily in my behalf ; and I think a faithful account of what character of
a man I am, and how I came by that character, may perhaps amuse you in an
idle moment. 1 will give you an honest nani'ative ; though! know it- will be
often at my own expense ; — for I assure you, sir, I have, lilve Solomon, whose
character, except in the tvifling affair of wisdom, I sometimes think I resemble
— I have, 1 say, like him, ' turned my eyes to behold madness and folly,' and,
like him, too frequently sh.alten hand with- their intoxicating friendship. * , *
* After you have perused these pages,.should you.think them trifling and
impertinent, I only beg leave t6 tell you, that tlie poor author wrote them un-
der some twitching qualms of conscience, .arising from a suspicion that he
was doing what he' ought not to do — a predicament he has more than once been
in before.
" I have not the most distant pretensions to assume that character, which
the pye-coated guardians of escutclieous call a Gentleman. When at Edinbui^h
last winter, I got acquainted in. the Herald's Office; and looking through' that
granary of honours, I there found almost every name in the kingdom; Dut for
me,
My ancient but ignoble blood
Has crept through scoundrels ever since the flood.
Gules, Purpure, Argent, &c., quite disowned me.
" My father was of the north of Scotland, the son of a farmer, and was
thrown by early misfortunes on the world at large ; where, after many years'
Wanderings and sojouruings, he picked up a pretty large quautity'ot observa-
tion and experience, to which I am indebted for most of my pretensions to wis-
dom. I have met with few who understood . men, their mamiers, and Uteir
ways, equal to him; but stubborn, ungainly integrity, and headlong, ungovern-
able irascibility, ;ire disqualifying circumstances; consequently, I was born a
very poor man's son. For tlie first sir or seven years of my life, my father
was gardener to a worthy gentleman of small estate in tlie neighborhood of
Ayr. Had he continued in that station, I must have marched off to be one of
the little underlings about a farm house ; but it was liis dearest wish and
prayer to have it in his power to keep his children under his own eye till they
could discern between good and evil; so, with the assistance of his generous
master, my father ventured on a small farm oh his estate. At those years I
was by no meansafavonritewith anybody. I was a good deal noted for a re-
tentive memory, a stubborn sturdy something in my disposition, and an enthu-
siastic idiot piety. I say idiot piety, because I was then but a child. Though
it cost the schoolmaster some thrashings, I made an excellent English scholar;
and by the time I was ten or eleven years of age, I was a critic in substantives,
yerbs, and participles. In my infant and boyish days, too, I owed much to an
old woman who re.sided in the family, remarkable for her ignorance, credulity,
and superstition. She had, I suppose, the largest collection in the country of tales
and songs concerning devils, ghosts, fairies, brownies, witches, warlocks,
spunkies" kelpies, elf-candles, deadlights, wraiths, .apparitions, cantraips,
giants, enchanted- towers, dragons, and other trumpery. This cultivated .the
10 MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS.
latent seeds of poetry ; but had so strong an effect on my imagination^ that to
this hour, in my nocturnal rambles, I sometimes keep a sharp look-out in sus-
picious places ; and though nobody can be more skeptical than I ana in
such matters, yet it often takes an effort of philosophy to shake off these idl?
terrors. The earliest composition that I recollect taking pleasure in was I'lis
Vision ofMirza, and a hymn of Addison's, beginning ' How are thy servants
blessed, O Lord !' I particularly remember one half-stanza, which was music
to my boyish ear —
For though on dreadful whirls we hung
High on the broken wave.
I met with these pieces in Mason's English Collection, one of my school-books.
The two first books I ever read in private, and which gave me more pleasure
than any two books I ever read since, were, Th^i .Life of Ilaiuiibal, and The
History of Sir William Wallace. Hannibal gave my young ideas such a turn,
that I used to strut in raptures up and down after the. recruiting drum and bag-
pipe, and wish myself tall enough to be a soldier ; while the story of W&llace
potired a Scottish prej udice into my veins, which will boil along there till the
llood-gates of life shut in eternal rest.
" Polemical divinity about this time was putting the country half mad : and
I, ambitious of shining in conversation parties on Sundays, between sermons,
at funerals, &c. , used a few ye^irs afterwards to puzzle Calvinism with so much
heat and indiscretion, that 1 raised a hue-and-cry of heresy against me, which
has not ceased to this hour.
' ' My vicinity to Ayr was of some advantage to me. My social disposition,
wjien not checked by some modifications of spirited pride, was, like our cate-
chism definition of infinitude, without boimis or limits. I formed several con-
nections with other yonkers who possessed superior advantages, tlip youhgling
actors, who were busy in the rehearsal of parts in which they were shortly to
appear on the stage of life, where, alas ! 1 was destined to drudge behind the
scenes. It is not commonly at this green age that our young gentry ha vo^ just
sense of the immense distance between them and their ragged play-fellows. It
takes a few dashes into the world, to give the young great man that proper, de-
cent, unuoticing disregard for the poor, insignificant, stupid devils, the me-
chanics and peasantry around him, who were perhaps born in the same village.
My young superiors never insulted the clouterly appearance of my plough-boy
carcase, tlic two extremes of which were often exposed to all the inclemencies
of all the seasons. They would give me stray volumes of books : among them,
even then, I could pick up some observations ; and one, whose heart 1 am sure
not even the Muniiy Begum scenes have tainted, helped me to a little French.
Parting with these my young friends and benefactors, as they occasionally
went off for the East or West Indies, was often to me a sore affliction ; but I
was soon called to more serious evils. My father's generous master died ; the
farm proved a ruinous bargain ; and, to clench the misfortune, wc fell into
the hands of a factor, who sat for the picture I have drawn of one in my Tale
of Two, Dogs. My father was advanced in life when he married ; I was the
eldest of seven children ; and ho, worn out by early hardships, was unfit for
labour. My father's spirit was soon irritated, but not easily broken. There was
a freedom in his lease in two years more ; and, to weather those two years, we
retrenched our expenses. We lived very poorly : I was a dexterous plough-
man for my age ; and the next eldest to mo was a brother (Gilbert), who could
drive the plough very well and help me to thrash the corn. A novel-writer
-might perhaps have viewed these scenes with some satisfaction ; but so did not
I ; my indignation yet boils at the recollection of the s 1 factor's insolent
threatening letters, which used to set us all in tears.
" This kind of life— the cheerless gloom of a hermit, with the unceasing moil
MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS. 11 .
of a galley-slave, brought me to my sixteenlli year : a little before wliicli-
period I first committed the sin of rhyme. You know our country custom of
coupling a man and woman together as partners in the labours of the harvest.
In my fifteenth autumn, my partner was a bewitching creature a year younger,
than myself. My scarcity of English denies me the power of doing her
justice in that language, but you know the Scottisli idiom — she was a
bonnie, sweet, sonde lass. In short, she, altogether unwittingly to herself, in-
itiated me into that delicious passion, which, in spite of acid disappointment,
gin-horse prudence, and book- worm philosophy, I hold to be the first of human
joys, our dearest blessing here below I How she caught the contagion, I cannot
tell : you medical people talk much of infection from breathing the same air,
the touch, &c. ; but I never expressly said I loved her. Indeed, I did not know
myself why I liked so much to loiter behind with her, when returning in the
evening from our labours ; why the tones of her voice made my heart-strings
thrill like an .Stolian harp ; and particularly why my pulse beat such a furious
rattan when I looked and fingered over her little hand to pick out the cruel
nettle-stings and thistles. Among her other love-inspiring qualities, she sung
sweetly ; and it was her favourite reel to which I attempted giving an embodied
vehicle in rhyme. I was not so presumptuous as to imagine that 1 could make
verses like printed ones, composed by men who had Greek and Latin ; but my
girl sung a song, which was said to be composed by a small country laird's son,
on one of Ills father's maids, with whom he was in love 1 and I saw no reason
why I might not rhyme as well as he : for, excepting that he could smear
sheep, and cast peats, his father living in the moorlands, he had no more
school-craft than myself.
" Thus with me "began love and poetry ; which at times have been my only/-
and till within the last twelve months, have been my highest enjoyment. My
father struggled on till he reached the freedom in his lease, when he entered- on
a larger farm, about ten miles farther in the country. The nature of the bar-
gain he made was such as to throw a little ready money into his hands at the
commencement of his lease ; otherwise the affair would have been impracti-
cable. For four years we lived comfortably here ; but a difference commencing
between him and his landlord as to terms, after three years' tossing and whirl-
ing in the vortex of litigation, my father w-as just saved from the horrors of a
jail by a consumption, which, after two years' promises, kindly stepped in, and
carried him away, to ' where the wicked cease from troubling, and where the
weary are at rest. '
" It is during the time that we lived on this farm that my little story is most
eventful. I was, at the beginning of this period, perhaps the most ungainly,
awkward boy in the parish — no solitaire was less acquainted with the ways of
the world. What I knew of ancient story was gathered from Salmon's and
Guthrie's geographical grammars ; and the ideas I had formed of modern man-
ners, of literature and criticism, I got from the Spectator. These, with Pope's
Works, some plays of Shakespeare, TvU and Dickson on Agriculture, The Pan-
theon] Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding, Stackhouse's History of tJia
Bible, JusUce's British Gardener's Directory, Bayle's Lectures, Allan Itamsay'^s
Works, Taylor's Scripture Doctrine of Original Sin, A Select Collection of Eng-
lish Song's, aai. Ilertey's Meditations; had formed the whole of my reading.
The collection of songs was my vade mecum. I pored over them driving my
cart, or walking to labour, song by song, verse by verse ; carefully noting the
true, tender, or sublime, from affectation and fustian. I am convinced I owe
to this practice much of my critic craft, such as it is.
" In my seventeenth year, to give my manners a brush, I went to a country
dancing-school.— My father had an unaccountable antipathy against these meet-
ings ; and my going was, what to this moment I repent, in opposition to his
wishes. My fatTier, as I said before, was subject to strong passions ; from
13 MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS.
that instance of disobedience in me, lie took a sort of a dislike to me, which I
helieve was' one cause of the dissipation whifeh nJaTked my succeeding years.
Isay dissipation, comparatively 'with the strictness, and sobriety, and regular-
ity of Presbyterian country life ; for though the Will-o' - Wisp meteors of
thoughtless whim were almost the sole lights of my path, yet early ingrained
piety and virtue kept me for several years afterwards within the line of inno-
cence. \ The great misfortune of my life was to want an aim. I had felt early
some stirrings of ambition, but they were the blind gropings of Homer's Cyclops
round the walls of his cave. I saw ray father's situation entailed on me per-
petual labour. The only two openings by which I could enter the temple of For-
tune, was the gate of niggardly economy, or the path of little chicaning bar-
gain-making. The first is so contracted an aperture, I never could squeeze my-
self into it ;— the last I always hated — ^there was contamination in the very en-
trance ! Thus abandoned of aim or view in life, with a strong appetite foi
sociability, as well from native hilarity, as from a pride of observatton and re-
mark ; a con^ltutional melancholy or hypochondriacism, that made me fly soli-
tude ; add to these incentives to social life, my reputation for bookish knowl-
edge, a certain wild logical talent, and a strength of thought, something like
the rudiments of good sense; and it will not seem surprising that I was gener-
ally a welcome guest, where I visited, or any great Wonder that, always where
two or three met together, there I was among them. But far beyond all other
impulses of my heart, was un penchant d Padorable moitie du genre Tiumain.
My heart was completely tinder, and was eternally lighted up by. some goddess
or other; and as in every other warfare in this world, ray fortune was various
— sometimes I was received with favour, and sometimes I was niortified with a re-
pulse. At the plough, scythe, or reap-hook, I feared no conipetitor, and thus I
set absolute want at defiance; and as I never cared farther for my labours than
while I was in actual exercise, I spent the evenings in the way after my own
heart. A country lad seldom carries on a love-adventure without an assisting
confidant. I possessed a curiosity, zeal, and intrepid dexterity, that recom-
mended me as a proper second on these occasions ; and I dare say I felt as
much pleasure in being in the secret of half the loves of the parish of Tarbol-
ton, as ever did statesman in knowing the Intrigues of half the courts of Eu-
rope.— The very goose-feather in iny hand seems to know instinctively the
well-worn path of my Imagination, the favourite theme of my song; and is
with diflBculty restrained from giving you a couple of paragraphs on tlie love-
adventures of my compeers, the humble inmates of the farm-house and cottage;
but the grave sons of science, ambition, or avarice, baptize these things by the
name of Follies. To the sons and daughters of labour and poverty, they are
matters of the most serious nature : to them the ardent hope, the stolen inter
view, the tender farewell, are the greatest and most delicious parts of theii
enjoyments.
"Another circumstance in my life which made some alteration in my mind
and manners, was that I spent my nineteenth summer on a smuggling coast, a
good distance from home, at a noted school, to learn mensuration, surveying,
dialling, &c., in which I made a pretty good progress. But I made a greater
progress in the knowledge of mankind. The contraband trade was at that
time very successful, and it sometimes happened to me to fall in ^*ith those
who carried it on. Scenes of swaggering riot and roaring dissipation were till
this time new to me : but I Was no enemy to social "life. Here, though 1
learnt to fill my glass' and to mix without fear in a drunken squabble, vet 1
went on with a high hand with my geometry, till the sun entered 'V'irgo a
month which is always a carnival in my bosom, when a' charming fUette, who
lived next door to the school, overset my trigonometry, and sent me off at a
tangent f rota the sphere of my studies. I", however. Struggled on with mj
MEMOm OF ROBERT BURSk 13
— — ^ — ■ —
sines and co-dnes for a few days more ; but stepping" into the gardea ono cliarlu-
mg noon to take the sun's altitude, there 1 met my angel, .
Like Proserpine gatliering flowers,
Herself a fairer now.er.
" It was in vain, to thlnlv. of doing, any moro good at school. The remaining
week I staid, I did nothing but craza the faculties, of my soul about her, pr
steal out to meet her ; and the two last nights of my stay in the country, had
sleep been a mortal sin, the imago of this modest and innocent girl had kept me
guiltless.
" I returned home very considerably improved. My reading was enlarged
with the very important addition of Thomson's and Shenstone's Works ; I had
seen human nature in a new phasis : and I engaged several of my school-fel-
lows to keep up a literary corresiJOndence with me. This improved me in conir
position. I had met with a collection of letters by the wits of Queen Anne's
reign, and I pored over them most devoutly ; I kept copies of any ol: my own
letters that pleased me ; and a coinparison between them and the compositiou
of most of my correspondents flattered my vanity. I carried this whim go far,
that though I had not three farthings' worth of business in the, world, yet
almost every post brought me as many letters as if I had been a plodding sp.a
of a, day-book and ledger.
"My life flowed on much in the same course till my twenty-third year.
Vivi6 i'amour, et vive la bagatelle, were my sole principles of action. The addi-
tion of two more authors to my library gave me great pleasure ; Sterne
and M'Kenzie — I'Hstram Shandy and IVte Man of Feeling — were my bosoni
favourites. Poesy was still a darling walk for my mind :, but it was only in-
dulged in according to the hamour of the hoijr. I had usua,lly half a dozen or
more pieces in hand ; I took up one or . the other, as it suited the momentary
toiie of the mind, and dismissed the, work as it bordered on fatigue._ My pas-
sions, when once lighted up,, raged like so many devils till they got vent in
rhyme; and then the conning over my verses, liks a spell, soothed all intQ
quiet. None of the rhymes of those days are in print, except, Winter, a Dirge,
the eldest of my printed pieces ; The Death of Poor MaiUe, -John Darlej/cQrn,
and songs, first, second, and third. Song second was the ebullition of that
passion which ended the f orementioned school business.
" My twenty-third year was to me an important era. Partly through wliitn,
and partly that 1 wished to set about doing something in life,; I joined a flax-
dresser in a neighbouring town (Irvine) to learn his trade. This was an uiUucky
affair. My ***** ^ *; and, to finish the whole, as we were giyiuga welcom-
ing carousal to the new year, the shop took fire, and burnt to ashesj and I was
left, like a true poet, not worth a sixpence.
"I was obliged to give up this scheme; the clouds of misfortune were
"■athering thick round my father's head; and what was worst of all, he was
visibly far gon'e in a consumption; and, to crown my distresses, a belle fiUe
whom I adored, and who had pledged her soul to meet me in the field
of matrimony, jilted me with peculiar circumstances of mortification, fhe
finishing evil that brought up the rear of this infernal file was, my constitu-
tional melancholy being increased to such a degree, that for three months. I was
M' a state of mind scarcely to be envied by the hopeless wretches who haye got
Sieir mittimus — Depa/rtfrom me, ye accursed!
, " Froni.this adventure, I learned something of a town life; but the; principal
thing which gave my mind a turn was a friendship I formed with a youug
fellow, a very noble character, but a hapless son of misfortune. He was a son
of a simple mechanic; but a great man in the neighbourhood taking him under
bis patronage, gave him a genteel education, with a view of bettering
14 , MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS:
Ills situation in life. The patron dying just as lie was ready to launch out into
the world, the poor fellow in despair went to sea; where, after a variety
of good and ill fortune, a little before I was acquainted with him, he had been
set ashore by an American privateer, on the wild coast of Connaugbt, stripped
of everything. I cannot quit this poor fellow's story without adding, that he
is at this time m£:ster of a large West-Indiaman, belopging to the Thames.
" His mind was fraught with independence, magnanimity, and every manly
virtue. I loved and admired him to a degree of enthusiasm, and of course
strove to imitate him. In some measure I succeeded; 1 had pride before, but
lie taught it to How in proper channels. His knowledge of the world was
vastly superior to mine, and I was all attention to learn. He was the only man
I ever saw who was a greater fool than myself, where woman was the presid-
ing star; but he spoke of illicit love with the levity of a sailor, which hitherto
I had regarded with horror. Here his friendship did me a mischief, and the
consequence was, that soon after I resume'd the plough, I wrote the Poet's
Welcome.* My reading only increased, while in this town, by two stray
volumes of Pamela, and one of Ferdinand (Jount Fathmn, which gave
me some idea of novels. Rhyme, except some religious pieces that are in piint,
I had given up; but meeting with Fei'gusson's Scottish Po«»««, I strung anew
my wildly-sounding lyre with emulating vigour. When my father died, his all
went among the hell-hounds that growl in the kennel of justice; but we made
a shift to collect a little money in the family among us, with which, to keep us
together, my brother and I took a neighbouring farm. My brother wanted my
hair-brained imagination, as well as my social and amorous madness; but, in
good sense, and every sober qualification, he was far my superior.
" I entered on this farm with a full resolution, ' Come, go to, I will be wise!'
I read farming books ; I calculated crops; I attended markets: and, in short, in
spite of 'the devil, and the world, and the flesh,' I believe I should have been
a wise man; but the first year, from unfortunately buying bad seed, —
the second, from a late harvest, — we lost half our crops. This overset all my
wisdom, and I returned, ' like the dog to his vomit, and the sow that
Was washed to her wallowing in the mire.'
' ' I now began to be known in the neighbourhood as a maker of rhymes. The
first of my poetic offspring that saw the light was a burlesque lamentation on a
quarrel between two reverend Calvinists, both of them dramatis perionm in my
Jloly Fair. 1 had a notion myself, that the piece had some merit; but
to prevent the worst, I gave a copy of it to a friend who was very fond of such
things, and told him that I could not guess who was the author of it, but that
I thought it pretty clever. With a certain description of the clergy, as well as
laity, it met with u, roar of applause. Hoi}/ Willie's Prayer next made its
appearance, and alarmed the kirk-session so much, that they held several meet-
ings to look over their spiritual artillery, if haply any of it might be pointed
against profane rhymers. Unluckily for me, my wanderings led me on another
side, within point-blank shot of their heaviest metal. This is the unfortunate
story that gave rise to my printed poem 2'lie Lament. This was a most melan-
choly affair, which I cannot yet bear to reflect on, and had very nearly given
me one or two of the principal qualifications for a place among those who have
lost the chart, and mistaken the reckoning, of Rationality. I gave up my part
of the farm to my brother,^n truth, it was only nominally mine, — and made
what little preparation was in my power for Jamaica. But, before leaving my
native country forever, I resolved to publish my poems. I weighed my pro-
ductions'as impartially as was in my power; I thought they had merit; and it
was a delicious idea that I should be called a clever fellow, even though it
should never reach my ears — a poor negro-driver, — or perhaps a victim to that
* Rob .the Rhymer's Welcome to his Bastard Child.
MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS; 15
Inhospitable clime, and gone to tlie world of spirits ! I can truly say, that
pauiire incormu as I then was, I had pretty nearly as high an idea of myself
and my works as I have at this moment, when the public has decided in their
favour. It ever was my opinion, that the mistakes and blunders, both in a
rational and religious point of view, of which we see thousands daily guilty,
axe owing to their ignorance of themselves. — To know myself has been
all along my constant study. I weighed myself alone; I balanced myself with
Dthers; I watched every means of information, to -see how much ground 1 occur
pied a» a man and as a poet: I studied assiduously Nature's design in my form-
ation— where the lights and shades in my character were intended. I was pretty
confident my poems would meet with some applause; but, at the worst, the
roar of the Atlantic would deafen the voice of censure, and the novelty of West
Indian scenes make me forget neglect. I threw off six hundred copies, of
which I had got subscriptions for about three hundred and fifty. — My vanity
was highly gratified by the reception I met with from the public; and besides,
I pocketed, all expenses deducted, nearly twenty pounds. This sum came very
seasonably, as I was thinking of indenting myself , for want of money to pro-
cure my passage. As soon as I was master of nine guineas, the price of
wafting nie.to the torrid zone, I took a steerage passage in the first ship that
•was to sail from the Clyde; for
Hungry ruin had me in the wind.
" I Iiad been for some days skulking from covert to covert, under all tlie ter-
rors of a jail ; as some ill-advised people had uncoupled the merciless pack of
the law at my heels. I had taken the last farewell of my friends ; my chest
was on the road to Greenock ; 1 had composed the last song I should ever
measure in Caledonia, ' The gloomy night was gathering fast,' when a letter
from Dr. Blacklock, to a friend of mine, overthrew all my schemes, by open-
ing new prospects to my poetic ambition. The Doctor belonged to a set of
critics, for whose applause I had not dared to hope. His opinion that I would
meet with encouragement in Edinburgh for a second edition fired me somuch,
that awayl posted for that city, without a single acquaintance,- or a single
letter of introduction. The baneful star, that had so longshed its blasting
influence in my zenith, for once made a, revolution to the Nadir ; and a kind
Providence placed me under the patronage of one of the noblest of men, the
Earl of Glencairn. Oublie mm, Omnd Dieu, gi jamais je I'oublie !
" I need relate no farther. At Edinburgh I was in a new world ; I mingled
among many classes of men, but all of them new to me, and I was all attention
to catch the characters and ' the manners living as they rise.' Whether I have
profited, time will show."
Burns set out for Edinburgh in the month of November, 1786, and ar-
rived on the second day afterwards, having performed his journey on foot.
He was furnished with a letter of introduction to Dr. Blacklock from Mr.
Laurie, to whom the Doctor had addressed the letter which has been repre-
sented as the immediate cause of his visiting the Scottish metropolis. He was
acquainted with Mr. Stewart, Professor of Moral Philosophy in the Univer-
sity, and had been entertained by that gentleman at Catrine, his estate in Ayr-
shire. He had been introduced by Mr. Alexander Dalzel to the Earl of Glen-
cairn, who had expressed his liigh approbation of his poetical talents. He had
friends, therefore, who could introduce him into the circles of literature, as
well as of fashion, and his own manners and appearance exceeding every ex-
pectation that could have been formed of them, he soon became an object of
general curiosity and admiration.
The scene that opened on our bard in Edinburgh was altogether new, and in
a variety of other respects highly interesting, especially to one of his disposi,
tion of mind. To use an expression of his own he found himself "suddenly
16 MEMOIB OF ROBERT BURNS:
translated from the veriest shades of life," into the presence, and indeed int8
the society, of a number of persons, previously known to him by report as of
the highest distinction in his country, and whose characters it was natural
for him to examine with no common curiosity.
From the men of letters in general, his reception was particularly flattering.
A taste for letters is not always conjoined with habits of temperance and
regularity; and Edinburgh, at the time of which we speak, contained perhaps
an uncommon proportion of men of considerable talents, devoted to social exr
cesses, in whieli their talents were wasted and debased.
Burns entered into .several parties of this description, with the usual vehe:
mence of his character. His generous affections, his ardent eloquence, his
brilliant and daring i'toagination, fitted him to be the idol of such associations ;
and accustoming himself to conversation of unlimited range, and to festive in-
dulgences that scorned restraint, he gradually lost some portion of his relish
for the more pure, but less poignant pleasures, to be found in the circles of
taste, elegance and literature. The sudden alteration in liis habits of life op-
erated on him physically as well as morally. The humble fare of an Ayrshire
peasant he had exchanged for the luxuries of the Scottish metropolis, and the
effects of this jjhajige on his ardent constitution could not be inconsiderable.
But wliatever influence might be produced on his conduct, his excellent under.'
standing suffered no correspojading debasement. He estimated his friends and
associates of every description at their proper value, and appreciated his own
conduct with a precision that might give scope to much curious and melan-
choly reflection. He saw his danger, and at times formed resolutions to 'guard
against it; but he had embarked on the tide of dissipation, and was borne
along its stream.
By the new edition of his poems. Burns acquired a sum of money that en-
abled him not only to partake of the pleasures of Edinburgh, but to gratify a
desire he had long entertained, of visiting, those parts, pf his native country
most attractive by their beauty or their grandeur; a desire which the return of
summer naturally revived. The scenery of the banks of the Tweed, and of its
tributary streams, strongly interested his fancy; and, accordingly, he left
Edinburgh on the 6th of May, 1787, on a tour through a country so much cele-
brated in the rural songs of Scotland. He travelled on horseback, and was
accompanied, during some part of his journey, by Mr. Ainslie, writer to the
signet, a gentleman who enjoyed rriuch of his friendship and his confidence.
Having spent three weelis in exploring tl^ interesting scenery of the Tweed,
the Jed, the Teviot, and other border distriSs, Burns crossed over into Nortli-
umberland. Mr. Kerr and Mr. Hood, two gentlemen with whom he had
become acquainted in the course of his tour, accompanied him. He visited
Alnwick Castle, the princely seat of the Duke of Northumberland ; the hermit-
age and old castle of Warksworth ; Morpeth, and Newcastle. In this town he
spent two days, and then proceeded to the southwest by Hexham and Wardrue,
to Carlisle. After spending a day at Carlisle with his friend Mr. Mitchell, he
returned into Scotland by way of Annan.
Of the various persons with whom he became acquainted in the course of
this journey, he has, in general, given some account, and almost always a
favourable one. From Annan, Burns proceeded to Dumfries, and thence
through Sanquhar, to Mossgiel, near Mauchline, in Ayrshire, where he arrived
about the 8th of June. 1787, after a long absence of six busy and eventful
months. It will easily be conceived with what pleasure and pride he was
received by his mother, his brothers and sisters. He had left them poor, and
comparatively friendless ; he returned to them high in public estimation, and
easy in his circumstances. He returned to them unchanged in his ardent
affections, and ready to share with them, to the uttermost farthing, the pittance
that fortune had bestowed.
Having remained with them a few days, he proceeded again to Edinburgh,
and immediately set out on a journey to the Highlands.
MEMOIR. OP ROBERT BURNS. 1?
From tills journey. Burns returned to his friends in Ayrshire, with whom he
spent the month of July, renewing his friendiships, and extending his acquaintT
jihce throughout the county, where ' he was now very generally linovvn a,nd
admired. In August he again visited Edinburgh, whence he undertook
another journey, towards the middle of this mouth, in company with Mr. M.
Adair, afterwards Dr. 'Adair, of Harrowgate.
. The difEerent journeys already mentioned did not satisfy the curiosity of
Burns. About the beginning of September ho again set out from Edinburgh,
on a more extended tour to the Highlands, in company with Mr. Nicol, with
whom he had contracted a particular intimacy, which lasted during the remain-
der of his life. Mr. Nicol was of Dumfriesshire, of a descent equally hnmblo
with our poet. Like him he rose by the strength of his talents, and fell by the
strength of his passions. He died in the summer of 1797. ILaving received
the elements of a classical instruction at his parish school, Mr. Nicol made a
very rapid and singular proficiency ; and by early undertaldng the office of au
instructor himself, he acquired the means of entering himself at the University
of Edinburgh. There he was first a student of theology, then a student of
medicine, and was afterwards employed in the assistance and instruction of
graduates in medicinCj in those parts of their exercises in which the Latin lan-
guage is employed. In this situation he was the contemporary and rival p£
the celebrated Dr. Brown, whom he resembled in the particulars of his-history,
as well as in the leading features of his character. The office of assistant-,
teacher in the High-School being vacant, it was as usual filled up by compe-
tition ; and in the face of some prejudices, and perhaps of some well-founded
objections, Mr. Nicol, by superior learning, carried it from all the other candi-
dates. This office he filled at the period of which we spealc
Mr. Nicol and our poet travelled in a post-chaise, which they engaged foe
the journey, and passing. thi^ough the heart of the Highlands, stretched north-
wards about ten miles beyond Inverness. There they bent their course east-
ward, across the island, and returned by the shore of the German Sea to Edin-
bui^gh. lu the course of this tour, they visited a number of remarkable
scenes, and the imagination of Burns was constantly excited by the wild- and
sublime scenery through which he passed. ■
A few days after leaving Blair of Atholfe, our poet and his fellow-travellers
arrived at Fochabers. In the course of the preceding winter Burns had been
introduced to the Duchess of Gordon at Edinburgh, and presuming on thi^
acquaintance, he proceeded to Gordon Castle, leaving Mr. Nicol at the inn in
tlie village. At the castle our poet was received with the utmost hospitality
and kindness, and the family being about to sit down to dinner, he was invited
to take his place at the table, as a matter of course. This invitation he accepted,
and after drinking a few glasses of wine, he rose up, and proposed to with-
draw. On being pressed to stay, he mentioned, for the first time, his engage-
ment with his fellow-traveller; and liis noble host offering to send a servant to
conduct Mr. Nicol to the castle. Burns insisted on undertaking that office him-
self. He was, however, accompanied by a gentleman, a particular acquaint-
ance of the Duke, by whom the invitation was delivered in all the forms of
politeness. Tlie invitation, however, came too late; the pride of Nicol was
inflamed to the highest degree by- the' neglect which he had already suffered.
He had ordered the horses to be put to the carriage, })eing determined to pro-
ceed on his journey alone; aiid they found him parading the streets of Focha-
bers, bfefore the door of the inn, venting- his anger on the postillion, for the
slowness with which be obeyed his commands. As no explanation nor en-
treaty could change the purpose of his fellow-traveller, our poet was reduced
to the necessity of separating from him entirely, or of instantly proceeding
with him on their journey. He chose the last of these alternatives; and seat-
ing himself hegide Nicol in the post-chaise, with mortification and regret ha
16 MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS:
translated from the veriestsliades of life," into tke presence, and indeed iute
tlie society, of a number of persons, previously known to him by report as of
the highest distinction in his country, and whose characters it was natura].
for him to examine with no common curiosity.
From the men of letters in general, his reception was particularly flattering.
A taste for letters is not always conjoined with habits of temperance and
regularity; and Edinburgh, at the time of which we speak, contained perhaps
an uncommon proportion of men of considerable talents, devoted to social ex^
cesses, in whicli their talents were wasted and debased.
Burns entered into .several parties of this description, virith the usual vehe;
mence of his character. His generous ailections, his ardent eloquence, his
brilliant and daring iYuagination, fitted him to be the idol of such associations ;
and accustoming himself to conversation of unlimited range, and to festive in-
dulgences that scorned restraint, he gradually lost some portion of his relish
for the more pure, but less poignant pleasures, to be found in the circles of
taste, elegance and literature. The sudden alteration in his habits of life op-
erated on him physically as well as morally. The humble fare of an Ayrshire
peasant he had exchanged for the luxuries of the Scottish metropolis, and the
effects of this change on his ardent constitution could not be inconsiderable^
But wliatever influence might be produced on his conduct, his .excellent under-
standing suffered no correspoading debasement. He estimated his friends and
associates of every description at their proper value, and appreciated his own
conduct with a precision that might give scope to much curious and melan-
choly reflection. He saw his danger, and at times formed resolutions to 'guard
against it; but he had embarked on the tide of dissipation, and was borne
along its streanu
By the new edition of his poems. Burns acquired a sum of money that en-
abled him not only to partake of the pleasures of Edinburgh, but to gratify a
desire he had long entertained, of visiting, those parts, of his native country
most attractive by their beauty or their grandeur: a desire which the return of
summer naturally revived. The scenery of the banks of the Tweed, and of its
tributary streams, strongly interested his fancyj and, accordingly, he left
Edinburgh on the 6th of May, 1787, on a tour through a country so much cele-
brated in the rural songs of Scotland. He travelled on horseback, and was
accompanied, during some part of his journey, by Mr. Ainslie, writer to the
signet, a gentleman who enjoyed much of his friendship and his confidence.
Having spent three weeks in exploring the interesting scenery of the Tweed,
the Jed, the Teviot, and other border districts, Bums crossed over into North-
umberland. Mr. Kerr and Mr. Hood, two gentlemen with whom he had
become acquainted in the course of his tour, accompanied him. He visited
Alnwick Castle, the princely seat of the Dukeof Northumberland ; the hermit-
age and old castle of Warksworth ; Morpeth, and Newcastle. In this totvnlie
spent two days, and then proceeded to the southwest by Hexham and Wardrue,
to Carlisle. After spending a day at Carlisle with his friend Mr. Mitchell, he
returned into Scotland by way of Annan.
Of the various persons with -whom he became acquainted in the course of
this journey, he has, in general, given some account, and almost always a
favourable one. From Annan, ' Bums proceeded to Dumfries, and thence
through Sanquhar, to Mossgiel, near Mauchline, in Ayrshire, where he arrived
about the 8th of June, 1787, after a long absence of six busy and eventful
months. It will easily be conceived with what pleasure and pride he was
received by his mother, his brothers and sisters. He had left them, poor, and
comparatively friendless ; he returned to them high iu public estinja,tion, and
easy in his circumstances. He returned to them unchanged in his ardent
affections, and ready to share vrith them, to the uttermost farthing, the pittance
that fortune had bestowed.
Having remained with them a few days, he proceeded again to Edinburgh,
and immediately set out on a journey to the Highlands.
MEMOIR. OF ROBERT BURNS. 17
From this journey Bums returned to liis friends in Ayrshire, witli whom he
spent the month of July, renewing his friendships, and extending liis acquaintv
p.nce throughout the county, where he was now very generally known and
admired. In August he again visited Edinburgli, whence he undertook
another journey, towards the middle of this month, in company with Mr. M.
Adair, afterwards Dr. 'Adair, of Harrowgate.
. The different journeys already mentioned did not satisfy the curiosity, of
Burns. About the beginning of September he again set out from Edinburgh,
on a more extended tour to the Highlands, in company with Mr. Nicol, with
whom he had contracted a particular intimacy, which lasted during the remain-
der of his life. Mr. Nicol was of Dumfriesshire, of a descent equally humble
with our poet. Like him he rose by the strength of his talents, and fell by the
strength of his passions. He died in the summer of 1797. Having received
the elements of a classical instruction at his parish school, Mr. Nicol made a
very rapid and singular proficiency ; and by early undertaldng the office of au
instructor himself, he acquired the means of entering himself at the University
of Edinburgh. There he was first a student of theology, then a student of
medicine, and was afterwards employed in the assistance and instruction of
graduates in medicine; in those parts of their exercises in which the Latin lan-
guage is employed. In this situation he was the contemporary and rival of
the celebrated Dr. Brown, whom he resembled in the particulars of his history,
as well as in the leading features of his character. The office- of assistant-,
teacher in the High-School being vacant, it was as usual filled up by compe-
tition ; and in the face of some prejudices, and perhaps of some well-founded
objections, Mr. Nicol, by superior learning, carried it from all the other candi-
dates. This office he filled at the period of which we spealc
Mr. Nicol and our poet travelled in a, post-chaise, which they engaged for
the journey, and passing.thi^ough the heart of the Highlands, stretched north-
wards about ten miles beyond Inverness. There they bent their course east-
ward, across the island, and returned by the shore of the German Sea to Edin-
burgh, lu the course of this tour, they visited a number of remaricable
scenes, and the imagination of Burns was constantly excited by the wild and
sublime scenery through which he passed. •
A few days after leaving Blair of Athole, our poet and his fellow-traveller
arrived at Fochabers. In the course of the preceding' winter Burns had been
introduced to the Duchess of Gordon at Edinburgh, and presuming on this
acquaintance, he proceeded to Gordon Castle, leaving Mr. Nicol at the inn in
the village. At the castle our poet was rieceived with the utmost hospitality
and kindness, and the family being about to sit down to dinner, he was invited
to take his place at the table, as a matter of course. This invitation he accepted,
and after drinking a few glasses of wine, he rose up, and proposed to with-
draw. On being pressed to stay, he mentioned, for the first time, his engage-
ment with his fellow-traveller; and his noble host offering to send a servant to
conduct Mr. Nicol to the castle. Burns insisted on undertaking that office him-
self. He was, however, accompanied by a gentleman, a particular acquaint-
ance of the Duke, by whom the invitation was delivered in all the forms of
politeness. The invitation, however, came too late; the pride of Nicol was
iuflamed to the highest degree by the" neglect which he had already suffered.
He had ordered the horses to be put to the carriage, being determined to pro-
ceed on his journey alone; aiid they found him parading the streets of Focha-
bers, bfeforfe the door of the inn, venting' his anger on the postillion, for the
slowness with which be obeyed his commands. As no explanation nor en-
treaty could change the purpose of his fellow-traveller, our poet was reduced
to the necessity of separating from him entirely, or of instantly proceeding
with him on their journey. He chose the last of these alternatives; and seat-
ing himself beside Nicol in the post-chaise, with mortification and regret ha
48 MEMOIR OP ROBERT BURNS;
turned liis back on Gordon Castle; where lie had promised himself some happy
Bums remained at Edinburgh during the greater part of the winter, 1787-8<
and again' entered into the society and dissipation of that metropolis.
• On- settling with his publisher, Mr. Creech, in February, 1788, Burns found
himself master of nearly five hundred pounds, after discharging all his expen-
ses. Two hundred pounds he immediately advanced to his brother Gilbert,
who had taken upon himself the support of their aged mother, and was. Strug,
gling with many difficulties in the farm of Mossgiel.- With the remainder of
this sum, and some farther eventiial profits from his poems, he determined ou
Settling himself for life in the occupation of agriculture, and took from Mr.
Miller, of Dalswiuton, the farm of Ellisland, on the banks of the river Nith,
six miles above Dumfries, on which he entered at Whitsunday, 1788. Having
been previously recommended to the Board of Excise, his name had been put
on the list of candidates for the humble office of a ganger, or exciseman ;
and he immediately applied to acquiring the information necessary for filling
that office; when the honourable Board might judge it proper to. employ him.
He expected to be called into service in the district in which his farm was sit.
uated, and vainly hoped to unite with success the labours of the farmer witli
the duties of the exciseman.
■' When Burns had in this manner arranged his plans for futurity, )iis gener-
ous heart turned to the object of his most ardent attachment, and listenmg to
no considerations but those of honour and affection, he joined witli, her in a
public declaration of marriage, thus legalising their union, and rendering it
permanent for life. ■
It was not convenient for Mrs. Bums to remove immediately from Ayrshire;
and our poet therefore took up his residence alone at Ellisland, to prepare for
the reception of his wife and children, who joined him towards the end of thei
year. ■ ■
■ The situation in which Burns now found himself was calculated to awaken
reflection . The different steps he had of late taken were in their nature highly
importiint,- and. might be said to have, in some measure, fixed his destiny. He
had become a husband and a father ; . he had engaged in the management of a
6onsiderable farm, a difficult and labourious imdertaking ; In his success the
happiness of his family was involved ; it was time, therefore, to abandon tlie
gayety and dissipation of which he had been too much enamoured ; to ponder
Seriously on the past; and to form virtuous resolutions respecting the future.
He commenced by immediately rebuilding the dwelling house on his farm,
which, in the state he found it, was inadequate to flie accommodation of his
family. On this occasion, he himself resumed at times the occupation of a la-
bourer, and- found neither his strength nor his skill impaired. Pleased with
surveying the grounds he was about to cultivate, and with the rearing of a
building that should give shelter to his wife and children, and, as he fondly
hoped,- to liis own gray hairs, sentiments of independence buoyed up his mind,
pictures of domestic content and peace rose on his imagination ; and a few
days passed away, as he himself informs us, the most tranquil, if not the hap..
piest, which he had ever experienced.
• His fame naturally drew upon him the attention of his neighbouis, and he
soon formed a general acquaintance in the district in which he lived. The
public voice had now pronounced on the subject of his talents ; the reception
he had met with in Edinburgh had given him the currency which fashion be-^
Btows ; he had surmounted the prejudices arising from his humble birth, and
he was received at the table of the gentlemen of Nithsdale with welcome, with
Kindness, and even with respect. Their social parties too often seduced him
from his rustic labours, and it was not long, therefore, before. Burns began to"
»^iew his farmr with dislike and despondence, if not with disgust, ;
MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS. 19
He might indeed still be seen in tlie spring directing his plough, a labour in
■which he excelled ; or with a white sheet containing his seed-corn, slung
across his shoulders, striding with measured steps along his tumed-up fur-
TOWS, and scattering the grain in the earth. But his farm no longer occupied
-the principal part of his care or his thoughts. It was not at EUisland that he
was now in general to be found. Mounted on horseback, this high-minded
"poet was pursuing the defaulters of the revenue among the hills aud vales of
Nithsdale, his roving eye wandering over the charms of nature, and Muttering
Ms wayward fancies as he moved along.
Besides his duties in the Excise and his social pleasures, other circumstanced
interfered with the attention of Burns to his farm. He engaged in the forma-
tion of a society for purchasing and circulating books among the farmers of his
neighbourhood, of which he undertook the manfigement ; and he occupied him-
self occasionally in composing songs for the musical work of Mr. Johnson,
then in the course of publication. These engagements, useful and honourable
in themselves, contributed, no doubt, to the abstraction of his thoughts from
the business of agriculture.
The consequences may be easily imagined. Notwithstanding the uniform
prudence and good management of Mrs. Burns, and though his rent was mod-'
erate and reasonable, our poet found it convenient, if not necessaryj to resign
his farm to Mr. Miller, after having occupied it three years and a half. His
office in the Excise had originally produced about fifty pounds per annum.
Having acquitted himself to the satisfaction of the Board, he had been ap-
pointed to a new district, the emoluments of which rose to about seventy pounds
per annum. Hoping to support himself and his family on his humble income
till promotion should reach him, he disposed of his stock • and of his crop on
EUisland by public auction, and removed to a small house which he had taken
in Dumfries, about the end of the year 1791.
Hitherto Burns, though addicted to excess in social parties, had abstained
from the habitual use of strong liquors, and his constitution had not sufEered
any permanent injury from the irregularities of his conduct. In Dumfries,
temptations to " the sin that so easily beset him" continually presented- them-
selves ; and his irregularities grew by degrees into habits. These temptations
unhappily occurred during his engagements in the business of his office, as well
as during his hours of relaxation ; and though he clearly foresaw the conso-
■quence of yielding to them, his appetites and sensations, which could not per--
vert the dictates of his judgment, finally triumphed over the powers of his
will.
Still, however, he cultivated the society of persons of taste and respectability)
and in their company could impose upon himself the restraints of temperance
and decorum. Nor "was his muse dormant. In the four years which he lived
at Dumfries, he produced many of his beautiful lyrics, though it does not ap-
pear that he attempted any poem of considerable length. "
' Burns had entertained hopes of promotion in the Excise ; but circumstances
occurred which retarded their fulfilment, and which, in his own mind, destroys
ed all expectation of their bemg ever fulfilled.
In the midst of all his wanderings, Bums met nothing in his domestic circle
but gentleness and forgiveness, except in the gnawings of his own remorse.
He acknowledged his transgressions to the wife of his bosom, promised amend-
ment, and again received pardon for his offences. But as the strength of his
body decayed, his resolution became feebler, and habit acquired predominating
strength. .
Froai October, 1795, to the January following, an accidental complamt
Confined him to the house. ' Afew days-after he began to go abroad, hedined
at a tavern, and returned about three o'clock in a very cold morning, benumbed
and intoxicated. This was followed by an attack of rheumatism, which con-
iSned him about a week: His appettte now began to fail; his hand shook, and
20 MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS.
his voice faltered oa any exertion or emotion. His pulse befcame wealser and
more rapid, and pain in tlie larger joints, and in the hands and feet, depriyed
him of the enjoyment of refreshing sleep. Too much dejected In his spirits,
and too well aware of his real situation to entertain hopes of recovery, he was
ever musing on the approaching desolation of his family, and his spirits sunk
into a uniform gloom.
It was hoped by some of his friends, that if he could live through the months
of spring, the succeeding season might restore him. But they were disappoint-
ed. The genial beams of the sun infused no vigour into his languid frame ; the
summer wind blew upon him, but produced no refreshment. About the latter
end of June he was advised to go into the country, and, impatient of medical
advice, as well as of every species of control, he determined for himself to try
the effects of bathing in the sea. For this purpose he took up his residence at
Brow, in Annandale, about ten miles east of Dumfries, on the shore of the
Solway-Frith.
At first. Burns imagined bathing in the sea had been of benefit to him; the
pains in his limbs were relieved ; but this was inur.ediately followed by a new
flttaiik of fever. "When brought back to his own house In Dumfries, on the 18th
July, he was no longer able to stand upright. At this time a tremor pervaded
his frame; his tongue was parched, and his mind sunk into delirium, when not
roused by conversation. On the second and third day the fever increased,
and his strength diminished. On the fourth, the sufferings of this great but ill-
fated genius were terminated, and a fife was closed in which virtue «nd passion
had been at perpetual variance.
The death of Burns made a strong and general impression on all who had
interested themselves in his character, and especially on the inhabitants of the
town and country in which he had spent the latter years of his life. The
Gentlemen- Volunteers of Dumfries determined to bmy their illustrious associate
with military honours, and every preparation was made to render this last ser-
vice solemn and impressive. The Fencible Infantry of Angusshire. and the
regiment of cavalry of the Cinque Ports, at that time quartered in Dumfries,
offered their assistance on this occasion ; the principal inhabitants of the town
and neighbourhood determined to walk in the funeral procession ; and a vast con-
course of persons assembled, some of them from a considerable distance,
to witness tlie obsequies of the Scottish Bard. On the evening of the 25th of
July, the remains of Burns were removed from his house to the Town Hall, and
the funeral took place on the succeeding day. A party of tlie Volunteers,
selected to perform the military duty in the churchyard stationed themselves
in the front of the procession with their arms reversed ; the main body of the
corps surrounded and supported the coffin, on which were placed the hat and
sword of their friend and fellow-soldier; the numerous body of attendants
ranged themselves in the rear ; while the Fencible regiments of infantry and
cavalry lined the streets from the Town Hall to the burial-ground in the
Southern churchyard, a distance of more than half a mile. The whole proces-
sion moved forward to that sublime and affecting strain of music, the Bead
March iu Saul ; and three volleys fired over Ms gi-ave marked the return of
Burns to his parent cai-th! The spectacle was in a high degree grand and
solemn, and according with the general sentiments of sympathy and sorrow
which the occasion had called forth.
It was an affecting circumstance, that, on the morning of the day of her hus-
band's funeral, Mrs. Burns was undergoing the pains of labour, and that during
the solemn service we have just been describing, the posthumous son of our
poet was born. This infant boy, who received the name of Maxwell, was not
destined to a long life. He has already become an inhabitant of the same grave
with his celebrated father.
The sense of his poverty, and of the approaching distress of his infant family,
pressed heavily on Burns as he lay on the bed of death. Yet he alluded to hia
MEMOIR OF ROBERT BURNS. 21
j^_ . .
indigence, at times, with something appvoaoliing to liis wonted gayety. — "Wliat
business," said he to Dr. Maxwell, who attended him with the utmost zeal,
' ' has a physician to waste his time on me V I am a poor pigeon not worth
plucking. Alas 1 I have not feather enough upon me to carry me to my grave."
And when his reason was lost in delirium, his ideas ran in the same melancholy
train; the horrors of a jail were continually present to his troubled imagination,
and produced the most aflecting exclamations.
On the death of Burns, the inhabitants of Dumfries and its neighbourhood
opened a subscription for the support of his wife and family. The subscrip-
tion was extended to other parts of Scotland, and of England also, particularly
London and Liverpool. By this means a sum was raised amounting to seven
hundred pounds, and thus the widow and children were rescued from imme-
diate distress, and the most melancholy of the forebodings of Burns happily
disappointed.
Burns, as has already been mentioned, was nearly five feet ten inches in height,
and a form that indicated agility as well as strength. His well-raised forehead,
shaded with black curling hair, indicated extensive capacity. His eyes were
large, dark, full of ardour, and intelligence. His face was well formed; and his
countenance uncommonly interesting and expressive. The tones of his voice
happily corresponded with the expression of his features, and with the feelings
of his mind. When to these endowments are added a rapid and distinct appre-
hension, ajnost powerful understanding, and a happy command of language —
of strength as well as brilliancy of expression — we shall be able to account for
the extraordinary attractions of his conversation — for the sorcery which, in his
social parties, he seemed to exert on all around him. In the company of women
this sorcery was more especially apparent. Their presence charmed the fiend
of melancholy in his bosom, and awoke his happiest feelings; it excited the
powets of his fancy, as well as the tenderness of his heart; and, by restraining
the vehemence and the exuberance of his language, at times gave to his man-
ners the impression of taste, and even of elegance, which in the company of
men they seldom, possessed. This influence was doubtless reciprocal.
CONTENTS.
Original Preface ^
Dedication to Edinburgh Edition
Memoir S
POEMS.
^ Bard's . Epitaph 90
Adam A 's Prayer 138
A Dedication to Gavin Hamilton, Esq. ... gb
A Dream §4
Address of Beelzebub to the President of
■ the Hig^hland Society 83
Address Spoken by Miss Fontenelle on
her Benefit Night 147
Address to Edinburgh loi
Address to the Deil 53
Address, to the Shade of Thomson, on
Crowning- his Bust at Ednam, Rox-
burghshire, with Bays 137
Address to the Toothache 118
Address to the Unco Guid, or the Rigidly
RighteouS;v> T, 78
A Moth^r'is Lament for the Death of her
Son™":; 114
Afiswer to a Poetical Epistle sent to the
Author by a Tailor 67
A Prayer, Left by the Author at a Rev-
erend Friend's House, in the Room
where he Slept 96
A Prayer in the Prospect of Death. ...... 37
A Prayer under the Pressure of Violent
Anguish 35
A Winter Night 63
Castle Gordon 109
Death and Dr. Hornbook 39
Delia 118
Despondency; an Ode-.... 82
.Elegy on Captain'Matthew Henderson... 128
Elegy on Miss Burnet of Monboddo 134
.Elegy on Peg Nicholson 127
Elegy on the Death of Robert Dundas,
Esq., of Arniston iii
,Elegy on the Death of Robert Ruisseaux, 38
Elegy on the Death of Sir James Hunter
Btair 107
Elegy on the Year 1788 115
Epistle from Esopus to Maria 141
lEpifaph on Holy Willie 44
Halloween 45
fioty Willie's Prayer 43
PAGE-
Impromptu on Mrs. Riddel's Birthday.... 141
Invitation to a Medical Gentleman to At-
tend a Masonic Anniversary Meeting... 92
Lament for James, Earl of Glencairn 135
Lament occasioned by the Unfortunate
Issue of a Friend's Amour. ■ 80
Lanjent of Mary Queen of Scots on the
approach of Spring 135
Lib^ty.: a Fragment 144
Lines on Fergusson 139
Lines on Me'etihg with Lord Daer loo
Lines sent to Sir John Whitefoord, Blart.,
of, Whitefoord.. 137
Lin^s Written in a Wrapper, enclosing a
Letter to Captain Grose 123
Lines Written in Friars' Carse Hermitage,
on the Banks of the Nith . ' 113
Lines Written in Friars' Carse Hermitage,
on Nithside '. -. 114
Lines Written on a Bank-Note 93
Lines. Written to a Gentleman who had
S^ni him a Newspaper, and offered to
Contmue it free of Expense 128
Lines Written with a Pencil oVer the
Chimney-jaiece in the Parlour of the
Inn at Kenmbre, Taymouth loS
Lines Written with a Pencil, Standing bv
the Fall of Fyers, near Loch Ness 109
Man was Made to Mourn 49
Mauchline Belles 36
Monody on a Lady Famed for her Caprice. 142
Nature's Law ,. los
Ode, : Sacred to the Memory of Mrs. Os-
wald 115
Ode to Ruin 8a
Oh, why the Deuce should I Repine 37
On Scaring some Water-fowl in Loch
Turit no
On .Sensibility 139
On the Birth of a Posthumous Child 134
On the Death of a Favourite Child 140
Poem on Pastoral Poetry 143
Poetical Address to Mr. William Tytler.. . no
Prologue for Mr, Sutherland's Benefit
Night, Dumfries .' 126
Prologue, Spoken at the Theatre, Dum-
fries, on New-Year's Day Evening,
1790 ■ 124
Prologue, Spoken by Mr. Woods on his
Benefit Night 104
23
u
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Remorse 67
Scotch Drink 65
Sketch : Inscribed to the Right Hon. C.
J. Fox 117
Sketch — New-Year's Day, 1790 123
Sketch of a Character ....'. ioi6
Sonnet on Hearing a Thrush Sin|»' in a
Morning Walk 141
Sonnet on the Death of Robert Riddel,
Esq., of Glenriddei 143
Stanzas in the Prospect of Death 37
Stanzas on the Duke of Queensberry 127
Tarn o' Shanter 130
Tarn Samson's Eleey 94
The Auld Farmer^ New-Year Morning
Salutation to his Auld Mare Maggie, on
Giving her the Accustomed Rip of Com
to Hansel in the New Year 71
The Author's Earnest Cry- and Prayer to
the Scotch Representatives in the House
of Commons '. 68
The Belles of Mauchline 37
The Brigs of Ayr 06
The Calf 93
.The Cotter's Saturday Night 50
The Death and Dying Words of Poor
Maillie 35
The Farewell 92
The first Psalm 38
The First Six Verses of the Ninetieth
Psalm 38
The Hermit 105
The Holy Fair 86
The Humble Petition of Bruar Water to
the Noble Duke of Athole 108
The Inventory 79
The Jolly Beggers 55
The Kiric's Alarm iig
The Ordination 76
The Poet's Welcome to his Illegitimate
Child 102
The 1 Eights of Woman 139
The Torbolton Lasses 33
The Tree of Liberty 144
The Twa Dogs 72
The Twa Herds : or. The Holy Tukie. ... 41
One^ision 60
The Vowels: A Tale^ i„
The Whistle 120
To aHaggis 103
To a Kiss , 140
To a Louse, qii Seeing one on a Ladv's
Bonnet at Church .' . . -6
To a Mountain Daisy 80
To a Mouse .4
To Captain Riddel of Glenriddei 115
To Chloris ■. j.g
To Clannda 1,2
To Clarinda ri2
To Clarinda 1 13
To Clarinda u.
To Collector Mitchell 147
To Colonel De Peyster 148
To John Taylor 116
To Miss Cruikshank no
To Miss Fcrrier 107
To Miss Jessy Lewars, Dumfries 148
PAGE
To Miss Logan, with Beattie's Poems as
a New- Year's Gift, January i, 1787 103
To Mrs. C , on Receiving a Work of
Hannah More's 103
To the Owl 125
Tragic Fragment • • 33
Verses intended to be Written Below a
Noble Earl's Picture --• 103
Verses on an Evening View of the Ruins
of Lincluden Abbey 125
Verses on a Scotch Bard Gone to the
West Indies 89
Verees on Captain Grose's Peregrinations
through Scotland Collecting the An-
tiquities of that Kingdom 122
Verses on Reading in a Newspaper the
Death of John M'Leod^-^Esq 106
, Verses on Seeing a wounded Hare Limp
- by me which a Fellow had just Shot. ... 117
Verses on the Destruction of the Woods
near Drumlanrig 146
Verses to an old Sweetheart After her
Marriage 93
Verses to John Maxwell of Terraughty, _
on his Birthday 137
Verses to John Rankine 139
Verses to Miss Graham of Fintry, with a
Present of Songs 144
Verses to my Bed 127
Verses Written under Violent Grief 93
Willie Chalmers 94
Winter : a Dirge 35
EPISTLES.
Epistle to a Young Friend 164
Epistle to Davie 15a
Epistle to Dr. Blacklock 171
Epistle to Gavin Hamilton, Esq jSj
Epistle to Hugh Parker 168
Epistle to James Smith 161
Epistle to James Tait of <ilenconner 17c
Epistle to John Goudie, Kilmarnock 155
Epistle to John Lapraik... 152
Epistle to John Ranl^ine 149
Epistle to Major Logan 165
Epistle to Mr. M'Adam pf CraigengiUan. 165
Epistle to the Rev. John M'Math 159
Epistle to William Creeclift 167
Epistle to William Simpson... 155
FirstEpistletoR. Graham, Esq., of Fintry. i6g
Fourth Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq.,
of Fintry lyg
Poetical Invitation to Mr. John Kennedy. 163
Second Epistle to Davie. , 16a
Second Epistle to Lapraik 153
Second Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq.,
of Fintry jya
Third Epistle to John Lapraik 158
Third Epistle to Robert Graham, Esq., of
Fintry 174
To the Guidwife of Wauchope House i6fr
EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, &c. "
A Bottle and an Honest Friend iftfi
A Farewell „,
A G-race before Dinner * jgg
A Mother's Address to her Infant. - , 1 18^
CONTENTS.
25
I'AGE
Epigram on Bacon xSb
Epitaph on, a Suicide 183
Epitaph on' Robert Aiken, Esq 185
Epitaph on Ta-ta the Chapman 185
Epitaph on the Author's r ather 176
Epitaph on W— ; — 179
Extempore on Two Lawyers 177
Extempore on William Smellie 178
Extempore^ Pinned to a Lady's Coach 183
Extempore to Mr. Syme. 184
trrace after Dinner... 188
Grace after Dinner. 188
Howlet Face 187
Innocence 179
Inscription on a Goblet 184
Johnny Peep 186
Lines on ViewiM- Stirling Palace. .'. 178
Lines sent to a Gentleman whom he had
Offended 181
Lines Spoken Extempore on being ap-
pomted to the Excise 179
Lines to John Rankine . '. 18S
Lines Written under the Picture of the
Celebrated Miss Bums 178
Lines Written on a Pane of Glass in the
Inn at Moffat 179
On a Celebrated Ruling Elder. 185
On a Country Laird 185
On a Friend.^ 185
On a Henpecked Country Squire j86
On a Henpecked Country Squire j86
On a Henpecked Country Squire 186
On a Noisy Polemic 186
On a Noted Coxcomb 186
On a Bgraoii Nicknamed the Marquis 179
On a S^ldolmaster 179
On a Sheep's Head... — .., i8t
On a Wag in Mauchline 177
On Andrew Turner 188
On Burns* Horse being Impounded 180
On Captain Francis Grose iBo
On Elphinstone's Translation of Martial's
"Epigrams" 179
On Excisemen 183
On Gabriel Richardson, Brewer, Dum-
fries 181
On Gavin Hamilton 185
On Grizzel Gfim 180
On Incivility shown to him at Invcrary.. . 179
On John Bushby 187
On John Dove, Innkeeper, Mauchline. . . 176^
On Lord Galloway 182
On Lord Galloway 182
On Miss Jean Scott of Ecclefechan 18^
On Mr. Burton 180
On Mr. W. Cruikshank 187
On Mrs. Kemble 182
On Robert Riddel. 183
On Seeing Miss Fontenelle in a favourite
Character 181
On Seeing the Beautiful Seat of Lord
Galloway 182
On the Death of a Lap-Dog named Echo. 181
On the Illness of a Favourite Child 177
On the Kirk of Lamington,in Clydesdale, 187
PAGE
On the Poet's Daughter. 184
On the Recovery 01 Jessy Lewars 188
On the Sickness of Miss Jessy LeWars — 188
On Wat 187
On Wee Johnny 185
Poetical Inscription for an Altar to Inde-
pendence 184
Poeticdl Reply to an Invitation 177
Poetical Reply to an Invitation 180
The Black-heAded Eagle 181
The Book-worms 182
The Creed of Poverty 183
The Epitaph 182
The Henpecked Husband 186
The Highland Welcome 178
The Parson's Looks 183
The Parvenu ". 184
The Reproof 178
The Selkirk Grace 183
The Toast 184
The Toast .188
The True Loyal Natives 183
Though Fickle Fortune has Deceived Me. 176
To a Painter 176
To a Young Lady in a Church 177
To Dr. Maxwell 183
To John M'Murdo, Esq 180
To John M'Murdo, Esq 180
To Lord Galloway 106
To Miss Jessy Lewars 188
To Mt. Syme 184
To the Editor of the Star 180
Verses Addressed to the Landlady of the
Inn at Rosslyn 179
Verses to John Rankine i8i
Verses Written on a Pane of Glass, on the
Occasion of a National Thanksgiving
for a Naval Victory -- 187
Verses Written on a Window of the Globe
TdVefn: Dumfries 183
Verses Written on a Window of the Inn
at Carron 178
Verses Written under the Portrait of
Fergusson the Poet 177
Written in a Lady's Pocket-book 183
SONGS.
Address to the Woodlark 283
Adown Winding Nith 256
Ae Fond Kiss 232
A Farewell to the Brethren of St. James'
Lodge, Torbolton 2ot
A Fragment 196
Afton Water. . . .- -™ ^. . v-i^-r-.-. jJ99
Ah, Chloi^is ! 265
Amang the Trees, where Humming Bees. 27-;
An Excellent New Song 2S8
Anna, thy Charms 261
A,Red, Ited Rose 259
A Rosebud by my Early Walk 206
As I was A-wandering 246
Auld Lang Syne 21.3
Auld Rob Morris — .' 243
A Vision , 359
S6
CONTENTS.
Bannocks o* Barley ,. z-j-^
Behold the Hour. 232
Bess and her Spinning- Wheel 238
JBeware p' Bonny Ann 223
t lithe Hae I Been 253
lithe was She. ,.- ; 206-
Blooming^ Nelly 224
Bonny Dundee 206
Bonny X.ealey .• 234
Bonny Peg 244
Bonny Peg-a-Ramsay 272
Bonny Peggy Alison , 210
Braving Angry Winter's Storms 207
Braw lads of Gala Water ^ 214
Brose and Butter 291
Bruce's Address to his Army at Bannock-
burn 257
By AUan Stream I Chanced to Rove 255
.Caledonia ; 271
Caledonia ' 284
Canst thou Leave me thus, my Katy? 268
Cassillis' Banks 273
Ca' the Ewes 220
,Ca' the Yowes 263
Chloris 264
Cock up your Beaver 243
Come Boat me o'er to Charlie 217
Come, lot Me Take Thee , 256
'Come Rede Me, Dame 227
Coming through the Braes o* Cupar 276
Commg through the Rye 278
Contented wi" Little 268
Couhtrie Lassie 239
Craigie-Burn Wood 235
Dainty Davie 256
Damon and Sylvia 291
Deluded Swain, the Pleasure 25S
Duncan Gray 243
feliza. .
5^ppie Adair 227
Fair Eliza 239
FairesLMaid on Devon Banks 280
Faif Jeinoy ^sr
FareWeel to a* our Scottish Fame 249
Farewell, thou Stream 267
Forlorn, my Love, no Comfort near 283
For the Sake of Somebody 260
Frae the Friends and Land I Love 235
Fragment — Chloris^ 284
Gara Water 250
Gloomy December 2-'2
Green Grow the Rashes, O ! jge
Guid E'en to You, Kimmer 277
Guidwife, Count the Lawin 228
Had I a Cave ^„
Had I the Wyte .7?
hSILS"'!':'?:-::;:;::;::::::;; VA
HerDaddie Forbad 215
Here's a Health to Them that's Awa 249
Here's his Health in Water 273
Here's to thy Health^ my Bonny Lass. ... 261
Her Flowing Locks 274
Hey for a Lass wi' a Tocher. -87
Hey, the Dusty Miller. ,. 215
Highland .Mary 242
How Cruel are the Parents ! 285
How Long and Dreary is tiie Night ! 265
Hunting Song 290
I do Confess thou Art sae Fair 237
I Dream'd I Lay where Flowers were
Springing 1S9
I hae a Wife o' my Ain 213
I'll Aye Ca' in by Yon Town 270
I'm o'er Young to Marry Yet 218
Jls there, for HonesfPbverty 27S
It is na, Jean, thy Bonny Face 341
Jamie, Come Try me 228
Jeanie's Bosom 260
Jenny M'Craw.. ..../..; 269
Jessy — .- : 28?
Jockey's ta'en the Parting Kiss sfia
John Anderson, my Jo..;.:..;;; ........... 223 "
John Barleycorn 192
Katherine Jaffray 290
Lady Mary Ann
Lady Onlie ;
Lanient, Written at a Time when the Poet
was about to leave Scotland
Landlad)^, Count the Lawin
Lassie wi' the Lint-White Locks
Last May a Braw Wooer
Let not Woman e'er Complain
Lines on a Merry Ploughman
Logan Braes
Lord Gregory
Lovely Davies
Lovely Polly Stewart
Luckless Fortune.
247
205
198
216
266
285
266
269
Z53
250
230
260
196
Macpherson's Farewell ^^g
Mark Yonder Pomp „o.
Mary! .,..: ^^
Mary Morison Tn-*
Mego'the Mill.: HI
Meg o' the Mill lH
Menie j^
Montgomery':! Peggy ,?!
Musing on the Roaring Ocean 200
My Ain Kind Dearie, 0 24a
My Bonny Mary „^.
My Collier Laddie Zi
My Father wii;; a Farmer..
248
My Hrndsomc'Ne^r.7.^\" '.'.".;."!'. "."."" ]ll
My Harry wos a Gallant Gay ^-X
^My Heart's in the Highlands 224
-My Heart was ance as Blithe and Free. . . 21I
My Hogffib... 217
My Jean i j '
My Lady's Gown, there's Gairs upon't. . . 261
My Lovely Nancy. 222
My Love she's but a Lassie yet 220
My Nannie, O j^
My Nannie's Awa' -„
My Peggy's Face ;;;;; 207
My Spouse, Nancy... -^
My Tocher's the Jewel .".. H^
My Wife's a Winsome Wee Thing '. ! ! 2^2
Nithsdale's Welcome Hamc. . .
Now ^ing has Clad the Grove in Green, 2S6
CONTENTS/
37>
PACE
Of a' the Airts the Wind can Blaw 210
Oh, Aye my Wife she Dang me. 281
Oh, Bonny waa Yon Rosy Brier 2S4
Oh, can ye Labour Lea 229
Oh for Ane-and-T weaty, Tarn ! 237
Oh, Guid Ale Comes 276
Oh, how can 1 be Blithe, and Glad ? ^36
Oh, Kenmure's on and Awa' 248
Oh, Lay thy.'Loof m Mine, Lass.< 262
Oh, Luve will Venture in , , .' 240
Oh, Mally-s Meek, MalW^'s Swee'. 262
Oh, Merry hae I been Teething' a Heckle. 227
Oh, Saw ye my Dearie 245
Oh, Steer Her Up 272
Oh, that I. had Ne'er been Married 289
Oh, Wat ye Wha's in Yon Town ? 2S2
Oh, wat ye what My Minnie did ? 276
Qh, were loa Parnassus' Hill 21 t
Oh, were my Love Yon Lilac fair 258
Oh. Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast 287
Oh, Wha is She that Lo'es Me ? 291
Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, my
Lad -255
Ohj Willie Bre w'd a Peck o* Maut. ._ 218
O Lassie, art thou Sleeping yet ? 279
On Cessnock Banks 190
On Chloris being 111 283
On the Seas and Fai- Away 263
Open the Door to Me, oh ' 251
O Philly, Happy be that Day 267
O Tibbie, T hae seen the Day 190
Our Thrissles flourished Frpsh and Fair.. 226
put Over the Forth 259
Peffffy ,. 194
PhiUis the Fair 254
Rattlin', Roarin' Willie 217
Raving Winds around her Blowmg 209
Robin 196
Robin Shure in Hairst 290
Sae Far Awa'... 274
Saw ye my Phely?. 265
Sic a Wife as Willie had......... 240
Simmer's a Pleasant Time 230
ShelEih O'Neil 291
She says she Lo'es Me best of a' 263
She's Faif and Fause 241
Smiling Spring Comes m Rejoicing 241
Song 201
Song, in the Character of a Ruined
' Fafdaer.. 201
Stay, my Charmer 208
Strathalldh's Lament * 209
Sweetest May 290
Tarn Glen...,, 225
The Amerigan War 203
The Banks of Cree 262
ffhe JBanks o' Doon 240
The Banks of Doon 240
The ESanks pf the Devon 207
The Banks of Nith 225
The Battle of Killiecrankie 228
The Battle of Sheriff-Muir 223
The Birks of Aberfeldy 204
The Blue-Eyed Lassie 221
The Bonny Banks of Ayr 203
The Bonny J-ass of Albany 205
PAGE
The Bonny Wee Tiling 231 ■
The Braes'o' Ballochmyle 197
The Captain's Lady 227
The Cardin' o't..... 269
The Carle ol Kellyburn Braes 245
The Carles of Dysatt 278
The Charming Month of May 266
The Chevalier's Lament , 210
The Cooper o' Cuddle 275
The Cure for all Care 195
The Day Returns 212
The Dean ot Faculty 286
The Deil 's aw' w i' the Exciseman 234
The Deuk's Dang o'er my Daddie, O 244
The Discreet Hint 212
The Dumfries Volunteers 282
The Farewell 272
The Fete Champetre 211
The Five Carlines 220
The Gallant Weaver 241
The Gowden Locks of Anna 270
The Heron Election Ballads-
Ballad 1 279
Ballad H 280-
Ballad IIL— John Bushby's Lamenta-
tion 281
The Highland Laddie 274-
The Highland Lassie 199-
The. Highland Widow's Lament 275
The Joyf uT Widower 206
The Laddies by the Banks o' Nith. 219
The Lass of Ballochmyle .^201
The Lass of Eccleiechan 275
■ The Lass that Made the Bed to me 274
The Last Braw Bridal. 269
The Last Time I Came o'er the Moor.... 253'
The Lazy Mist 213
The Lovely Lass of Inverness 259
The Lover's Morning Salute to his Mis-
tress 264
The Mauchline Lady 197-
The Mirk Night o' December 233"
Theniel Menzie's Bonny Mary ^r$'
The Piper 269
The Ploughman 216
The Poor and Honest Sod^er 2,51
The Rantin' Dog the Daddie o't •.. 197
There'll oever be Peace till Jamie Comes
Hame...-- 230
There's a Youth m this City ; 226
There's News, Lasses, News 292
There was a Bonny Lass .' . 276.
There was a Lass 199
There was a Lass, and She was Fair 254
There was a Wife 292
The Rigs o' Barley - 194
The Ruined Maid s Lament 289
The Slave's "Lament 247
The Sons'ofOld Killio 201
The Tailor 225
The Tither Morn 244
The Wearv Piind o' Tow 247
The Winter is Past 2i»
The Wmter of Life 270
The Young Highland Kover • 209
This is no my Ain Lassie 286
Thou hast Left Me Ever 257
Tibbie Dunbar 222
To Chloris ^ 265
To Daunton Me 216
To Mary 260
28
CONTENTS.
PACE
To Mary in Heaven 219
*Twas na her Bonny- Blue Ee 285
Up in the Morning Early 217
Wae is my Heart z6i
Wandering Willie 233
War Song. . ^ - 231
Weary Fa' You, Duncan Gray 215
Wee Willie Gray 228
Welcome to General Dumourier 252
Wha is that at My Bower-Door ? 269
What Can a Young Lassie Do ? 236
When Cloadstin Skies do Come together. 196
When First I- Saw- Fair Jeanie's Face 221
When I Think on the Happy Days 290
When Rosy May Comes m wi' Flowers. . 222
Whistle, and I'll Come to You, my Lad.. . 208
Whistle o'er the Lave o't 228
Will ye Go to the Indies^ my Mary? 200
Wilt Thou be My Dearie ? 260
Women's Minds 229
Ye Hae Lien Wrang, Lassie 226-
Ye JacQbltes by Name 246
Yon Wil4 Mossy Mountains 237
Young J^inire, Pride of a' the Plain 277
Young Jessie 251
Young Jockey 227
Young Peg-gy 197
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
Absence 324
Ah ! the Poor Shepherd's Mournful Fate.. 319
Allan Water.. 306
As I Cam t)dwn by yon Castle Wa' 337
A Southland Jenny 335
a"m fe'*K^^<5^"^ 334
Auld Robm Gray 330
Auld Rob Morris 325
A Waukrife Minnie 333
Bess the Gawkie 20J
Bide Ye Yet 314
Blink o'er the Burn, Sweet Bettie 309
Bob o' Dunblane 335
Cauld Kail in Aberdeen 320
Cease, Cease, my Dear Friend, to Ex-
„ plorc „,o
Clout the Caldron .^ 296
Corn-Rigs are Bonny 014
Cromlet's Lilt 3,1
Dainty Davie; ,^g
Donald and Flora iij^
Down the-Burn, Davie ^08
Dumbarton Drums ,10
Duncan Gray ".* 3^^
Fairest of the Fair -02
Fife, and a' the Lands about it ii-.
For Lack of Gold ^20
r'ye,'gaeRubhero'er wi' Strac 298
Galloway Tam ^^^
GiiMorice ::::::::: 3'^6
Gramachrte. . - , i
PACE
Here's a Health to my True Love, &c 321
He Stole my Tender Heart Away 303
Hey Tutti Taiti 32*
Highland Laddie • 30=
Hughie Qraham 335
I Had a Horse, and I Had nae mair 324
I'll never Leave thee 3'4
I wish my Love were in a Mire 303
Jamie Gay 297
John Hay s Bonny Lassie 309
Johnnie's Gray Breeks 299
Johnnie Faa, or the Gipsy Laddie 323
Johnnie Cope 329
John o' Badenyon 33=
Kirk wad Let me be.....:./> 323 '
Laddie, Lie Near Me 32S
Leader-Haughs and Yarrow 327
Lewie Gordon 313
Lord Ronald, my Son 337
Love is the Cause of my Mourning 317
Mary Scott, the -Flower of Yarrow 308
Mary's Dream 304
May Eve, or Kate of Aberdeen 303
Mill, Mill. 0 319
My Ain Kind Dearie, 0 308
My Dear Jockev 297
My Dearie, if thou Die 314
My Jo, Janet 316
My Tocher's the Jewel 336
Nancy's Ghost 325
O'er the Moor anfang the Heather 337
Oh Ono Chrio 314
Oh, Open the Door, Lord Gregory 294
Polwart on the Green 315
Roslin Castle 295
Sae Merry as we Twa hae been 310
Saw ye Johnnie Cummin ? quo' she 295
Saw^e Nae my Peggy? 296
She Rose and Let me In 312
Since Robb'd of all that Charm'd my
View 322
Strephonand Lydia 316
Tak your Auld Cloak about ye 321
Tarry Woo 306
The Banks of Forth 310
The Banks of the Tweed 294
The Beds of Sweet Roses 20^
The Black Eagle 329
The BJaithrie o't 302
The Blithesome Bridal 309
The Bonny Brucket Lassie qio
The Bridal o't 331
The Bush aboon Traquair 311
The Captive Ribband 331
The Collier's Bonny Lassie -07
The Ewie wi' the Crooked Horn o- .
The Flowers of Edinburgh iiZ
The Gaberlunzie Man ^^g
The Gentle Swain , " tl.
CONTENTS.
29
The Happy Marriage 300
The Highland. Character 327
The. Hig-hland Queea 293
The Lass of Livingston 299
The Lass of Patie's Mill 300
The Last Time I Came o'er the Moor 299
The Maid that Tends the Goats 305
Then, Guidwife, Count the Lawin' 336
The Posie 304
There's Nae Luck about the House 306
The Shepherd's Preference 332
The Soger Laddie 336
The Tears I Shed must ever Fall 338
The Tears of Scotland 318
The Turnimspike 301
The Wauking o' the Fauld 314
The Young Man's Dreara 317
This is no my Ain House 328
To Daunton Me 324
Todlen Hame 332
To the Rosebud 338
Tranent Muir 315
Tullochgorura 333
Tune yc\ur Fiddles, &c 325
Tweed-side , . . . 303
Up and Warn a\ Willie 325
Waly, Waly 319
Werena my Heart Light I wad Die 317
When I upon thy Bosom Lean 326
Where wad Bonny Annie Lie ? 336
-Will ye.gglo the Ewe-Bughts, Marion. . . 313
Ye Gods, was Strephon's Picture Blest ? . . 322
Young Damon 322
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Introduction 225
17S1.
I. To William Burness, Dec. 27 342
1783.
II. To Mr. John Murdoch, Schoolmaster,
London, Jan 15 343
III. To Mr. James Burness, Writer, Mont-
■ rose, June 21 344
IV. To Miss Eliza 345
V. To the Same 346
VL, To the Same 347
Vn. To the Same :..-. 348
1784.
VIII. To Mr. James Burness, Montrose,
Feb. 17 348
, IX. To Mr. James Burness, Montrose,
Aug 349
X_ To Miss , 349
1786.
XI. To Mr. John Richmond, Edinjjurgh^
Feb. 17 350
Xn. To Mr. John Kennedy, March 3 350
Xin. To Mr. Robert Muir, Kilmarnock,
March 20. 351
XIV. To Mr. Aiken, April 3 351
XV- To Mr. M'Whinnie, Writer, Ayr,
April 17 351
I'AGE
XVI. To Mr. John Kennedy, April 20. . . . 351
XVn. To Mr. John Kennedy, May 17..,. 352
XVHL To John Ballantyne.of Ayr, June. 352
XIX. To Mr. David Brice, June 12 ... 352
XX. To Mr. Robert Aiken, July 353
XXI. To Mrs. Dunlop of Dunlop, July. ■ ■ 354
XXII. To Mons. James Smith, Mauchfine. 355
XXIII. To John Richmond, Edinburgh,
July 9 355
XXIV. To Mr. David Brice, Shoemaker,
Glasgow, July 17 355
XXV. To Mr. John Richmond, July 3P. . . 356
XXVI. To Mr. John Kennedy, Aug 356
XXVIL. To Mr. Robert Muir, Kilmarnock,
Sept 1 356
XXVIII. To Mr. Burness, Montrose, Sept. 357
XXIX. To Dr. Archibald Lawrie,Nov. 13. 357
XXX. To Miss Alexander, Nov. 18., 358
XXXI. To Mrs. Stewart of Stair, Nov... . 358
XXXII. To Mr. Robert Muir, Nov. 18.... 359
XXXIII. In the Name of the Nine 359
XXXIV. To Dr. Mackenzie, Mauchline,
Nov ( 360
XXXV. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq., Mauch-
line, Dec 360
XXXVI. To John Ballantyne, Esq. , Bank-
er, Ayr, Dec. 7 361
XXXVII. ■ To Mr. Robert Muir, Dec. 2p.. 361
XXXVUL To Mr. Cleghorn 361
XXXIX, To Mr. William Chalmers, .
Writer, Ayr, Dec. 27 363
1787.
XL. To Gitvin Hamilton, Esq., Mauch-
Ime, Jan. 7 363
XLI. To the Earl of Eglinton, Jan 363
XLIi, To John Ballantyne, Esq.> Jan. 14. 363
XLIII. To the Same, Jan 3G4
XLIV. To Mrs. Dunlop, Jan. 15 364
XLV. To Dr. Moore, Jan 365
XL VI. To theRev. G. Lawrie,Ne\VmilIs
near Kilmarnock, Feb. g 366
XLVII. To Dr, Moore, Feb. 15 366
XLVIII. To John Ballantyne, Esq., Feb.
24 ■ * 367
XLIX. To the Earl of Glencairn, Feb... 367
L. To the Earl of Buchan, Feb '368
LI. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq., March 8.. 368
LII. To Mr. James Candlish, March 21.. 369
LIII. To Mr. William Dunbar, March. . - . 369
LIV. To : — , March , .... 370
LV, To Mrs. Dunlop, March 22 371
LVI. To the Same, April 15 373
LVII. To Dr. Moore, April 23 373
LVIII. To Mrs. Dunlop, April 30 374
LIX. To James Johnson, Editor of the
*' Scots Musical Museum," May 3 374
LX, To the Rev. m. Hugh Blair, May 3. 374
LXI. To William Creech, Esq., Edinburgh, -
May 13 37S
LXIL To Mr. Patison, Bookseller, Pais- ■
ley.May 17 375
LXIIl. To Mr. W. Nicol, Master of the
High School, Edinburgh, June i 375
LXiV. To Mr. James Smith, at Miller and -
Smith's Office, Linlithgow, June ii 376
LXV. To Mr. William Nicol, June 18... 376
LXVI. To Mr. James Candlish 377
LXVII. To William Nicol, Esq., June.... 378
LXVm. To William Cruikshank, St.
James's Square, Edinburgh, June 378
so
CONTENTS.
PAGE
LXIX. To Robert Ainslie Esq., June.... 378
LXX. To Mr. James Smith, at Linlith-
fow, June 378
XI. To the Same, June 379
LXXII. To Mr. John Richmond, July 7. . 380
LXXIII. To Robert Ainslie, Esq., July.. 380
LXXIV. To Dr. Moore, Aug. 2 380
LXXV. To Robert Ainslie; Jr., Aug. 23 381
LXXVI. To Mr, Robert- Muir, Aug...z6 ..
LXXVII. To Gavin Hamilton, Esq. Aug.
28 382
LXXVIII. To Mr. Walker Blaine, of
Athole, Sept. s 383
LXXIX. To Mr. Gilbert Burns, Sept. 17. 383
LXXX. To Miss Margaret Chalmers,
Sept. 26 384
LXXXI. Tothe Same 38s
LXXXII. To James Hoy, Esq., Castle
Gordon, Oct. 20 383
LXXXIII. To Rev. John Skinner, Oct. 25 386
LXXXIV. To James Hoy, Esq., Nov. 6. . 387
LXXXV. To Miss M n, Nov 388
LXXXVI. .To Miss Chalmers, Nov. 21... 388
LXXXVII. To Mr. Robert Ainslie, Nov.
23. ,...^ ; 389
LXXXVIII. To the Same 389
LXXXIX. To James Dalryrople 389
XC.' To the Earl of Glencairn, Dec 390
XCI. To Miss Chalmers, Dec. 12. 391
XCII. To the Same, Dec. 19 39I
XCIII. To Charles Hay. Esq., Dec 391
XCIV. To Sir John Whitetoord, Dec 392
XCV. To Miss Williams. Dec 393
XCVI. To Mr. liichard Brown* Irvine,
' Dec. 30 394
XCVII. To Gavin Hamilton 395
XCVIII. To Miss Chalmers 39s
XCIX. To Mrs. Dunlap, Jan. 21 396
C. To the- Same, Feb. 12 397
CI. To Rev. John Skinner, Feb. 14 397
ClI. To Richard Bro-wn, Feb. 15 397
CHI. To Miss Chalmers, Feb. 15 398
CIV. To the Same 398
CV. To Mrs. Rose of Kilravock, Feb.
17 398
-C VI. To Richard Brown, Feb. 24 399
CVII. To ; 40J
CVMI.. To Mr. William Cruikshank,
March 3. 400
CIX. To Robert Ainslie, Esq., March 3... 401
ex. To Richard Brown,' March 7 401
CXI. To Mr. Muir, Kilmarnock, March 7 401
CXII. To Mrs. Dunlop, March 17 402
CXIII. To Miss Chalmers, March 14 402
CXIV. To Richard Brown, March 26 403
CXV. To Mr. Robert Cleghorn, March 31 403
CXVI. To Mr. William Dunbar, April 7.. 404
CXVII. To Miss Chalmers, April 7 404
CXVIII.To Mrs. Dunlop, April 28 405
CXIX. To Mr. James Smith, Linlithgow,
April 28., 40s
CXX, To Dugald Stewart, May 3 406
'CXXI. To Mrs. Dunlop, May 4 406
CXXII. To Mr. Robert Ainslie, May 26,. 407
CXXIII. To Mrs. Dunlop, May 27 407
CXXIV. To the Same, June 13 407
CXXV. To Mr. Robert Ainslie, June 14.. 408
CXX VI. To the Same, June 25 409
CXXVII. To the Same, June 30 409
PAG^
CXXVni. To Mr. George Lockhart,Glas-
fow. Jul-y 18 - 41a
XlX.ToMr Peter Hill 4"
CXXX. To Robert Graham, Esq 4"
CXXXI. To William Cruikshank, Aug. . 412
CXXXII. To Mrs Dunlop, Aug 2 413
CXXXIII. To the Same, Aug 10 413
CXXXIV. To the Same, Aug 16....- 414
CXXXV. To Mr Beugo, Edinburgh,
Sept-5 41S
CXX-XVI. To Miss Chalmers, Sept 16... 416
CXXXVU. To Mr. Morrison, Sept. 22 . . 418
CXXXVIII. To Mrs. Dunlop, Sept. 27... 418
CXXXIX. To Mr Peter Hill, Oct. r. , .. 419
CXL. To the Editor of The Star, Nov. 8. 420
CXLI. To Mrs. Dunlop, Nov. 13 4^1
GXLII. To Mr. James Johnson, Nov. 15 . 422
CXLIII. To Dr. Blacklock, Nov. 15 423
CXLIV. To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. 17 423
CXLV. To Miss Davies, Dec 423
CXLVI. To Mr. John Tennant, Dec. 22.. 424
1789.
CXL'V^II- To Mrs. Dunlop, Jan. 1 424
CXLVIII. To Dr. Moore, Jan. 4. 425
CXLIX. .To Mr. Jlobert Ajnslle,.Jan. 6. . 426
CL. To Professor Dugald Stewart, Jan 20 427
CLI. To Bishop Geddea, F£b. 3 428
CLII. To Mr. James Burness, Feb. 9 428
CLIII. To Mrs. Dunlop, March 4 429
CLIV. To Rev. P. Carfrae, March 4 439
CLV. To Dr Moore, March 23 431
CLVI. To William Burns, March 25 432
CLVn. To Mr Hill, April 2 432
CLVIII, To Mrs Dunlop, April 4 433
CLIX. To Mrs M'Murdo, May 2 433
CLX. To Mr Cunningham, May 4...... 433
CLXI. To Samuel Brown, Mtiy 4 434
CLXni. To Richard Brown, May 21 434
CLXiri. To James Hamiltbri, May 26 ... 43s
CLXIV. To William Creech, May 30 435
CLXV. To Mr Macaulay, of Dum-
barton, June 4 ^33
CLXVI. To Robert Ainslie, June 8 436
CLXVIL To Mr M'Murdo, June 19 436
CLXVIII. To Mrs. Dunlop, June 21 . 437
CLXIX. To Miss Williams, Aug 438
CLXX. To Mr. John Logan, Aug 7 ' 304
CLXXLToMr-_^;Sept -
CLXXII. To Mrs Dunlop. Sept 6 440
CLXXIII. To Captain Riddel, Oct 16. . . . 441
CLXXIV. To the Same...- 442
CLXXV. To Robert- Ainslie, Nov. i..:.. 442
CLXXVI. To Richard Brown, Nov. 4 Ai-i
CLXXVn. To R. Graham, Dec.9. .!.... .1%
CLXXVIH. To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. 13..:. 444
CLXXIX. To Lady W. M. Constable,
Dec. 16 4,5
CLXXX. To Provost Maxwell, Dec. 20.. 446
1790.
CLXXXI. To Sir John Sinclair 447
CLXXXII. To Charles SHarpe, Esq., of
Hoddam 4.3
CLXXXIII, To GilbertBurns, Jan. II,... ^ia
CLXXXIV. To William Dunbar, Jan. 14, Iln
CLXXXV. To Mrs. Dunlop, Jan. 25... . IS
CLXXXyi. To Peter Hill, Edinburgh,
CLXXXVli". 'to W.'NicilV Feb.' "9'.'.'.'.'. ! ! ! 452
CONTENTS.
gl
I'AGE
CLXXXVIII. To Mr. Cunningham, Feb.
13 453
CLXXXIX. To Mr. Hill, March 2 454
CXC. To Mrs. Dunlop, April 10 455
CXCr. To CoUeci or Mitchell 456
CXCII. To Dr. Moore, July 14 457
CXCXII. To Mr. Murdoch, July 16 457
CXCIV. To Mr. M'Murdo, Aug. 2 458
CXCV. To Mrs. Dunlop, Aug. 8 . . . 458
CXCVI. To Mr. Cunningham, Aug. 8.... 458
eXCVII. To Dr. Anderson 459
CXCVIII. To Crawford Tait, Oct. 15. ... 459
CXCIX. To^ 460
CC. To Mrs. Dunlop, Nov 461
1791.
CCI. To La4y W. AL Constable, Jan. ir. 461
ecu. To William Dunbar, Jan. 17 461
CCIII. To Mrs. Graham, Jan 462
CCIV. To Peter Hill, Jan. 17 462
CCV. To Alex. Cunningham, Jan. 23 463
CCVI. To A. F. Tytler, Feb 463
CCVII. To Mrs. Dunlop, Feb. 7. 464
CCVIII. To Rev. Arch. Alison, Feb. 14. . 464
CCIX. To Rev. G. Baird, Feb '.. 465
CCX. To Dr. Moore, Feb. 28 465
CCXI. To Alex. Cunningham, March 12.. 467
CCXII. To Alexander Dalzel, March 19.. 467
GCXIH. To ,March 468
eCXIV. To Mrs. Dunlop, April 11 468
GCXV. To Alex. Cunningham, June 11.. 469
eCXVI. TotheEarlof Buchan, June.... 470
CCXVri. To Thomas Sloan, Sept. 1 470
CCXVIII. To Lady E. Cunningham,
CCXIX.'to'CoI. Fullartonof 'Fiiliarton, *''
Oct. 3..' 471
CCXX. ToMr.Ainslie 471
CCXXI. To Miss Davies 472
CCXXII. To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. 17 473
179a.
CCXXIII. To William Smellie, Printer,
Jan. 22 474
CCXXIV. To Peter Hill, Feb. 5 475
CCXXV. ToW. Nicol, Feb. 20 475
CCXXVI. To Francis Grose 476
CCXXVH. To the Same 476
CCXXVin. To J. Clarke, Edinburgh,
July 16 47S
CCXXIX. To Mrs. Dunlop, Aug. 22. . . . 478
CCXXX. To Mr. Cunningham, Sept. 10.. 479
CCXXXI. To Mrs. Dunlop. Sept. 24... , 481
CCXXXII. To tlie Same, Sept 482
CCXXXIH. To Captain Johnston, Editor
of the Edinburgh Gazetteer^ Nov. 13 482
CCXXXI V. To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. 6 483
CCXXXV. To R. Graham, Esg., Dec. 6.. 484
CCXXXVI. To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. 31. . . . 484
1793-
CCXXXVII. To Mrs. Dunlop, Jan. 5 48s
CCXXXVni. To Mr. Cunningham,
March 3 486
CCXXXIX. To Miss Benson, March 21 . . 487
CeXL. To Patrick Miller, April 487
PAGE
CCXLI. To John Francis Erskine, Esq.,
of Mar, April 13 '. 487
CCXUI. To Mr. Robert Ainslie,' April 26. 480
CCXLHI. To Miss Kennedy 49S
CCXLIV. To Miss Craik, Aug 490
CCXLV. To Lady Glencairn 491
CCXLVI. To John M'Murdo, Esq., Dec. 492
CCXLVIL TotheSame 49,
CCXLVHI. To Captain 493
CCXLIX. To Mrs. Riddel 493
1794.
CCL. To a Lady 494
CCLI. To the Earl of Buchan 494
CCLII. To Captain Miller 494
CCLHI. To Mrs. Riddel 495
CCHV. TotheSame 495
CCLV. TotheSame 495
CCLVI. To the Same 496
CCLVJI. TotheSame 496
CCLVin. To John Syme, Esq 406
CCLIX. To Miss , 497
CCLX. To Mr. Cunningham, Feb. 26 497
CCLXI. TotheEarlof Glencairn, May.. 498
CCLXII. To David Macculloch, Esq.,
June 21 499
CCLXni. To Mrs. Dunlop. June 25 499
CCLXIV. To Mr. James Johnson 500
CCLXV. To Peter Miller, Jun., Esq.,
Nov 500
CCLX VI. To Samuel Clarke, Jun 501
'795-
CCLXVII. To Mrs. Riddel '. 501
CCLXVIII. TotheSame Kca
CCLXIX. To Miss Fontenelle 502
CCLXX. To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. is 503
CCLXXr. To Alexander Findlater....... 504
CCLXXII. To the Editor of the Morning
Chronicle eo4
CCLXXIII. To Col. W. Dunbar 505
CCLXXIV. To Mr. Heron 503
CCLXXV. To Mrs. Dunlop, Dec. 20 506
CCLXXVI. Address of the Scotch Dis-
tillers 507
CCLXXVII. To the Hon. The Provost,
Bailies and Town Council of Dumfries. 508
1796.
CCLXXVIII. To Mrs. Riddel, Jan. 20... 509
CCLXXIX. ToMrs. Dunlop, Jan. 31 509
CCLXXX. To Mrs. Riddel, June 4 509
CCLXXXI. To Mr. Clarke, Forfar., June
26 510
CCLXXXII. To James Johnson, July 4.. 510
CCLXXniX. ToMr.Cunningham, July 7 511
CCLXXXIV. To Gilbert Burns 511
CCLXXXV. ToMrs. Burns 512
CCLXXXVI. To Mrs. Dunlop, July 12. . 512
CCLXXXVII. ToJamesBumess,Julyi2. 512
CCLXXXVIII. ToJamesGracie. July lO. 513
CCLXXXIX. To James Armour, July iS. 513
Correspondence of Burns with George
Thomson 514
Prefatory Note 561
Letters to Clarinda 562
Commonplace Book 579
TItE
POETICAL WORKS
OF
ROBERT BURNS.
TRAGIC FRAGMENT.
The following lines are thus introduced by
Burns in one of his manuscripts, printed in
*■ Cromek's Reliques :" — " In my early years
nothing less would serve me than courting"
the tragic muse. I was, I think, about
eighteen or nineteen when I sketched the
outlines oi a -tragedy, forsooth;- but the
bursting" of a cloud of family misfortunes,
which had for sqmc time threatened us,'
prevented" my further progress. In those
days I never wrote down anything ; so, ex-
cept a speech or two, the whole has es-
caped my memory. The above, which I
most distinctly remember, was an exclama-
tion from a great character — great in occa-
sional instances of generosity, and daring at
times in villanies. He is supposed to meet
with a child of misery, and exclaims to him-
self, as in' the words of the fragment" ; —
All devil as I am, a damned wretch,
A harden' d, stubborn, unrepenting vil-
lain.
Still my heart melts at human wretch-
edness ;
And with sincere, though unavailing
sighs,
I view the helpless children of distress.
With tears indignant I behold the op-
pressor [tion,
■Rejoicing in the honest man's destruc-
Whose unsubmitting heart was all his
ferime.
Even you, ye helpless crew, I pity you;
Ye, whom the seeming good think sin
to pity ; [Tionds,
Ye poor, despised, abandon'd vaga-
WTiom vice, as usual, has turn'd o'er
to ruin.
— Oh, but for kind) though iU-requi£.
ed, friends, [lorn,
I had been driven forth like you for-
The most detested, worthless wretch
among you !,
O injured God ! Thy goodness has en-
dow'd me [peers.
With talents passing most -of my com-
Which 1 in just proportion have abused
As far surpassing other common vil-
lains,
As Thou in natural parts hadst given
me more.
THE TORBOLTON LASSES. .
The two following poems, written at different
timeg^ give a list of thd eligible .damsels in
the poet's neighborhood : —
If ye gae up to yon hill-tap,
Ye'll there see bonny Peggy;
She kens her faither is a laird,
And she f orsooth's a leddy.
There Sophy tight, a lassie bright.
Besides a handsome fortune : _
Wha canna win her in a iiiglit,
Has little art in courting. '
Gae down by Faile, and taste the a!e,
And tak a look o' Mysie ;
She's dour' and din, a deil within,
, But aiblins'^ she may please ye.
' Obstinate.
2 Perhaps.
BURNS' WORKS.
If she be shy, her sister try,
I'e'll maybe fancy Jenny,
If yell dispense \vi' want o' sense-^
She kens hersel she's bonny.
As ye gae up by yon hillside,
Speer' in for bonny Bessy;
She'll gie ye a beck,^ and bid ye lichtj-
And handsomely address ye.
There's few sae bonnie, nane saeguid.
In a' King George' Dominion ;
If ye should doubt the truth o' this —
it's Bessy'fe ain opinion.
In Torbolton, ye ken, there are proper
young men,
And proper young lassies and a', man ;
But ken ye the Ronalds that live in the
Bennals, [man.
They carry the gree' frae them a",
Their father's a laird, and weel he can
spare 't, [man.
Braid money to tocher* them a'.
To proper young men, he'll clink in the
hand
Gow d guineas a hunder or twa, man..
There's ane tliey ca' Jean, I'll warrant
ye've seen
As bonny a lass or as liraw, man ;
But for sense and guid taste she'll yie
wi' the best, [man.
And a conduct that beautifies a',
The charms o' the min', they langer
they shine, [man;
The mair admiration they draw,
While peaches and cherries," and roses
and lilies.
They fade and they wither awa, man.
If ye be for Miss Jean, tak. this frae u.
frien',
A hint o' a rival or twa, man.
The Laird o' Blackbyre wad gang-
through the fire.
If that wad entice her awa, man.
The L^ird o' Braehead has been on his
speed, [man ;
For mair than a towmond' or twa.
The Laird o' the Ford will straught on
a board,"
If he canna get her at a', man.
J Ask or call. ^ Bow. ^ Palm. "> Portion.
^ Twelvemonth. * Die and be stretched on
a board.
Then Anna comes in, the pride o' her
kin,
The boast of our bachelors a', man;
iiae sonsy' and sweet, sae fully com-
plete.
She steals our affections awa, man.
If I should detail the pick and the
wale''
O' lasses, that live here awa, man,
The fault wad be mine, if they didna
shine, [man.
The sweetest and best o' them a',
1 lo'e he3>mysel, but dareua weel tell.
My poverty keeps me in awe, man.
For maJdng o' rhymes, and working at
times.
Does little or naething at a', man.
Yec I wadna choose to let her refuse.
Nor hae't in her power to say na,
man; [scare.
For though I be poor, unnoticed, ob-
My stomach's as proud as them a',
man.
Though I canna ride in weel-bootod
pride, [man.
And flee o'er the hills like a craw,
I can haud up my head with the best p'
the breed.
Though fluttering ever so braw, man.
My coat and my vest, they are Scotch
o' the best, [man,
0* pair§ o' guid breeks I hae twa,
And stockings and pumps to put on my
stumps, [man.
And ne'er a wrang steek in them a'.
My sarks' they are few, but five o'
them new, [man,
Twal' hundred,'" as white as the snaw,
A ten-shilling hat, a Holland cravat:
There are no mony poets sae braw,
man.
I never had frien's wrol stockit in
means.
To leave me a hundred or twa, man;
Nae weel-tochei-'d aunts, to wait ou
their drants,"
. And wish tln'in in hell forit a', man.
' Comely. « Choice.
"Shirts. " A kind of doth. "Humors.
POEMS.
85
I' never was cannie'^ for lioarding o'
^ money.
Or claughtin't" together at a', man,
I've little to spend, and naetliing to
lend.
But deevil a shilling" I awe, man.
WmTER.
A. DIRGE.
"Winter: a Dir^e," was copied into Bums's
Commonplace Book in April, 1784, and pre-
. faced with the following reflections : — *' As
I am what the me:i of the woild, if they
knew such a man, would call a whimsical
mortal, I have various sources of pleasure
and . enljoytnent, which arc in a manner
' peculiar to myself, or some here and there
such - out-of-the-way person. Such is the
peculiar pleasure I take in the season of
Winter more than the rest of the year. This, j
I believe, niay be partly owing to my., mis-
fortunes giving my mind a melancholy cast :
t . but .there is something even in the
* Mighty tempest, and the heavy "waste.
Abrupt, and deep, stretch'd o'er the buried
earth,'
.Tvhich raises the mind to a serious sublimity
favorable to everything great and noble.
There is scarcely any earthly object gives
me more — I do not know if I should call it
pleasure — but soinething which exalts me —
something which enraptures me^han to
walk m the sheltered side of a wood , or high
plantation, in a cloudy winter-day, and
hear the stormy wind howling among the
trees and raving over the plain. It is my
■ best season for devotion : my mind is wrapt
up in a kind of enthusiasm to Him, who, m
the pompous language of the Hebrew bard,
* WcJks on the wings of the wind.' In one
of these seasons, just after a train of misfor-
tunes, I composed the following :" —
The wintry west extends his blast,
And hail and rain does hlaw; [forth
Or, the stormy north sends driving
'The Winding sleet and snaw; [down,
"While tumbling brown, the bum comes
And roars frae bank to brae;
And bird and beast in covert rest,
And pass the heartless day.
" The sweeping blast, the sky o'er-
cast, "*'
The joyless winter-day,
Let others fear, to me more dear
Than all the pride of May :
The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,
My griefs it seems to join;
The leafless trees my fancy please.
Their fate resembles mine 1
Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty
scheme
Those woes of mine fulfil.
Here, firm, I rest, they must be best.
Because they are Thy will !
Then all I want (oh, do Thou grant
' This one re^liest of mine !)
Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,
Assist me to resign.
" Careful. " Gathering greedily. '* Owe.
* Dr. Young.
A PEAYER,
UNDER THE PRESSURE OS' VIOLENT
AITGUISH.
In" the Commonplace Book already alluded to
the following melancholy note actompanies
this. Poem : — " There was a certain period
fif my life that my spirittwas broken by re-
peated losses and disasters, which threat-
- 'ijned, and indeed effected, the utter ruin of
my fortune. My body, too, was attacked by
that most dreadful distemper, a hypochon-
dria, qr confirmed melancholy. In tliis
wretched state, the recollection of which
makes me yet shudder, I hung my harp on
the willow trees, except in some lucid inter-
vals, in one of which I composed this
Prayer ;"-^
0 Tiiou great Being ! what Thou art.
Surpasses me to know:
Yet sure 1 am, that known to Thee
Are all Thy works below.
Thy creature here before Thee stands.
All wretched and distrest;
Yet sure those ills that wring my soul
Obey thy high behest.
Sure Thou, Almighty, canst not act
From cruelty or wrath !
0-1, free my weary eyps from tears.
Or close them fajst in death !
But if I must afflicted be.
To suit some wise desigjn;
Then man my soul with firm resolves.
To bear and not repine 1
THE DEATH AND DYING WORDS
OP POOR MAILIB.
THE author's only PET YOWE.
(An Unco Moumfu' Tale.)
As Mailie and her lambs thegither
Was ae day nibbling on the tether.
36
BURNS' WORKS.
Upon lier cloot she coost a Uitcli,
And owr^ she wareled' in tlie ditch ;
There, groaning, dying, slie did lie,
Wlien Haghoc he caiii doytin"'' by,
,Wi' glowring een, and lifted han's,
Poor Hughoc like astatiie Stan's; [ed.
He saw her days were near-liand end-
But, waes my lieai't ! ho couldna mend ;
it! ,
He gaped wide, bnt naething spak —
At length poor Mailie ^ence brak: —
"O tlioU, whase lamentable face
Appears to mourn my woefu' case!
My dying words' attentive hear,
And bear them to my master dear.
I'ell him, if e'er again he keep
,As muckle gear as buy a sheep.
Oh, bid him never tie them mair
A\'i' wielved strings o' hemp or hair!
But ca' them put to park or hill.
And let them wander at their will;
So may his flock increase, and groAi»
To sr-ores o' lambs, and packs o' woo' !
'■ Tell him he was a master kin'.
And aye was guid to me and mine:
And now my dying charge I giehim —
Jly helpless Iambs I trust t.liera wi' him.
" Oh, bid him save their harmless
lives. [knives!
Frae° dogs, and tods, and butchers'
But gie tliem guid cow-millc their fill.
Till they be fit to fend themsel;
And tent them duly, e'en and mom
Wi' teats o' hay, and ripps o' corn,
" And may they never learn the
gaets*
Of ither vile, wanrestfu'* pets! [steal
To slink through slaps, and reave and
At stacks o' peas or stocks o' kail.
So may they, like their great forbeai-s.
For mony a year come through the
shears;
So wives will gie them bits o' bread.
And bairns greet* for them when
they're dead. [heir,
"My poor toop-lamb, my son and
Oh, bid him breed him up wi' care!
And if he live to be a beast.
To pit some havins' in his breast!
' And warn him, what 1 >vinna name.
To stay content wi' yowes at hame;
And no to rin and wear his clouts,-
^ Struggled. 2 Walking Stupidly. *, From.
* Habits. ^ Restless. * uccp., ^ Good sense,
*,Clouts, clothes or rags, with reference to
Like ither menseless,*graceless brutes.
" And ueist my yowie, silly thjng,
Guid keep the frae a tether string!
Oh, may thou ne'er forgather up
Wi' ony blastit.f moorland toop.
But aye keep mind to moop and mell,
Wi' sheep e' credit like thysel !
" And now, my bairns, wi' my last
breath
1 lea'e my blessin' wi' you baith:
And when you thinic upo' your mlther,
Mind to be kin' to aue anither.
" Now, honest Hughoc, dinna fail ■
To tel 1 my master a' my tale;
And bid him burn this cursed tether.
And, for thy pains, thou's get my
blether. "»
This said, poor Mailie turned her head,
And closed her een amang the dead.
THE ELEGY.
Lamext in rhyme, lament in prose,
Wi' saut tears trickling down your
nose:
Our bardie's fate is at a close.
Past a' remead;
The last sad cape-stane of his woes;
Poor Slailie's dead!
It's no the loss o' warl's gear.
That could sae bitter draw the tear.
Or mak our bardie, dowie, wear
The mourning weed;
He's lost a friend arid neibor dear
In Mailie dead.
Through a' the toun* she trotted by
him;
A lang half-mile she could descry him;
Wi' kindly bleat, when she did spy
him
She ran wi' speed:
A friend mair faithfu' ne'er cam nigU
him
Than Mailie dead.
I wat she was a sheep o' sense.
And could behave hersel wi' mense:'"
^Senseless. ^Bladder. *'' Decorum,
a piece of clothing with which rams are cum-
bered at certain seasons, lor a purpose which
will hardly bear full explanation. Mr. Smith,
in his recent "edition of "the poet's works,
misled by the usual spelUng:of the word-c^oo/s,
which means hoofs.or feet, and being appar-
ently ignorant of this custom, robs the allusion
" of ait its"broad"fium"or.
+ A contemptuous term.
* Hound the iarm.
POEMS.
37
Til say't, slie never brak a fence
Tkrougli tliievish greed.
Our 'bardie, lauely, keeps tlie spencef
Sin Mailie's dead.
Or, if lie wanders up the liowe,"
Her living image in her yowe
Comes bleating to liim, owre the
knowe,''^
For bits o' bread;
And down tlie briny pearls rowe
For Mailie dead:
She was nae get o' moorland tips,
Wi' tawted ket,'^ and hairy hips;
For her forbears were brought in ships
Frae yont the Tweed:
A bonnier fleesh ne'er cross'd the clips
Than Mailie dead, r ,
[sliape
Wae worth the man wha first did
That vile, Avanchancie'-* thing — a rape!
It maks guid fellows girn an' gape,|
Wi' chokm' dj?ead;
And Robin's bonnet wave wi' crape,
For Mailie dead.
Oh, a' ye bards on bonny Doon!
And wha on Ayr your chanters tune!
Come, join the melancholious croon
0' Hobiris reed!
His heart will never get aboon
His MaUie.dead.
O WHY THE DEUCE SHOULD I
EEPIXE.
The following is said to have been written
extempore : —
0 WHY the denes should I repine.
And be an ill forebodor?
I'm twenty-three, and five feet nine —
I'll go and be a sodger.
1 gat some gear wi meikle care,
I held it weel thegither; [mair —
But now it's gane, and something
I'll go arid be a sodger.
THE BELLES OF MAUCHLINE.
Ik Mauchline there dwells six proper
young belles, [bourhood a';
The pride o' the ijlace and its neigh-
U Dell. 12 Knoll. '= Matted fleece. >■> Unlucky.
+ Shuts himself up in the parlor with bb
sorrow."
.* Grin and rfasp— an clluijicn to hanging-.
Their carriage and dress, a stranger
would guess.
In Lou'oa or Paris they'd gotten it a'.
Miss Miller is flue, Miss Markham's
divine, [Betty is braw;
Miss Smith she has wit, and Miss
There's beauty and fortune to get wi'
Miss Morton. [them a'.
But Armour's the jewel for me o'
A PRATER
IN THE PROSPECT OP DEATH.
" This ' Prayer ' and the ' Stanzas,' which fol-
low," the poet wfote in hiis Commonpliice.
Book, " were composed when fainting: fits,
and other alaroling symptoms of pleurisy,
or some other dangerous disorder, which
indeed still threatens me, first put natUta
on the alart](l. The stanzas are ntisgivings
in the hour of despondency and prospect ot
death. The grand end of human life is to
cultivate an intercourse with that Beingto
whom we owe life with every enjoyment
that renders hfe delightful."
0 Tnou unknown. Almighty Cause
Of all my hope and fear.
In whose dread presencs, ere an hour.
Perhaps I must appear!
If I have wander'd in those paths
Of life I ought to shun;
As something, loudly, in tuy breast.
Remonstrates I have done;
Thou know'st that thou Ijast form'd
me
With passions wild and strong;
And listening to their witching voice
Has often led me wrong.
Where human v.-ealcness has come
short.
Or frailty stept aside,
Do Thou, All-good! for such Tliou art,
In shades of darkness hide.
Where with intention I have err'd.
No other plea I have,
But, Thoil art good; and goodness .still
Delighteth to forgive.
STANZAS.
ON THE SAME OCCASION.
Why am I loth to leave this earthly
scene?' [char.ns'/
Have I so found it full of pleasing
Some drops of joy with draughts of ill
between; [newing storms.
Some gleams of sunshine 'mid re-
BURNS' WORKS.
Is it departing pangs my soul alarms?
Or death's unlovely, dreary, dark
abode? [arms;
For guilt, for guilt, my terrors are in
. I tremble to approach an angry God,
And justly smart beneath His sin-
avenging rod.
Fain would I say, " Forgive my foul
. offence!"
Fain promise never more to disobey;
Biit should my Author, health' again
•dispense, ,
Again 1 might desert fair Virtue's way;
Again in folly's path might go astray;
AgB.in exalt the brute and sink the
Inan; [P''*y>
Tiien how should I for heavenly mercy
Who act so counter heavenly mer-
cy's plan?
Who sin so oft have moum'd, yet to
tsmptation ran.
0 Thou great Governor of all belpw!
If I may dare a lifted eye to Thee,
Thy nod can make the tempest cease
to blow,
Or still the tumult of the raging sea;
With that controlling power assist
even me, [confine.
Those headlong furious passions to
For all unfit I feel my powers to be,
To rule their torrent in the allow'd
line: [tence Divine.
Oil, aid me with Thy help, Omnipo-
THE FIRST FSALM.
The man, in life wherever' placed,
Hath happiness in store,
Who walks not in the vricked's way,
Nor learns their guilty lore.
Nor 'from the seat of scornful pride
Casts forth his eyes abroad,
But with humility and awe
Still walks before his God.
That man shall flourish like the trees.
Which by the streamlets grow;
The fruitful top is spread on high,
And firm the root below,
But he whose blossom buds in guilt,-
Shall to the ground be cast,
And, like the rootless stubble, tost
Before the sweeping blast.
For why? that God the good adore.
Hath given them peace and rest.
But hath decreed that wicked men
Shall ne'er be truly blest.
THE FIRST SIX VERSES OF THE
I NINETIETH PSALM.
O Thou, the first, the greatest friend
Of all the human race !
Whose strong right hand has ever been
Their stay and dwelling-place!
Before the mountains heaved their
heads
Beneath Thy forming hand.
Before this ponderous globe itself,
Arose at 'Thy command; _ .
That power which raised and still up-
liolds
This universal frame,
From countless unbeginning time
Was ever stUI the same.
Those mighty periods of years
• Which seem to us so vast.
Appear no more before Thy sight
Than yesterday that's past.
Thou givest the word; Thy creature,
man.
Is to existence brought.
Again Thou say'st, " Te sons of men
Return yo into nought!'
Thou layest them with all their cares,
In everlasting sleep;
As with a flood Thou takest them ofE
With overwhelming sweep.
They flourish like the morning flower.
In beauty's pride ari-ay'd;
But long ere night cut down, it lies
All wither'd and decayed,
ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF ROB-
ERT RUISSEAUX.
This fragment was lound by Cromek among
the poet's manuscripts. Rmsseaux— a trans-
lation of his own name — is French for
rivulets.
Now Robin lies In his last lair.
He'll gabble rhyme nor sing nae mair,
Cauld poverty, wi' hungry stare,
Nae mair shall fear him;
Nor anxious fear, nor cankert care,
E'«r mair come near him.
POEMS.
39
To tell the truth, they seldoai fashthim.
Except the liioment that they .cruslit
liim: : ['em.
For sune as chance or fate had husht
Thougli e'er saeshort,
Then wi' a rhyme or song height 'em,
And thought it sport.
Though ho was bred to kintra wark,
And counted was baith wight and stark,
Yet that it was never Robin's mark
Tomakaman;
But tell him he was learn'd and dark,
Ye rocsed him than 1
MATJCHLINE BELLES.
On leave novels, yo Mauchlino. belles !
Ye'er safer at your sp^^ning wheel;
Such witching books are baited hooks
For rakish rooks lilce Rob Mossgiel. -
Your iine Tom Jones and Grandisons,
They make your youthful fancied
reel; [brains.
They heat your veins, and fire your
[giel.
And then ye'ro prey for Rob Moss-
Beware a tongue that's smoothly hung,
. A heart that warmly seems to feel ;
That feeling heart but acts a part —
'Tis rakish art in Bob Mossgiel.
The frank address, the soft caress.
Are worse than poison'd hearts of
steel ;
The frank address and politesse
Are all finesse in Rob Mossgiel.
DEATH AND DR. HORNBOOK.
A TRITE STORY.
"Death and Pr. Hombook," says Gilbert
Bums, **■ though not published m the. Kil-
marnock edition, was produced early in the
year_i785. The schoolmaster of Torbolton
parish, to, eke. out the .scanty subsistence
allowed to that useful class of men, set up a
s^op' of grocery goods. Having accid'ent-
- ally fallen in with ^ome medical books, and
beconie mpst hobby-horsically attached to
the study of medicine, he had added the sale
. Qfj a few' medicines to his little trade. He
had.got a shop-bill printed, at the bottom of
which, overlooking his own incapacity, he
had advertised that advice would be given
in common disorders,, at the shop gratis!
* Rob Mossgiel— Robert Burns of Mossgiel.
Robert was at a masoihrmeeting iu,Tci-bDU
ton, when the domiijiqiinade too ostenta-
tio'us a display of his medical skill. As he
parted in the evening 'from this mixture of
pedantry and physic at the place where he de-
scribes his njeetmg with Deatt^, one of those
floating ide4s of apparitions mentioned in
his letter to Dr. Moore irossed His rtiind ;
this set him to work for the rest of his way
home. These circumstances he'ralated when
he repeated the verses to me the next after-
noon, as I was holding the .plou'eh,'.and he
was letting the water- off the -fteld beside
me.". ...
The mirth and amusement occasioned by the
publication of the poem droVe the sthool-'
master out of the district, and he became
session--clcrk of the Gorbala parish, Glas.?.'.
gow, and died there in 1839. - ■ .
Some books are lies f ra end to end
And some great lies were never penn'd:
E'en 'ministers,, they hae beeh kenn'd,
In holy rapture,
A rousing whid' at time's to vend.
And nail't wi' Scripture; -
But this that I am gaun^ to tell.
Which lately 011 a night befell.
Is just as true's the deil's in hell
Or Dublin city:
That e'er he nearer comes oursel
'S a mucklc pity.
The clachan yi'U^ had made me canty,
I wasna fou, but just had plenty; [aye
I stachef'd'' whiles,' but yet took tent
To free the ditches;., [aye
And hillocks, stanes and bushes kenn'd
Frae ghaists and wHighesj.
The rising moon began to glower"
'The distant Cumnock hills out-owre;
To count her horns, wi' a' my power,
I set mysel;
But whether she had three or four;,
I couldna tell.
I was come round about the hill.
And todlin''' down, on Willie's mill,*
Setting my staff wi' a' my skill.
To keep me sicker:* [will.
Though leeward whiles, against my
I took a bicker.^
I there wi' sDmething. did forgather,.
That put me in ah eerie svyither;'"
1 Lie. ^. Going. ^ Village ale. ^ Staggered,
fi Sometimes. * Stare. ''Tottering; •* Steady.
* Short race. ^"^ An uncertain fear.
* Torbolton Mill, then occupied by William
Muir, an intimate .friend of the Bums family
whence called Wiiiie's mill.
BURNS' WORKS.
An awf u' scythe, out-owre ae slioutlier.
Clear-dangling, hang;
A three-taed liester" on the ither
, Lay large and lang.
Its stature seem'd lang Scotch ells twa,
!rhe queerest shape that e'er I saw,
For fient a wame'^. it had ava;
And then its shanks.
They were as thin, as sharp and sma'.
As cheeks o' branks.*
" Quid-een," quo' I; "friend, hae ye
been maw-in',
When ither folk are busy sawia'?"-f
It seemed to malt a kind o' stan',
but naething spalc;
At length, says I, ' ' Friend, whare yo
gaun ?
Will yo go back ?"
It spak right liowe,'" — " My name is
Death; [faith,
But be' na fley'd,""— Quoth I, " Guid
Yc're maybe come to stap my breath;
But tent me, billie;
I red" yc weel, take care o' skaith,'*
See, there's a gully !""
" Guid man," quo' he, " put up your
whittle,
I'm no design'd to try its mettle ;
But if I did, I wad bo kittle'"
To be niislear'd,"
I wad na mind it, no that spittle
Out-owre my beard."
" Weel, wecl !" says I, " a bargain be't ;
Come,- gies your hand, and sae we're
gree't;
We'll ease our shanks'^" and tak a seat —
Come, gies your news;
This while ^ ye hae been mony a gate,"
At mony a house."
"Ay^ ay, !" quo' lie, and shook his
head,
" Il's e'en a lang, lang time iiideed
- -^* A fishspear.
>2 Belly. 'S Hollow. "Frightened. >= Warn.
** Harm. ^^ Clasp-knife. ^^ fraight be tempted.
^^ Mischievous. ^" Limbs, ^^ Road.
■ * A kind of bridle.
t This rencounter happened in seed-time of
1785.— B.
t An epidemic fever was then raging in that
rountry — B.
Sin' I began to nick the thread
And choke the bceath : [bread.
Folk maun do something for their
And sae maun Death.
" Sax thousand years are near hand
fled
Sin' I was to the butchering bred, [laid.
And mony a scheme in vain's been
To stap or scar me;
Till ane Hornbook's ta'en up the trade,
And faith he'll waur me.
' 'Ye ken Jock Hornbook i' the clachan ,
Deil mak hi& king's-hood in a spleu-
chan !'- [Buchan §
He's grown sae weel acquaint with
And ither chaps, [laughin',
Tlie weans*^ hand out their fingers
And povdt my hips.'*
" See, here's a scythe, and there's a
dart.
They hae pierced mony a gallant heart;
But Dpct^-Hombook, .wi' his art;
vi - And cursed skill,
Has made them baith no worth a t — ^t,
Damn'd haet they'll kill.
' ' 'Twas but yestreen, nae farther gaen,
I threw a noble throw at ane;
Wi' less, I'm sure, I've hundreds slain ^
But deil ma care,
It just play'd dirl on the bane.
But did nac mair.
" Homboolv was by, wi' ready arty
And had sae fortified the part.
That when I looked to my dart.
It was sae blunt, [heart
Fient haet o't wad hae pierced the
0' a kail-runt.-*
" I drew my scythe in sic a fury,
I near-hand cowpit-' Avi' my hurry.
But yet the bauld apothecary
Withstood the shocks
I might as weel hae tried a quarry
0' Imrd whin rock.
" Even them he canna get attended,
Although theirface he ne'er had keun'd
it.
Just sh — e in a kail-blade and send it,
=•• Tobacco-pouch, "s Children. =4 Plucls
at his hams — show their contempt for him.
26 Cabbage-stalk. 2» Tumbled over.
§ Buchan's Domestic. Medicine. — B,
POEMS.
41
As soon's he smells't,
Baitli tlieir disease and what will mend
it • '
At auce he tells't.
" And then a doctor's saws and whittles,
Of a' dimensions, shapes, and metals,
A' kinds o' boxes, mugs, and bottles
He's sure to hae;
Their Latin names as fast he rattles
As A B C.
" Calces o' fossils, earths, and trees;
True salmarinum o' the seas;
The farina of" beans and peas.
He lias't in plenty;
Aquafontis, what you please,
He can content ye.
' ' Forbye some new, uncommon weap-
ons,
Urinus spiritus of capons; L™S®'
Or mite'horn' shavings, filings, scrap-
Distill'd per m; _
Salalkali o' midge-tail clippings,
And mony mae."
" Waes me for Johnnie Ged's * hole
noo',"
Quo' I, if that tliae news he true !
His braw calf- ward f wliai'e gowans^'
grew, .
Sae white and bonnie,
Nae doubt they'll rive it wi'thepleugh;
They'll ruin Johnnie !"
The creature grain'd an eldritch'-" laugh,
And says, " I'e needna yoke the pleugh.
Kirk-yards vnW. soon be till'd eneugh,
- Tak ye nae fear.
They'll a' be trench'd wi' mony a
sheugh'-'
In twa-three year.
" 'WTiare I kill'd ane a fairstrae death.
By loss o' blood or want o' breath.
This night I'm free to tak my aith,
That Hornbook's skill
Has clad a score i' their last claith.
By drap and pill.
" An honest wabster to his trade,
Wliase wife's twa nieves were scarce
weel bred.
2' Daisies. "'Unearthly. "» Furrow.
* The grave-digger.
- + The church-yard had been EQmetimes used
as an enclosure tor calves,
Gat tippence-worth to mend her head
When it was sair;
The witeslade caunie to her bed.
But ne'er spak mair.
" A country laird had ta'en the batts.
Or some curmurring in his guts.
His only son for Hornbook sets.
And pays him well;
The lad, for twa guid gimmer-pets,™
Was laird himsel.
"A bonnie lass, ye kenn'd her name.
Some ill-brewn drink had hoved her
wame
She trusts hersel, to hide the shame,
In Hornbook's care;
Horn sent her aff to her lang hame.
To hide it there.
" Thafs just a swatch o' Hornbook's
way;
Thus goes he on from day to day.
Thus does he poison, kill, and slay,
An's weel paid for't;
Yet stops me o' my lawf u' prey
Wi' his damn'd dirt:
" But hark! I'll tell you of a plot.
Though dinna ye be speaking o't;
I'll nail the self-conceited sot,, ■
As dead's a herrin';
Neist time we meet, I'll wall a groat.
He's got his f alrin' !""'
But just as he began to tell,
The auld kiric .hammer strali the bell
Some wee short hour ayont the twa!,
Wliich raised us baith:
I took the way that pleased mysel.
And sae did Death.
THE TWA HEEDS ; OR, THE
HOLY TULZIB.
The Twa Herds were the Rev. John Russell
assistant minister of Kilmarnock, and after^
wards minister at Stirlingj and the Rev.
Alexander Moodie, parish minister at Riccai;.
ton, two zealous " Auld-Licht" men, mem-."
bers of the clerical party \.o whom Burns
was opposed on .all occasions. TBey tiad.
quarrelled over some question of parjsh
boundaries ; and in the presbytery, where
the question had come up for settlement,
they fell foul of each other after the manner
of the wicked and ungodly- Mr. Lockhart
says ; — " There, in the open court, to which
the announcement of tne discussion had-
3 " Youpg ewes.
8> Deserts,
42
BURNS' WORKS.
.4rav?n a multitude of' the country-people;
and Burns among the rest, the reverend
divines, hitherto sworn friends and assooi-
ates,'lost all command of temper,-and abused
each other coram populo^ with a fiery viru-
lence of personal invective such as Iftis long
J>eenJ}anished from all- popular assemblies
Wherein the- laws of courtesy are -enforced
by those •of a certain unwritten- code:"
Burns seized the opportunity, and in " The
Twa Herds" gave his version of the affair.
In is only -justice to the poet to mention,
that he did not include this poem in any of
the editions of his works published during
his lifetime.- • ■
'* Blockheads with reason wicked wits
- abhor;
But fool with fool is barbarous civil
war.^'' — Pope.
On, a' ye pious godly flocks,
Weel fed on pastures ortliodox,
Wha no\v will keep you frae the fox.
Or -worrying tykes;'
Oi wlia will tent the waifs and crocks, -
About "the dikes?
The twa best herds in a' the wast.
That e'er gae gospel horn a blast,
These five and twenty simmera past,-
Oh! dool to tell,
Hae had a bitter black outcast^
Atween themsel.
O Moodle man, and wordy Russell,
How could jfou raise so vile a bustle,
Ye'ir see how New-Light herds will
whistle.
And think it fine :
The Lord's cause ne'er gat sic a twistle
Sin' I hae min'.
O sirs! whae'er wad hae expeckit,
Your duty ye wad sae negleckit.
Ye wha were ne'er by lairds respeckit,
To wear tjie plaid.
But by the brutes themselves eleckit.
To be their guide.
What flock wi' Moodio's flock could
rank,
Sae hale and hearty every shank ?
Nae poison'd sour Arminian stank
He let them taste.
Frae Calvin's well, aye clear, they
drank, —
Oh, sic a feast !
The thummart,'' wil'-cat, brock,^ and
tod,«
1 Dogs. ^ Stray sheep and old ewes,
s Quarrel. •' Pole-cat. " Badger. " Fox.
Weel -kenn'd his voice through a' the
wood.
He smelt their ilka bole and road,
Balth out and in.
And weel he liked to shed their bluid;
And sell their skiu.
\Miat herd like Ru.ssell tell'd his tale.
His voice was heard through muir and
d;.le.
He kenn'd the Lord's^sheep, ilka tail,
O'er a' the height.
And saw gin they were tick or hale.
At the firat sight.
He fine a iuangy sheep could scrub.
Or nobly swing the gospel-club.
And New-Light herds Could nieely
drub, - ■-- -..;
Or pay tkeir skin; [dub.
Could shake. them owtc the burning
Or heave them in.
Sic twa^oh ! do I live to see't.
Sic farnous twa should diSagreet,
And names like "villain," "Uypo-'
crite,"
Ilk ither gi'en.
While New-Liglit herds, wi' laughiu'
spite,
Say neither's. liein' !'
A' ye wha tent the gospel fauld, 'i
There's Duncan,* deep, and Peebles,f
shaul,^
But chiefly thou, apostle Auld.J
We trust in thee,'
That thou wilt work them, het and
cauld.
Till they agree.
Consider, sirs, how we're beset.
There's scarce a new herd that we get
But comes frae 'mang that cursed set
I wiima name;
I hope frae heaven to see them j-et.
In fiery flanie.
Dalrympleg has been lang our fae,
' Lying. » Shallow.
* Dr. Robert Duncan, minister of Dundoh-
ald.
t Rev. William Peebles, of Newton-upon
Ayr.
\ Rev. William Auld, miruster of Mauch.
line. ^
§ Rev. Dr. Dalrymple, one of the ministeis
of Ayr.
POEMS.
43-
M,Gill II has wrought us meikle wae.
And that cursed rascal ca'd M'Quhae^Tf
And baith the Shaws ,**
That aft hae made us black and blae,
Wi' vengefu' paws.
Auld Wodrow|-f lang has hatched mis-
chief,
We thought aye death wad bring relief,
But he has gotten, to our grief,
Aae to succeed hun,
A chiel wha'U Soundly buff our beef;
I meikle dread him.
And mony a ane that I could tell,
Wha fain would openly rebel,
Forbye turn-coats amang oursel;
There's Smith for ane,
I doubt he's but a gray-nick quiU,
And tiiat ye'll fin'.
Oh! a' ye flocks o'er a' the hills,
By mosses, meadows, moors, and fells.
Come, join your counsel and your skills;
To cowe the lairds.
And get the brutes the powers themsels
To choose their he|^.
Then Orthodoxy yet may prance.
And Learning in a woody' dance,
And that fell cur ca'd Common Sense,
That bites sae sair,
Be banish'd o'er the sea to Prance:
Let him bark there^
Then Shaw's and D'rymple's eloquence,
M'Gill's close nervous excellence,
M'Quhae's pathetic manly sense,
And guid M'Matli,
Wi' Smith, wha through the heart can
glance.
May a' pack aff.
IIOLY WILLIE'S PRATER.
T^e origrin of this terrible satire may be briefly
told as follows : — Gavin Hamilton, the spe-
cial friend of 'the poet, had been denied the
benefit of the ordinances of the church,
because he was alleged to have made a
journey on the Sabbath, and to have made
one of his servants take in. some potatoes
from the garden on another Sunday — hence
the allusion to his "kail and potatoes" in
9 Halter.
"I! Rev. William M'Gill, one of the ministers
of Ayr.
IT Minister of St. Quivox.
** Dr. Andrew Shaw of Cralgie, and Dr.
David Shaw of Coylton.
tt Dr. Peter Wodrow, Torbolton.
the poem. William Fisher, one of Mr. Auld's
elders, made himself somewhat conspicuous
in the case. ' He was a great pretender to
sanctity, and a purictilious ' stickler for
outward observances. Poor man, he unfor-
tunately merited the satire of the poet, as
he nvas a drunkard, .ind latterly made too
free with the church-money in his hands.
Returning drunk from Mauchliile one'night,
he fell into a ditch and died fronl exposure.
0 Tiiou, wha in the heavens dost dwell,
Wha, as it pleases best thysel,'
Sends ane to heaven, and ten to liell,
A' for thy glory,
And no for ony guid or ill
'They've done afore thee I
1 bless and praise thy matchless might.
Whan thousands thou hast left in
night.
That I am here, afore thy sight, ,
For gifts and grace,
A bumin' and a shinin' light
To a' this place.
Wliat wSs I, or my generation.
That I should get sic exaltation ?
I, wha deserve sic just damnation
For broken laws.
Five thousand years 'fore my creation.
Through Adam's cause.
Wlien frae my mither's womb I fell,
Thou might hae pluuged me into hell.
To gnash my gums, to weep and.wail.
In bumm' lalce,
Whare damned devils roar and yell,
Chain'd to a stake.
Yet I am here a chosen sample.
To show tliy grace is great and ample; .
I'm here, a pillar in thy temple,
Sti-ong as a rock,
A guide, a buckler, an example.
To a' thy flock.
0 Lord, thou kens what zeal I bear.
When drinkers drink, and swearers
swear,
And singing there, and dancing here,
Wi'gr-eat and sma';
Fori am keepit by thy fear.
Free frae them a'.
But yet, 0 Lord ! confess I must.
At times I'm fash'd' wi' fleshy lust;
And sometimes, too, wi' wardly trust,
Vile self gets in.
> Troubled.
u
BURNS' WORKS.
But thou remembers we are dust,
Defiled in sin.
O Lord ! yestreen, tliou kens, wi' Meg —
Thy pardon I sincerely beg,
Oh, may it ne'er be a livin' plague,
To my dishonor.
And I'll ne'er lift a lawless leg
Again upon her.
Besides, I farther maun avow,
Wi' Lizzie's lass, three times 1 trow
But, Lord, that Friday I was fou'
Wlieu I came near her, ■
Or else, thou kens, thy servant true
Wad ne'er hae steer'd her.
Maybe thou lets this fleshy thorn
Beset thy servant e'en p,nd morn,
Lest he owre high and proud should
turn,
'Cause he's sae gifted;
If sae, thy han' maun e'en be borne
Until thou lift it.
Lord, bless thy chosen in this filace.
For here thou hast a chosen race :
But God confound their .stubborn face,
And blast their name,
Wlia bring thy elders to disgrace
And public shame.
Lord, mind Gawn Hamilton's deserts.
He drinks, and swears, and plays at
cartes, ' •
Yet lias sae mony takin' arts,
Wi' grit and sma',
Frae God's ain priests the people's
hearts
He steals awa'.
4-nd whan we chasten'd him therefore.
Thou kens how he bred sic a splore,'
As set the world in a roar
O' laughin' at us;—
Curse thou his basket and his store,
Kail and potatoes.
Lord, hear my earnest cry and prayer
Against tlie presbyt'ry of Ayr;
Thy strong right hand. Lord, mak it
bare
Upo' their heads,
Lord, weigh it down, and dinua spare,
For their misdeeds.
0 Lord, my God, that glib-tongued
Aiken,*
2 Disturbance.,
• * William Aiken, a lawyer, a friend of the
poet's.
My very heart ande saul are quakin'.
To think how we stood groanin';
shakin'.
And spat wi' dread.
While he, wi' hangiu' lip and snakin','
Held lip his head.
Lord, in the day of vengeance try him,
Lord, visit them wha did employ him.
And pass not in thy mercy by 'em.
Nor hear their prayer;
But for thy people's sake destroy 'em.
And dinna spare.
But, Lord, remember me and mine,
Wi' mercies temp'ral and divine.
That I for gear and grace may shine,
Excell'd by nane,
And a' the glory shall be thine.
Amen, Amen !
EPITAPH ON HOLY WILLIE.
Here Holy Willie's sair worn clay
Taks up its last abode;
His saul has ta'en some other way,
I fea* the left-hand road.
Stop ! there he is, as sure's a gun.
Poor silly body, see him;
Nae wonder he's as black's the grun, —
Observe wha's standing wi' him !
Your brunstane devilship, I see.
Has got him there before ye;
But baud your nine-tail cat a wee,'
Till ance ye've heard my story.
Your pity I will not implore.
For pity ye ha nane !
Justice, alas ! has gien him o'er.
And mercy's day is gane.
But hear me, sir, deil as ye are.
Look something to yonr credit;
A coof^ lilie him wad stain your name,.
If it were kent ye did it.
TO A MOUSE,
ON TrniNING UP HER NEST WITH THE
PLOUGH, NOVEMBER, 1785.
" The verses to the ' Mouse' and ' Mountain
^ Daisy,' " Gilbert Burns says, " were com-
' posed on the occasions mentioned, and
■while the author was holding the plough :
' Sneering. i Little.
■ Fool.
POfEMS.
45
I could point out the particular spot where
each was composed. Holding the plough
was a favorite situation with Robert Kir
poetic composition?, and somC' pf his best
verses were produced while he was at that
exercise."
" John Blanc," says Mr. Chambers, " who was
farm-servant at Mossgiel at the time of its
composition, still (1838) lives at Kilmarnock.
.; He stated to rae that he recollected the inci-
dent perfectly. Burns was holding the
plough, with Blanc for his driver, when the
little creature was observed running off
across the field. Blane, having the peiile^ or
plough-cleaning utensil, in his hand, at the
moment, was thoughtlessly running after it,
to kill it, when Burns checked him, but not
-angrily, asking what ill the poor mouse had
ever done him. The poet then sefemed to
his driver to grow very' thoughtful, and,
djiring the remainder of the afternoon, he
spoke not. In the ni^ht time he awoke
Blane, who slept with htm, and, reading the
poem which had in the meantime been com-
posed, asked what he thought of the mouse
now."
Wee, sleekit, co-m-in', tim'roiis beastie.
Oh, what a panic's in thy breastie !
Thou needna start awa' sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle !'
I waAv.be laith to rin and eliase thee,
'' Wi' murd'ring- pattle !^
I'm truly sorr^ man's dominion
Has broken nature's social union.
And justifies that ill opinion
Which maks thee startle
At me, thy poor earth-bom companion,
And fellow-mortal !
I doubt na, whiles/ but thou may
thieve; [live!
.What then 't poor beastie, thou maun
A daimen icker in a thrave*
'S a sma' o request:
I'll get a blessiji' wi' the lave,''
And never miss't !
Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin 1
Its silly wa's the win's are strewin' !
And naething now to big'* a new ane
0' foggage green !
And bleak December's winds ensuin'
Baith snell" and keen !
. Thou saw the fields laid bare and waste.
And wejiry winter comin' fast.
I Hurrying run. "^ Pattle or Pettle, the
■ plough spade. " Sometimes. * Remainder.
' Build. 'Sharp.
* An ear of corn in a thrave— that is, twen-
ty-four sheaves.
And coisie' here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell.
Till, crash ! the cruel coulter past
Out through- thy cell.
That wee bit heap o' leaves and stibble
Has cost thee mony a weary nibble ! '
Now thou's turn'd out for a' thy trouble.
But* house or hauld,'
To thole'" the winter's sleety dribble,'
And cranreuch" cauli
But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best laid schemes o' mice and men
Gang aft a-gley, '
And lea'e us nought but grief and pain
For promised joy.
Still thou art blest, compa'red ■wi' me !
The present only toucheth thee.
But, och ! I backward cast my ee
On prospects drear !
And forward, though I canna see,
I giiess and fear.
HALLOWEEN.
The following poem will, by many readers,
be well enough understood ; but for the
sake of those who are unacquainted with
the manners and traditions of thq^ountry
where the scene is cast, notes are added, to
give some account of the principal charms
and spells of that night, so big with proph-
ecy to the peasantry in the west of Scoft-
lahd. The passion of prying into futurity
- makes a striking part of the history , of
human nature in its rude state, in all ages
and nations ; and it may be some entertain-
ment to a philosophic mind, if any such
should honor. the author with a perusal, to
see the remains of it'amon^ the more unen-
lightened in our own.^B.
" Yes ! let the rich deride,' the proud disdain,
The simple pleasures of the lowly train ;
To me more dear, congenial to my heart,
One native charm, than all the gloss of art.'^
— Goldsmith.
Upon that night, when fairies light
On Cassilis Downaus f dance,
Or owre the lays', in splendid blaze.
On sprightly coursers prance;
Or for Colean the route is ta'en.
Beneath the moon's pale beams;
' Comfortable. " Without. " Holding. i« En-
dure. 1' Hoar-frost.
1 Fields.
t Certain little, romantic, rocky, green hills,
in. the neighborhood of the ancient seat of the
Earls o: Cassilis.— B.
46
BURNS' WORKS.
There, up the cove, | to stray and rove,
Among the rocks and streams
To sport that night
Among the bonny wmding banks,
Where Doon rins, wimplin', clear,
Where Bruce § ance ruled the martial
rajiks>
And shook his Carrick spear.
Some merry, friendly, country-folkB,
Together did convene, [stocks.
To bum their nits, aud pou'^ their
And haud their Halloween
Fu' blithe that night.
The lasses feat,' and cleanly neat,
Mair braw than -when there're fine;
Their faces blithe, f u'- sw^eetly kythe,'' I
Hearts leal,' and warm, and kin':
The lads sae trig,* wi' wooer-babs,'
Weel knotted on their garten,
Some unco blate,* and some wi' gabs,'
Gar lasses' heaits gang startin'
Whiles fast at night.
Then, first aud foremost, through the
kail,
Thei r stocks || maun a' be sought ance ;
They steek'" their een, and graip" and
wale,'^
Foi^iuckle anes and straught anes.
Poor hav'rel''' Will fell aff the drift,
And wauder'd through the bow-kail.
And pou't, for want o' better shift,
= Pull. s Trim. < Show. "True. » Spruce.
' Double loops. ' Bashful. » Talk, if Close.
" Gr9pe. " Ghoose. " Half-witted.
t A noted Cavern near Colean^house,
called the Cove of Colean ; which, as well as
Cassilis Downans, is famed in country story
for being a favorite haunt of fairies.— B.
§ The famous family of that name, the ances-
tors of Robert Bruce, the great deliverer of
his country, were Earls of Ckrrick. — B.
•B The first ceremony of Halloween is pulling
eaohastock or plant- of k-ail. They must ^o
out, hand in hand, with eyes shut, and pilll
the first they meet with ; its being big or little,
straight or crooked,, is prophetic of the size-t
and shape of the grand object of all their
spells — the husband or wife. If any yird, or
earth stick to the root, that is tocher or for-
tune, and the taste of the custoc, that is, the
heart ot the stem, is indicative of the-natural
temper and disposition. Lastly, the stems, or,
to give them Iheir ordinary appellation, the
runts, are placed somewhere above. the' head
of the door ; and the Christian names of 'the
.people whom cha^nce brings into the house,
ar^, according to .the priority of placing the
runts, the names in question. — B. ^
A runt was like a sow-tail,
Sae bow't" thait night.
Then, sti'aught or crooked, yird or
nane.
They roar and cry" a' throu'ther;
The very wee things, todlin','* rin,
Wi' stocks out-owre their shouther;
And git the custoc's sweet or sour.
Wi' joctelegs" they taste them;
Syne cozily,'' aboon the door, [them
Wi' caunie'" care, they've placed
To lie that night.
The lasses staw" frae 'mang them a'
To pou their stalks o' com:*
But Rab slips out, and jinks about,
Beliint the muckle thorn:
He grippet Nelly hard and fast;
Loud skirl'd^" a' the lasses;
But her tap-pickle maist was lost.
When Mtlin'^' in the f ause-house f "
Wi' him that night.
The auld guidwife's weel-hoordit nitsj
Are round and round divided, , S
And monie lads' and lasses' fates
Are there that night decided: ^
Some kindle coothie,'- side by side.
And bum thegither trimly;
Some start awa, wi' saucy, pride.
And jump out-owre the chimlie
Fu' high that night.
Jean slips in twa wi' tentie ee;
Wha 'twas she wadna tell;
But this is Jock, and this is me.
She says in to hersel : [him'.
He bleezed owre her, and she owre
As they wad never mair part;
" Crooked. "^ Totterijig. i" Clasp-knivev
"Comfortably. »» Gentle. 1» Stole. =* Scream-
ed. =' Cuddling. =" Agreeably.
* They go to the barn-yard and pull each
at three several times, a stalk of oats. If the
third stalk wants the top-pickle, that is, the
{^rain at the top of the stalky the party in ques-
tion will come to the marhage-bed anything
but a maid. — B.
1- When the com is in a doubtful state, by
being too green or wet, the stack-builder, by
means of old timber, &c., makes a large apart-
ment in hjs stack, with an opening in the side
whi.ch is fairest exposed to the wmd ; this he
calls a f ause-house. — B.
t Burning the riiits is a famous charm.
They name the -lad and lass" to each particular
nut, as they lay them in the fire, and, accord-
ingly as they burn quietly together, or start
from beside one another, the course and issue
of the courtship will be. — B.
POEMS.
47
Till, fufE! he started up the lum,''
And Jean had e'en a sair heart
To see't that night.
Poor Willie, -wV his bow-ltail.Tunt,
Was brunt wi' primsie Mallie;
And Mallie,- nae doubt, took the
druiit,"
To Be QompiLred t» WilKe;
Mall's nit lap out wi' pridef u' iiing.
And her ain fit it brunt it;
Wliile Willie lap, and swore by jing,
'Twas just the way he wanted
To be that night.^
Nell had the fause-house in her min'.
She pits hiersel and Rob in ;
In loving bleeze they sweetly join,
Till wliite in ase they're sobbin';
Nell's heart was dancin' at the view,
She whisper'd Rob to leuk for't:
Rob, stowlins, prie'd'^* her bonny mou',
Fii' cozie'^' in the neuk for't.
Unseen that night.
But Merran sat beliint their backs.
Her thoughts on Andrew Bell ;
She lea'es them gasliin'-^ at their cracks,
And slips out by hersel:
She through the yard the nearest taks.
And to the kiln goes then,
And darklins graipit for the banks,''*
And in the blue-clue* throws then.
Right fear't that night.
And aye she win't," and aye she swat,
1 wat she made nae jaukin',""
Till something held within the pat,
Guid Lord ! but she was quakin'!
But whether 'was the deil himsel.
Or whether 'twas a bauk-en'.
Or w'lietlier it was Andrew Bell,
She didna wait on talkin'
To spier" that night.
Wee Jenny to her grannie says.
=» Chinmey. -' Pet. ''■' Stealthily kissed.
=« Snugly. '^ Talking. '^ Cross-beams.
"9 Winded. ^' Dallying. " Inquire.
♦Whqever would, with success, try this
spell, must strictly observe these directions :
— Steal out, all alone, to the kiln, and dark-
ling, throw into the pot a clue of blue yarn ;
wind it in a new clue off the old one ; and,
towards the latter end, something will hold
the thread, demand, " Wha hauds?"— /.<?.,
who holds ?■ An answer will be returned from
-the kiln-pot, jjy naming the Christian and si;r-
nzme of your future spouse.— B.
" Will ye go wi' me, grannie?
I'll eat the applef at the glass
I gat-frae Uncle Johnnie: '
She f uff't her pipe wi' sic a lunt,'^
In wrath she was sae vap'rin'i
She notice't na, an aizle'^ br^nt
Her braw new worset apron
Out through that night.-
" Ye little skelpie-liuuner's face !
I daur you try sic sportin',
As seek the foul thief ony, place,
For him to s'pae** your fortune, .
Nae doubt but ye may get a sight !
Great cause ye hae to fear, it;
For mony a ane has gotten a fright,
And lived and died deleeret
On sic a night. .
" Ae hairst afore the Sherramoor, —
I niind't as weel's yestreen,
I was' a gilpey*° then, I'm sure
I wasna past fifteen;
The simmer had been cauld and wat,
And stuff was unco green;
And aye a rantin' kirn"' we gat.
And just on Halloween
It fell that night.
" Our stibble-rig, was Rab M'Graen,
A clever sturdy fallow:
His son gat Eppie Sim wi' wean.
That lived in Achmacalla:
He gat hemp-seed, 1 1 mind it weel,
And he made unco light o't;
But mony a day was by himsel.
He was sae sairly friglited
That very night."
Then up gat fechtin' Jamie Fleck,
And he swore by his conscience,
== Smoke. " Cinder. " Foretell,
so Young Girl. «« Harvest home.
t Take a candle, and go albne to a looking-
flass ; eat an apple before it, and, some tra-
itions say, you should comb yourhair all the
time; the face of your conjugal companion to be
will be seen in the glass, as if peeping over
your shoulder. — B.
t Steal out, unperceived, and sow a handful
of hemp-seed, harrying it with anything you
can conveniently draw after you. Repeat now
and then, " Hemp-seed, I saw thee ; hemp-
seed, I saw thee ; and him (or her) that is
to be my true love, come after me and pou
thee." Look over your left shoulder, and you
will see the appearance of the person invoked,
in the attitude of pulling hemp. Some tradi-
tions say, " Come after me and shaw thee,"
that is, show thyself ; in which case it simply
appears. Others omit the harrowing, and say,
*■ Come after me and harrow thee." — B.
BUEiVS' WORKS.
That he could saw hemp-seed a peck ;
For it- was a' hut nonsense. [pock,
The auld guidman rauglit^' down the
And out a hauf u' gied him ;
Syne hade liim slip frae 'mang tlie folk,
Some time when nae ane see'd Mm,
And try't tliat night. ,
He marches through amang the stacks.
Though he was something sturtin;^"
The graip^' he for a harrow taks,
And haurl.s'"' it at his curpin;'"
And every now and then he says,
' ■ Hemp-seed, I saw thee,
And her tliat is to be my lass,
Come after me, and draw thee
As fast this night. "
He wliistled up Lord Lennox' march
■Ta keep liis courage cheery;
Although his hair began to arch,
He was say fley'd* and eerie:
Till presently he hears a squealc,
'And then a grane and gruntle;
He by his shouther gae a keek,
And-iumbled wi' a wintle''^
Ont-owre that- night.
He roar'd a horrid murder-shout.
In dreadfu' de,speration !
And young and auld cam runnin' out
To hear the sad narration ;
He swore 'twas hilchin'" Jean M'Craw,
Or crouchie''^ Merran Humphie, [a' —
Till, stop ! slie trotted through them
And' wlia was it but grumphie''*
Asteer that night !
Meg fain wad to the barn hae gaen,
1o win three wechts" o' naetliing;*
But for to meet the deil her lane.
She pat but little faith in :
^^ Reached. ^^ Timorous. ^* Dung-fork.
<" Drags. " Rear. ■''^ Frightened. '^ Stagger.
" Hailing. " Croolsbacked. ^° The pig.
*'' Corn-baskets.
* This charm must likewise be performed un-
perceived and alone. Yougo to the barn, and
open both doors, taking them off the hinges,
if possible ; for "there is danger that the being
about to appear may shut the doors, and do
■ you some mischief. Th en take that instru-
ment used in winnowing the com, which in
our country dialect we call a wecht ; and go
through all the attitudes of Uitting dowircom
against the wind. Repeat it three timtiS;'and
the third time an apparition will pass through
the barn. In at the wmdy door, and out at the.
other, having both the figure in question, an4
the appearance or retinue marking the em-
ployment or station in life. — B.
She gies the herd a pickle* nits.
And two red-cheekit apples.
To watch, while for the bam she sets.
In hopes to see Tam Kipples -
That very nicht.
She turns the key wi cannie'" thraw.
And owre the tlireshold ventures;
But first on Sawnie gies a ca'
Syne bauldly in she enters:
A rattou rattled up the wa'.
And she cried. Lord, perserve her I
And ran through midden-hole and a'.
And pray'd wi' zeal and fervour,
Fu' fast that night;.
They hoy't'" out Will wi' sair advice;
They'' hecht him some fine braw ane;
It chanced the stack he f addom't thricef
. AVas timmer-propt for thrawin';
He taks a swirlie,"- auld moss-oak.
For some black grousome°^ carlin ;
And loot a winze, " and drew a stroke.
Till skin in blypes*' cam haurlin'
AfE's nieves'* that night.
A wanton widow Leezie was,
As canty as a kittlin ;
But, och ! that night amang the shaws,''
She got a f eari'u' settlin' ! [cairn.
She through the whins,"'* and by the
And owre the hill gaed scrievin, [bum|
Whare three lairds' lands met at a
To dip her left sark-sleeve in.
Was bent that night.
Whyles owre a linn the burnie plays,,
As through the glen it wimpl't;''
Whyles round a rocky scaur*" it strays;
Whyles in a wieF- it dimpl't;
48 Fe^, 48 Gentle, '^o Urged, 'i Promised.
"- Knotty. ^^ Hideous. " Oath. '»» Shrtds.
^^ Hands. " Woods, '« Gorse. '" Wheeled.
"P Cliff. «' Eddy.
+Take an opportunity of going unnoticed
to a bean-stack, and fathom it three times
round. The last fathom of the last time, you
will cateh in your arms the appearance of
your future conjugal yoke-fellow. — B. '
t You go out, one or more, for this is a social
spell, to a soutli-running spring or rivulet,
where " three lairds' lands meet, and dip your
left shirt-sleeve. Go to bed in sight of^a fire,
and hang your wet sleeve before it to dry.
Lie awake ; and; some time near midnight, an
apparition having the exact figure of the
grand object in question, will come and turn
the sleeve, as if to dry the other side of it.—
B.
POEMS.
AVhyles glitter'd to tlie nightly rays,
Wi' bickering, dancing dazzle;
Wliyles cookit underneatli the braes.
Below the spreading hazel.
Unseen that niglit.
Amang the brackens, on the brae.
Between lier and the moon,
The-deil, or else an outler quey,*'
Gat up and gae a croon:''*
PoorLeezie's heart maist lap the hool !*'
Near lav'rock-height she jumpit;
But mist a fit, and in the pool
Out-owre the lugs she plumpit,
Wi' a plunge that night.
In order, on the clean hearth-stane.
The luggies three|| are ranged,
And every time great care is ta'en'
To see them duly changed:
Auld Uncle John, wha wedlock joys
Sin' Mar's year did desire,
Because lie gat the toom" dish thrice.
He heaved them on the fire
In wrath that night.
Wi' merry sangs, and friendly cracks,
I wat they didna weary;
And unco tales, and funny jokes.
Their sports were cheap and cheery;
Till butter'd so'ns,§ wi' fragrant lunt,""
Set a' their gabs'' a-steerin' ;
Syne, wi' a social glass o' strunt,"
They parted afE careerin'
Fu' blytlie that night.
Man was made to mourn.
A DIKGE.
"■Several of the poems," says Gilbert Bums,
" were produced for the purpose of bring-
ing forward some favourite sentiment of the
f' Unhoused heifer. "-Moan. "Durst its
case, ®* Empty. ^^ Smolce. ** Mouths.
•^ Spirits.
il Take three dishes ; put clean water in
one, foul water in another, leave the third
empty : blindfold a person, and lead him to
the hearth where the dishes are ranged ; he
(or she) dips the left hand : if by chance in the
clean water, the future husband or wife will
come to the bar of matrimony a maid : if in the
foQl.awidow, it in the empty dish, it foretells,
witti equal certainty, no marriage 'at all. It
is repeated three times, and every time the
arrangement of the dishes is altered. — B.
§ SowENS. — The shell of the corn (called, m
the rural districts, " shellings) is steeped in
water until all the fine meal particles arc ex-
t,racted ; the liquid is then -strained off, and
boiled with milk and butter until it thickens.
author's. He used to remark to me that he
could not well conceive a more mortifying
picture of human life' than a man seeking
work. In casting about in his mind how
this sentiment might be brought forward,
the elegy. ' Man was Made to Mourn,' was
composed."
An old Scottish, ballad had suggested the form,
and spirit of this poem. " 1 had an old
grand-uncle," Says the poet to Mrs. Dunlop,
" with whom ray mother lived a while ■ in
her girlish years. The good old man was
long blind ere he died, during which time
his highest enjoyment was to sit down and
cry, while my mother would sing the simple
old song of ' The Life and Age of Man.' "
From the poet's mother, Mr. Cromek pro-
cured a copy of this composition ; it com-
mences thus : —
'• Upon the sixteen hundred year
Of God and fifty-three
Frae Christ was born, who bought us dear.
As Writings testify ;
On January the sixteenth day,
As 1 did lie alone,
With many a sigh and sob did say
Ah ! man was made to moan !"
When chill Novemter's surly blast
Made fields and forests bare.
One evening, as I wander'd forth
Along the banks of Ayr,
I spied a man whose aged step
Seem'd weary worn with care;
His face was f urrow'd o'er with years.
And hoary was his hair.
" Young straijger, whither wanderest
thou ?"
Began the reverend sage ; [strain,
"Does thirst of wealth thy step con-
Or youthful pleasures rage '!
Or haply, prest with cares and woes.
Too soon thou hast began
To wander forth with me to mourn
The miseries of man.
' ' The Sun that overhangs yon moors.
Outspreading far and wide.
Where hundreds labour to support
A haughty lordling's pride:
I've, seen yon- weary winter sun
Twice forty times return.
And every time has added proofs
That man was made to mourn.
" 0 man ! while in thy early years.
How prodigal of time !
Misspending all thy precious hours,
Thy glorious youthful prime ! .
Alternate follies take the sway;
Licentious passions burn;
Wliich tenfold force gives nature's law,
Tliat man was made to mourn.
50
BURNS' WORKS.
" Look not alone on youthful prime,
Or manhood's active might;
Man then is useful to his kind.
Supported is his right.
But see him on the edge of life.
With cares and sorrows worn;
Then age and want — oh ! ill match'd
pair ! —
Show man was made to mourn.
" A few seem favourites of fate.
In pleasure's lap carest;
Yet think not all the rich and great
Are lUiewise truly blest.
But, oh ! what crowds in every land
Are wretched and forlorn !
Through weary life this lesson learn —
That man was made to mourn.
" Many and sharp the numerous ills
Inwoven with our frame !
More pointed still we malce ourselves —
Regret, remorse, and shame !
And man, whose heaven-erected face
The smiles of love adorn,
Man's inhumanity to man
Makes countless thousands mourn !
" See yonder poor, o'erlabour'd wight,
So abject, mean, and vile,
Who begs a brother of the earth
To give him leave to tpil;
And see his lordly fellow- worm
The poor petition spurn.
Unmindful, though a weeping wife
And helpless offspring mourn.
" If Tm design'd yon lordling's slave —
By nature's law design'd —
Wliy was an indepentlent wish
E'er planted in my mind ?
If not, why am I subject to
His cruelty or scorn ?
Or why has man the will and power
To make his fellow mourn ?
' ' Yet let not this too much, my son.
Disturb thy youthful breast;
This partial view of human kind
Is suiely not the last !
The poor; oppress'd, honest man.
Had never, sure, been born.
Had tliere not been some recompense
To comfort those that mourn.
"O' Death! the poor man's dearest
friend —
, The kindest and the best !
Welcome the hour my aged limbs
Are laid with thee at rest !
The great, the wealthy, fear thy bloW;
From pomp and pleasure torn;
But, oh ! a blest relief to those
That weary-laden mourn !"
THE COTTER'S SATURDAY
NIGHT.
INSCRIBED TO KOBEBT AIKEN, ESQ.
Gilbert Bums gives the followiDg distinct
account of the origin of this poem ; — " Rob-
ert had frequently remarked to me that he
thought there was something peculiarly
venerable in the phrase, ' Let us worship
God r used by a decent, sober head of a
family, introducing family worship. To this
sentiment of the author, the world is indebt-
ed for 'The Cotter's Saturday Night.'
When Robert had not some pleasure in view
in which I was not thought fit to partici-
pate, we used frequently to walk together,
when the weather was favourable, on the
Sunday afternoons— those precious breath-
mg times to the laboring part of the com-
munity— and enjoyed such Sundays as
would make one regret to see their number
abridged. It was in one of these walks that
I first had the pleasure of hearing the author
repeat ' The Cotter's Saturday Night.' I do
not recollect to have read or heard anything
by which I was more highly electrilied.
The fifth and sixth stanzas, and the eigh-
teenth, thrilled with peculiar ecstasy through
my soul. The cotter, in the ' Saturday
Night,' is an exact copy of my father in his
manners, his family devotion, and exhorta-
tions ; yet the other parts of the dcEcnption
do not apply to our faimly. . None of us
were ' at service out ai^o^ the farmers
louu'.' Instead of ottr-'ffcpositing our
* sau-won penny-fee* with our parents, my
father laboured hard^^gmd lived with the roost
rigid economy, that' he might be able to
keep his children at home, thereby having
an opportunity of watching the progress of
our young mind s,.and lonning in them early
habits of piety and virtue ; and from this
motive alone did he engage in fanning, the
source of all his difficulties and distresses.
" Let not ambition mock their useful toil.
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile.
The short but simple annals of the poor.'*
— Gray.
My loved, my honor'd, much -respected
friend !
No mercenary bard his homage pays;
With honest pride, I scorn each selfish
end: [and praise,
My dearest meed, a, friend's esteem
POEMS.
51
To you I sing, in simple Scottish lays,
The Jowly train in life's sequester'd
scene; [less ways:
The native feelings strong, the guile-
Wliat Aiken in a cottage would have
been ; [happier there, I ween !
All ! though his worth unknown, far
November chill blaws loud wi' angry
sugh;' [close;
The short'ning winter-day is near a
The miry beasts retreating frae the
pleugh; [their repose;
The black'ning trains o' craws to
The toil-worn cotter frae his -labour
goes, [end.
This night his weeldy moil is at an
Collects his spades, liis mattocks, and
his hoes, [spe-id,
Hoping the mom in ease and rest to
And, weary, o'er the moor his course
does hameward bend.
At length his lonely cot appears in view
Beneath the shelter of an aged tree;
Th' expectant wee things, toddlui',
stacher thro:igh [noise and glee.
To meet their dad, wi' flichterin'
His wee bit ingle, blinking bonnily.
His clean hearthstane, his thrifty
wifie's smile.
The lisping infant prattling on his knee,
Does a' his weary carking cares be-
guile, [and his toil.
And makes him quite forget his labour
Belyve,' the elder bairns come drapping
in, [roun' :
At service out among the farmers
Some ca' the pleugh, some herd, some
tentie rin
A cannie errand to a neibor town:
Their eldest hopo, their Jenny, woman
grown, [her ee,
In youthf u' bloom, love sparkling in
Comes hame, perhaps to show a braw
new gown.
Or deposit her sair-won penny fee,
To help her parents dear, if they in
hardship be.
Wi' joy unfeign'd, brothers and sisters
meet, spiers;"
And each for other's welfare kindly
The social hours, swift-wing'd unnotic-
ed, fleet; [hears;
Each tells the uncos'* that he sees or
The parents, partial, eye their hopeful
years;
Anticipation forward points the viev,'.
The mother, wi' her needle and her
shears, [the new —
Gars auld claes look amaist as weel's
The father mixes a' wi' admonition duo.
Their master's and their mistress's
command,
The younkers a' are warned to obey;
And mind their labours wi' an eydent*
hand, [jauk* or play:
And ne'er, though out o' sight, to
' ' And oh ! be sure to fear the Lord al -
way ! [night !
And mind your duty, duly, morn and
Lest in temptation's path ye gang
astray [might:
Implore His counsel and assisting
They never sought in vain that sought
the Lord aright !"
But, hark 1 a rap comes gently to the
door, [same,
Jenny, wlia kens the meaning o' the
Tells how a neibor lad cam o'er the
moor, [liamo.
To do some errands, and convoy her
The wily mother sees the conscious
flame [elieek.
Sparkle in Jenny's ee, and flush her
Wi' heart-struck an-xious care, inquires
his name, [speak ;
While Jenny haflSins is afraid to
Weel pleased the mother hears it's nae
wild, worthless rake.
Wi' kindly welcome, Jenny brings him
ben; [^^'^ ^i'^'
A strappin' youth ; he taks the moth-
Blithe Jenny sees the visit's no ill ta'en;
The father cracks of horses, pleughs,
and kye. [wi' joy,
The youngster's artless heart o'erflows
But blate' and lathefu','' scarce can
weel behave; [spy
The mother, wi' a woman' wiles, can
What makes the youth sae bashf u'
and sae grave ;
Weel pleased to thmk her bairn's re-
spected like the lave,'
■* Strange things. ^ Diligent. " Dally
> Moaa. 2 By and by. = Inquires. ' Bashful. " Hesitating. » Other people.
BURNS' Works.
Ok liappy lore I — ^ where love like this
is found ! — [yond compare !
Oh heart-felt raptures! — bliss bc-
I've paced much this weary, mortal
round-, [declare —
And sage experience bids me this
"If Heaven a draught of heavenly
pleasure spare.
On 3 cordial in this melancholy Tale,
'Tis when a youthful, loving, modest
pair, [tender tale,
.In other's arms, breathe out the
Beneath the milk-white thorn, that
scents the evening gale."
Is there, in human form, that bears a
heart, ' [truth !
A wretch ! a villain ! lost to love and
That can, with studied, sly, ensnaring
art, youth ?
Betray sweet Jenny's xinsuspecting
Curse ou his perjured arts ! dissem-
bling smooth ! [exiled ?
Are honour, virtue, conscience, all
Is there no pity, no relenting ruth.
Points to the parents fondling o'er
their child ? [distraction wild !
Then paints the ruin'd maid, and their
But now the supper crowns their sim-
ple board, [Scotia's food.
The halesome parritch,'" chief of
The soupe" their only hawkie''^ -does
afford, [her cood:
That 'yont the hallan" snugly cliows
The dame lirings forth, in complimen-
tal mood, [kebbuck,'" fell,'*
To grace the lad, her weel-hain'd
And aft he's prest, and aft he ca's it
guid: [tell,
The frugal wifie. garrulous, will
How 'twas a towmond'" auld, sin' lint
was i' the bell.
The cheerfu' supper done, wi' serious
face; [wide;
They, round the ingle, fonn a circle
The sire turns o'er, wi' patriarchal
grace, [pride;
The big ha' Bible, aiico his father's
His bonnet rev'rently is laid aside.
His lyart haffets" wearing thin and
bare ; [Zion glide.
Those strains that once did sweet in
'"Porridge, 'i Milk. '- Cow. " Porch.
'■• Cheese. '» Biting. " Twelvemonfll.
^^ Gr.ty temples.
He wales'" a portion with judicious
care; [with solemn air.
And "Let us worship God," he says.
They chant their artless notes in simple
guise; [noblest aim:
They tune their hearts, hy far the
Perhaps "Dundee's" wild warbling
measures rise, [the name;
Or plaintive "Martyrs," worthy of
Or noble ' ' Elgin" beets the heaven-
ward flame, [lays:
The sweetest far of Scotia's holy
Compared with these, Italian trills are
tame; [raise;
The tickled ear no heartfelt raptures
Nae unison hae they with our Creator's
praise.
The priest-like father reads the sacred
page, [on high;
How Abram was the friend of God
Or, Moses bade eternal warfare wage
^Vith Amalek's ungracious progeny:
Or how the royal bard did groaning lie
Beneath the stroke of Heaven's
avenging ire [cry;
Or Job's pathetic plaint, and wailmg
Or rapt Isaiah's wild seraphic fire;
Or other holy seers that tune the sacred
lyre.
Perhaps the (^ristiau volume is the
theme, [was shed;
How guiltless blood for guilty man
How He, who bore in heaven the
second name, [His head:
Had not on earth whereon to lay
How His first followers and .ser\-ants
.sped; [a land:
The precepts sage they wrote to many
How he, who lone in Patmos tanish'd.
Saw in the sun a mighty angel stand;
And heard great Eab'lou's deem pro-
nounced by
Heaven's command.
Then kneeling down, to Heaven's
ETERNAL KiNG, [band prays:
The saint, tho father, and the hus-
Hope ' ' springs exulting on triumphant
wing,"* [future days:
That thus they all shall meet in.
There ever bask in uncreated rays.
No more to sigh or shed tiie bitter
tear,
' ^ Selects.
**Pope's " Windsor Forest."
POEMS.
58
Together hymning their Creator's
praise,
In such society, yet still more dear;
While circling time moves round in an
etenml sphere.
Compared with this, how poor re-
ligion's pride, [art,
In all the pomp of method and of
When men display to congregations
wide [heart !
Devotion's every grace, except the
The Power, incensed, the pageant wUl
desert [stole:
The pompous strain, the sacerdotal
But, haply, in some cottage far apart.
May hear, well pleased, the language
of the soul; [enrol.
And in his hook of life the inmates poor
Then homeward all take off their sev
eral way;
The youngling cottagers retire to rest •
The parent-pair their secret homage
pay, [request
And proffer up to heaven the warm
That He, who stills the raven's clamor-
ous nest, [pride,
And decks tlio lily fair in flowery
Would, iu the way Hia wisdom sees the
best, [provide;
For them and for their little ones
But, chiefly, in their hearts with grace
divine preside.
From scenes like these old Scotia's
grandeur springs, [ered abroad :
That makes her loved at home, rev-
Princes and lords are but the breath of
kings, [of God;"
" An honest man's the noblest work
And certes, in fair virtue's heavenly
road, [hind.
The cottage leaves the palace fur be-
What is a lordling's pomp? — a cum-
brous load, [kind.
Disguising oft the wretch of human
Studied in arts of hell, iu wickedness
refined !
O Scotia ! my dear, my native soil !
For whom my warmest wish to
Heaven is sent !
Long may thy hardy sons of rustic
toil
Be blest with health, and peace, and
sweet content ! [lives prevent
And, oh ! may Heaven their simple
From luxury's contagion, weak ajnd
vile I [rent.
Then, liowe'er crown and coronets be
A virtuous populace miy rise the
while, [much-loved isle.
And stand a wall of lire around their
0 Thou ! who pour'd the patriotic tide
That stream'd through Wallace's
undaunted heart; [pride,
Wlio dared to nobly stem tyrannic
Or nobly die, tho second glorious
part,
(The patriot's God, peculiarly Thou art.
His friend, inspirer, guardian, and
reward !)
Oh, never, never, Scotia's realm desert;
But still the patriot, and the patriot-
bard, [ment and guard !
In bright succession raise, her orna-
ADDEESS TO THE DEIL.
" Oh prince ! Oh chief of many throned
powers,
That led th' embattled seraphim to -war !"
— Milton.
0 THOU I whatever titlo suit thee,
Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick, or Clootie,*
\^^la in yon cavern grim and sootie.
Closed under hatches,
Spairgesf. about the brunstane cootie,:]:
To scaud poor wretches !
Hear me, auld Uangie, for a wee.
And let poor damned bodies be ;
I'm sure sma' pleasure it can gie.
E'en to a deil ,
* A well-known term applied to Satan in
Scotland in allusion lo his hoofs or cloots,
^Spairges is the best Scots word m its
place I ever met with. The deil is not stand-
ing flinging the liquid brimstone on his
friends with a ladle, but we see him standing
at a large boilmg vat, with something lilce a
golf-bat, striking the liquid this way and that
way aslant, with all his might, making it fly
through th2 whole apartment, while the in-
mates are winking and holding up their arms
to defend their faces. This is precisely the
idea conveyed by sfiairging ; flinging it many
other way would be laving or splashing. —
The Ettrick Shepherd.
X The legitimate meaning nf this word is a
small wooden tub ; here it implies not only
the utensil, but liquid brimstone ; just as a
toper talits of his can ctt his cope^ meaning
both ttie liquor and the utensil in which it is
held.
54
BUEJfS' WORKS.
To skelp and scaud poor dogs like me,
And hear us squeel !
Great is thy power, and great thy
fame ;
Far kenn'd and noted is thy name :
And though yon lowin' heugh's' thy
hame,
Thou travels far : [lame.
And, faith ! thou's neither lag nor
Nor blate nor scaur. ''
Wliyles ranging like a roaring lion.
For prey a' holes and corners tryin' :
Whyles on the strong -wing'd tempest
flyiu',
Tirlin'' the kirks ;
Whyles in the human bosom pryiu'.
Unseen thou lurks.
I've heard my reverend grannie say,
In lanely glens ye like to stray :
Or where auld ruiu'd castles, gray.
Nod to the moon.
Ye fright the nightly wanderer's way
Wi' eldritch croon.''
When twilight did my grannie sum-
mon, [woman !
To say her prayers, douce, honest
Aft yont the dilce she's heard you
bummin',
Wi' eerie drone ;
Or, rustlin', through the boortries'
comin',
Wi' heavy groan.
Ao dreary, windy, winter night, [light.
The stars shot down wi' sklentin' "
Wi' you, myself, I gat a fright
Ayont the lough ;
Ye, lilie a rash-bush, stood in sight,
Wi' waving sough.
The cudgel in my nieve' did shake.
Each bristled hair stood like a stake,
When wi' an eldritch, stoor qiiaick,
quaick,
Amang the springs,
Awa' ye squatter'd, like a drake.
On whistling wings.
Let warlocks grim, and wither'd hags.
Tell how wi' you, on ragweed nags.
They skim the muirs and dizzy crags,
Wi' wicked speed ;
^ Burning: pit. ^ Apt to be frightened. ^ Un-
fipvering.. * Unearthly moan. ^ Elder-trees.
• Glancing. ' Fist.
And in kirk-yards renew their leagues
Owre howkit* dead.
Thence countra wives, wi' toil aiid
pain, [vain :
May plunge and plunge the kirn in
For, oh ! the yellow treasure 's tia'en
i3y vritching skill ;
And dawtit' twalpint hawkie's gaen
As yell's'" the bill.
Thence mystic Imots mak great abuse
[crouse ;
On young guidmen, fond, keen, and
When the best wark-lume i' the
house.
By cantrip wit,
Is instant made no worth a louse, '
Just at the bit.
A\Tien thowes dissolve the snawy
hoord.
And float the jinglin' icy boord.
Then water-kelpies haunt the foprd, -
By your direction ; -
And 'nighted travellers are allured
To their destruction.
And aft your moss-traversiug spun-
kies § [is :
Decoy the wight that late and drunk
The bleezin', curst, mischievous- mon-
keys
Delude his eyes.
Till in some miry slough he sunk is.
Ne'er malr to rise.
When mason's mystic word and grip
In storms and tempests raise you up,
Some cock or cat your rage maun stop,
Or, strange to tell !
The youngest brother ye wad whip
AfE straught to hell !
Lang syne, in Eden's bonnie yar^.
When youthfu' lovers first were
pair'd.
And all the soul of love they shared.
The raptured hour.
Sweet on the fragrant flowery sward.
In shady bower. |
8 Disinterred. » Petted. " Milkless.
§ Will o' the wisp.
IThis verse ran originally thus :—
Langf syne in Eden's happy scene
When strappin' Adam's days were green,
And Eve was lilie my bonnie Jean,
My 4earest part,
A dancin , sweet, youngj handsome queen
wr guileless heart.
POEMS.
55
JJiea you, ye auld saeck - drawing
dog n
Ye came to Paradise incog. ,
And play'd on man a cursed brogue,
(Black be your fa' !)
'And gied the infant warld a shog,"
'Maist ruin'd a'.
D'ye mind tliat 6,a,y, when in a bizz,'^
Wi' reekit duds, '^ and reestit gizz,"
Xe did present your smoutie'° phiz
'Mang better folk.
And sklented" on the man of Uzz
Your spitefu*joke ?
And how ye gat him i' your thrall,
And brak him out o' house and hall.
While, scabs and blotches did him gall,
Wi' bitter claw.
And lowsed his ill-tongued, wicked
scawl,"
Was warst ava?
But a' your doings to rehearse.
Tour wily snares and fechtm' fierce.
Sin' that day Michael did you pierce,
Down to this time.
Wad ding a Lallan'* tongue or Erse,"
In prose or rhyme.
And now old Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin',
A certain Bardie's rantin', drinkin',
Some luckless hour will send him
linkin'
To your black pit;
But, faitli, he'll turn a comer jinkin',"
And cheat yon yet.
But, fare you weel, auld Nickie-ben !
Oh, wad ye tak a thought and men' !
Ye aiblins^' might — I dinna ken —
Still liae a stake —
I'm wae to think upo' yon den.
Even for your sake !
THE JOLLY BEGGARS.
A CANTATA.
This famous poem, or rather drama, is found-
ed on a scene actually witnessed by the
poet. In company with his friends, John
Richmond and James Smith, he was pass-
" Shake. '^ Hurry. " Smolced clothes.
" Singed hair. " Dirty. '« Glanced. " Scold-
me wife. '" Lowland. '" Celtic. ^° Dodging.
""flerhaps.
T Literally, withdrawing a latch burglar-
iously—Iiere it means taking an advantage —
getting into Paradise on false pretences.
jng' Poosie Nansie's,, when their attention
bemg attracted by sounds bf mirth and jol-
lity proceeding from the interior, they enter-
ed, and were rapturously welcomed by the
motlc band of beggars and tinkers carousing
there. Burns proiessed to have bfeen great-
ly delighted with the scene, more especially
with the jolly behaviour of a maimed old
soldier. In a few days he recited portions
of the poem to John Richmond, who used
to speak of songs by a sweep and a sailor
which did not appear in the completed man-
uscript.
EECITATIVO.
When lyart' leaves bestrew the yird,'
Or wavering like the baukie-bird,'
Bedim cauld Boreas' blast;
When hailstanes drive wi' bitter skyte,'
And infant frosts begin to bite,
In hoary cranreuch^ drest;
Ae night at e'en a merry core
O' randie, gangrel" bodies,
In Poosie Nansie's held the splore,'
To drink their orra duddies:*
Wi' quaffing and laughing.
They ranted and they sang;
Wi' jumping and thumping.
The vera girdle* rang.
First, neist the fire, in auld red rags,
Ane sat, weel braced wi' mealy bags.
And knapsack a' in order;
His doxy lay within his arm,
Wi' usquebae and blankets warm —
She blinket on her sodger:
And aye he gied the toziedrab
The tither skelpin' kiss.
While she held up her greedy gab,
Just like an aumos dish.f
Ilk smack still, did crack still.
Just like a cadger's |whup.
Then staggering and swaggering
He rop,?d this ditty up —
AIK.
Tune — " Soldiers' Joy."
I am a son of Mars, who have been in
many wars,
' Gray. ' Earth. = The bat. ' Dash
^ Thin white frost. * Vagrant. ^ Merry meet-
ing. ^ Odd garments.
* A circular iron plate, on which, when
hung over the fire, oaten cakes are baked.
+ The aumos, or beggar's dish, was a wood-
en platter or bowl, which every nlendicant
carried ^n the olden time as part of his pro-
fessional accoutrements. It was used to re-
ceive the aumos or alms in the shape of oat
meal, broth, milk, or porridge.
t.A'Cad^er is a vendor of various kinds of
merchandise, who employs a horse or ass in
carrying about his wares from place to place.
BURNS' WORKS.
And sliow my cuts and scars wherever
I come:
This here was for a wench, and that
other in a trench,
Wlien welcoming the French at the
sound of the drum.
Lai de dandle, &c.
My 'prenticeship I past where my lead-
er breathed his last,
When the bloody die is cast on the
heights of Abram;§
I served Out my trade when the gallant
game was play'd
And the Moro | low was laid at the
sound of the drum.
Lai de daudle, &c.
I lastly was with Curtis, among the
floating batteries, ^ [a limb;
And there I left for witness an arm and
Yet let my country need nie,with Elliot
* *to head me, [of the drum.
I'd clatter on my stumps at the sound
Lai de daudle, &c.
And now though I must beg with a
wooden arm and leg, [my bum,
And many a tatter'd rag liiinging- over
I'm as happy with my wallet, my bot-
tle and my callet, [drum.
As when I used in scarlet to follow a
Lai de daudle, &c.
Wliat though with hoary locks I must
stand the winter shocks.
Beneath the woods and rocks often-
times for a home, •
WT^ien tlie t'othei- bag I sell, and the
t'other bottle tell, [of a drum.
I could meet a troop of hell at the sound
Lai de daudle, &c.
BKCITATIVO.
He ended; and the kebars' sheuk
Aboou the chorus roar;
» Ratters.
§ The battle-field in front of Quebec, where
General Wolfe fell in the arms of victory in
1759.
f El Moro, a strong castle defending Havan-
nah, which was gallantly stormed when the
city was taken by the British in 1762.
T The destruction of the Spanish floating
batteries during the famous siege of Gibraltar
in 1782, on which occasion the gallant Captain
Curtis rendered the most signal-service.
** George Augustus Elhot, created Lord
Heathfield, for his memorable defence of Gib-
raltar, during the siege of three years. He
died in 179a,
While frighted rattons"'btM!kwardleuk,
And seek the bemnost" bore;
A fairy fiddler frae the neuk.
He skirled out ' ' Encore I"
But up arose the martial chuck.
And laid the loud uproar.
AIR.
Tune — " Soldier laddie."
1 once was a maid, though 1 cannot tell
when, [men;
And still my delight is in proper young
Some one of a troop of dragoons was
my daddie.
No wonder I'm fond of a sodger laddie.
Sing, Lai de lal, &c.
The first of my loves was a swaggering
blade, prade;
To rattle the thundering drum was his
His leg was so tight, and liis cheek was
so ruddy, [laddie.
Transported I was Ai-itli my sodger
. Sing, Lal de lal, &c.
But the godly old chaplain left hiin in
the lurch, [the church;
The sword I forsook for the sake of
He ventured the soul, and I risk'd the
body, [laddie.
'Twas then I proved false to my'sodger
Sing, Lal de lal, &c.
Full soon I grew sick of my sanctified
sot, [got; _
The regiment at largefora husband I '
From the gilded spontoon to the fife I
was ready,
I asked no more but a sodger laddie.
Sing, Lal de lal, &c.
But the peace it reduced me to beg in
despair, [fair.
Till I met my old boy at a Cunninghaia
His rags regimental they flutter'd so
gaudy.
My heart it rejoiced at a sodger laddie.
Sing, Lal de lal, &c.
And now I have lived — I know not how
long.
And still I can join in a cup or a song;
But whilst with both hands I can hold
the glass steady, [laddie.
Here's to thee," my hero, my sodger
Sing, Lal de lal, &c.
" Rats.
1^ Innermost.
POEMS.
57
EBCITATIVO.
Poor merry Andrew in the neiilt.
Sat guzzling wi' a' tinkler hizzie;
They mind't na wha the chorus teuk,
Between themselves they were sae
busy;
At length wi' drink and courting dizzy
He stoiter'd up and made a face;
Then turn'd and laid a smack on Griz-
zle, [grimace : —
^ne tuned his pipes wi' grave
Tune — "Auld Sir Symon."
Sir Wisdom's a fool when he's fou.
Sir linave is a fool in a session ;
He's there but a 'prentice, I trow.
But I am a fool by profession.
My grannie she bought me a beuk.
And I held awa' to the school;
I fear I my talent misteuk.
But what will ye hae of a fool ?
For drink I would venture my neck,
A hizzie's the lialf of my craft.
But what could ye other expect.
Of ane that's avowedly daft ?
I ance was tied up like a stirk,'^
For civilly swearing and quaffing!
I ance was abused in the kirk,
For touzling" a lass i' my daffin."
Poor Andrew that tumbles for sport.
Let naebody name wi' a jeer;
There's even, I'm tauld, i' the court
A tumbler ca'd the Premier.
Observeiye yon reverend lad
Mak faces to tickle the mob?
He rails at our mountebank squad —
It's rivalshii) just i' the job.
And now my conclusion I'll tell.
For faith I'm confoundedly dry;
Tlie chiel that's a fool for himsel,
Qude Lord ! he's far dafter than I.
EECITATIVO.
Then neist outspak a rauclc oarlin,"
Wha keft't f u' weel to cleelt the ster-
ling,
For monie a pursie she liad liookit.
And had in monie a well been doukit.
'^. Eullock. " Rumpling.
Tra- Stout Bedlam.
'* Merriment.
Her dove had been a Highland laddie.
But weary fa' the waefu' woodie !'"
Wi' sighs and sobs she thus began
To wail her braw John Highland-
man; —
AIR.
Tune — "Oh, an ye were Dead, Quid-
man I"
A Highland lad my love was Vo- n,
The Lawland laws he held in scorn ;
But he still was faithfu' to his clan.
My gallant braw John Highlandman.
Sing, hey my braw John Highlandman!
Sing, ho my braw John Highlandman!
There's not a lad in a' the Ian'
Was match for my John Highlandman.
With his philabeg and tartan plaid,
And guid claymore down by his side.
The ladies' hearts he did trepan.
My gallant braw Jolm Highlandman
.Sing, hey, &c.
We ranged a' from Tweed to Spey,
And lived like lords and ladies gay;
For a lawland fiice he fearSd none.
My gallaiit braw John Highlandman!
Sing, hey, &c.
They banished liini beyond the sea.
But ere the bud was on the tree,
Adown my cheeks the pearls ran.
Embracing my John HighlandmaiE
Sing, hey, &c.
But, oh I they catch'd him at the last.
And bound him in a dungeon fast;
My curse upon them every one,
Tliey've hang'd my braw John High-
landman.
Sing, hey, &c.
And now a widow, I must mourn
The pleasures that will ne'er return;
Nae comfort but a hearty can.
When I think on John Highlandman.
Sing, hey &c.
EECITATIVO.
A pigmy scraper, wi' his fiddle,
Wha used at trysts and fairs to driddle, >•
Her strappin' limband gavicy middle
(He reach'd nae higher)
^" The gallows.
'Play.
58
BURNS' WORKS.
Had holed liis heartie like a riddle.
And blawn't on fire.
Wi' hand on haunch, and upward ee,
H6 croon'd his gamut, one, two, three.
Then in an arioso key.
The wee Apollo,
Set oS wi' allegretto glee
His giga solo.
Tune — " Whistle owre the lave o't."
Let me lyke" up to dight" that tear,
And go wi' me and be my dear,
And then your every care and fear
May whistle owre the lave o't.
CHOKUS.
I am a fiddler at my trade.
And a' the tunes that e'er I played.
The sweetest still to wife or maid.
Was whistle owre the lave o't.
At kirns and weddings we'se be there.
And oh ! sae nicely's we will fare;
We'll bouse about till Daildy Care
Sings whistle owre the lave o't.
I am, &c.
Sae merrily the banes we'll pyke,
And sun oursels about the dike.
And at our leisure, when ye like.
We'll whistle owre the lave o't.
I am, &c.
But bless itie wi' your heaven o' charms.
And while I kittle hair on thairms.
Hunger, cauld, and a' sic hai-ms.
May whistle tfwre the lave o't.
I am, &c.
KECITATIVO.
Her charms had struck a sturdy caird,'-"
As weel as poor gut-scraper;
He taks the fiddler by the beard.
And drows a roosty rapier —
He swore by a' was swearing worth.
To speet liim like a pliver,||
Unless he wad from that time forth
Relinquish her for ever.
Wi" ghastly ee, poor Tweedle-dee
Upon his hunkers*' bended.
And pray'd for grace wi' ruefu' face.
And sae the quarrel enr'od.
'" Reach. " Wipe. =» Tinker.
t+ To spit him like ii plover.
' Hams.
But though his little heart did grieye/^
When round the tinkler press'd her.
He feign'd to snirtle" in his sleeve,
When thus thecaird address'dher: —
Am.
TusE — " Clout the Caudron."
My bonny lass, I work in brass,
A tinkler is my station:
I've travell'd round all Cliristian gron^nd
In this my occupation.
I've ta'en the gold, I've been enroll'd
In many a noble squadron: [march'd
But vain they search'd, when off I
To go and clout-^ the caudron,
I've ta'en the gold, &c.
Despise that shrimp, that wither'd imp,
Wi' a' his noise and ca'prin'.
And tak a share wi' tliose that bear
The budget and the apron.
And by that stoup,'my faith andhoup.
And by. that dear Kilbagie,
If e'er ye want, or meet wi' scant.
May I ne'er weet my cragie.-^
And by that stoup. &c.
KECITATIVO.
The caird prevail'd — the unblushing
fair
In his embraces sunlc.
Partly wi' love, o'ercome sae sair.
And partly she was drunk.
Sir Violino, with an air
That show'd a man of spunk,
Wish'd unison between the pair.
And made the bottle clunk
To their health that night.
But urchin Cupid shot a shaft
That play'd a dame a shavie,**
The fiddler raked her fore and aft,
Ahint the chicken cavic.
Her lord, a wight o' Homer's craft,-'^
Though limping wi' the spavie.
He hirpled up, and lap like daft.
And shored-' them Dainty Davie
0' boot that night.
He was a care-defying blade
As ever Bacchus listed.
Though Fortune sair upon him laid.
His heart she ever raiss'd it.
He had nae wish but — ^to be glad,
Nor want but — when he thirsted;
== Laugh. =3 Patch. "Throat. =" A
trick. s« A ballad-singer. .»' Offered.
POEMS.
m
He hated nought but — to be sad,
And thus the muse suggested
His sang that night.
AIK.
Tune—" For a' that, and a' that."
I am a bard of no regard,
Wi' gentle folks, and a' that:
But Homer-like, the glowrin' byke,'*
Frae town to town I draw that.
CHORDS.
For a' that, and a' that.
And twice as muckle's a' that;
I've lost but ane, I've twa behin',
I've wife eneugh for a' that.
I never drank the Muses' stanlc,^'
Castalia's burn, and a' that;
But there it streams, and richly reams,
My Helicon, 1 ca' that.
For a' that, &c.
Great love I bear to a' the fair.
Their humble slave, and a' that;
But lordly will, I hold it still
A mortal sin to thraw that.
For a' that, &c.
In raptures sweet, this hour we meet,
Wi' mutual love, and a' tha;t:
But for how laag the flee may stang.
Let inclination law that.
For a' that, &c.
Their tricks and craft hae nit u.e daft,
They've ta'en me in, and. - that;
But clear your decks, and here's the
sex !
I like the jads for a' that.
cnOKUS.
For a' that, and a' that.
And twice as muckle's a' that;
My dearest bluid, to do them guid.
They're welcome till't for a' that.
KBCITATIVO.
So sang the bard — and Nansie's wa's
Shook wi' a thunder of applause.
Be- echoed from each mouth;
They toom'd their pokes and pawn'd
their duds.
They scarcely left to co'er their f uds.
To quench their lowin' drouth, 2°
=' The staring crowd. " Pool. '" Burning
thirst.
Then owre again, the jovial thrang,
The poet did request,
To loose his pack and wale" a sang,
A ballad o' the best;
He, rising, rejoicing.
Between his two Deborah s,
Looks round hun, and found them
Impatient for the chorus.
AlB.
Tune. — " Jolly Mortals, fill your
Glasses. "
See ! the smoldng bowl before us,
Mark our jovial ragged ring !
Round and round talce up the chorus.
And in raptures let us sing.
CHORUS.
A fig for those by law protected !
Liberty's a glorious feast !
Courts for cowards were erected.
Churches built to please the priest.
What is title ? what is treasure ?
What is reputation's care ?
If we lead a life of pleasure,
'Tis no matter how or where !
A fig, &c.
With the ready trick and fable,
Round we wander all the day:
And at n,ight, in bam or stable.
Hug our doxies on the hay.
A fig, Ac-
Does the train-attended carriage
Through the country lighter rove?
Does the sober bed of marriage
Witness brighter scenes of love'?
A fig, &c.
Life is all a variorum.
We regard not how it goes.
Let them cant about decorum,
Who have characters to lose.
A fig, &e.
Here's to budgets, bags, and wallets I
Here's to all the wandering train !
Here's our ragged brats and callets I
One and all cry out — Amen !
A fig for those by law protected !
Liberty's a glorious feast !
Courts for cowards were erected,
Cliurches built to please the priest.
3' Choose.
60
BURNS' WORKS.
THE VISION.
This beautiful poem depicts, in the hijrhest
strain of poetical eloquence, a struggle
which was constantly going on in the poet's
mind between the meanness and poverty of
his position and his higher aspirations and
hopes of mdependence, which he found it
impossible ever to realize. It must have
been evident to his mind that poetry alone
was not to elevate him above the reach of
worldly cares ; yet m this poem, as in many
others, he accepts the poetical calling as its
own sweet and sufficient reward. In the
appearance of the Muse of Coila, the matter
is settled after a fashion as beautiful as po-
etical. In the Kilmarnock edition of his
poems, the allusion to his Jean in his descrip-
tion of the Muse's appearance ; —
" Down flow'd her robe, a tartan sheen
Till half a leg was scrimply seen.
And such a leg ! my bonny Jean
Could only peer it ;
Sac straught, sae taper, tight, and clean,
Nane else cam near it — "
was replaced by the name of another charm-
er, in consequence, it is presumed, of his
quarrel with her father. When the Edin-
burgh edition appeared, his old affections
had again asserted their sway, and her
name was restored. In a letter to Mrs. Dun-
lop, dated February, 1788, the poet, in allu-
sion to Miss Rachel Dunlop, one of her
daughters, being engaged on a painting
representing "The Vision," says :— " I am
highly flattered by the news, you tell me of
Coila. I may say to the fair painter who
does me so much honor, as Dr. Beattie says
to Ross, the poet, of his Muse Scota, from
which, by the by, I took the idea of Coila ;
('tis a poem of Beattie's in the Scottish
dialect, which perhaps you have never
seen) : —
' Ye shake your head, but o' my f egs,
Ye've set auld Scota on her legs ;
Lang had she hen wi, buffs and fiegs,
Bumbazed and dlzzie ;
Her fiddle wanted strings and pega^-
Wae's me, poor hizzie F'
DUAN FIBST.*
The sun had closed the winter day,
The curlers quat their roaring play.f
*-i>Krt«, a term of Ossian's for the different
divisions of a digressive poem. See his
" Cathloda," vol, li. of Macphcrson's transla-
tion.— B.
t Curling is a wintry game peculiar to the
southern counties of Scotland. When the ice
is sufficiently strong on the lochs, a number of
individuals, each provided with a large stone
of the shape of an oblate spheroid, smoothed
at the bottom, range themselves on two sides,
and being furnished with handles, . play
against each other. The game resembles
bowls, but is much more aniniated, and keenly
enjoyed. It is well characterized by the poet
as a roaring play.
And hungered maiikin ta'en her way
To kail-yards green,
While faithless snaws Wk step betray
Whare she has been.
The thrashei^s weary flingin'-tree"
The lee-lang day had tired me;
And when the day had closed his ee.
Far i' the west,
Ben i' the spence,:j: right penslvelie,
I gaed to rest.
There, lanely, by the ingle-cheek,'
I sat and eyed the spewing reek,'
That fill'd wi' hoast-provoking smeek.
The auld clay biggin';
And heard the restless rattens* squeak
About the riggiu'.
All in this mottie,^ misty clime,
I backward mused on wasted time.
How I had spent my youthfu' prime.
And done naething,
But stringin' blethers' up in rhyme,
For fools to sing.
Had I to guid advice but harkit,
I might by this hae led a market.
Or strutted in a bank, and clerkit
My cash -account:
While liere, half mad, half-fed, half-
sarkit,
Is a',th' amount.
I started, muttering, Blockhead ! coof !»
And heaved on high my waukit loof,'
To swear by a' yon starry roof.
Or some rash aith.
That I henceforth would be rhyme-
proof
Till my last breath —
Wlien, click ! the string the sneck'"
did draw
And jee ! the door gaed to the wa';"
And by my ingle-lowe I saw,
Now bleezin bright,
A tight, outlandish hizzie, braw.
Come full in sight.
Ye needna doubt, I held my whisht;
The infant aith, halfform'd, was
crusht.
'The flail 'Fireside, 3 Smoke. « Fmoke.
' Rats. 6 Hazy, ' Nonsense. » Fool. » Hard-
ened palm. •» Latch.
t The parlour of the farm-house of Moss-
giel— the only apartment besides the kitchen.
POEMS.
61
I glower'd as eerie's I'd been dusht' '
In some wild glen ;
When sweet, like modest Worth, she
hlusht.
And stepped ben. '-
Green, slander, leaf-clad liolly-boughs
Were twisted gracefu' round her
brows —
I took her for some Scottish Muse,
By that same token:
And come to stop those reckless vows,
Would soon be broken.
A ' hare-brain'd sentimental trace'
Was strongly marked in lier face;
A wildly- witty, rustic grace
Shone full upon her;
Her eye e'en tura'd on empty space,
Beam'd keen with honour.
Down flow'd her robe, a tartan sheen.
Till half a leg was scrim ply seen;
And such a leg ! my bonny Jean
Could only peer it;
Sae straught, sae taper, tight'^, and
clean,
Nane else cam near it.
Her mantle larg.?, of greenish hue.
My gazing wanlsr chiefly drew ;
; lieep. lights and shades, bold-mingling
'^^■, A lustre grand ;
And seem'd, to my astouish'd view,
A well-known land.
Here, rivers in the sea were lost ;
There, mountains to the skies wera
tost.
Here, tumbling billows mark'd the
coast.
With surging foam ;
There, distant shone Art's lofty boast.
The lordly dome.
Here, Doon pour'd down his far-fetched
floods
There, well-fed Irwine stately thuds i'''
Auld hermit Ayr staw '•' through his
woods.
On to the shore ;
And many a lesser torrent scuds.
With seemiiig roar.
Low, in a sandy valley spread,
" Frightened. >= into the room. ^' Hand-
some, well-formed. " Sounds. " Stole.
An ancient borough § rear'd her head ;
Still, as in Scottisli story read.
She boasts a race
To every nobler virtue bred,
, And polish'd grace.
By stately tower or palace fair, '
Or ruins pendent in the air.
Bold stems of heroes, here and there,
I could discern ;
Some seem'd to muse, some seem'd to
dare,
With features- stern.
My heart did glowing transport feel.
To see a racs | heroic wheel,
And brandish round the deep - dyed
steel
In sturdy blows ;
While back-recoiling seem'd to reel
Their suthron foes.
His country's saviour, Tf mark him
well !
Bold Richardton's ** heroic swell ;
The chief on Sarkf f who glorious fell.
In high command ;
And he whom ruthless fates expel
His native land.
There, where a sceptred Pictish
shadelt
Stalk'd round his ashes lowly laid,
I mark'd a martial race, portray'd
In colors strong ;
Bold, soldier- featured, undismayed
They strode along.
Through many a wild romantic grove §§
§ The town of Ayr.
II The Wallaces.— B.
1 Sir William Wallace.— B.
** Adam Wallace of Richardton, cousin to
the immortal preserver of Scottish independ-
ence.— B.
t+ Wallace, Laird of Craigie, who was sec-
ond in command, under Douglas, Earl of
Ormond, at the famous battle on the banks of
Bark, fought in 1448. That glorious victory
was principally owing to the judicious con-
duct and intrepid valour of the gallant Laird
of Craigie, who died of his wounds after the
action. — B.
it Coilus, king of the Picts, from whom the
district of Kyle is said to take its name, lies
buried, as tradition eays, near the family seat
of the Montgomeries of Coilsfield, where his
burial-place is still shown.— B.
§§ Barskimming, the seat of the late Lord
Justica-Clerk.— B. (Sir Thomas Miller of
Glenlee, afterwards President of the Court of
Session.)
BURNS' WORKS
Near many a liermit-fancied cove,
(Fit liauuts for f liendsliip or for love,)
lu musing mood.
An aged judge, I saw Jiim rove,
Dispensing good.
With deep-struck reverential awe
The learned sire and son I saw,||||
To nature's trod and nature's law
They gave their lore.
This, all its source and end to draw ;
That, to adore.
Brydone's brave ward 1[T[ I well could
spy,
Beneath old Scotia's smiling eye :
Who call'd on Fame, low standing by.
To hand him on,
Where many a patriot name on high
And hero shone.
DUAN SECOND.
■^ITH musing-deep, astonish'd stare,
I view'd the heavenly seeming fair ;
A whispering throb did witness bear
Of kindred sweet.
When with an elder sister's air
She did me greet : —
" All hail ! my own inspired bard !
In me thy native Muse regard ;
Nor longer mourn thy fate is hard,
Thus poorly low !
I come to give thee such rev/ard
As we bestow.
' ' Know, the great genius of tliis land
Has many a light, aerial band.
Who, all beneath his high command.
Harmoniously,
As arts or arms they understand.
Their labours ply.
" Tliey Scotia's race among them
share ;
Some fire the soldier on to dare ;
Some rouse the patriot up to bare
Corruption's heart :
Some teach the bard a darling care.
The tunefu' art.
'"Mong swelling floods of reeldng
gore.
ill The Rev. Dr. Matthew Stewart, the cel-
ebrated mathematician, and his son, Mr.
Dugald Stewart, the elegant expositor of the
Scottish school of metaphysics, are here meant,
their villa of Catrinc being situated en the
Ayr.
^^ Colonel FuUarton.— B.
They ardent, kindling spirits, pour ;
Or, 'mid the venal senate's roar.
They, sightless, stand.
To mend the honest patriot-lore.
And grace the hand.
" And when the bard, or hoary sage,
Charm or instruct the future age.
They bind the wild, poetic rage.
In energy,
Or point the ineonolusive page
Full on the eye.
"Hence Fullarton, the brave and
young ;
Hence Dempster's zeal-inspired tongue;
Hence sweet harmonious Beattie sung
His Minstrel lay ;
Or tore, with noble ardor stung, •
The sceptic's bays.
"To lower orders are assigri'd
The humbler ranks of human kind.
The rustic bard, the laboring hind.
The artisan ;
All choose, as various they're inclined.
The various man. ,
' ' When yellow waves the heavy grain,
The threatening storm some, strongly,
rein ;
Some teach to meliorate the plain.
With tillage skill;
And some instruct the shepherd-train.
Blithe- o'er the hill.
" Some hint the lover's harmless Tvile;
Some grace the maiden's artless smile;
Some soothe the labourer's weary toil.
For humble gains.
And make his cottage scenes beguile
His cares and pains.
" Some bounded to a district-space.
Explore at large man's infant race.
To mark the embryotic trace
Of rustic bard:
And careful note each opening grace,
A guide and guard.
' ' Of these am I — Coila my name.
And this district as mine I claim.
Where once the Campbells,*** chiefs
of fame.
Held ruling power,
**=!! The' Loudoun. branch of tile Campbells
is here meant Mossgiel, and much of the
neighbouring ground was then the property
I of the Earl of Loudon.
POEMS.
63
I mark'.d thy embryo tuneful. flame,
Thy natal hour.
" With future hope, I oft would, gaze.
Fond, on thy little early ways,
Thy rudely-caroll'd, chiming phrase.
In uncouth rhymes.
Fired at the simple, artless lays,
Of other times.
" I saw thee seek the sounding shore.
Delighted -with the dashing roar;
Or when the north his fleecy store
Brove through the sky,
I saw grim nature's visage hoar
Struck thy young eye.
"Or when the deep green-mantled
earth
Warm cherish'd every floweret's birth,
And joy and music pouring forth
In every grove,
I saw thee eye the general mirth
With boundless love.
" Wlien ripen'd fields, and azure skies,
Call'd forth the reaper's rustling noise,
I gaw thee leave their evening joys.
And lonely stalk,
To vent thy bosom's swelling rise
In pensive walk.
"When youthful love, warm-blushing,
strong
Keen-shivering shot thy nerves along.
Those accents, grateful to thy tongue,
'Th.' adored Name,
I uaught thee how to pour in song.
To soothe thy flame.
"I saw thy pulse's maddening 4)lay,
Wild, send thee Pleasure's devious
way.
Misled my Fancy's meteor-ray.
By passion driven;
But yet the light that led astray
Was light from Heaven.
" I taught thy manners painting strains.
The loves, the ways of simple swains,
Till now, o'er all my wide domains
Thy fame extends;
And some, the pride of Coila's plains,
Become thy f riencfe.
"Thou canst not learn, nor can Ishow,
To paint with Thomson's landscape
glow;
Or wake the bosom -melting throe,
With Sheustone's art.
Or pour, with Gray, the moving flow
Warm on the heart.
"Yet all beneath the unrivall'd rose.
The lowly daisy sweetly blows;
Though large forest's monarch throws
His army shade.
Yet green the juicy hawthorn grows.
Adown the glade.
" Then never murmur nor repine;
Strive in thy humble sphere to sliine;
And, trust me, not Potosi's mine.
Nor kings' regard.
Can give a bliss o'ermatching thine —
A rustic bard.
' ' To give my counsels' all in one,
Tliy tilnef&l flame still careful fan;
Preserve the dignity of man,
With soul erect;
And trust the universal plan
Will all protect.
"And wear thou this," she solemn said.
And bound the holly round my head;
The polish'd leaves, and berries red.
Did rustling play ;
And, like a passing thpught, she fled
In light away.
A WINTElt NIGHT,
'' Poor naked wretches, whereso'er you
are.
That bide the pelting of the pitiless
storm!. ■, '
How shall your houseless heads, and un-
fed sides,
Your loop'd and window'd raggedness,
defend you,
From seasons such as these ?"
— Shakespeare.
When biting Boreas, fell' and doure,'^
Sharp shivers through the leafless
bower; [glower?
When Phoebus gies a short-lived
Far south the lift,*
Dim-darkenmg through the flaky
shower.
Or whirling drift:
i.o night the storm the steeples rocked^
Poor labour sweet in sleep was locked;
' Keen. ^ Stern. ' Stare. ' Sky.
6i
BURNS' WORKS.
While bums, wi' snawy wreaths up-
choked,
Wild-eddying swirl,
Or through the mining outlet bocked,^
Down headlong hurl.
Listening the doors and winnocks"
rattle,
I thought mo on the ourie' cattle,
Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle'
O' winter war,
And through the drift, deep-lairing
sprattle,'
Beneath a scaur. '"
Ilk happing" bird, wee, helpless thing,
That, in the merry months o' spring.
Delighted me to hear thee sing.
What comes o' thee ?
Wharo %rflt thou cower thy chittering
wing.
And close, thy ee !
Even you, on murdering errands toiVd,
Lone from your savage homes exiled.
The blood-stain'd roost, and sheep-cot
spoil'd,
My heart forgets.
While pitiless the tempest wild
Sore on yon beats.
Now Phoebe, in her midnight reign.
Dark muffled, vie w'd the dreary plain ;
Still crowding thoughts, a pensive
train,
Bose in my soul,
Wlien on my oar this plaintive strain.
Slow, solemn, stole: —
"Blow, blow, ye winds, with heavier
gust !
And freeze, thou bitter-biting frost !
Descend, ye chilly, smothering snows !
Not all your rage, as now united,
shows
More hard unkindness, unrelenting.
Vengeful malice unrepenting,
Than heaven-illumined man on brother
man bestows !
" See stern Oppression's iron grip,
Or mad Ambition's gory hand.
Sending, like blood-hounds from the
slip,
M'oe, A\ ant, and Murder o'er a land !
" Belched. » Windows. ' Shivering
" Dashing storm. ° Struggle. >° Qiff
*^ Hopping,
Even in the peaceful rural- vale.
Truth, weeping, tells the mournful
tale, [lier side.
How pamper'd Luxury, Flattery by
The parasite empoisoning her ear.
With all the servile wretches in the
rear, [wide;
Looks o'er proud Property, extended
And eyes the simple rustic hind,
WTiose toil upholds the glittering
show,
A creature of another kind.
Some coarser substance unrefined.
Placed for her lordly use thus far, thus
vile, below.
"Where, where is Love's fond, tender
throe.
With lordly Honour's lofty brow.
The powere you proudly own ?
Is there, beneath Love's noble name,
Can harbour dark the selfish aim.
To bless himself alone !
Mark maiden innocence a ijrey
To love-pretending snares.
This boasted Honour turns away,
Shunning soft Pity's rising sway,
Hegardless of the tears and unavail-
ing prayers ! [squalid nest,
Perhaps this hour, in misery's
She strains your infant to her joyless
breast, [rocking blast !
And with a mother's fears shrinks at the
" 0 ye who, sunk in beds of do^vn,
Feel not a want but what yourselves
create, [fate
Think for a moment on his wretched
Whom friends and fortune quite dis-
own, [call,
111 satisfied keen nature's clamourous
Stretch'd onliis straw he lays him-
self to sleep, [chinky wall,
Wlrile thi'ough the ragged roof and
Chill o'er his slumbers piles the
drifty heap !
Think on the dungeon's grim confine.
Where Guilt and poor Misfortune pine!
Guilt, erring man, relenting view !
But shall thy legal rage pursue
The wretch, already crushed low
By cruel Fortune's undeserved blow 1
Affliction's sons are brothers in distress,
A brother to relieve, how exquisite the
bliss !"
POEMS.
85
I heard na niair, for clianticleer
Shook off the pouthery snaw,
And liail*d the morning with a cheer,
A cottage-rousing craw.
But deep this truth impress'd my
mind —
Through all His works abroad,
Tlie heart benevolent and Iciud
The most resembles God.
SCOTCH DRINK.
This poem., written after the manner of Fer-
giisson's ** Caller Water," i^ not to bt taken
as evidence of the poet's feehngs and prac-
tices. It was suggested, along with the fol-
lowing poem, by the withdrawal of an Act
of Parliament empowering Duncan Forbes
of CuUoden to distil whisky on his barony
of Ferintosh, free of duty, in return for
services rendered to the Government. This
privilege was a source of great revenue to
the family: and as Ferintosh whisky was
cheaper than that produced elsewhere, it
became very popular, and the name Ferin-
tosh thus became something like a syno-
nyme for "whisky over the country. Com-
pensation for the loss of privilege, to the
tune of £2z,s8o, was awarded to the Forbes
family by a jury. Attention was further
drawn to "the national beverage " at this
time by the vexatious and oppressive way
in which the JExcise laws, were enforced at
the Scotch distilleries. Many distillers aban-
doned the business ; and as barley was
beginning to fall in price in consequence,
the county gentlemen supported the distil-
lers,-and an act was passed relieving the
trade from the obnoxious supervision.
These circumstances gave the poet his cue ;
an,d the subject was^ne calculated to evoke
his wildest humour. Writing to Robert
Muir, Kilmarnock, he says, " I here enclose
you^my ' Scotch Drink,' and may the — ^
follow with a blessing for your edification.
1 hope some time before we hear the gowk,
[cuckool to have the pleasure of seeing you
at Kilmarnock, when I intend we shall have
a gill between us in a mutchkin stoup,
which will be a great comfort and consola-
tion to your humble servant, R. B."
" Gie him strong drink, until he wink,
That's sinking in despair ;
And liquor gujd to fire his bluid.
That s prest wi' grief and care ;
There let him bouse, and deep carouse,
Wi' bumpers flowing o'er,
Till he forgets his loves or debts.
And minds his griefs no more- '
— Solomon's Proverbs xxxi. 6, 7.
Let other poets raise a fracas'
'Bout vines, and wines, and drueken
Bacchus,
* A row.
And crabbit names and stories wrack'^
i^s, , _
And grate our lug,^ [us,
I sing the juice Scotch beare can mak
In glass or jug.
0 thcu, my Mu:e ! guid auld Scotch
drink, [thou jink,'
Whether through wimplin''' worraS
Or, richly brown, ream o'er the brinks
In glorious faem,
Inspire me, till I lisp and wink.
To sing thy name !
Let husky wheat the liaughs adorn,
And aits set up tlieir awiile horn,"
And peas and beans, at e'en or inorn.
Perfume the plain,
1 ezB me on thee, John Barleycorn,
Thou king o' grain !
On the aft Scotland chows her cood.
In souple scones,'' the wale o' food !
Or tumblin' in the boilin' flood
Wi' kail and beef ; ,
But when thou pours thy strong heart'^
blood,
There thoii shines chief.
Food fills the wame, and keeps us
livin';
Though life's a gift no worth receivin',
When heavy dragg'd wi' pine" and
grievin';
But oil'd by- thee.
The wheels o' life gae down-hill,,
scrievin''
Wi' rattliu' glee.
Thou clears the head o' doited Lear;
Thou.cheers the heart o' drooping Care;
Thou strings the nerves o' Labour sair,
At's weary toil;
Thou even brightens dark Despair,
Wi' gloomy smile.
Aft clad in massy siller weed,'"-
Wi" gentles thou erects thy head;
Yet humbly kind in time o' need.
The poor nian's wine,*
His wee drap parritch, or his bread.
Thou kitchens" fine.
'Bother. = Ear. < Crooked, » Steal,
* Beard. ' Cakes * Pain. " Gilding glee-
somely. *" Silver jugs. ^^ Relishest.
* Ale is meant, which is frequently mixed
witli porridge instead of milk. ;
66
BURNS' WORKS.
Tliooi art the lifeo' public haunts;
But thee, what were our fairs and
rants ^'
Even goodly meetings o' the saunts.
By thee inspired,
When gaping they besiege the tents.f
Are doubly fired.
That merry night we get the corn in,
,0h, sweetly then thou reams the horn
in!
Or reekin' a new year morning
In cog or bicker,''^
And just a wee drap sp'ritual burn in,
And gusty sucker !'■'
When Vulcan gies his bellows breath,
And plowmen gather wi' their graith,'*
Oh, rare ! to see thee fizz and f reath
1" the lugget caup !'^
Then Bumewin'* comes on like death
At every chap.
Nae mercy, then, for aim or steel;
The brawnie, bainie, ploughman chiel,
Brings hard owrehip, wi' sturdy wheel.
The strong forehammer.
Till block and studie ring and reel,
Wi' dinsome clamour.
When skirlin' weanies" see the light,
Thou maks the gossip? clatter bright.
How fumbliu' cuifs'* their dearies
slight;
Wae worth the name !
Nae howdie" gets a social night.
Or plack'-" frae them.
When ueibors anger at a plea,
And just as wud as wud*' can be,
How easy can the barley -bree
Cement the quarrel !
It's aye the cheapest lawyer's fee
To. taste the barrel.
Alake ! that e'er my Muse has reason
To wyte'^'-* her countrymen wi' treason!
But mony daily weet their weason''''
Wi" liquors nice,
12 Wooden vessels. ^^ Tooihsome sugar.
1* Implements. ^^ Cup with ears. i" The
blacksmith. '^ Screaming children. ^^ Awk-
ward fools. " Midwife. =» Coin, ^i Mad.
'» Charge. ^'^ Throat.
+ The tents for refreshment at out-of door
communiont. (See " Holy Fair."
And hardly, in a winter's season,
K'er spier'^* her price.
Wae worth that brandy, burning trash.
Fell source o' mony a pain and brash !"
'Twins mony a poor, doylt, drickien
hash*'
O' half his days; j
And sends, beside, auld Scotland's, cash
To her worst faes.
Ye Scots, wha wish auld Scotland well'
Ye chief, to you my tale I tell,
Poor plackle^ devils like mysel.
It sets you ill,
Wi' bitter, dearthfu' wines to mell,"
Or foreign gill.
May gravels round his blether wrench.
And gouts torment him inch by inch,
Wha twists his gruntle wi' a glunch'*
O' sour disdain,
Out-owre a glass o' whisky punch
Wi' honest men.
0 whisky ! soul o' plays and pranks !
Accept a Bardie's gratetu' thanks !
When wanting thee, what tuneless
cranks
Are my poor verses !
Thou comes — they rattle i' their rjuks
At ither's a — es.
Thee, Ferintosh ! oh, sadly lost !
Scotland lament frae coast to coast !
Now colic grips, and barkin' hoast,^^. >
May kill us a' ; , '
For loyal Forbes's charter'd boast.
Is ta'en awa' !
Thae curst horse-leeche^ o' th' Excise,
Wlia mak the whlsky-stells their prize!
Haud up thy han', deit ! ance, twice,
thrice ! . ,
There, seize the blinkers!""
And bake them up in brunstane pies
For poor damn'd drinkers.
Fortune ! if tliou'U but gie me still
Hale breeks, a scone, and whisky gill,
And rowth^' o' rhyme to rave at will,
Tak a' the rest,
And deal't about as thy blind skill
Directs the best.
=< Ask. 25 Sickness. =« Rouffh fellow.
" Meddle. »8 p^ce with a grin. >» Cough.
2° A contemptuous te'm. si Abundance.
POEMS.
67
KEMOHSE.
A FRAGMENT.
The following lines occur in an early Com-
monplace-book of tile, poet's, and . probably
relate to th^ consequences of iiis first serious
error: —
Of all tte numerous ills that hurt our
peace, [with arguish,
That press the soul, or wring the mind
Beyond comparison, the worst are those
That to 'otir folly or our guilt we owe.
In every other circumstance, the inind
Has this to say — "It was no deed of
miAe;"
But when, to all the evil of misfortune.
This sting is added — " Blame thy fool-
ish self," . [morse —
Or, worser far, the pangs of keen ro-
The torturing, gnawing consciousness
of guilt — [others,
Of guilt perhaps where we've involved
The young, the innocent, who fondly
lo'edus, [of ruin!
Nay, more — ^that very love their cause
O burning hell ! in all thy store of tor-
. - ments.
There's not a keener lash! [Ms heart
Lives there a miai so firm, who, while
Feels all the bitter horrors of his crime.
Can reason down its agonizing throbs;
And, after proper purpose of amend-
ment, [to peace?
Can firmly force his jarring thoughts
Oh, happy, happy, enviable man !
Oh, glorious magnanimity of soul!
ANSWER TO A POETICAL
EPISTLE,
SENT TO THE AtJTHOB BY A TAILOR.
A tailor in the neighbourhood of Mauchline
having taken it upon him to send the poet a
rhymed homily on his loose conversation
and irregular behaviour, received the fol-
lowing lines in reply to his lecture : —
What ails ye now, ye lousie bitch,
To thrash my back at sic a pitch?
Losh, man I hae mercy wi' your natch, '
Your bodkin's bauld,
I didna suffer half sae much
Frae Daddie Auld.
' Grip.
What though at times, when I ^row
crouse,-
I gie the dames a random pouse.
Is that enough for you to sOuse'
Your servant sae? [louse
Gae mind your seam, ye prick-the-
And jag-the-flae.
King David, o' poetic brief.
Wrought 'mang the lasses sic mischief
As fiU'd his after life wi' grief
And bluidy rants.
And yet he's rank'd among the chief
0' lang-syne saunts.
And maybe, Tam, for a' my cants,*
My wicked rhymes, aud drucken rants,
I'll gie auld cloven Clootie's haunts
An unco slip yet.
And snugly sit among the saunts
At Davie's hip yet.
But fegs,' the session says I maun
Gae fa upon anither plan.
Than garrin' lasses cowp the cran
Clean heels owre gowdy.
And sairly thole* their mither's ban
Afore the howdy.'
This leads me on, to tell for sport,
How 1 did wi' the session sort:
Auld Clinkum at the inner port
Cried three times — " Robin!
Come hither lad, and answer for't,
Ye're blamed for jobbin'."
Wi' pinch I put a Sunday's face on.
And snooved' awa' before the session;
I made an open, fair confession —
I scorned to lie; [sion,
And syne Mess John, beyond expres-
Fell foul o' me.
A fumicator-loon he call'd me.
And said my f aut frae bliss expell'd me;
I owu'd the tale was true he tell'd me,
' ' But what the matter? "
Quo' I, " I fear unless ye geld me,
I'll ne'er be better."
"Geld you!" quo' he, "and what for
no?
If that your right-hand, leg or toe.
Should ever prove your spiritual foe,
You should remember
"Happy. 3 Scold. ■'Tricks. » Faith. "Bear.
' Midwife. " Sneaked.
68
BURNS' WOKKS.
To wt it aff — and wliat for no
Your dearest member? "
" Na, na," quo' I, " I'm no for that,
Gelding's nae better than 'tis ca't;
I' rather suffer for my faut,
A hearty iiewit,
As sair owre hip as ye can draw't,
Tliougli I should rue it.
" Or gin ye lilce to end the bother,
To please us a', I've just ae ither-^
When next wi' yon lass 1 forgather,
Whate'er betide it,
I'll frankly gie her't a' thegither,
And let her guide it."
But, sir, this pleased them warst ava.
And therefore, Tarn, when that I saw,
I said, " Guid night," and cam awa'.
And left the session;
I saw they were resolved a'
On my oppression.
THE AUTHOR'S EARNEST CRT
AND PRAYER
TO THE SCOTCH EJEPRESENTATIVES IN
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
For an account of the circumstances which
gave rise to the following lines , see the in-
troduction to the poem entitled " Scotch
Drink," p. f 5.
** Dearest of distillations ! last and best!
How art thou lost !"
—Parody on Milton.
Ye Irish lords, ye knights and squires,
"VVha represent our brughs and shires.
And doucely' manage our affairs
In parliament,
To you a simple Bardie's prayers
Are humbly sent.
Alas! my roopit* Muse is hearse! ^
Your honours' heaii wi' grief 'twad
pierce,
To see her sittin' on her a — e
Low i' the dust,
And scrachin'^f out prosaic verse
And like to burst!
^ Soberly. "^ Hoarse. ^ Screaming hoarsely
— the cry of fowls when displeased.
* A person with a sore throat and a dry
tickling cough, is said to be roopy.
t Some editors giVe this ' screechin',
Cscreamihg), but," taken in connection with
the hoarseness, every one who has heard the
word used will endorse our reading.
Tell them wha hae the chief direction,
Scotland and me's in great affliction.
E'er sin they laid that curst restridtibii
On aqua vitae; [tionp
And rouse them up to strong convic-
And move their pity.
Stand forth and tell yon Premier
youth, X
The honest, open, naked truth:
Tell him o' mine and Scotland's drouth,^
His servants humble:
The muclile devil blaw ye south.
If ye dissemble !
Does ony great man glunch" and gloom!
Speak out, and never fash youi
tliooni !*
Let posts and pensions sink or soom'
Mi' them wlia grant 'em;
If honestly they canna come.
Far better want 'em.
In gath'rin' votes you werena slak; .
Now stand as tightly by your tack;
Ne'er claw your lug,'* and fidge' your
back.
And hum and haw;
But raise your arm, and tell your
crack'"
Before them a'.
Paint Scotland greetiu'" owre her
thrissle: [whissle;
Her mutchkin stoup as toom's'^ ■ a
And damn'd excisemen in a bussle,
Sezzin' a stell.
Triumphant crushin' 't like a mussle
Or lampit shell.
. Then on th« tither hand present her,
A blackguard smuggler right behint
her.
And cheek-for-chow a chuffie" vintner,
Colleaguing join.
Picking her pouch as baie as winter
Of a' kind com.
Is there that bears the name o' Scot,
But feels his heart's bluid rising hot.
To see his poor auld mither's pot
Thus dung in staves.
And plunder'd o' her liindmost groat .
By gallows knaves '?
« Thirst » Frown. « Trouble; your thumb.
'Swim. "Ear. "Shrug. "Tale. "Weep-
uig. ""^Empty. i3 Fat-f„ced. -
X WiJUam Pitt.
POEMS.
Gfl
Alas ! I'm but a nameless wiglit.
Trod i' tEe mire and out o' siglit !
But could I like Montgomeries figlit,§
Or gab lUie Boswell, ||
There's some sark-necks I wad draw
■. tight, =
And tie some lioso well.
God bless your honours, cant ye see't.
The kind, auld, cantie carlin greet,"
And no get warmly to your feet.
And gar them hear it.
And tell them wi' a patriot heat,
Ye winna bear it ?
Some o' you nicely ken the laws.
To round the period and pause.
And wi' rhetoria ^jause on clause
To make harangues;
Then echo through St. Stephen's wa's
Auld Scotland's wrangs.
Dempster^^ a true-blue Scot I'se war-
ran'; [ran;**
Thee, aith-detesting, chaste KiUier-
And that glib-gSibbet" Highland baron.
The laird o' Graham ;ff
And ane, a cliap that's damn'd auld-
f arran, ''
Dundas hi3 name.|4
ETskine,§§ a spunkie" Norland baillie;
True Campbells, Frederick and Ilay;||
And Livingstone, the bauld Sir Willie ;
And mony ithers,
\Miom auld Demosthenes or "Tully
Might own for brithers.
" THe cheerful old wife cry. (Scotland
'jSersonifiedO ^^ Ready-tongued. ^^ S&gati-
ous. 1^ Plucky.
§ Colonel Hugh Montgomery, who had
.served in the American war, and was then
representing Ayrshire.
II Jamds Boswell of Auchinleck, the biogra^
pher of Dr. Samuel Johnson.
1 George Dempster of Dunnichen, Forfar-
shire.
** Sir Adam Fergusson of Kilkerran, then
member for Edinburgh.
++ The Marquis of Graham.
tt Henry Dundas, afterwards Viscount Mel-
ville.
a Thomas Erskine, afterwards Lord Ers-
Icine.
!iil Lord Frederick Campbell, brother to the
Duke of Argy'e, and Hay Campbell, then Lord
Advocate.
Thee, Sodger Hugh, my watchman
stented,ll1
If bardies e'er are represented;
I ken if that your sword were wanted,
Ye'd lend your hand:
But when there's ought to say anent it,
Ye're at a stand.***
Arouse, my boys: e±ert your mettle.
To get auld Scotland back her kettle;
Or, faith ! I'll wad my new plough-
pettle,'8
Ye'll see't or lang.
She'll teach you, wi' a reeldn' whittle,"
Auither sang.
This while she's been in crankous'"
mood, -
Her lost militia fired her bluid;
(Deil na they never mair do good,)
Play'd her that pliskie !"
And now she's like to rin red-wud'^'-"
About her whisky.
And, Lord, if ance they pit her till't.
Her tartan petticoat she'll kilt.
And durk and pistol at her belt.
She'll tak the streets.
And rin her whittle to the hilt
r th' first she meets!
For God's sa,ke, sirs, then speak- her
fair.
And straik'^ her cannie wi' the hair.
And to the muckle House repair
Wi' instant speed, .
And strive, wi' a' your wit and lear.
To get remead.
Yon ill-tongued tinkler, Charlie Fox,
May taunt you wi' his jeers and mocks;
But gie him't het, my. hearty cocks !
E'en cowe the caddie I''*
And send him to his dicing-box
And sportin' lady.
Tell yon guid bluid o' auld Bocon-
nock'sfff
IB Plough-stafE. " Knife. " Ill-tempered,
restless. »' Trick. " Mad. i" Stroke.
" Fellow.
^T Being member for Ayrshire, the poet
speaks of him as his stented or vanguard
watchman.
*** This stanza alludes to Hugh Montgom-
ery's imperfect elocution.
ttt William Pitt was the grandson Of Robert
Pitt of Boconriock, in Cornwall.
TO
BURXS' WORKS.
I'll be liis debt twa maslilum ban-
nocliS.Itt
And drink Lis liealth In auld Nanse
Tinnock's,S8§
Kine times a week,
If lie some scheme, like tea and win-
nocl«i,||||||
Wad kindly seek.
Could he some commutation broach,
I'll pledge my aith in guid braid Scotch.
He ueedna fear their foul reproach
Nor erudition.
Yon mixtie-maxtie, queer hotch-potch.
The coaHtion.tf t
t^tf Cakes made of oats, beans, and peas,
with a mixture of wheat or barley flour.
§§§ A worthy old hostess of the author's in
Mauchline, where he sometimes studied pol-
itics over a glass of guid old Scotch drink. — B.
" Nanse Tinnock is long deceased, and no one
has caught up her mantle. She is described as
having been a true aie-wije^ in the proverbial
sense Oi the word — close, discreet, civil, and
no tale-teller. When any neighbouring wife
came, asking if her John was here, ' Oh, no,'
Nanse would reply, shaking money in her
pocket 7S she spoke, ' he's no here,' implying
to the querist that the husband was not m the
house, while she meant to herself thatThe was
not among her half-pence — thus keeping the
word of promise to the ear, but breaking it to
the hope. Her house was one of two stories,
and hid a front towards the street, by which
Burns must have entered Mauchline from
Mossgiel. The date over the door is 1744. It
is remembered, however, that Nanse never
could understand how the poet should have
talked of enjoying himself in her house ' nine
times a week.' "^The lad,' she said, ' hardly
ever drank three half-mutchkins under her
roof in his life.' Nanse, probably, had never
heard of the poetical license. In truth, Nanse's
hostelry was not the only one in Mauchline
.which Bums resorted to : a rather better-look-
ing house, at the opening of the owgate,
kept by a person named John Dove, and then,
and still bearing the arms of Sir John White-
ford of Ballochmyle, was also a haunt of the
poet's having this high recommendation, that
Its back windows surveyed those of the house
in which his 'Jean' resided. The reader will
find in its proper place a droll epitaph on John
Dove, in which the honest landlord's religion
is made out to be a mere comparative appreci-
ation of his various liquors." — Chambers.
IJil Pitt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
had gained some credit by a measure intro-
duced in 1784 for preventing smuggling of tea
by reducing the duty, the revenue being com-
pensated by a tax on windows,
■ ^TT Mixtie-maxtie is Scotch for a mixture
of incongruous elements. Hotch-potch is a
dish composed of all sorts of vegetables.
This coalition, like many others since, was in
the poet's eyes an unnatural banding together
of men of different opinions.
Auld Scotland has a raucle-' tongue;
She's just a devil wi' a rung:*'
And if she promise auld or young
To tak their part.
Though by the neck she should be
strung,
She'll no desert.
And now, ye chosen Five-and-For-
ty,**** [ye;
May still your mother's heart support
Then though a minister grow dorty,''
And kick your place, "
Ye'U snap your fingers, poor and
hearty.
Before his face.
God bless your honours a' your days
Wi' sowps-' o' kail and brats o' claise,'^-
In spite o' a' the thievish kaes^"
That haunt St. Jamie's !
Your humble poet sings and prays
While Eab his name is.
POSTSCRIPT.
Let half -starved slaves in warmer skies
See future wines, rich clust'ring, rise;
Their lot auld Scotland ne'er envies.
But blythe and frisky.
She eyes her free-born, martial boys,
Tak aif their whisky.
What though their Phoebus kinder
warms, [charms !
While fragrance blooms and beauty
When wretches range, in famish'd
swarms,
The scented groves,
Or, hounded forth, dishonour arms
In hungry droves.
Their gun's a burthen on their shou-
ther;
They downabide^' the stink o' p'outher;
Their bauldest thought's a hanlc'ring
swither^'^
To Stan' or rin, [ther,'*
Till skelp — a shot — they're aff a' throu'-
To save their skin.
=5 Rough. 2B Cudgel. =' Sulky. ^^^ Spoon-
fuls. " Rags o' clothes. »° Jackdaws, "They
dare not stand. "^ Uncertainty. *3 pgn melt
**** The number of Scotch representa-
tives.
POEMS.
71
But bring a Scotsman f rae his hill,
Clap in his cheek a Highland gill,
Say, such is royal George's will,
And there's the foe;
He has nae thought but how to kill
Twa at a blow.
Nae cauld, faint-hearted doubtings
tease him; [him;
Death comes — wi' fearless eye he sees
Wi' bluidy han' a welcome gies \im;
And when he fa's, [him;
His latest draught o' breathin' lea'es
In faint huzzas !
Sages their solemn een may steek,**
And raise a philosophic reek,^^
And physically causes seek.
In clime and season ;
But tell me whisky's name in Greek,
' I'll tell the reason.
Scotland, my auld, respected mither !
Though whiles ye moistify your
leather,
Till whare ye sit, on craps o' heather,
Te tine'" your dam;
Freedom and whisky gang thegither!—
Tak all your dram I
THE AULD FARMER'S XEW-TEAR
MORNING SALUTATION TO HIS
AULD MARE MAGGIE,
ON GIVING HER THE ACCUSTOMED RIP
OF CORN TO HANSEL IN THE NEW
YEAB.
Most editors have alluded to the tenderness
of Buftis'towards the lower animals ; this is
a true poetic instinct, and with him was un-
usually strong. The Ettrick Shepherd says,
in a note to this poem . — " Bums must have
been an exceedingly good and kind-hearted
being ; for whenever he has occasion to
address or mention any subordinate being,
' /however mean, even a mouse or a flower,
tlien .there is a gentle pathos in his language
' that awakens the finest feelings of the
heart."
A 6UID New- Year Iwish thee, Maggie!
Hae, there's a rip*^ to thy auld baggie.
Though thou's howe-backit now and
Icaaggie,^
" Eyes may shut. ^= Smoke. " Lose.
1 A handful of corn in the stalk, ^ Bent-
backed and ridged.
I've seen the day
Thou could hae gaen like onystaggie
Out owrethe lay.^
Thou now thou's dowie,'' stiff and
crazy.
And thy auld hide's as white's a daisy,
I've seen the dappl't, sleek and glazie,'
A bonny gray;
He should been tight that daur't to
laize" thee,
Ance in a day.
Thou ance was i' the foremost rf^nk,
A filly bairdly, steeve and swank,'
And set weel down a shapely shank.
As e'er tread yird;*
And could hae flown out-owre a stank,'
Like ony bird.
It's now some nine-and-twenty year,' '
Sin' thou was iny guid father's meer:
He gied me thee, o' tocher'" clear.
And fifty mark; • [gear,
Though it was sma', twas weel'won
And thou was stark. "
When first I gaed to woo my Jenny,'
Ye then was trottin' wi' your Minnie, "
Though ye was trickle, slee, and fun^
nie.
Ye ne'er was donsie"
But hamely, towie, quiet, and cannie,"
And unco sonsie.'"
That day ye pranced wi' muckle pride
When ye bure hame my bonny bride:'
And sweet and gracef u' she did ride,
Wi' maiden air ! ,
Kyle-Stewart* I could hae bragged.'?
wide.
For sic a pair.
Though now ye dow but hoyte and
hoble,"
And wintle like a saumont coble, '^
That daf ye was j inker" noble, '
For heels and win'!
3 Grass-field. * Low-spirited. ^ Shift-
ing. * Excite, ^ Stately, strong, active.
» Earth. » Ditch. >» Dowry. ii Strong.
'2 Mother. ^^ Mischievous. ^^ Good-
natured. ^^ Engaging. '" Challenged.
1^ Can but limp and totter. ^^ x^jg^ iji^g
the ungainly boat used by salmon fishers.
1^ Runner.
*The district between the Ayr and the
Doon.
V3
BURNS' "WORKS.
And ran them till tlipy a' did wauble,™
Far, far, behin'j
Wlien thou and I were ^ young and
skeigh,'-''
And stable-meals at fairs worn dreigh,'*
How thou would prance, and snore and
skreigh
And tak the road !
Town's bodies ran, and stood abeigh,''
And ca't thee mad.
When thou was corn't.'and I was mel-
low,
We took the road aye like a swallow:
At Brooses*"* thou had ne'er a fellow.
For pith and speed;
But every tail thou pay't them hollow,
Whare'er thou gaed.
The sma' droop-rnrnpl't,'^ hunter cat-
tle, [tle;'^fi
Might aiblins waur't thee for a brat-
But sax Scotch miles thou try't their
mettle.
And gar't them whaizle'^'
Nae whupnor spur, but just a wattle'''
0' saugh or hazle.
Tliou was a noble fittie-lan',*'
As e'er in tug or tow was drawn !
Aft thee and'I, in aught houra' gaun,
In guid March weather,
Hae tum'd sax rood beside our han'.
For days thegither.
Thou never bramdg't, and fech't, and
fliskit,^'' [kit,3i
But thy auld tail thou wad hae whis-
And spread abreed thy well-fill'd bris-
ket, ^^
Wi' pith and pow'r,
'Till spritty knowes wad rair't and
risket,"'
And slypet owre.
When frosts lay lang, and snaws were
deep.
And threaten'd labour back to keep.
2° Stagger— exhausted. ^i Mettlesome.
22 Scarce == Aside. =< Wedding races.
26 Sloping-backed. ^6 Might perhaps have
beaten thee for a short race. 27 Wheeze.
2« A switch. 29 xhe near horse of the hind-
most pair in the-plough. ^^ Never r-illed by
fits or starts, or fretted. ^^ Shaken. ^2 Breast.
83 Till hard, dry hillocks would open with a
crarking sound, the earth falling gently over.
I gied thy cog*^ a wee bit heap
Aboon the timmer;
I kenn'd my Maggie wadna sleep
For that, or simmer.
In cart or car thou never reestit;'' [it;
The steyesf brae thou wad hae faced
Thou never lap, and sten't, and breast-
it,3'
Then stood to blaw;
But just thy step a wee thing hastit,'*
Thou snoov't awa.
My pleugh is now thy baim-time a';^'
Four gallant brutes as e'er did draw ;
Forbye sax mae, I've sell't awa'.
That thou hast nurst :
They drew me thretteen pund and
twa.
The vera warst.
Mony a sair darg" we twa hae wronght, *
And wi' the' weary warl' fought !
And mony an anxious day I thought
We wad be beat !
Yet here to crazy age we're brought
AVi' something yet.
And think na, my auld"^ trusty servan'.
That now perhaps thou's less deser-
vin'.
And thy auld days may end in starvin'.
For my last fou,
A heapit stimpart,*' I'll reserve ane
Laid by for you.
We've worn to crazy years thegither ;
We'll toyte*^ about wi' ane anither ;
Wi' tentie care I'll flit thy tether
To some hain'd rig,'" [er,
Whare ye may nobly rax^ your leath^
Wi' sma' fatigue.
THE TWA DOGS :
A TALE.
Gilbert Burns says :— " The tale of ' The Twa
Dogs ' was composed after the resolution of
publishing was nearly taken^ Robert had a
dog, which he called Luath, that was ' a
treat favourite. The dog had been killed
y the wanton cruelty of sbme person, the
Si Wooden measure, si Stppped. '' Steep,
est: ^' Never leaped, re*i*d, or started for.
ward. '» Quickened. »« My plough team
are all thy children. 1° Day's labour. <■ A
measure of com the eighth part of a bushel
'- Totter, " Saved ridge of grr.ss. " StretcB.
poems:.
night before ray father's death. Robert said
to me that he shoiild like to confer such im-
mortality 4s he could bestow on his old
friend Luath, and tliat he had a great mind
to introduce something into the book under
the title of * Stanzas to the Memory of a
Quadruped Friend ;' but this plan was ^iven
up for the poem as it. now stands. Caesar
was merely the creature of the poet's imag-
ination, created for the purpose of holding
chat with his favourite Luath." The factor
who stood for h s portrait here was the same
of whom he writes to Dr. Moore in 1787 : —
"My indignation yet boils at the scoundrel
4i(5lor's insolent threatening letters, which
tKe^ to set us all in tears.'" All who have
been bred in country districts will have no
difficulty in finding parallels to the factor of
the poem. Often illiterate and unfeeling,
they think to gain the favour of the laird by
an over-zealous pressure on poor but honest
tenants, who, if gently treated, would
struggle through their difficulties.
'Twas in tliat place o' Scotland's isle,
..^hat bears tUe name o' auld King Coil,'
Upon a bonny day in June,
When wearing tlirougli the afternoon,
Twa dogs that werena thrang- at hame,
Forgatker'd ance upon a time.
The first I'll name, they ca'd liim Caesar
Was keepit for his honour's pleasure;
His hair, his size, his mouth, his lugs,"
Show'd he was nane o' Scotland's dogs;
But whalpit some place far abroad,
\^^lere sailors gang to fish for cod.
His locked, letter'd, braw brass collar
Show'd him the gentleman and scholar;
But. thou he was o' high degree.
The fient'' a piide — ^nae pride had he;
But wad hafi spent an hour caressin'.
Even wi' a tinkler-gypsy's messan:^
At kirk or market, mill or smiddie,
Nae tawted' tyke, though e'er sae
duddie,'
But he wad stan't, as glad tQ see him.
And stroan't' on stanes and hillocks
wi' him.
The tither was a jjloughman's collie,
A rhyming, ranting, roving billie, [him,
Wha ■ for his friend and comrade had
And in his frealis had Luath ca'd him.
After some dog in Highland sang,*
1 The middle district of Ayrshire. ^ Busy.
^ Ears. * A petty oath — "the devil a bit o'."
' Cur: ° Matted and dirty. ' Ragged.
^ Pissed.
* ■ Cuchullin's dog in Ossian's " Fingal."
— B.
Was made lang syne — Lord knaws how
lang.
He was a gash' and faithf u' tyke,
As ever lap a sheugh'" or dike.
His honest sonsie, baws'nt face,''
Aye gat him friends in illia place.
His breast was white, his touzie''^ back
Weel clad wi' coat 'o glossy black;
His gaucie" tail, wi' upward curl,
Hung o'er his hurdles'* wi' a swirl.
Kao doubt but they were fain o'lther,'"
And imco pack and thick" thegither;
Wi' social nose whyles snutt'd and
snowkit," [howkit;'*
Whyles mice and moiidieworts they
Whyles scour'd awa' in lang excursion)
And worried ither in diversion ;
Until wi' daffin'" weary grown.
Upon a knowe'" they sat them down.
And there began a lang digression
About the lords o' the creation.
I've often wonder'd, honest Luath,
What sort o' life poor dogs like you
have.
And when the gentry's life I saw.
What way poor bodies lived ava.
Our laird gets in his racked rents.
His coals, his kain, and a' his stents;^'
He rises when he. likes himsel ;
His flunldes answer at the bell ;
He ca's his coach, he ca's his horse;
He draws a bonny silken purse [steeks,^^
As 'ang's my tail, whare, through the
The yellow-letter'd Gteordio keeks."
Frae mom to e'en it's nought but toil-
ing,
At baking, roasting, frying boiling;
And though the gentry first are
Btecliin,-''
Yet e'en the ha' folk fill their pechan"
Wi' sauce, ragouts, and siclike trash-
trie.
? Knowing. ^" Ditch. ^^ His honest,
comely, white-striped face. ^^ Shaggy.
'* Bushy. "Hips. '° Fond of each other.
10 Very interested and friendly. " Scented.
"^ Sometimes for mice and moles they dug.
'" Sporting. !*" Hillock. ^^ His corn rents and
assessments. "'' Stitches. =» Glances. "' Stuff-
ing. 2a Stomach,
74
BURNS' WORKS.
That's little short o' downright wastrie,
dur whipper-in, we, Wastit wonner,-"
Poor wortliless elf, it eats a dinner
Better than ony tenant man
His honour has in a' the Ian' ;
And what poor cot-folk pit their
painch''' in,
I own it's past my comprehension.
Trowth, CaBSar, whyles they'll fasht'^'
eneugli ;
A cotter howkin' in a sheugh,"
Wi' dirty stanes biggin' a dilie,
Baring a quarry, and siclilie;
Himsel, a wife, he thus sustains,
A smytrie o' wee duddie weans,'"
And nought hut his han' darg^' to keep
Them I'ight and tight in thack and rape''
And when they meet wi' sair disasters,
Like loss o' health or want o' masters,
Ye maist wad think, a wee touch langer.
And they maun starve o' cauld and
hunger;
But how it comes I never kenn'd yet, '
They're maistly wonderf u' contented ;
And buirdly chiels, and clever hizzies,'''
Are bred in sic a way as this is.
But then to how ye'ro negleckit, [it !
Howhufi'd, and cufE'd, and disrespeck-
Lord, man, our gentry care as little
Fpr delvers, ditchers, and sic cattle;
They gang as saucy by poor folic
As I wad by a stinkin' brock. "■•
I've noticed, on our laird's court-day.
And mony a time my heart's been wae.
Poor tenant bodies, scant o' cash.
How they maun thole a factor's snash ;^*
He'll stamp and threaten, curse and
swear;
He'll apprehend them, poind their gear;
While they maun stan', wi' aspect
humble.
And hear it a', and fear and tremble !
I see how folk live that hae riches;
But surely poor folk maun be wretches !
^^ Wonder, a contemptuous appellation.
'■" Paunch. ^^ Troubled. =" Digging in a
ditch. 30 A number of ragged children.
31 Day's work. 32 Under a roof-tree. —
literally, thatch and rope. 33 Stalwart men
and clever women. 34 Badger^ 30 Bear a
factor's abuse.
LUATH.
They're no sae wretched 's an6 wad
think ;
Tho ugh constantly on poortith's^" brink :
They're sae accustom'd wi' the Sight,
The view o't gies them little fright.
Then chance and fortune are sae guided.
They're aye in less or mair provided;
And though fatigued wi' close employ-
ment,
A blink o' rest's a sweet enjoyment.
The dearest comfort o' their lives.
Their gushie"' weans and faithfu'
wives ; [pride.
The prattling things are just thA'
That sweetens a' their fire side; [py*"
And whyles twalpennie worth o' nap-
Can inak the bodies unco happy ;
They lay aside their private cares.
To mind the Kirk and state affairs :
They'll tallc o' patronage and priests,
Wi' kindling fury in their breasts ;
Or tell what new taxation's comin'.
And ferlie"" at the folk in Lon'cn.
As bleak-faced Hallnrwrnas letums.
They get the joviaJ fanting kirns,""
Wlien rural life o' every station
Unite in common recreation ; [Mirth
Love blinks. Wit slaps, and social
Forgets there's Care upo' the earth.
That merry day the year begins
They bar the door on frosty win's ;
The nappy reeks wi' mantling ream.
And sheds a heart-inspiring steam ;
The luntin pipe and sneeshin mill'"
Are handed round wi' right guid will ;
The cantie'''^ auld folks crackin' crouse,**
The young anes rantin' through the
house, —
My heart has been sae fain to see them.
That I for joy hae barkit wi' them.
Still it's owre true that ye hae said.
Sic game is now owre aften play'd.
There's mony a creditable stock
0' decent, honest, fawsont** folk.
Are riven out baith root and branch.
Some rascal's pridefu' greed to quench,
Wha thiiks to knit himsel the faster
36 Poverty. 37 Thriving.
whisky. _ 39 Wonder. ••« Harvest-homes.
38 Ale or
wjiiaB.y. -- vvuiiuer. "-" narvesi-^jomes.
" The smoking pipe and snuff-box. *^ Cheer-
ful " Talking briskly. ■'■'Seemly.
POEMS.
73
In favour wi' some gentle master,
Wha aibliiis''* thrang a parliamentin'
For Britain's guid liis saul indentin' —
C/ESAR.
Haitli, lad, ye little ken about it ; [it.
For Britain's guid ! guid faith, I doubt
Say rather, gaun as Premiers lead him;
And saying Ay or No's they bid him ;
At operas and plays parading,
Mortgaging, gambling, masquerading;
Or maybe, in a frolic daft,
To Hague or Calais taks a waft,'*'
To make a tour, and tak a whirl.
To learn hon ton, and see the worl'.
There, at Vienna or Versailles,
He rives his father's auld entails f'
Or by Madrid he takes the route, [te;'"*
To thrum guitars, and fecht wi' now-
Or down Italian vista startles, [ties.
Whore-hunting among grovej o' myr-
Then bouses drumly German water.
To mak Uimssl look fair and fatter.
And clear the consequentiil sorrows.
Love-gifts of Carnival signoras.
For Britain's guid !— f or lier destruction !
Wi' dissipation, feud, and faction !
LUATII.
Hech man ! dear sirs ! is that the gate
They waste sae mony a braw estate !
Are we sae foughten and harass'd
For gear to gang that gate at last !
Oh, would they stay aback fra courts,
And please themselves wi' country
sports.
It wad for every ane be better.
The Laird, The Tenant, and the Cot-
ter!
For thae frank, rantin' ramblin' billies,
Fient haet o' them's ill-hearted fellows;
Except for breakin' o' their timmer.
Or speakin' lightly o' their limmer,
Or shootiu' o' a hare or moorcock,
The ne'er a bit they're ill to poor folk.
But will ye tell me, Master Caesar,
Sure great folk's life's a life o' pleasure?
Nae cauld nor hunger e'er can steer
them.
The very thought o't needna fear them.
*= Perhaps. "Atrip. ■" Breaks the entail " Pains and groans. ""Trouble. "'Devil
on his estate. *" See bull-fights. a thing. "'^ Solder. "" A giddy girl.
Lord, man, were ye but whyles wliare
I am.
The gentles ye wad ne'er envy 'em.
It's true they needna starve nor sweat,
Through winter's cauld or simmer's
heat; [banes.
They've nae sair wark to craze their
And fill auld age wi' grips andgranes:*'
But human bodies are sic fools,
For a' their colleges and schools.
That when nae real ills perplex them,
They mak enow tliemsjls to vex them;
And aye the less they hae to sturt™
them.
In like proportion less will hurt them.
A country fellow at the pleugh.
His acres till'd, he's right eneugh;
A country girl at her wheel,
Her dizzens done, she's unco weel :
But Gentlemen, and Ladies warst,
Wi' evendown want o' wark are curst.
They loiter, lounging, lank, and lazy;
Though deil haet" ails them, yet
uneasy;
Their days insijnd, dull, amd tasteless;
Their nights unquiet, lang, and restless;
And e'en their sports, their balls and
races.
Their galloping through public places,
There's sic parade, sic pomp and art, ''
The joy can scarcely reach the heart.
The men cast out in party matches.
Then sowther"'^ a' in deep debauches;
Ae night they're mad wi' drink and
whoring,
Neist day their life is past enduring.
The Ladies arm-in-arm in clusters,
As great and gracious a' as sisters;
But hear their absent thoughts o' ither.
They're a' run deils and jads*^ tlie-
gither. [tie,
Whyles, owre the wee bit cup and pla-
They sip the scandal potion pretty :
Or lee-lang nights, wi' crabbit leuks,
Pore owre the devil's pictured beuks;
Stake on a chance a farmer's stackyard.
And cheat like ony unhanged black-
guard, [man;
There's some exception, man and wo-
But this is Gentry's life in common.
70
BURNS' WORKS.
By this, the sun was ont o' sight.
And darker gloaming brought the
night: [drone;
The bum -clock''' humui'd wi' lazy
The kye stood rowtin"' i' the loan:
When up they gat and shooli their lugs,
Rejoiced they werena men, but dogs;
And each toolc aff his several way.
Resolved to meet some ither day.
TO A LOUSE,
ON SEEING ONE ON A LADY' S BONNET
AT CIIURCir.
Burns's fastidious patrons and patronesses
sometimes ventured to lecture him on the
homeliness and vulgarity of some of his
themes. " The Address to a Louse " was a
notable instance. The- poet defended it on
account of the moral conveyed, and he -was
right, we think. He was ever impatient of
criticism and suggestions ; and, judging
from the kind of criticisms and suggestions
frequently offered to him, we may De glad
that he so frequently followed his own judg-
ment.
Ha ! whare ye gaun, ye crowlin'
ferlie !'
Your impudence pTotects you sairly;
I canna say but ye strunt- rarely,
Owre gauze and lace;
Though, faith, I fear ye dine but
sparely
On sic a place.
Te ugl.v, creepin', blastit wonner, [ner,
Detested, shunn'd, by saunt and sin-
How dare ye set your fit upon her,
Sae fine a lady '!
Gae somewhere else, and seek your
dinner
On some poor body.
Swith, in some beggar's haffet squattle^
There ye may creep, and sprawl, and
^prattle''
Wi' ither kindred, jumping cattle,
In shoals and nations;
Whare horn nor bane ne'er daur un-
settle*
Your thick plantations.
"■i Beetle. "^ Lowing.
• i Wonder. ^ Strut. ^ Swift crawl in some
beggar's hair. ^ Scramble. '•> Where the hair
ii never combed.
Now hand you there, ye're out o' sight.
Below the fatt'rils," snug and tight;
Na, faith ye yet ! ye'll no be right
Till ye've got on it.
The very tapmost, towering height
O' Miss's bormet.
My sooth ! right bauld ye set your nose
out.
As plump and gray as ony grozet:'
Oh for some rank, mercurial rozet,*
Or fell, red smeddum,'
I'd gie j-ou sic a hearty doze o't.
Wad dress your droddum!'"
I wadna been siirprised to spy
You on an auld ■wife's flahnen toy:"
Or aiblins some bit duddie boy,
On's wyliecoat;'^
But Miss's fine Lunardi !* fie !
How daur ye do't ?
O Jenny, dinna toss your head.
And set your beauties a' abread !
Ye little ken what cursed speed
The blastie's makiu' !
The winks and finger-eiids, I dread.
Are notice takin' !
Oh wad some power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us 1
It wad frae mony a blunder free us.
And foolish notion: [us
What airs in dress and gait wad lea'e
And even devotion !
THE ORDINATION.
" For sense they little owe to frugal
Heaven—
To please the mob, they hide the little
given."
KiLMAKNOCK wabsters,' fidge and claw
And pour your ereesliie nation's :'■'
And ye wha leather rax^ and draw
Of a' denominations, f
" The ribbon ends. ' Gooseberry. ^ Rosin,
1 Powder. " Breach. " Flannel cap.
'2 Flannel Waistcoat.
' Weavers. ^ Greasy crowds. ^ Stretch:
* A kind of bonnet, at one time fashionable,
called after an Italian aeronaut.
t Kilmarnock was then a town of between
three and foiu- thousand inhabitants, most of
whom were engaged in the manufacture of
carpets and other coarse woollen goods, or in
the preparation of leather.
POEMS.
77
Switli to tlie Laigli Kirk, ano and a',
And tliei'e tak up your stations;
Then afE to Begbie's f in a raw.
And pour divine libations
For joy tliis day.
Curst Common Sense, tliat imp o' hell,
Cam in with Maggie Lauder; |
But Oliphaut aft made her yell,
And Russell sair misca'd her; §
This day Mackinlay talis the flail.
And he's the boy will blaud' her !
He'll clap a shangan* on her tail,
And set the bairns to daud" her
Wi' dirt this day.
Mak haste and turn king David owre,
And lilt wi' holy clangor;
O' double verse come gie us four,
And skirl up the Bangor:
This day tlie Kirk kicks u.p a stoure,''
Nae mair the knaves shall wrang her.
For Heresy is in her power.
And gloriously she'll whang' her
Wi' pith this day.
Come, let a proper text be read,
And touch it afE wi' vigour,
How graceless Ham|| leiigli at his dad,
■ ' Which made Canaan a nigger;
Or PliinehasT[ drove the murdering
bl^ide,
Wi' ^^hore-abhorring rigour;
Or Zipporah,** the scauldin' jade.
Was like a bluidy tiger
1' the inn that day.
There, try liis meUle on the creed.
And bind him drrwa wi' caution.
That stipend is a carnal weed
He taks but for the fashion;
And gie him owre the flock to feed.
And punish each transgression ;
Especial, rams that cross the breed,
Gie them sufficient threshin'.
Spare them nae day.
* Slap. 5 A cleft stick. " Bespatter. ^ A dust.
8 Lash.
+ A tavern near the church kept by a per-
son of this name.
t Aliudins^ to a scoffing ballad which was
made on the admission of the late rever-
end and worthy Mr. Lindsay to the Laigh
Kirk.-.B.
I 01i[>hantand Russellwere ministers of the
Auld-Licht party.
B Genesis ix. 22.
i Numbers xxv. 8.
** Exodus iv. 25.
Now, auld Kilmarnock, cock thy, tail,.
And toss thy horns fu' canty^' [dale,
Nae mair thou'lt rowte'° out-owre the
Because thy pasture's scanty;
For lapfu's large o' gospel kail
Shall fill thy crib in plenty,
And runts' ' o' grace the pick and wale,
No glen by way o' dainty,
But ilka day.
Nae mair by Babel's streams we'll
weep,
To think upon our Zion;
And hing our fiddles up to sleep,
Like baby-clouts a-dryin'; [cheep.
Come, screw the l")egi, wi' tunefu'
And o'er the thairms''' be tryin';
Oh, rare • to see our elbucks wheep,''*
And a' like lamb-tails flyin'
Fn' fast this day !
Lang, Patronage, wi' rod o' aim.
Has shored'^ the Kirk's undoin'.
As lately Fenwick.f (■ sair forfairn,'^
Has proven to its ruin:
Our patron, honest man ! Glencairn,
He saw mischief was brewiu';
And, like a godly elect bairri.
He's waled"" us out a true ane.
And sound this day.
Now, Robinson, It harangue nae mair,
Bnl steek your gabl' for ever:
Or try the wiclced town of Ayr,-
For there they'll think .you clever !
Or, nae reflection on your lear.
Ye may commence a shaver;
Or to the NethertonS^^ repair.
And turn a carpet-weaver
AfE hand this day.
Mutrielll and you were just a match.
We never had sic twa drones :
Auld Hornie did the Laigh Kirk watch.
Just like a winkin' baudrons,"*
And aye he oatch'd the tither wretch.
To fry them in his caudrons :
^ Merry. ^" Low. ^^ Cabbage stems.
'2 Strings. '3 Elbows jerk. ^* Threatened.
?6 Menaced, i"* Chosen. ^' Shut your mouth.
"A cat.
+t Rev. William Boyd, minister of Fenwick,
whose settlement had been disputed.
it The colleague of the newly-ordained
clergyman — a moderate.
§§ A part of the town of Kilmarnock.
Ill The deceased clergyman, whom Mr,
Mackinlay succeeded.
78
BURNS' WORKS.
But now liis lionour maun detach,
Wi' a' his brimstone squadrons,
Fast, fast this day.
See, see auld Orthodoxy's faes
She's swingein'" through the -city ;
Hark, how the nine-tail'd cat she plays!
I vow its unco pretty : [face,
There, Learning, with his Greekish
Grunts out some Latin ditty ;
And Common Sense is gaun, she says.
To mak to Jamie Beattie i[Tf
Her plaint this day
But there's Morality himsel,
Embracing, all opinions ;
Hear how he gies the tither yell.
Between his twa companions ;
See how she peels the skin and fell,^"
As ane were peelin' onions !
Now there — they're packed afE to hell.
And banish'd our dominions
Henceforth this day.
0 liappy day ! rejoice, rejoice !
Come bouse about the porter !
Mo'rality's demure decoys
Shall hero nae mair find quarter :
Mackiulay, Russell, are the boys,
That Heresy can torture,
They'll gie her on a rape a hoyse,''
And cowe''-' her measure shorter
By the head some day.
Come, bring the tither mutchkin in.
And here's, for a conclusion.
To every New- Light *** mother's son.
From this time forth. Confusion :
If mair they deave^' us wi' their diu.
Or patronage intrusion.
We'll light a spunk,''' and, eveiy skin,
We'll ring them aff in fusion.
Like oil some day.
Address to the unco guid,
or the rigidly righteous.
" My son, these maxims make a rule,
And lump them aye thegither ;
The rigid righteous is a fool.
The rigid wise anither ;
" Whipping. " The flesh under the skin.
21 A swing in a rope. 22 Cut_ 23 Deafen.
'^ A match.
^1" The well-known author of the " Essay
on Truth."
*** " New Light" is a cant phrase, in the
west of Scotland, for those religious opinions
which Dr. Taylor of Norwich has defended
so strenuously.— B.
The cleanest corn that e'er was dight
May hae some pyles o' caiT in ;
So ne er a fellow-creature slight
For, random tits o' daffin." - '-
— Solomon. — Kccles. vii. x6.
0 YE wha are sae guid yoursel,
Sae pious, and sae holy,
Te've nought to do but mark and tell
Your neibour's fauts and folly !
Whase life is lilte a weelgaun mill,
Supplied wi' store o' water.
The heapet happer's ebbing still.
And still the clap plays clatter. ,
Hear me, ye venerable core, r/.
As counsel for poor mortals, .[doo?
That frequent past douce' Wisdonri
For glakit'^ Folly's portals;
I, for their thoughtless, careless sakes.
Would here propone defences.
Their donsie' tricks, their black mis-
takes.
Their failings and mischances.
Ye see your state wi' theirs compared,
And shudder at the nifEer,*
But cast a moment's fair regard.
What maks the mighty differ ?
Discount what scant occasion gave.
That purity ye pride in.
And (what^s aft mair than a' the lave)
Your better art o' hiding.
Think, when your castigated pulse
Gies now and then a wallop.
What raging must his veins convulse.
That still eternal gallop:
Wi' wind and tide fair i' your tail.
Right on ye scud your sea-way;
But in the teeth o' baith to sail.
It malces an unco lee-way. .
See social life and glee sit down.
All joyous and unthinking, [grown
Till, quite transmugrified,* they're
Debauchery and drinking:
Oh would they stay to calculate
The eternal consequences:
Or your more dreaded hell to state.
Damnation of expenses !
Ye high, exalted, virtuous dames.
Tied up in godly laces.
Before ye gie poor frailty names.
Suppose a change o' cases;
1 Thoughtful. = Senseless. 3 Unluckv.
* Comparison. ^ Transformed.
POEMS.
73
A dear-loved lad, convenience snug,
A treacherous inclination —
But, let me whisper i' your lug,*
Ye're alblins' uae temptation.
Then gently scan your brother man,
StUl gentler sister woman; [wrang.
Though they may gang a kennin'''
To step aside,is human:
One point must still be greatly dark.
The- moving why they do it:
And just as lamely can ye mark
How far perhaps they rue it.
.Who made the heart, 'tis He alone
Decidedly can try us;
He Itnows each chord — its various tone,
Each spring — ^its various bias:
■Then at the balance let's be mute,
We never can adjust it;
What's done we partly may compute.
But know not what's resisted.
THE INVENTORY,
VS( ANSWER TO A MANDATE BT THE
SCKVEYOE OF TAXES.
SiK, as your mandate did request,
I send you here a faithfu' list
0' gui<i and gear, and a' my graith.
To which I'm clear to gie my aith.
Imprimis, then, for carriage cattle,
I hae four brutes o' gallant njettle.
As ever drew afore a pettle,'
My h^n'-afore's'-' a guid auld Tuts-been.
And wight and willfu' a' his days been
My han'-ahin's' a weel-gaun filly.
That aft has borne me hame fae Killie,*
And your auld burro' mony a time.
In days when riding was nae crime —
But jance, when in my wooing pride,
I, like a blockhead boost-' to ride.
The wilfu' creature sae I pat to
(Lord, pardon a' my sins, and that too !)
I play'd my filly sic a shavie,^
She's a bedevil'd wi' the spavio.
My fur-ahin's' a worthy beast.
' Ear. ' Perhaps. « A little bit.
' A plough spade. * The foremost horse on
the left-hand in the plough. ' The hindmost
horse on the left-hand in the plough. ' Must
needs, ^ A trick. * The hindmost horse on
the right-hand in, the plough.
* Kilmarnock.
As e'er in tug or tow was traced, [ti^.
The fourth's a Highland Donald has-
A damn'd red-wud Kilburnie blastie 1
Forbyea cowte,' o' cowte's the wale,^
As ever ran afore a tail;
If he be spared to be a beast.
He'll draw me fifteen pun' at least.
Wheel-carriages I hae but few.
Three carts, and twa are feokly' new;
An au-ld wheelbarrow, mair for token
Ae leg and baith the trams are broken;
I made a poker o' the spin'le,
And my auld mither brunt the trin'le.
For men, I've three mischievous boys,
Eun-deils fot rantin' and for noise
A gauesman ane, a thrasher t'other;
Wee Davoc hands the nowte in fother'"
I rule them, as I ought, discreetly.
And aften labour them completely;
And aye on Sundays duly, nightly,
I on the question targe" them tightly,
TiU, faith, wee Davoc's turn'd sae
Though scarcely langer than my leg,
He'll screed you afE Effectual CallingJ-
As fast as ony in the dwalling.
I've nane in female servan' station,
(Lord, keep me ae f rae a' temptation !)
I hae'nae wife, and that my bliss is.
And ye hae laid nae tax on misses ;
And then, if kirk folks dinna clutch
me,
I ken the devils darena touch me.
Wi' weans I'm mair than weel con-
tented.
Heaven sent me ane mair than I wanted.
My sonsie,'' smirking,' dear-bought
Bess.t
She stares the daddy in her face.
Enough of ought you like but grace ;
But her, my bonny sweet wee lady,
I've paid enough for her already.
And gin ye tax her or her mither,
B' the Lord ! ye'se get them a' tho-
gither.
' A colt. ' Choice. » Nearly. '" Keeps
the cattle in fodder. "'Task. »2 Sq sharp.
>3 Comely.
+ A leading question in the Shorter Cate-
chism of the Westminster Assembly of di-
vmes.
i A child born to the poet by a female ser-
vant of his mother's
BURNS' WORKS.
And now, remember, Mr. Aiken, •
Nae Idnd of license out I'm talien ;
Frae this time forth I do declare,
I'se ne'er ride horse nor liizzie mair ;
Throxigh dirt and dub for life I'U
paidle, '■'
Ere I sae dear pay for a saddle ;
My travel a' on fpot I'll shank'" it,
I've sturdy bearers, Gude be thankit.
The kirk and you may tak you that.
It puts but little in your pat ;
Sae diuna put me in your buke,
Nor for my ten white shillings luke.
This list wi' my ain hand I've wrote
it.
The day and date as under noted ;
Then know all ye whom it concerns,
Subaeripsi huie, Robeet Burns.
MossGlEL, February 22, 1786.
TO A MOUNTAIN DAISY,
OiJ TUIiNIKG ONE DOWN WITH THE
PLOUGH IN APRIL, 1876.
Wee, modest, crimson-tipped flower,
Tliou's met me in an evil hour ;
For I maun crush amang the stoure'
Thy slender stem :
To spare thee now is past my power,
Thou bonny gem.
Alas ! it's no thy neibor sweet.
The bonny lark, companion meet.
Bending thee 'raang the dewy weet,
Wi' speckled breast,
Wlien upward springing, blithe, to
greet.
The purpling east.
Cauld blew the bitter -biting north
Upon thy early, humble birth ;
Yet cheerfully thou glinted^ forth
Amid the storm.
Scarce rear'd above the parent earth
Thy tender form.
The flaunting flowers our gardens yield,
High sheltering woods and wa's maun
shield ;
But thou, beneath the random bield^
O' clod or stane.
Adorns the histie'' stibble-field.
Unseen, alanc.
'■> Tramp. " Walk.
' Duul. ••' Peeped. ■ = Sbeltcr. ■■ Barren.
There, in thy scanty mantle clad.
Thy snawie bosom sun-ward spread.
Thou lifts thy unassuming head
In humble guise ;
But now the aliare uptears thy bed.
And low thou lies !
Such is the fate of artless maid.
Sweet floweret of the rural shade !
By love's simplicity betray'd,
And guileless trust,
Till she, like thee, all soil'd, is iaiA.
Low i' the dust.
Such is the fate of simple bard.
On life's rough ocean luckless starr'd !
Unsldlf ul he to note the card
Of prudent lore.
Till billows rage, and gales blow hard.
And whelm him o'er !
Such fate to suffering worth is given.
Who long with wants and woes has
striven,
By human pride or cunning driven.
To misery's brink.
Till wrench'd of every stay but heaven.
He, ruin'd, sink !
Even thou who moum'st the Daisy's
fate,
Tliat fate is thine — no distant date ;
Stern Ruin's ploughshare drives, elate.
Full on thy bloom.
Till crush'd beneath the furrow's
weight.
Shall be thy doom !
LAMENT,
OCCASIONED BY THE UNFORTUNATE
ISSUE OP A FRIEND'S AMOUR.
After mentioning the appearance of "Holy
Willie's- Prayer," -which alarmed ' the kirk-
session so much that they held several meet-
ings to look over their spirittial artiUery, if
haply any of it might be pointed against
profane rhymers, Burns states : — '* Unluck-
ily for me, my wanderings led me on anoth-
er side, within point-blank shot of their
heaviest metal. This is the unfortunate
story that gave rise to my printed poem,
*'The Lament.' This was a most melalT-
choly affair, which . I cannot -vet bea-r to re-
flect on, and liad very nearly'given me one
or two of the principal qualifications fot a
place among those who have lost the charac-
ter, and mistaken the reckoning of fational-
ity. I had been for some days skulking from
covert to covert, under all the terrors of^
jail ; as some ill-advised people had uncou-
POEMS.
81
plefl the merciless- pack of the law at my
heels.; 1 had taken the last farewell of my
few fi/tends; my chest was on the road to
Green; -ck ; I had composed the last soim- 1
should ever, measure in Caledonia, * The
Gloom''' Night is Gathering Fast,' when a
'letter f om Dr. Blacklbck to a friend of mine
overthi aw all my schemes, by opening new
prospects to my poetic ambition.
"It is s< arcely necessary," Gilbert Bums
^ says, "^ mention that * The Lament' was
compodtti on that unfortunate passage in
his mati^oaial history which I'have men-
tioned ift my letter to Mrs. Dunlop, [allud-
ing^to'hfs connexion 'with Jean Armour.]
A^^^the first distraction of his feelings had
s^^^lad, that connexion could no longer be
conceaind. Robert durst not engage with a
family in his poor, unsettled state, but was
anxious to shield his partner by every means
in his power, from the consequences of
their imprudence. It was agreed, therefore,
; between them, that they should make a
legal acknowledgment of an irregular and
private maVriage, that he should go to Ja-
maica to pttsh his /brtune^ and that she
should remain with her father till it might
please Providence to put the means of sup-
porting a fahiily in his power.''
** Alas ! how oft does goodness wound it-
self,
And sweet affection prove the spring of
woe !" —Home.
0 THOU pale orb, that silent shines,
While care-untroubled mortals sleep!
Thovt seest a wretch that inly pines,
And wanders here to wail and weep!
With woe I nightly vigils keep
Beijeaththy wan, un warming beam;
And mourn, in lamentation deep,
How life and love are all a dream.
1 joyless view thy rays adorn
The faintly-marked distant hill;
I joyles^ view thy trembling horn,
Keflected in the gurgling rill:
My fondly-fluttering heart, be still !
Thou busy power, remembrance
cease !
Ah ! must the agonising thrill
" For ever bar returning peace !
Ko idly-feign'd poetic pains
My sad, love-lorn liunentings claim;
No shei')lierd's pipe — Arcadian strains;
No fabled tortures, quaint and tame;
■The plighted faith; the mutual flame;
The oft-attested Powers above;
The promised father's tender name;
These were the pledges of my love !
Encircled in her clasping arms, [flown,
How have the raptured moments
How have I wish'd for fortune's charms.
For 'her dear salie, and hers alone I
And must I think it ! — is she gone,
My secret heart's exulting boast V
And does she heedless hear my groan ?
And is she ever, ever lost ?
Oh ! can she bear so base a heart,
So lost to honour, lost to truth,
As from the fondest loA'er part.
The plighted husband of her youth !
Alas ! life's jjath may be unsmooth !
Her way may lie through rough dis-
tress ! [soothe,
Then who her pangs and pains will
Her sorrows share, and make them,
less?
Ye wingfed hours that o'er us pass'd,
Enraptured more, the more enjoy'd,
Your dear remembrance in my breast.
My fondly-treasured thoughts em-
ploy'd. [void.
That l^reast, how dreary noW, and
For her too scanty once of room !
Even every ray of hope destroy'd,
And uot a wish to gild the gloom I
The morn that warns th' approaching
day.
Awakes me np to toil and woe:
I see the hours iii long array.
That I must suffer, lingering, slow.
Full many a pang, and many a thioe.
Keen recollection's direful train;
Must wring my soul, ere Phoebus, low,
1 Shall kiss the distant, western main.
And when my nightly couch I try,
Sore harass'd out with care and
grief, [Gye,
My toil-beat nerves, and tear-woru
Keep watchings with the nightly
thief:
Or if I slumber, fancy, chief, [fright:
Reigns haggard-wild, in soar af-
Even day, all-bitter, brings relief,
From such a horror-breathing night.
0 thou bright queen, who o'er th' ex-
panse, [sway !
Now highest reign'st with boundless
Oft has.thy silent -marking glance
Observed us, fondly wandering stray!
The time unheeded, sped away, [liigh,
Wliile love's luxurious pulse beat
Beneath thy silver-gleamina: ray.
To mark the mutual kindling eye.
82
BURNS' WORKS.
Oh ! scenes in strong remembrance set !
Scenes never, never to return !
Scenes, if in stupor I forget.
Again I feel, again I burn !
From every joy and pleasure torn,
Life's weary vale I wander through;
And hopeless, comfortless, I'll mourn
A faithless woman's broken vow.
DESPONDENCY :
AU ODE.
A sorrow or a cross is half conquered when, by
telling it, some dear friend becomes, as it
were, a sharer in, it. Burns poured out his
troubles in 'verse with a like result. He
says, " I think it is one of the greatest
pleasures attending a poetic genius, that we
can give our woes, cares, joys, and loves, an
"embodied form in verse, which to me is
ever immediate ease."
Oppkess'd with giief, oppress'd with
care,
A burden more than I can bear,
I set me down and sigh:
O life 1 thou art a galling load.
Along a rough and weary road.
To wretches such as I !
Dim backward as I cast my view.
What sickening scenes appear !
What sorrows yet may pierce me
through.
Too justly I niay fear I
Still caring, despairing.
Must be my bitter doom:
My woes here shall close ne'er,
Biit with thi3 closing tomb !
Happy, ye sons of busy life.
Who, equal to the bustling strife.
No other view regard !
Even when the wisli'd end's denied.
Yet while the busy means are plied,
They bring their own reward:
Whilst I, a hope-abandou'd wight.
Unfitted with an aim.
Meet every sad returning night
And joyless mom the same;
You, bustling, and justling.
Forget each grief and pain;
I, listless, yet restless.
Find every prospect vain.
How blest the solitary's lot.
Who, all-forgetting, all-forgot.
Within his humble cell,
The cavern wild with tangling roots.
Sits o'er his newly-gather'd fruits.
Beside his crystal well !
Or, haply, to his evening thought.
By unfrequented stream.
The ways of men are distant brought,
A faint collected dream;
While praising, and raising
His thoughts to heaven on high.
As wand'ring, meand'ring.
He views, the solemn sky.
Than I, no lonely hermit placed
Where never human footstep traced.
Less fit to play the part ;
The lucky moment to improve.
And just to stop, and just to move.
With self-respecting art : [joys
But, ah ! those pleasures, loves, and
Which I too keenly taste.
The solitary can despise.
Can want, and yet be blest !
He needs not, he heeds not.
Or human love or hate,
Wliilst I here, must cry here
At perfidy ingrate ! '
Oh! enviable, early days, [maze.
When dancing thoughtless pleasure's
To care, to guilt unknown !
How ill exchanged for riper times.
To feel the follies, or the crimes.
Of others, or my own !
Ye tiny elves that guiltless sfport.
Like linnets in the bush.
Ye little know the ills ye court,
Wlien manhood is your wish !
The losses, the crosses.
That active man engage !
The fears all, the tears all.
Of dim declining age !
ODE TO RUIN.
Currie says : — " It appears from internal evi-
dence that^the above lines were composed
in 1786, when ' Hungry Ruin had him m the
wind.' The 'dart' that
' Cut my dearest tie,
And quivers in my heart,
is evidently an allusion to his separation
from his ' bonny Jean.' Bums seems to
have glanced into futurity with a prophetic
eye : images of misery and woe darkened
the distant vista : and when he looked back
on his career he saw little to console him. —
' I have been, this morning,' he observes,
' taking a peep through, as Young finely
says, The dark* postern of time long
POEMS.
elapsed."' *Twas a rueful p'rospect !' ' What
a tissue of thoughtlessness, weakness, and
folly! My life reminded me of' a ruined
temple. What ' strength, what proportion,
in some parts ! What unsightly gaps, what
prostrate ruin in others ! I kneeled down
before the Father of mercies and said,
" Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be
called thy son." 1 rose, eased and strength-
ened.' ''
All hail ! inexorable lord !
At whose destruction breathing word
The mightiest empires fall ;
Thy cruel, woe-delighted train.
The ministers of grief and pain,
A sullen welcome, all 1
With stern-resolved, despairing eye,
I see each aimed dart ;
For one lias cut my dearest tie.
And quivers in my heart.
Then lowering and pouring.
The storm no more I dread ;
Though thick'ning and black'ning.
Round my devoted head.
And thou grim power, by life abhorr'd.
While life a pleasure can aiEord,
Oh I hear a wretch's prayer !
No mora I shrink appall'd, afraid;
I court, I beg thy friendly aid
To close this scene of care !
When shall my soul, in silent peace,
Resign life's joyless day;
My weary heart its throbbings cease.
Cold mouldering in the" clay ?
No fear more, no tear more,
To stain my lifeless face;
Enclasped, and graspfed
Within thy cold embrace !
ADDRESS OF BEELZEBUB
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE HIGHLAND
SOCIETY.
The history of this poem is as follows : — " On
Tuesday, 'May 23, there was a meeting of
the Highland Society at London for the en-
couragement of the fisheries in the High-
lands, &c; - Three thousand pounds were
immediately subscribed by eleven gentlemen
present for this particular purpose. The
Earl of Breadalbiuie informed the meeting
that five hundred persons had ^reed to
" emigrate from the estates of Mr. Macdonald
;of -Qlengarry ; .that they had subscribed
"money, purchased ships, &c., to -Carry their
design into effect. The.noblemen and gen-
tleinen agreed to co-operate with the Gov-
emmeiit to frustrate their design ; and to
" recommend to the principal noblemen and
gentlemen in the Highlands to endeavour to
prevent emigration, by improving the fish-
eries, agriculture, ana manufactures, and
particularly, to ent^ into a subscription for
that purpose."' Tiiis appeared in the Edin-
bur^ Advertiser of 30th May, 1786, Re-
membering the outcry made a few years
ago against Highland evictions, we cannot
help being somewhat surprised at the poet's
indignation. Mackensie of Appleciross,who
figures in the poem, was a liberal landowner.
Mr. Knox, in his tour of the Highlands,
written about the same time as the Address,
states that he had relinquished all feudal
claims upon the labour of his tenants, paying
them for their labour.' The Address first
appeared in the Scots Magazine with the
following heading :— " To the Right Hon-
ourable the Earl of Breadalbane, President
of the. Right , Honourable and . Honourable
the Highland Society, which met on tfte 23d
of May last, at the Shakespeare, Cbvent
Garden, to concert ways and means to frus-
trate the designs of five hundred Highland-
ers, who, as the Society were informed" by
Mr. M of A s, were so audacious as
to attempt an escape from .their la'vi^f ul lords
and masters, whose property they were, by
emigrating from the lands of Mr. Macdon-
ald of Glengarry, fe the wilds of Canada, in
search of that fantastic thing. Liberty."
Long life, my lord, and health be yours
Unscaitli'd by hunger'd Highland
boors;' [g^r,
Lord, grant nae duddie^ desperate beg-
Wi'- dirk, claymore, or rusty trigger,-
May twin auld Scotland o' a life
She likes — as lambkins like a knife.
Faith, you and A s were right
To keep the Highland hounds in sight:
I doubt na ! they wad bid nae better
Then let them ance out owre the
water;
Then up amang thae lakes and seas
They'll mak what rules and laws they
please;
Some daring Hancock, or a Franklin,
May set their Highland bluid a. rauk-
lin'; [them,
Some Washington again may head
Or some Montgomery, fearless lead
them.
Till God knows what may be effected
"Wlien by such heads and hearts di-
rected—
Poor dunghill sons of dirt and mire
May to Patrician rights aspire ! [ville,
Nae sage North, now, nor sager Sack-
To watch and premier o'er the pack
vile,
' Clodhoppers. ' Ragged.
84
BURNS' WORKS.
And vvha;i:o will yo get Howes and
Clintons
To bring them to a right repentance,
To cowc the rebel generation,
And save the honour o' the nation 1
They and bo damu'd ! what right hae
they
To meat or sloop, or light o' day ?
Par less to riches, power, or freedom,
But what your lordship lilies to gie
them'?
But hear, my lord ! Glengarry, hear!
Your hand's owre light on them, I fear!
Tour factors, grieves, trustees and
bailies,
I canua say but they do gaylies;'
Then lay aside a' tender mercies.
And tirl the hallions to the birses;*
Yet while they're only poind't and
herriet,' [spirit;
They'll keep their stubborn Highland
But smash them ! Crash them a' to
spalls ]"
And rot the dyvors' i' the jails !
The young dogs, swinge" them to the
labour;
Let wark and hunger male them sober!
The hizzies, if they're aughtllns faw-
sont,»
Let them in Drury Lane be lesson'd I
And if the wives and dirty brats
E'en thigger'" at your doors and yetts,"
FlafEan wi' duds and gray wi' beas','*
Frightiu' awa' your deucks and geese.
Get out a horsewhip or ajowler,"
The langest thong, the fiercest growler.
And gar'^ the tatter'd gypsies pack
Wi' a' their bastards on their back !
Go on, my lord ! I lang to meet you.
And in my house at hame to greet you;
Wi' common lords ye shanha mingle,
Tlie benmost neuk'° beside the ingle,"
At my right ban" assign'd j-our seat,
'Twcen Herod's hip and Polycrate, —
Or if you on your station tarrow,''
Between Almagro and Pizzaro,
A seat, I'm sure ye're well deservin't;
And till je- come — ^Your humble ser-
vant, Beelzbbtib.
ynneist^ Antio MundL ,';7QO [A- D- 1786.1
2 Pretty well. ■> And strip the clowns to the
skin. ^ Sold out and despoiled. ^ Chips',
' Bankrupts. » Whip. » The girls if they
be at all handsome. '" Beg. "Gates.
^2 Fluttering in rags and gray with vermin.
13 A dog. '^ Make. i^The innermost
corner. " Fire place. >' Complaia
A DREAM.
The publication of "The Dream" in the JEd-
inburgh edition ol the poems, according to
many, did much to injure the poet with the
dispensers of Government patronage. Mrs.
Dunlop and others endeavoured in vain to
prevent its publication. The free-spoken
and humourous verses of Burns contrast odd-
ly with the servile ode of Wartbh, which
Burns represents himself as having fallen
asleep in reading.
" Thoughts, words, and deeds, the statute
blames with reason ;
But surely dreams w^re ne'er indi(:ted
treason."
On reading in the public papers the Laureate's
" Ode, * with tne other parade of June 4,
1786, the author was no sooner dropt asleep-
tlianhe imagined himself transported t6 the
birthday levee ; and in his dreaming fancy
made the following Address. — Burns.
Qdid-mohnin' to your Majesty !
May Heaven augment your blisses.
On every new birthday ye see,
A humble poet wishes !
My hardship here, at your levee.
On sic a day as this is.
Is sure an uncouth sight to see,
Among thae birthday dresses
Sae fine this day.
I see ye're complimented thrang.
By many a lord and lady:
" God save tJie king" 's a cuckoo sang
That's unco easy said aye ;
The poets, too, a venal gang;
Wi' rhj-raes weel-turn'd and ready.
Wad gar ye trow' ye ne'er do wrang.
But aye unerring steady.
On sic a day.
For mc, before a monarch's face,
Even there I winna flatter;
For neither pension, post, nor place.
Am I your humble debtor:
1 Would make you believe.
* Thomas Warton then filled this oiKcc.
His ode for June 4, 1786, begins as follows :—
" When freedom nursed her native lire
In ancient Greece, and ruled the lyre,
Her bards disdainful; from the tyrant's
brow
The tinsel gifts of flattery tore,
But paid to guiltless power their willinj;
vow,
And to the throne of virtuous kings,"
&c.
On these verses, the rhymes of the Ayrshire
bard- must be allowed to form an odd enough
commentary. — Chamber.'-..
POEMS.
85
So, nae reflection on your grace.
Your kingsliip to bespatter; ;
There's mony waur' been o' the race,
And aiblins' ane been better
Than you this day.
'Tis very true, my sovereign king,
My slcill may weel be doubted:
But facts are cliiels that wiuna ding,'
And downa* be disputed:
Your royal nest, beneath your wing,
Is o'en right reft and clouted*
And now the third part of the string.
And less ^vill gang about it
Tliau did ae day.f
Far be't frae me that I aspire
To blame your legislation.
Or say, yc wisdom want, or fire.
To rule this mighty nation !
But, faith ! I muckle doubt, my sire,
Ye've trusted ministration
To chaps,' w;ha, in a barn or byre.
Wad better fill'd their station
Thau courts yoii day.
And now ye've gien auld Britain peace,
Her broken sliins to plaister:
Your air taxation does her fleece.
Till slie has scarce a tester:
For me, thank God, my life's a lease,
Xae bargain wearing faster.
Or, faith ! I fear that wi' the geese,
I shortlf' boost* to pasture
1' the craft some day.
I'm no mistrusting Willie Pitt,
Wlieu taxes lie enlarges,
(And Will's a true guid fallow's get,|
A name not envy spairges.)'
That he intends to pay your debt.
And lessen a' your charges;
But, God-salce ! let nae saving fit
Abridge your bonny barges §
And boats this day.
^ Many worse. = Pcrhap3. * Beat ' Will
not. * Broken and patched. ^ Fellows.
"*, Behoved. " Bespatters.
+ In this verse the poet alludes to the im-
mense curtailment of the British dominion at
the close of the American war, and the cession
of the territory, of Louisiana to Spain,
t Gait, gett, or gyt^ a homely substitute for
the word child in Scotland. The above stanza
is not the only testimony of admiration which
Bums pays to the great Earl of Chatham.
- I On the supplies for the navy being Voted,
spring, J786, Captain Macbride couijselled
Adieu, my liege ! may Freedom geek'"
Beneath your higl} protection;
And may you rax" Corruption's neck.
Arid gie her for dissection !
But since I'm here, I'll no neglect.
In loyal, true affection,
To pay your queen, with due respect,
My fealty and subjection
This great birthday.
Hail, Majesty Most Excellent I
Wliile nobles strive to please ye,
Will ye accept a compliment
A simple poet gies ye V [lent,
Thae bonnie bairn-time,''^ Heaven has
Still higher may they heeze'* ye
In bliss,, till fate some day is sent.
For ever to release ye
Frae care that day.
For you, yoiing potentate o' Wales,
I tell your highness fairly '
Down pleasure's stream, wi' swelling
I'm tauld ye're driving rarely;
But some day ye may gnaw your naOs,
And curse your folly sairly.
That e'er ye britk Diana's pale.9.
Or rattled dice wi' Charlie, ||
By night or day.
Yet aft a ragged cowte's" been known
To maka noble aiver;'^
So, ye may doucely'* fill a throne.
For a' their clisji-ma,-claver;"
There, him at Agincourt T[ wlia shone.
Few better were or braver: •
And yet, wi' funny, queer Sir John,**
He was an unco shaver'^
For mony a day.
For you, right reverend Osnaburg,-|"f.
Nane sets the lawn-sleeve sweeter".
Although a ribbon at your lug
Wad been a dress completer:
As ye disown yon paughty'' dog
That bears the keys o' Peter,
Then, swith ! and get a vrife to hug,
" Lift her head. "Stretch. "Children.
'3 Rais3. " Colt. '« Horse. >» Wisely.
1^ Idle scandal. *^ A humourous wag:.
" Haughty.
some changes in that force, particularly the
giving up of 6.|-gun ships, which occasioned'a
good deal of discussion.
I The Right Hon. Charles James Fox.
•f King Henry V.— B.
** Sir John Falstsft—viWe Shakespeare.— B.
+t The Duke of York- -•
BURNS' WORKS.
Or, trouth ! ye'U stain the mitre
Some luckless day.
Young, royal Tarry Breeks.tt I learn,
Ye've lately come athwart her;
A glorious gall ey,§S stem and stem,
Weel rigg'd for Venus' barter;
But first hang out, that she 'U discern.
Your hymeneal charter.
Then heave aboard your grapple-airn.
And, large upon her quarter.
Come full that day.
Ye, lafjtly, bonny blossoms a',
Ye royal lasses dainty.
Heaven mak you guid as weel as braw.
And gie you lads a-plenty :
But sneer na British boys awa',
For kings are unco scant aye ;*"
And German gentles are but sma'.
They're better just than want aye
On ouy day.
God bless you a' ! consider now,
Ye're unco muckle dautit ;'"
But ere the course o' life be through.
It may be bitter sautit •j'^
And I hae seen their coggie fu';*''
That yet hae tarrow't " at it ;
But or the day was done, I trow.
The laggen they hae clautit*^
Fu' clean that day.
THE HOLY FAIR.*
This is by far the ablest of the satires Bums
levelled at the Church ; and his worst ene-
mies could not avoid confessing that it was
as well deserved as it was clever. Scenes
such as the poet describes had become a
scandal and a disgrace to the Church. The
poem was met by a storm of abuse from his
old enemies : but, amid all their railings,
they did not fail to lay it to heart, and from
that time forward there was a manifest im-
provement in the bearing of ministers and
people on such occasions. This is not
the least of its merits in the eyes of his
countrymen of the present day. Notwith-
standing the daring levity of some of its al-
lusions and incidents, the poet has strictly
contined himself to the sayings and doings
of the assembled multitude — the sacred rite
itself is never once mentioned.
2" Always scarce. ^^ Too much flattered.
" Salted. '3 Platter full. =* Grumbled.
^^ They have scraped out the dish.
$t William IV., then Duke of Clarence.
§§ Alluding to the -newspaper account of a
certain royal sailOr*s amour.
* Holy Fair is a common phrase in the west
of Scotland for a sacramental occasion.— B.
" A robe of seeming truth and trust
Hid crafty observation ;
And secret hung, with poison'd crust.
The dirk of Defamation :
A mask that like the gorget show'd,
Dye-varying on the pigeon ;
And for a mantle, large and broad.
He wrapt him in Religion."
— Hypocrisy it-la-Mode.
Upon a simmer Sunday morn.
When Nature's face is fair,
I walkfed forth to view the com.
And snufE the caller" air.
The rising sun owre Galstonf muirs,
Wi' glorious light was glintin';'^
The hares were hirpUn' down the f urs,'»
The lav'rocks they were chantin'
Fu' sweet that day.
As lightsomely I glower'd" abroad.
To see a scene sae gay.
Three hizzies,* early at the road,
0am skelpin' up the way;
Twa had manteeles o' d61efu' black.
But ane wi' lyart' lining;
The third, that gaed a- wee a-back.
Was in the fashion shining
Fu' gay that day.
The twa appear'd like sisters twin.
In feature, form, and claes;
Their visage, wither'd, laang, and thin.
And sour as ony slaes:
The third cam up, hap-step-and-lowp.
As light as ony lamMe, %
And wi' a curchie low did stoop.
As soon as e'er she saw ine,
Fu' kind that day.
Wi' bonnet aff, quoth I, "Sweet lass,
I think ye seem to ken me;
I'm sure I've seen that bonny face.
But yet I canna name ye."
Quo' she, and laughin' as ^lie spak.
And taks me by the hari^,
" Ye, for my sake, hae gicn the feck'
Of a' the ten commands
A screed some day.
" My name is Fun — your crony dear.
The nearest friend ye hae;
And this is Superstition here.
And that's Hypocrisy.
I'm gaun to Mauchyne holy fair,
' Fresh. » Glancing, s Limping. < Fur.
rows. " Looked. "Wenches. ' Gray, « Most.
t The adjoining parish to Mauchline.
POEMS.
87
To spend an liour in daffin' ;"
Gin ye'll go tliere, yon runkled pair,
We will get famous laughin',
At them this day."
Quotli I, " With a' my heart, I'll do't,
I'll get my Sunday's sark'" on.
And meet you on the holy spot;
Faith, we'se hae fine remarkin'!'
Then I gaed hame at crowdie-time,"
And soon I made me ready;
For roads were clad, f rae side to side,
Wi' mony a weary body.
In droves that day.
Here farmers gash,'* in ridin' graith,"
Gaed hoddin'''' by their cotters;
There, swankies'* young, in braw
braid claith.
Are springin" owre the gutters;
The lasses, skelpin' barefit, thrang.
In silks and scarlets glitter;
Wr sweet-milk cheese, in mony a
whang,"
And farls," baked wi' butter,
, ' Pu' crump that day.
When by the plate we set our nose,
Weel heaped up wi' ha'pence,
A greedy glower Black-bonnet:]: throws.
And wamaun draw our tippence.
Then in we go to see the show.
On very side they're gath'rin'
Some carrying dails," some chairs and
stools.
And some are busy bleth'rin'"
Eight loud that day.
Here stands a shed to fend the showers.
And screen our country gentry.
There Bacer Jess,§ and twa-three
whores,
"Sport. i« Shirt. " Breakfast-time. " Sen-
sible. ^^ Attire, i* Jogging, »5 Striplings.
i^Cut. " Calces. '» Planks, or boards, to
sit on. " Chatting'.
X AcoUoquial appellation bestowed on the
church elders or deacons, who in landward
parishes in the olden time generally wore
black bonnets on Sundays, when they offici-
ated at ^ the plate " in making the usual col-
lection for the poor. — Motherwell,
§ The following notice of Racer Jess ap-
peared in the newspapers of February, 1818 : —
.*' Died at Mauchline a few weeks since, Janet
Gibson, consigned to immortality by Burns in
his * Holy Fair," under the turf appellation of
* Ilacer Jess.' She was the daughter of ' Poo-
sie Nansie,' who figures in ' The Jolly Beg-
gars.' She was remarkable for bejc pedestrian
Are blinkin' at the entry.
Here sits a raw of tittlin'^" jades,
Wi' heaving breast and bare neck,
And there q, batch o' wabster lads,
Blackguarding f rae Kilmarnock,
For fun this day.
Here some are tliinkin' on their sins.
And some upo' their claes;
Ane curses feet that f yled*' his shins,
Anither sighs and prays: !
On this hand sits a chosen swatch, '*
Wi' screw'd-up grace-proud faces;
On that a set o' chaps at watch,
Thrang winkin' on the lasses
To chairs that day.
Oh, happy is that man and blest !
Nae wonder that it pride him !
Whase ane dear lass, that he likes best.
Comes clinkin' down beside Mm !
Wi' arm-reposed on the chair back.
He sweetly does compose, liim;
Which, by degrees, slips round iei
neck,
Ah's loof*' upon her bosom,
Unlcenn'd that day.
Now a' the congregation o'er
Is silent expectation:
For Moodie|| speels''^ the holy door,
Wi' tidings o' damnation.
Should Hornie, as in ancient days,
'Mang sons o' God present him.
The very sight o' Moodie's face
To's ain het hame had sent him
Wi' fright that day.
Hear how he clears the points o' faith
Wi' rattlin' and wi' thumpin' !
Now meekly calm, now wild in wrath,
He's stampin' and he's jumpin' !
His lengthen'd chin, his turn'd-up
snout,
2» Whispering. "^ Soiled. =2 Sample.
M Hand. 2<t:iimbs.
powers, and sometimes ran long distances for
a waeer."
Ij Hoodie was the minister of Riccarton, and
on6 of the heroes of "The Twa Herds."- He
was a never-failing assistant at the Mauchline
sacraments. His personal appearance and
style of oratory were exactly such as described
by the poet, .He dwelt chiefly on the terrors
of the law. On one occasion he told the audi-
ence that they would find the text in John
viii. 44, but it was so applicable to their case
that there was no .peed of his reading it to
them. The verse begins, "Ye are of your
father the devil."
BURNS' WORKS.
His eldritcli ''' squeal,.a3d gestures.
Oh, liow they fixe the heart dfiVout,
, Like cantliaridian plasters.
On sic a day !
But, hark ! the tent has changed its
voice !
There 's peace and rest nae langer ■-
For a' tlie real judges rise.
They canna sit for anger.
Smithiy opens out his cauld harangues
On practice and on morals ;
And affi the godly pour in tlirangs.
To gie the jars and barrels
A lift that day.
•What signifies his barren shine
Of moral powers and reason ?
His English style and gesture fine.
Are a' clean out o' season.
Lilie Socrates or Antonine,
Or some auld pagan heathen.
The moral man he does define.
But ne'er a word o' faith in
That 's right that day.
In guid time comes an antidote
Against sic poison'd nostrum ;
For Peebles, frae the Water-fit,**
Ascends the holy rostrum :
See, up he 's got the Word o' God,
And meek and mim-" has view'd it, ■
While Common Sense f f has talten the
road,
And 's aff and up tho Cowgate,:|:^
Fast, fast, that day.
-* Unearthly. -'^ Primly.
^ Mr. (afterwards Dr.) George Smith, min-
ister of Galston^^the same whom the poet in-
troduces, in a different feeling, under the ap-
pellation of Irvine-side, in ^'The kirk's
■ Alarm." • Burns meant on this occasion to
compliment him on his rational mode of
, preaching, but the reverend divine regarded
the stanza as satirical.
**The Rev; Mr. (afterwards Dr.) William
Peebles, minister of Newton-upon-Ayr, some-
■ times named,irom its situation, M<? lVater~yii,
and the moving hand in the prosecution of
Dr. M*Gill, on which account he is introduced
into "The Kirk's Alarm." He was in great
favour at Ayr among the orthodox party,
though much inferior m ability to the hetero-
dox ministers of that ancient burgh.
+t Dr. Mackenzie, then of Mauchline, after
■ wards of Irvine, had recently conducted some
village controversy under the title of " Com-
mon Sense." Some local commentators are of
opinion that he, and not the personified ab-
straction-iimeant., -
X\ A street so called which faces the teat in
Wee MiUer§§ neist the guard relieves.
And orthodoxy raibles,*'
Though in his heart he weel believes
And thinks it auld -wives' fables:
But, faith ! the birkie wants a manse,
So, cannily he hums them;
Although his carnal wit. aiid sense
Like hafflins-ways^' o'ercomes him
, At times that day.
Now but and ben the change-house Alls
Wi' yill-caup commentators:
Here's crying out for bakes'-' and gills.
And there the pint-stoup clatters:
WhUe thick and^lirang, and loud and
lang,
Wi' logic and wi' Scripture,
They raise a din, that, in the end.
Is like to breed a rupture
0' wrath that day.
Leeze mo on drink ! it gies tis mair
Than either school or college:
It kindles wit, it waukens lair.
It pangs^" us fou o' knowledge,
Be't wliislty gill, or penny wheSp,
Or ony stronger potion.
It never fails, on drinking deep.
To kittle^' up our notion
By night or day.
The lads and lasses, blithely bent.
To inind baith sSiul and body.
Sit round the table weel content.
And steer about the toddy.
On this ane's dress, and that ane's leulc,
The're making observations;
While some are eozie i' the neuk,^-
And forming assignations
I'o meet some day.
But now the Lord's ain trumpet touts,
TUl a' the hills are rai-in'.
And echoes beck return the shouts.
Black Russell |||| is na sparin';
i" Rattles. 28 Li]jg Hafflins-ways— almost.
2» Biscuits, so Crams, si Rqujc. s2 Snug in
the comer.
Mauchlinfc.—B. The same street in which
Jean Armfitir lived.
SITh^Sicv. Mr. Miller, afterwards minister
of Kilm^tt^. He was of remarkably low
stature, bill enormous girth. Bums believeS
him at the time to lean at heart to the moder-
ate party. This stanza, virtually the most de-
preciatory in the whole poem, is said t» have
retarded Miller's advancement.
Ill The Rev. John Russell, at this time minis-
ter of the chapel of case, Kilaiarnook, after-
POEMS.
His piercing ^vo^cls, like Higlifand
swords.
Divide the joints and marrow;
His tallc o' liell, whare devils dwell;
Our vera s^iuls does liarrow ^^^
Wi' friglit tliat day.
A vast, iinbottonl'd, boundless pit,
Fill'd fu' o' lowin' brunstane,
Whase ragin' flame, and scorchin' lieat.
Wad melt tlie hardest whnnstans !
The half -asleep start up wi' fear.
And think they hear it roarin',
When presently it does appear
'Twas but some neibor snoriu'
Asleep that day.
'Twad be owre lang a tale to tell
How mony stories past,
And how they crowded to the yill
Wlien they were a' dismist:
How drink gaed round, in cogs and
caups.
Among the forms and benches: [laps
And cheese and bread, frae women's
Was dealt about in lunches.
And dauds^'' that day.
In comes a gaucie,^' gash*^ guidwife.
And sits down by tlie fire, pcnife;
Syne draws her kebbuck"" and her
The lasses they are shyer.
The auld guidmen, about the grace,
Frae side to side they bother.
Till some ane by his bonnet lays.
And gies them't like a tether,
Fu' laiig that day.
Waesuclis !^' for him that gets nae lass.
Or lasses that hae naething!
Sma' need has he to say a grace.
Or melvie^* his braw claithing*
O wives, be mindfu' ance yersel
How bonny lads ye wanted,
And dinna, for a kebbuck-heel,''
Let lasses be affronted
On sic a day!
33 Lumps. 34 Fat. 35 Sagacious. 3o Cheese.
3^ Alas. 38 Soil. 39 Cheese-crust,
wards minister of Stirling— one of the heroes
of " The Twa Herds." ^^ He was," says a cor-
respondent of Cunningham's, " the most tre-
mendous man I ever saw-; Black Hugh Mac-
pherson was a beauty in comparison. His
voice was like thunder, and his sentiments
. were such as must have shocked any class of
hearers in the least more refined than those
whom he usually addressed."
IT Shakespeare's " Hamlet.' — B.
Now Clinkumbell, wi' rattlin' tow.
Begins to jow and croon;'" [dow^'
Some swagger hame, the best they
Some wait the afternoon.
At slaps'^ the billies" halt a blink.
Till lasses strip their shoon: [drink,.
Wi' faith and hope, and love and
They're a' in famous tune
For crack that day.
How mony hearts tjkis day converts
O' sinners and o' iasses! [gane,
Their hearts o' stane, gia night, are
As saft as ony flesh is.
There's some are fou o' love divine;
There's some are fou o' brandy;
And mony jobs that day begin
May end in houghmagandy'"
Some ither day.
VERSES OX A SCOTCH BARD,
GONE TO THE "WEST INDIES.
The following playfully personal lines were
written by the pofet when he thought he
was about to l^ave the country in 1786 for
Jamaica: —
A' YE wha live by sowps o' drink,
A' ye wha live by crambo-clink,'
A' ye wha live aind never think.
Come, mourn wi' me!
Our bUlie'sgien us a' a jink,''
And owre the sea.
Lament him a' ye rantin' core,
Wha dearly like a random splore,^
Nae mair he'll join the merry roar
In social key;
For now he's taken anither shore.
And owre the sea!
The bonny lasses weel may wlss him.
And in their dear petitions place him;
The widows, wives, and a' may bless
him,
Wi' tearfu' ee;
For weel I wat" they'll sairly miss him
That's owre the seal
O FortHne, they hae room to grumble!
*' S'itig and groan. " Can. " Breaches
in fences. ^3 ^ads. ** Fornication.
'Versifying^. " "Our friend has^elufled lis,"
'Frolic. < Well I know.
90
BURNS* WORKS.
Hadst thou ta'en aff some drowsy
bummle* [ble,"
Wlia can do nought but fyke and fum-
'Twad been nae plea;
But he was gleg' as ony wumble,"
Tliat's owre the sea!
Auld cantie Kyle may weepers wear.
And stain them wi' the saut, saut tear;
'Twill make her poor auld heart, I
fear.
In flinders' flee;
He was her laureate mony a yeSir
That's owre the sea!
He saw misfortune's cauld nor'-west
Lang mustering up a bitter blast;
A jillet"' brak his heart at last,
111 may she be!
So, took a berth afore the mast.
And owre the sea.
To tremble under Fortune's cummock, ' '
On scarce a bellyfu' o' drummock,''?.
Wi' his proud, independent stomaxih
Could ill agree; '
So, row't his hurdles" in a hammock.
And owre the sea.
He ne'er was gien to great misguiding.
Yet coin his pouches" wadna bide in;
Wi' hini it ne'er was under hiding:
He dealt it free'
The Muse was a' tliat he took pride in
That's owre the sea.
Jamaica bodies, use him weel,
And hap hiin in a cozie biel;'*
Ye'll find him aye a dainty chiel,"
And fii' o' glee;
He wadna wrang the very deil,
' That's owre the sea.
Fare weel, my rhyme-composing billie!
Your native soil was right ill- willie;
But may ye flourish like a 1^,
Now bonnilie!
I'll toast ye in my hindmost gillie "
Though owre the sea!
A BARD'S EPITAPH.
Of this beautiful epitaph, which Bums wrote
for himself, Wordsworth says,— "Here is a
" Bungler. • " Make a fuss." ' Sharp,
s Wimble. "Shreds. '» Jilt. "Rod. i a Meal
and water. " Wrapt his hams. ^* Pockets.
" Warm Shelter. '« Kindly fellow. "My
last gill.
sincere and solemn avowal — a i public decla-
ration from his own will — a confession at
once devout, poetical, and human — a history
in the shape of a prophecy!"
Is there a whim-inspired fool, [rule,
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for
Owre blate' to seek, owre proud to
snool? ^
Let him draw near;
And owre this grassy heap sing dool,' '
Aiid drap a tear.
Is there a bard of rustic song.
Who; noteless,ste.-ds the crowds among, .
That weekly this area throng ">.
Oh, pass not by !
But, with a f rater-feeling strong.
Here heave a sigh.
Is there a man, whose judgment clear
Can others teach the course to steer,
Yet runs himself life's mad career
Wild as the Wave ? [tear.
Here pause — and, through the starting
S ur vey this grave.
The poor inhabitant below
Was quick to learn, and wise to know.
And keenly felt the friendly glow, _,
And softer flame,
But thoughtless follies laid him low.
And stain'd his name !
Reader, attend — whether thy soul
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole.
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole.
In low pursuit;
Know,' prudent, cautious self-control
Is wisdom's root.
A DEDICATION TO GAVIN HAM-
ILTON, ESQ.
Expect na, sir, in this narration,
A fleechin',' fletli'rin'^ dedication.
To roose' you up, and ca you guid, . "
And sprung o' great and noble bluid,
Because ye're surnamed like his Grace,
Perhaps related to the race;
Then when I'm tired, and sae aje ye.
Wi' mony a fulsome, sinfu' lie.
Set up a face, how I stop short.
For fear your modesty be hurt.
1 Bashful. 2 Be obsequious. * Lamenta-
tion.
' Flattering. " Fawning. ' Praise,
POEMS.
91
This may do— maun do, sir, yfV them
;-„-yirha ,, , .. ,1,^,-,. [wamef ii' -.''
Maun please tlie great folks for a
For jne ! sae laigli' 1 needna bow,
Eqr, Lord be thahkit, I can plougl).;
And when I downa' yoke a naig,
Then, Lord be tliankit, 1 can beg;
Sae I shall say, and that's nae flatterin'.
Its just sic poet, and ^ic patron.
The poet, some guid angel help him.
Or else, I fear, some ill ane skelp'' him,
He may do weel for a' he's done yet.
But only — he's no just b^un yet.
The patron, (sir, ye maun forgie me,
I winna lie, come what will o' me,)
On every hand it will allow'd be.
He's just — nae better than he should be.
1 readily and freely grant.
He downa see a pooj man want;
What's no his ain he winna tak it,
What ance he says he winna break it;
Ought he can lend he'll no refus't,
TiU aft his guidness is abused,
And rascals whyles that do him wrang.
Even that he doesna mind it lang-
As master, landlord, husband, father,
He doesna fail his part in either.
But then nae thanks to him for a' that;
Nae godly symptom ye can ca' that;
It's naething but a milder feature
Of our poor sinfu', corrupt nature:
Ye'U get the best o' moral works,
'Mang^ black Gentoos and pagan Turks,
Or huntere wild on Ponotaxi,
Wha never heard of orthodoxy.
That he's the poor man's friend mneed.
The gentleman in word and deed.
It's no through terror of damnation;
It's just a carnal inclination.
Morality thou deadly bane.
Thy tens o' thousands thou hast slain !
Vatn' is his hope whose stay and trust is
In moral mercy, truth, and justice !
No-T-stretch a point to catch a plack;*
Abuse a brother to his back:
Steal through, a winnock' f rae a whore.
But point the rake that taks the door.
Be to the poor like ony whunstane.
* Bellyful. 6 Low. 'Cannot. ''Beat. =A
Coin— third part of a penny. " Window.
And baud their noses tothe grunstane,
Ply every art o' legal thieving;
No matter, stick to sound believing; ■
Learn three-mile prayers, and: half-
mile gracfes, [faces;
Wi' weel-spread looves,'" and lang wry
Grunt up a solemn, lengtlien'd groan.
And damn a' parties but your own; '
I'll warrant then, y'e're nae deceiv'er —
A steady, sturdy, stanch believer.
0 ye wha leave the springs o' Calvin,
For gumlie" dubs of your ain delvin'!
Ye sons of heresy and error,
Y e'll some day squeel in quaking terror!
When Vengeance draws the sword in
wrath.
And in the fire throws the sheath;
When Ruin, with his sweeping besom".
Just frets till Heaven commission gies
him; [moans.
While o'er the harp pale Misery
And strikes the ever-deepening tones, •
Still louder shrieks, and heavier groans !
Tour pardon, sir, for this digression,
1 maist forgat my Dedication;
But when divinity comes' 'cross mej
My readers still are sure to lose. me. ■
So, sir, ye see 'twas nae daft vapour.
But I maturely thought it proper
When a' my works r did review.
To dedicate them, sir, to you:
Because (ye needna tak it ill)
I thought them something like yoursel..
Then patrohise them wi' y6ur favour.
And your petitioner shall eveii
I had amaist said, ever pray;
But that's a word I needna say:
For prayin' I hae little skill o't;
I'm baith dead-sweer,''^ and wretched .
ill o't;
But I'se repeat each poor man's prayer
That kens or hears about you, sir —
' ' May ne'er Misfortune's growling
bark [Clerk!*
Howl through the dwelling o' the
May ne'er his generous, honest heart
For that same generous spirit smart ! i
«» Palms. "Muddy. "Unwilling:.
*A term- applied to Mr. Hamilton from his
having acted in that capacity to some of the
county courts. -.^^
-93
BURNS' WORKS.
May Kennedy's far lionour'd name
Lang beat his hymeneal iiame
Till Hamiltons, at least a dizen,'
Are f rae their nuptial labours- risen :
Five bonny lasses round their table,
And seven braw fellows stout and able
To serve their king- and country wcel.
By word, or pen, or pointed steel !
May health and peace, with mutual
rays.
Shine on the evening o' his days ;
Till his wee curlie John'sf ier-oe,"
When ebbing life nae mair shall flow.
The last, sad, mournful rites bestow !"
I will not wind a lang conclusion
Wi' complimentary effusion :
But whilst your wishes and endeavours
Are blest wi' Fortune's smiles and
favours,
I am, dear sir, with zeal most fervent,
Your much .indebted, humble servant.
But it (which Powers above prevent !)
That iron-hearted carl. Want,
Attended in his grim advances, ,
By sad mistakes and black mischances.
While hopes, and joys, and pleasures
fly him.
Make you as poor a dog as I am.
Tour humble servant then no more ;
For who would humbly serve the poor ?
But by a poor man's hopes in Heaven !
While recollection's power is given,
If, in the vale of humble life.
The victim sad of Fortune's strife,
I,; through thii tender gubhing tear.
Should jeoognize my master dear,
If friendless, low, we meet together.
Then, sir, your hand — ^my friend and
brother !
INVITATION TO A MEDICAL
GENTLEMAN
TO ATTEND A MASONIC ANNITBRSAIIY
MEETING.
Friday first 's the day appointed,
By our Right Worshipful anointed,
To hold our grand procession ,
To get a blade of Johnny's morals,
And taste a swatdi ' o' Manson's bar-
rels,
r the way of our profession.
Our Master and the Brotherhood
Wad a' be glad to sec you ;
For me I would bo mair than proud
To share the mercies wi' you.
If death, then, wi' skaith, then,
Some mortal heart is hcchtiu''
Inform him, and storm him, ,
That Saturday ye '11 fechthim.^
Robert Bthsns.
13 Great-granddliild.
i"Iohn Hamilton, Esq., a worthy scion of a
noble stock.
THE FAREWELL.
"■ The following touching' stanZc^,'^ says Cun-
ningham, "were composed in the autumn of
1780, when the prospects of the poet darken-
ed, and he looked towards the West Indies
as a. place of refuge, and perhaps of hope.
All wno shared his affections are mentioned
— his mother — his brother Gilbert— his ille-
gitimate child, Elizabeth, — whom he con-
signed to his brother's care, and for whose
support he had appropriatefl the copyrighi
of his poems, — and his friends Smiths Hainit-
ton, and Aiken; but in nothing he ever
wrote was his affection for Jean Armour
more tenderly or more naturally. displayed.''
" The valiant in himself, what can he suffcrt
Or what does he regard his single woes?"~ ;■
But. when, alas! he multiplies himself, "..; J-
To deaier selves, to the loved tender fair, *»■
To those whose bUss, whose being hang iippn
him. ^
To helpless children! then, oh, then! he feel^
The point of misery festering in his heart, '
And weakly weeps his fortune like a coward".
Such, such am I! — undone!"
— Thomson's Ed^vard and Eleanora.
Fahewell, old Scotia's bleak do-
mains,
Far dearer thap tlxe torrid plains
AVhere rich, ananas blow !
Farewell, a mother's blessing dear !
A brother's sigh ! a sister's tear !
My Jean's heart-rending throe !
Farewell, my Bess ! ■ though thou *rt
bereft
Of my parental care ;
A faithful brother 1 have left,
ISIy part in him thou 'It share !
Adieu too, to you too.
My Smith, my bosom frien' ;
When kindly you mind me,
Ohj then befriend my Jean !
I Sample. a Thrc:xtcning. a Fight.
POEMS.
93
What bursting anguish tears my
heart !
From thee, my Jeanie, must I part I
Thou, weeping, answerest, " No !"
Alas ! misfortune stares my face,
And points to ruin and disgrace,
I, for thy salte must go !
Thee, Hamilton and Ailten dear,
A grateful, ■warm, adieu !
I, with a much-indebted tear,
Shall still remembar you !
All hail, then, tha gale then.
Wafts me from thee, dear shore!
It rustles and whistles —
I'll never see thee more !
LINES WRITTEN ON A BANK-
NOTE.
Wab worth thy power, thou cursfed
■ leaf !
Fell source o' a' my woe and grief !
For lack o' thee I've lost my lass !
For lack o' thee I scrimp my glass.
I see the children of affliction
Unaided, through thy cursed restric-
tion.
I've seen the oppressor's cruel smile.
Amid his hapless victim's spoil.
And, for thy potence vainly wish'd
To crush the villain in the dust.
For lack o' thee, I leave this much-
loved shore.
Never, perhaps, to greet auld Scotland
more.
R. B.— Kyle.
VERSES TO AN OLD SWEET-
HEART AFTER HER MARRIAGE.
WRITTEN OX THE BLANK LEAF OF A
COPT OF HIS POEMS PRESENTED
TO THE LADY.
Once fondly loved, and still remem-
bered dear, [vows!
Sweet early object of my youthful
Accept this mark of friendship, warm
sincere, — . [allows.
Friendship ! 'tis all. cold duty now
And when you read the simple, artless
rhypies, [mpre,^
One f rieadly sigh for him — ^he asks no
Who disfatat burns in flaming torrid
clltaes, [roar.
Or haply lies beneath th' Atlantic's
VERSES WRITTEN tNDER
VIOLENT ORIEF.
The following lines, which first appeared in
the Sun newspaper, April 1823, appear 10
have been originally written on a leaf of a
copy of his poems pi esented to a friend:—
Accept the gift a friend sincere
Wad on thy worth be pres.sin';
Remembrance oft may start a tear,
But oh ! that tenderness forbear.
Though 'twad my sorrows lessen.
My morning raise sae clear and fair,
I thought sair storms wad never
Bedew the scene; but grief and care
In wildest fury liae made bare
My peace, my hope, for ever !
You think I'm glad; oh, I pay weel
For a' the joy I borrow.
In solitude — then, then I feel
I canna to myself canceal
My deeply-ranklin' sorrow.
Farewell ! within thy bosom free
A sigh may whiles awaken ;
A tear may wet thy laughin' ee.
For Scotia's son — ance gay like thee
Now hopeless, comfortless, forsaken!
THE CALF.
TO THE REV. UK. JAMES STEVEN.
The Rev. James Steven was afterwards one
of the Scottish clergy in London, and ulti^
mately minister of Kilwinning; in Ayrshire,
I't appears that the poet,while proceeding to
church at IMauchline, one day, called on his
friend Mr. Gavin Hamilton, who, being un-
well, could not accompany him. but desired
him, a^ parents were wont to do with chil-
• dren, to bring home a note of the text.
Burns.called on his return, and-sitting down
for a minute at Mr. Hamilton's business ta-
ble, wrote the following lines as an answer
to his request. It is also said that the poet
had a wager with his friend Hamilton, that
he would produce a poem within a certain
time, and that he gained it by producing
"The Calf."
On his text, Malachi iv. 2— "And they shall
go forth, and grow up like calves of the stall,''
Right, sir ! your text I'll prove it true.
Though heretics may laugh;
For instance; there's yoursel just now,
God knows, an unco calf !
BURNS' WORKS.
And should some patron be so kind
As bless you wi' a kirk,
I doubt na, sir, but then we'll find
Ye're stiil as great a strrk. '
But if the lover's raptured hour
Shall ever be your lot,
Forbid it, every heavenly power.
You e'er should bea stot- !
Though, when some kind connubial
dear
Your but-and-ben' adorns.
The like has been that you may wear
A noble head of horns.
And in your lug, most reverend James,
'I'o hear you roar and rowte,*
Few men o' sense will doubt your
claims
To rank amang the nowte.'
And when ye're number'd wi' the dead.
Below a grassy hillock,
Wi' justice they may mark your head,
' ' Here lies a famous bullock !"
WILLIE CHALMERS.
Mr. W. Chalmers, a gentleman in Ayrshire,
a particular friend of mine, asked me to
write a poetic epistle to a young lady, his
dulcinea. I had seen her, but was scarcely
acquainted with her, and wrote as follows :
- — R. B,
Madam:
Wi'brawnewbranks.'in mickle pride.
And eke' a braw new brechan,^
My Pegasus I'm got astride.
And up Parnassus pechin;* [crush.
Whiles owre a bush, wi' downward
The doited beastie^ stammers;
Then up he gets, and oS he sets,
For sake o' Willie Chalmers.
I doubt na, lass, that weel-kenn'd name
May cost a pair o' blushes;
1 am nae stranger to your fame.
Nor his warm-urged wishes.
Your bonny face, sae mild and sweet.
His honest heart enamours.
And faith ye'll no be lost a whit,
Though waired" on Willie Clialmers :
1 A one-year-old-bullock. ^ Ox. ^ Kitchen
and parlour. ^ Bellow. ^ Cattle.
, 1 Bridle. « Also. s Collar. ■• Panting.
* Stupid animal. ^ Spent.
Auld Truth hersel might swear ye're
fair.
And Honour safely back her.
And Modesty assume your air.
And ne'er a ane mistak' her:
And sic twa love-inspiring een
Might fire even holy palmers;
Nae wonder then they've fatal been
To honest Willie Chalmers.
I doubt na Fortune may you shore' [tie.
Some mim-mou'd" pouther'd' pnes-
Fu' lifted up wi' Hebrew lore.
And band upon his breastie:
But oh ! what signifies to you
His lexicons and grammars.
The feeling heart's the royal blue.
And that's wi' Willie Chalmers.
Some gapin', glowrin'" country laird
May warsale" for your favour;
May claw his lug'* and straik" Lis
beard.
And hoast''' up some palaver.
My bonny maid, before ye wed
Sic clumsy- witted hammers,'*.
Seek Heaven for help, and barefit
skelp>«
Awa' wi' Willie Chalmers.
Forgive the bard! my fond regard
For ane that shares my bosom
Inspires my muse to gie 'm his dues, "
For deil a hair I roose" him.
May powers aboon unite you soon.
And fructify your amours, —
And every year come in mair dear
To you and WUlie Chalmers.
TAM SAMSON'S ELEGY.*
" No poet," says Cunningham, " ever embla-
zoned fact with fiction more happily than
Burns : the hero of this poem was a respect-
able old nursery-seedsman in Kilmarnock
greatly addicted to spoiting, and one of the
poet's earliest friends, who loved curling en
the ice in winter, and shooting on the
moors in the season. When no longer able
to march over hill and hag m quest of -
' Paitricks, teals, moor-pouts, and plivers,'
' Promise. = Prim. » Powdered. '» Staring.
"Strive. 12 Ear. ^3 stroke. »' (_oueii.
's Blockheads. i« Run. "Flatter.
* When this worthy old sportsman went
out last muirfowl season, he supposed it was
to be, in Ossian's phrase, "the last of his
helds; and expressed an ardent wish to die
and be buried in the muirs. On this hint the
author composed his elegy and epitaph.— B. "
POEMS.
m
' "he loved to lie on'ttie langf^ettte^ and listen
to the deeds of others on field and flood:
and when a good tale was told, he would
cry, ' Hech," man! three at a shot; that was
famous!' Some one havmg informed Tarn,
in his old age, that Burns liad written a poem
— ' a gay. queer ane * — concerning him, he
sent for the. bard, and, in something like
wrath, requested to hear it; he^smiled grim-
ly at the relation of his exploits, and then
cried out,..' I'm no dead' yet, Robin — I'm
worth ten dead fowk: wherefore should ye
sa^ that I am dead?' Burns took the hint,
retired , to the window for a minute or so,
and coming back, recited the ' per Contra,'
' Go, Fame, and canter'like a filly,'
with which Tam was so delighted that he
rose unconsciously, rubbed his hands, and
exclaimed, * Thatl do^-ha! ha! — that'l do!'.
He survived the poet, and the epitaph is in-
scribed on his gravestone in the churchyard
of Kilmarnock. '
" Ah honest man's the noblest work of God."
- — Pope.
Has auld Kilmarnock seen the deil?
Or great Mackinlayf tlirav?n' his heel?
Or Robinson:!: again grown weel,
To preach and read?
"Na, waur than a'!" cries ilka ctiel;
" Tam Samson's dead!"
Kilmarnock lang may grunt and grane.
And sigh, and sob, and greet^ her
lane, [wean
And deed' her bairns, man, wife, and
In mourning weed;
To Death, she's dearly paid the kane* —
Tam Samson's dead!
The brethren o' the mystic level
May liing their head in waef u' bevel.
While by their nose the tears will re-
vel.
Like ony bead;
Death's gien the lodge an unco deveP —
Tam Samson's dead!
Wlien Winter muffles up his cloak.
And binds the mire up like a rock;
■ 1 Twisted. 2 Cry. ' Clothe. ■■ Rent paid
in kind. ^ Blow.
+ A certain preacher, a great favourite with
fhe million. Fit^ " The Ordination," stanza
II.— B.
X Another preacher, an equal favourite with
the few, who was at that time ailing. For
him, see also "Xhe Ordination," stanza IX.—
B.
When to the lochs the curlers flock
Wi' gleesome speed,
Wlia will they station at the cock? —
Tam Samson's dead!
He was the king o' a' the core,
To guard, or draw, or wick a bore;
Or up tbe rink like Jehu roar
In time o' need ; [score, —
But now he lags on Death's hog-
Tam Samson's dead!
Now safe the stately salmon sail.
And trouts be-dropp'd wi' crimson hail,
And eels weel kenn'd for souple tail.
And geds* fpr greed,
Since dark in Death's fish-creel we wail
Tam Samson's dead!
Rejoice, ye birring paitricks? a';
Ye cootie" moorcocks, crousely" craw;
Ye maukins,'" cock your fud fu' braw,
Withouten diead ;
Your mortal fae is nowawa,' —
Tam Samson's dea<i!
That waefu' morn be ever moum'd
Saw him in sliootin' graith" adorn'd
While pointers round impatient bum'd,
Frae couples freed;
But, och! he gaed and ne'er retum'd!
Tam Samsotfs dead!
In vain auld age his body batters; .
In vain the gout his ankles fetters;
In vain the burns cam' down like wa-
ters.
An acre braid!
Now every auld wife, greetin' clatters,
Tam Samsbii's dead !
Owre mony a weary liag" lie limpit,
And aye the tither shot he tkumpit,"
Till coward Death behind him jumpit,
Wi' deadly feide;"
Nowhs proclaims, wi' tout'" o' trumpet,
Tam Samson's dead!
When. at his heart he felt. the dagger.
He reel'd his wonted bottle-swagger.
But yet he drew the mortal trigger
Wi' weel-aim'd heed;
' ' Lord, five !" he cried, and owre did
stagger —
Tam Samson's dead!
' Pikes. ' Whirring partridges * Feath;r-
igged. » Gleefully. '".Hares. "Dress.
■■"Moss, " Fired. " Fend. " Sound.
BURIN'S' WORKS.
Ilk lioary hunter mourn'd a brither;
Ilk sportsman youth bemoan'd a father:
Yon auld gray stane, amang the hea-
ther,
Marks out his head,
Wh£»re Burns has wrote, in rhyming
blether,
Tam Samson's deadl
There low he lies, in lasting rest;
Perhaps upon his mouldering br«ast
Some spitfu' nioorfowl bigs her nest.
To hatch and breed ;
Alas ! nae mair he'll them molest !
Tam Samson's dead !
When august winds the heather wave.
And sportsmen wander by yon grave.
Three volleys let his memory crave
0' pouther and lead.
Till Echo answer f rae her cave —
Tam Samson's dead !
Heaven rest his saul, whar'er he be !
Is the wish o' mony mae than me;
He had twa fauts, or maybe three,
Tet what remead?
Ae social honest man want we —
Tam Samson's dead !
EPITAPH.
Tam Samson's weel-wom clay here lies
Ye. canting zealots, spare him !
If honest worth in heaven rise,
Ye'll mend or ye win near him.
PEK CONTRA.
Go, Fame, and canter like a filly,
Through a' the streets and neuks o'
Killie,§
Tell every social, honest billie
To cease his grievin'.
For yet, unscaithed'* by Death's gleg
gullie,"
Tam Samson's leevin' !
A PRAYER,
LEFT BY THE ATTTHOR AT A REVER-
END FRIEND'S HOUSE, IN THE
EOOM WHERE HE SLEPT.
0 Tnoti dread Power, who reign'st
, above !
'"Unharmea; ^' Sharp knife. "
§ Killie is a phrase the country-folks some-
times use for the name of a certain town in
the west [Kilmarnock?]— B; - ' '
I know Thou wilt me hear.
When for this scene of peace and love
I make my prayer sincere.
The hoary sire — the mortal stroke.
Long, long, be pleased to spare I
To bless his filial little flock.
And show what good men are.
She, who her lovely offspring eyes
With tender hopes and fears.
Oh, bless her with a mother's joys.
But spare a mother's tears !
Their hope — their stay — ^their darling
youth.
In manhood's dawning blush —
Bless him, Thou God of love and
truth,
tTp to a parent's wish !
Tlie beauteous seraph sister-band,
With earnest tears I pray, [hand —
Thou know'st the snares on every
Guide Thou their steps alway !
When soon or late they reach that
coast.
O'er life's rough ocean driven.
May they rejoice, no wanderer lost,
A family in heaven !
THE BRIGS OF AYR.
INSCRIBED TO JOHN BALLANTYNE,
ESQ., AYE.
In the autumn of 1786, a new bridge was be-
gtln to be erected over the river at Ayr, in
order to supersede an old structure which
had long been found unsuitab'le, and was
then becoming dangerous ; and while the
work was being ' proceeded witli, under the
chief magistracy of Mr. Ballantyne, the
poet's generous patron, he seized the oppoi^
tunity to display his gratitude by inscribing
the poem to him. The idea of the poem ap-
pears to have been taken irom Fergusson s'
" ^Dialogue between the Plainstanes and the
Causeway ;" the treatme nt of the subject is,
however, immeasurably superior to the old-
er piece, and peculiarly Burns' own.
The simple bard, rough at the rustic
plough, [bough ;
Learning his tuneful trade from every
The chanting linnet, or the mellow
thrush, [green-thorn bush ;
Hailing the setting sun, sweet, in the
The soaring lark, the perching red-
breast shrill.
POEMS.
97
Or deep-toned plovers, gray, wild-
whistling o'er the hill ; [shed.
Shall he,,nurst in the peasant's lowly
To liardy ind^iendence bravely bred,
By early poverty to hardsliip steel'd,
Aid traiji'd to arms in stem Misfor-
tune's field — [crimes,
Shall he be guilty of their hireling
The servile, mercenary Swiss of
rhymes ?
Or labour hard the panegyric close.
With, all the venal soul of dedicating
prose? [rudely sings,
No! though his artless strains ho
And throws his hand uncouthly o'er
the strings, {bard.
He glows with all the spirit of the
Fame, honest fame, his great; his dear
.reward ! [he trace.
Still, if some patron's generous care
Skill'd in the secret, to bestow witii
grace i • ' [ble name,
AVhen Biallantyae befriends his hum-
And hands the rustic stranger up to
fame, (lioaonl swells.
With heart-felt throes his grateful
The god-like: bliss, to give, alone ex-
cels. ^i_
'Twas when the stacks get on their
winter-hap,' [won crap ;
And thack ^ and rape secure the toil-
Potato-bings ' are snugged up frao
skaith ■* [breath ;
O' coming Winter's biting, frosty
The bees, rejoicing o'er their summer
toUs, [cious spoils
Unnflumljer'd buds and flowers' deli-
Seai'd up with frugal care in massive
waxen pil^, [the wealc.
Are 4oom'd by man, that tyrant o'er
The death o' devils, smoor'd ' wi' brim-
stone reek : [every side.
The thundering guns are heard on
The wounded coveys', roeling, Hcatter
wide ; [Nature's tie,
Th,e feather'd field-mates, boraid by
Sires, mothers, children, in one cjrnagc
lie : [bleeds,
(What warm, poetic heart, but inly
And execrates man's savage, ruthless
deeds !)
^Covepni:.
* Smofhercd.
= Thatch. ' ITcips. < Harm.
Nae mair the flower in field or meadow
springs, [rings,
Nae mair the grove with airy concert
Except, perhaps, the robin's whistling
glee, [tree:
Proud o' the height o' some bit half -lang
The hoary morns precede the sunny
days, [iidontidei blaze.
Mild, calm, serene, wide spreads the
While thicK the gossamer waves wan-
ton in the rays.
'Twas in that season, when a simple
bard, , [ward.
Unknown and poor, simplicity's re-
Ae night, within the ancient brugh of
Ayr, [cafe.
By whim inspired, oi: haply prest wi'
He left his bed and took his wayward
route, [left about:
And dow;n by Simpson's* wheel'd' the
(Wither impell'd by all-directing
Fate,
To witness wliat I after slmll narrate;
Or penitential pangs for former sins.
Led him to rove by quondam Merran
Dins;
Or whetlier, rapt in meditation high.
He wander'd out, he knew not where
nor why) [ber'd two.
The drowsy Dungeon clockf had num-
And Wallace Tower| had sworn the
fact was true : ' [ing.roar,
The tide-swoln Firth, wi' sullen sounct-
Throiigh tlie still night d^isJii'd hoarse
along the shore. " [ee:
All else was hush'd as Nature's closed
The silent moon shone high o'er tower
and tree: [beam.
The chilly frost,^ beneath the silver
Crept, gently-crusting, o'er the glitter-
ing stream:
When, lo! on either hand the listening
bard, [heafd;,
The clangingsughofwh&tling wings is
Two dusky forms dart thrjugh tlie
midnight air [ing hare;
Swift as the goog drives oa tne wheel-
* A noted tavern at the Auld Brip end.— P.
+ A clock in a steeple connected with the
old jail of Ayr.
t The clock in the Wallace Tower— an
anomalous piece of antique masonry, sur-
mounted by a spire, which formerly stood in
the High street of Ayr.
§ The goshawk, or falcon. — B.
BUKNS' WORKS.
Ane^n the AuM Biig his airy shape
uprears7 ' ' ' '-.,,'.
The ither flutters o'er the rising piers:
Our warlOckThymer instantly descried
The spijtes that ovvre the Brigs of Ayr
• preside. Lfoke,
(That bards are socond-srghted is naa
And lien the lingoof the spiritual folk;
Faya, spunkies, kelpies, a', they can
exjplain thorn, y [l^en" them.)
. And even the very deils^ wiey brawly
AUld Urig a'ppear'd o' ancient Pictish
, race, „ " ;
The very wrinkles Gothic in his face'
He seem'd as he vvi' Time li^d wars-
. tied l»ng, [bang*
Yet, teuglily doure,' he bade an unc3
Now Brig was buskit in a braw new
coat;
That 1x0 at Lon'on frae ane Adams got;
Xn's-hand five taper staves as smooth's
a bead,
Wi' virls and whirlygigiims at the head.
The Goth was stallung round witli anx-
- ious search, [arch;—
Spying the time-worn ilaws in every
It .dianced Tiis new-come neibor toolc
L.hisee, [he!
And e'en a vex'd and angry heart liad
Wi' thieveless' sneer to sj3 hi? modish
mien, [e'en: —
He, down the water, gies him this guid
- ATJLD BBIQ.
I doubt nafrien', ye'U think ye're nae
sheep-shank,''' . [to bank !
-Ance ye were streekiib" owre frae bank
But- gia ye be a brig as aald as me —
Though, faith, that date I doubt ye'U
never see — [a boddle,''
Therell be, if that date <iome, I'll wad
Some fewer whigmaleeries in your nod-
dle.
NEW DHIQ.
.- Auld Vandal, yo bat show your little
mense,'^ [sense;
Just much about it, vd' your scanty
WilLyour Jioor iiarrow footpath of a
/ street — :. [when they meet^-
jWhere twa wheelbarrows tremble
" Well know. ' Toughly obdurate. » He
endured a miglity blow. ° Spited. ^^ No
worthless thing. ' " Stretched. >' Bet a
doit. _ " Civility.
Your ruin'd, formless bulk o' stane and
lime, ' [time ?
Compare/ wi' bonny ferigs o' modem
There's men o' taste would tak the
Ducat Stream, II [and swim.
Though. they should cast the Tery sark
Bre they would grate their feelings wi'
the view
0' sic ati ugly Gothic hullras yon.
"AULD BBIG.
Conceited gowk !" puif' d up wi'
windy pride! [and tide;
This mony a year I've stood the flood
And though wi' crazy eild'° I'm sair
forfaim,^" [cairn I
I'll be a brig when ye're a shapeless
As yet ye little ken about the matter.
But twa-three winters will inform ye
better. . [rains,
Wlien heavy, dark, continued, a'-day
Wi' deepening deluge, o'erflow the
plains, [brawling Coil,
.When from the hills where springs the
Or.stately Lugar's mossy fountains boil.
Or where the Greenock winds his,moor.
land course, [source.
Or haunted Garpalf draws his feeble
Aroused by blusterihg winds and spot-
ting thowes, [rowes;
In mony a torrent down his snaw-broo
While craslring icej borne on the roar-
ing sfate," . [the gate;''*
Sweeps dams, and mills, ana brigs a' to
And from Gleabudi,** down to the
Ha,tton-key,f |- [ling sea —
Auld Ayr is just one lengthen'd tumb-
Then down ye'll hurl, deil nor ye never
rise ! [pouriii^ skies.
And dash the gumlie jaups" up to the
A lesson sadly teaching, to your cost.
That Architecture's noble arTis lost I
"Fool. I" Age. 's Enfeebled. "Flood.
19 Way. ^8 Muiidy spray.
II A noted ford, just above the Auld Brig.—
B,
If The Banks of GarpM Water"— one of the
few places in the West of Scotland wheiE
those fancy-scaring beings known by the
name of ghaists still continue pertinaciously
to inhabit.— B.
** The source of the river Ayr.— B.
tt A small landing-place above the laree
key.— B. '.
poems;
'M
HEW BRIG.
Fine Arcliitectuie, trowtli, I needs
must say o't, [the gate b't!
The Loid be tliankit that we've tint^"
Gaunt, ghastly, ghaist-alluring edifices.
Hanging' witlL threatening jut, 'like
precipices; [coves,
O'erarching, mouldy, gloom-inspiring.
Supporting roofs fantastic, stony*
groves; [turc drest,
Windows and doors, in nameless sculp-
With order, symmetry, or taste unblest ;
Forms like some bedlam statuaiy's
dreain, [whim;
The crazed creations of misguided
Forms might be worship'd on the ben-
ded knee; [free.
And still thesecond dread command be
Their lUteness is hot found on earth, in
- air, or sea. [building taste
Manaiajj^ that would disgrace the
Of anx«j^ijpaoitre^l»i bird; or beast;
Fit only^fQ^a^doited" monkish race.
Or frosty maids . forsworn the dear
embrace; [notion
Or cuifs™ of later times wha held the
That sullen gloom was "sterling true
. devotion;
Fancies that our guid brugh denies
protection ! [with resurrection !
And soon may they exjaie, unhlest
Am.D BKIG.
O ye, my dear-remember'd ancient
yealings,'^^ [ed feelings !
Were ye but here to share mj wound-
Te worthy proveses, andmony a bailie,
Wha in the paths o' righteousness did
toil aye ; ■ [veeners,
Ye da,inty deacons, and ye douce con-
To whom our moderns are but causey-
cleaners ! [town ;
Te godly councils wha, hae blest this
Xe godly brethren o' the sacred gown,
Wha meekly gae your hurdies to the
smiters ; fe^^y writers ;
And (what would now be strange) ye
A' ye douce folk I've borne aboon the
■ broo,** [or do !
Were ye but here, what would ye say
How would your spirits groan in deep
vexation
'^ Lost. ■
" Water.
' Stupid. 22 Fools. "' Coevals.
To see each nielancholy alteration ;
Aijd, agonizing, curse the time and
pjace [race 1
When ye begat the base, degenert^e
Nae langer reverend men, their coun-
try's glorjr, [braid story!
In plain hraid Scots hold forth a plaia
Jira;e langer thrifty citizens and douce^'-
Meet owre a pint, or in the council-;'
house ; [less gentry j-
Bnt staumrel,*' corkey-headed, grace--
The herryment and ruin of the coun-
try ; [by barbers.
Men three parts made by tailors an.d
Wha vrtiste your weel-hain'd gea^ on
- damn'd new brigs and harbours !
NEW BKIG.
> Now hand you there 1 for faith ye've
said enough, [through ;
And^uckle mair than ye can mak to
That 's aye a string auld d6ited gray-
beards harp on, [on.
A -topic for their peevishness- to carp
As for your priesthood, I shall say but
little, ' - [tie ;
Corbies and clergy are a shot right'kit-
But, under favour o' your larger
beard, [spared ;
Abuse o' magistrates might weel be
To liken them fb your auld-'warld
squad,
I must needs say comparisons are odd.
In Ayr, wag-wits nae mair can hae a
handle [dal ;
To mouth " a citizen" a term o' scan-
Nae mair the council waddles down
the street.
In all -the pomp of ignorant conceit ;
No difference but bulkiest or tallest.
With comfortable dullness in for bai-
last ; ' [cautiou,
Nor shoals nor currents need a pilotfs
For regularly slow, they only witness
motion ; [liops and Taisins,
Men wha grew wise priggin' owre
Or gather'd liberal views iii bonds and
«eisihs,- [tramp.
If haply Knowledge, on a random
Had shored^'themwi' a glimmer of his
lamp, [betray'd them,
And would to Common Sense for once
s» Half-witted. "e Exposed.
100
BURNS- WORKS.
Plain, dull Stupidity stept kindly in to
' aid them.
What further clishmaclaver^' might
been said, [to shed;
Wliat bloody war^, if sprites had blood !
No man can tell ; but all before.their
sigiit,
A fairy train appear'd in order bright ;
Adown the glittering stream theyieat-
ly danced ;
Bright to the moon their various press-
es glanced ; [neat.
They footed o'er the watery glass so
The infant ice scarce bent beneath
their feet ; ., [rung,
While arts of minstrelsy among them
And sonl-ennbbling bards heroic dit-
ties sung.
Oh, had M'Lachlan, Jl thairm'* inspir-
ing sage, ■ ' [engagei
Been there to hear this heavenly band
Wllen through bis dear straAspeys
lliey bore with IJighland rage;
Or when they struck old Scotia's inelt-
iog airs, ^
Tlie ^o^•cr's raptured joys or bleeding
cares;. ^ [noblej fired,
IIow would his Highland liig*" been
And even his matchless hand,, with
finer touch inspired ! [appear'dj .
No guess could tell what instrument
Bnt all the soul of Music's self _ was
heard;
Harmonious concert rung in every part.
While -,simple melody pour'd moving
on the heiart.
The Genius of the stream in front
, appears,
A.venerable chief advanced in years;
His hoary head with water-lilies
cvown'd, [bound.
His. ■ manly leg ^ with garter-tanglp
Next came the loveiiest pair in all the
■ ring, - [with Spring;
Sweet Female • Beauty _liand in hand
Tlien, crown'd with flowery hay, came
■ Rural Joy, ^ . [eye:
And^Summer, vrith his fervid-beaming
" Palaver. =« Cat-gut. " Ear.
. , tt A well-knowa performer of Scottisji music
on the violin.— B.
AlLcheering Plenty, with her flowing
horn, [nodding com.
Led yellow Autumn, wreathfed with
Tlien Winter's time-blcach'd locks did
hoaryshovf :
By Hospitality vrith cloudless brow.
I^ext foUow'd Courage, with his • mar-
tial stride,' ' [coverts hide;
From where the Feal § g wild-woody
Benevoleioce, witli mild, beni^ant air,
A female form cairie from the towers,
of Stair:[|| ' ' [trode.
Learning and Worth in equal measures
From smple Catriue,' their long-loved
abode :"if^ [a hazel wreath.
Last. >vhite-robed Peace, crowned with
To rustic, Agriculture did bequeath j
The broken iron instruments of death;
At sight of wliom our sprites forgat
their kindling wrath.
LIXES ■
ON MEETING WITH LOKD DAER.
In 1786^ .Professor Dugald Stewart, the well-
knowQ .expounder of the Scottish system
of nie'taphysics, resided- in' a. villa at Catrine;
on the' Ayr, a few miles from the poet's
farm; and having heard of his astcnishing
poetical .productions, through Mr.' Macken-
zie, a talented and --generous sui^eon.,'jn
Mauchliiie, he inviteq Burn? to dme with
him, accdhipanied by' his medical friend.
The ' poet seems to have been somewhat
alarmed at the idea of meeting so distin-
guished, a member- of the literary world;
and,. to incr^a^e his embarrassment, it h^p-
gened that Lord Daer, (son of the Earl of
elkirk,) an amiable young nobleman, was
ona visit to thepEofessorat thetiine, The
result, however, appears to have been rath-
er agreeable than othferwise to the poet,
who nas recorded MS feelings on -the sul>-
ject in the following lines : — ,
This wot ye all whom it concerns,
I, Rhymer Robin, alias Burns,
October twenty third,
A ne'er-to-be-forgotten day I
Sae far I sprachled' up the brae,
I dinner'd wi' a lord.
' Clambered.
§§ The poet .here alludes to Captain Mont-
gomery of Coilsfield— soger Hugh— afterwards
twelfth Earl of Eglintott, whose seat of Coils-
field is situated on the Feal, or Faile, a tribu-
tary stream of the Ayr,
III A compliment to his early patroness, Mrs.
Stew.art oCStair.
•:«i A well-merited tribute to Professor Du-
gald Stewart.
SOBMg. .
101
I've been at drucken wrijters'; fca,5ts,
Nay, heen oitcli fou ' 'inang godly
: priests;
iii; .. (Wi' rev'rence be it spoken !)
I've even join'd the honour'd jorum
When mjghty squireships o' the quo
• :,rum.
Their hydra drouth did sloken.
^ o ^, - ., ■
But.wi' a lord !— ^tand out, my shin:
A lord — a peer— an earl's son i —
, Up higher yet, my bonnet 1
And,sic a lord!— lang Scotch ells twa,
Our peerage he o'erlooks them a',
As 1 look- o'er my sonnet.
Buti oh ! for Hogarth's magic power !
To show Sir Bardie's willyart glower, -
And . liow he stared an stam-
mer'd I
When goayan,' as if led wi' braiiks,''
And stumpin' on his ploughman shanks
He in the parlour hammer'd.
To Btiaet good Stewart little pain is,
Or Sowfeia^-sacred Demosthenes;
Thinks I, they are but men !
But Burns, my lord — -guid God! I
, doited !?
My kaeeson ane anither knoited,'
As f aultering I gaed ben I'
I -sidling shelter'd iii a nook,
'And at his lordship steal't a look,
Like some portentous ome,, ;
Excaptgood sense and social g^.
And (what surprised me) modesty,
' I marked nought uncommon.
I watch'd the symptoms o' the great,
Tlie gentle pride, the lordly state.
The arrogant assuming;
The. fient a pride, nae pride had he.
Nor sauce, nor state, tliat I could see,
Mair than an honest ploughman.
Then from his lordship I shall learn
Htenceforth to meet with unconcern
One rank as weel's another;
Nae honest, worthy man need care
To meet wi- noble, youthful Daek,
For he but meets a brother.
, '^ Bewildened stare. 'Moving
stupidly.' * Bridle.; •*■ Became stupefied.
* Knocked. "^ Into the room.
ADDRESS TO. EDINBURGH. .
Writing to his friend, William Chalmers, the
Foet says : "1 enclose you two poems, which
have carded and spun since I pa^ed
Glenbuck. ' Fair Burnet ' is the heavenly
Miss Burnet, daughter of Lord Monboddo,
at whose house I have had the honour to be
more than once. There has not b^en any-
thing nearly like her in all the combinations
of beauty, grace, and goodness the great
Creator Sjas formed, since Milton's Eve on
ths- first diLy of her existence!"
Edina ! Scotia's darling sestt!
All hail thy palaces and towei-s,
Where once beneath a monarch's feet
Sat Legislation's sovereign fipwers!
From marking vyildly-Bpatter'd flowers, .
As on the bank^ of Ayr I stray'd, "
And singing, lone, the lingering hours,
. I shelter in thy honour'd shade.
Here wealth still swells the golden
tide.
As busy "Trade his labour plies;
There Architecture's noble pride
Bids elegance and S|)lendour rise;
Here Justice, from her native skieaj
■ High wields her balance and her rod;
There Learning, with his eagle eyes.
Seeks Science in her coy abode.
Thy sons, Edina! social, kind.
With open arms the stranger hail;
Their views enlarged, their liberal
rnind.
Above the narrow, rural vale;
Attentive still to Sorrow's wail,
Or modest Merit's silent claim;
And never may their sources fail !
And never dhvy blot their name !
Thy daughters bright thy walks adorn,
Gay'as the gilded summer sky.
Sweet as the dewy milk-white thorn.
Dear as the_ raptured thrill of joy !
Fair Burnet strikes th' adoring eye.
Heaven's beauties on my fancy shine;
I see the Sire of Love on high.
And own His work indeed divine.
There, watching high the least alarms,
Thy rough, rude fortress gleams
afar:
Like some bold veteran,^ ffray in aims,
" And mark'd vrith many a seamy scar:
The ponderous wall and massy bar
Grim-rising o'er the rugged rock,
Have oft withstood assailing war,
And oft repell'd the inyader's shock.
lOS
BURNili' WORKS.
Witli awestruck thought, afid pitying
. tears, .
I view that nobis, stately dome.
Where Scotia's kings of other years,
■Famed heroes! had their royal home:
Alas! liow changed the tiines to coide!
Their royal name low in the dust!
Their hapless race wild-wandering
yoam! [just.
Tliough rigid law cries out, 'Twas
Wild beats my heart to trace your
steps.
Whose ancestors, in days cf yore.
Through hostile ranks and rnin'd gaps
Old Scotili's bloody lion bore:
Even r who sing in rustic lore.
Haply, my sires have left tlieir shed.
And faced grim Danger's loudest roar,
Bold-following where your father's
led! - "
Edina! Scotia's darling seat!
All hail thy palaces and towers.
Where once beneath a monarch's feet
Sat Legislation's sovereign powers!
From marking wildly-scatter'd flowers,
As on the banks of Ayr 1 stray 'd,
And singing, lone, the lingering hours,
I shelter in thy houour'd shade.
THE POETS WELCOME TO IIIS
ILLEGITIMATE CHILD.*
There can be no doubt that the feeling which
f>rompted the composition of this and simi-
ar poems was not that of the reckless liber-
tine who was lost to aU shame and was
■without -regard for the good opinion of his
fellows. Lockhart hits the truth wl^n he^
says: — "'*To vavc ' (in his own langliage)'
' the quantum of the sin,' he who," two years
afterwards, wrote the '.Cotter's Saturday
Night ' had not, we may Ije sure, hardened
his heart to the thought of bringing addi-
tional sorrow and unexpected shame to the
* The subject of these verses was the poet's
illegitimate daughter whom, in " The Inven-
tory," he styles his
" Sonsie, smirking, dear-bought Bess."
She grew up to womanhood, vs& married,
and had a family,. Her death is thus an-
nounced in the Scots Magaeiney December 8,-
1817: — " Died, Elizabeth Burns, wife of Mr.
John Bishop, overseer at Polkemmet, near
Whitburn. She was the daughter of the cel-
ebrates Robert Burns, and the subject of
some of his most beautiful lines.
fireside df a widowed mother. But his falsft/
pride recoiled from letting his jovial associ-
' ates guess how little he was able to drown
the \vhispers of the ' still small voice;' and
the fermenting bitterness oi a mind ill at ease
within itself escaped,. (as may be too often
traced in the history of satirists,) in the:
shape of angry sarcasms against others,
■wbp, virliatever their pri vate.errors might be, ^
had at-feast (Jone him no wrong.- It is lm-'~
possible' not to smile at one item of consola-
tion which Burns proposes to himself on
this Octasion : — ■■ -^
The mairthey talk, I'm-kenn'd the better:/
. 1 E'en let them clash J
.This is indeed a singular roanifcst:ition of
' the last infirmity of noble mindsj "
THOtj's welcome, wean ! mishanter'
fa' me,
If ought of thee, or of thy mammy.
Shall ever danton me, or awe me.
My sweet wee lady.
Or it I blush when tlion shalt ca' me
Tit-taor daddy-
Wee image of my bonay Betty,
I fatherly will kiss and daut^ thee,
As dear and near my heart I set thee ^
Wi' as guid will,
-As a' the priests had seen nie get tliee
That's out o' hell.
What though they ca' me fornicator.
And tease my name in kintra clatter:'
The mair they talk I'm -kenn'd the
better.
E'en let them clash !'
An auld wife's tongue's a feckless^
matter
T'> .Tjo ane fash.°
, .Sweet fruit o' mony a merry dint,
fMy funny toil is now^ a' tint.
Sin' thou came to the warld asklent,'
Which fools may scoff at ;
In my last plack thy part's be iu't —
The better half o't.
And if thou be what I wad hac thee,
-And tak the counsel I shall gie thee,
A lovin' father Til be to thee.
If thou be spared, ffliee;
Through a' thy childish years I'll e©
And tliiiik 't weel wared.
Quid grant that thou may aye inherit
Thy mither'3 person, grace,'und merit.
' Misfortune. = Fondle. s Country talk
■• Gossip. ' Very small. • Trouble. ' Irreg-
ularly. ■
-POEMS.
103.
And thy poor worthless-daddy's spirit,
. without his failiu's,
'Twill please me mair to hear and see't,
Thau stockit mailins.^
TO MRS C ,
ON RECEIVING A WORK OF HANNAH
MORE'S.
Thoit flattering mark of friendship
kind, ,.,,,;.
Still miy tliy pages call ta mini
TJxe dear, the beauteous donor I
Tiiough sweetly female every part.
Yet such a head, and more the heart,
Does both the sexes honour.
She show'd her taste refined and just
When she selected thee,
Tet deviating, own I must,
For so approving me.
But kind still, I mind still
The giver in the gift, ,
I'll bless her, and wiss her
A friend above the lift.'
TO MISS LOGAN.
WITH BEATTIE'S POEMS AS A NEW-
TEAR'S GIFT, JANl 1, 1787.
Miss Susan Logan was the sister of the Major
Logan, to whom Burns wrote a rhymed
epistle. He was indebted to both for many
pleasant hours when he was suffering from
despondency .
Again the silent wheels of time
Their animal round have driven.
And you, though scarce in maiden
primfe,
Are so milcli nearer heaven. ' '
No gifts have I from Indian coasts
Tlve infant year to hail;
I send you more than India boasts,
In Edwin's simple tale.
Our sex with guile and faithless love
Is charged, perhaps, too true;
But may, dear maid, each Ipver prove
An Edwin still to y ou !
VERSES
INTENDED TO BE WRITTEN BELOW A
NOBLE earl's PICTURE.
" The enclosed stanzas,'* said the poet, in a
letter to his patroh, the Earl of Glencaim,
I intended to write bejow a picture or
profile of your lordship, could I have been
so happy as to procure one with anythine of
ahlceaess.' ' ' " .
Whose is that noble, dauntless brow ?
And whose that eye of fire ? , [mifen
And whoso that generous princ61y
Even rooted foes admire 1
Stranger, to justly show that brow,
And mark that eye of fire, [tints
Would take His hand, whose vernal
His other works admire.
Bright as a cloudless summer sun,
With stately port he moves; /
His guardian serapli eyes with awe
The noble ward he loves. >/
Among the illjistriotis Scottish" sons
That chief tliou mayst discern:
Mark Scotia's fond returning eye-
It dwells upon Glencaim.
® Stocked farms.
'Sky.
TO A HAdfGIS.
ThciJia^isis adainty peculiar to Scotland,
though it is supposed to be an adaptation
of a French dish.. It is composed of Mihced
offal of mutton, mixed with meal and suet,
to which are added various condiments -by
way of seasoning, and the whole is tied up
tightly in a sheep's stomach, and boiled
therem. Although the inm-cdients of this
dish are not over inviting, the poet does not
far exceed poetic.l license in singing its
praises. .We would recommend the reader
to turn topage 173 of vol. i. of Wilson's'
"NocteS Ambrosianae," where he will find
a graphic and humorous description of a
monster haggis, and what resulted' fro'm
cutting it, up. y[x Edinburgh Literary
Jourjiai^ 1829 , madi? the fcllowing state-
ment:— " About sixteen years ago tnei;e re-
sided at Mjiufihliiie Mr. Robert Morrison,
cabinetmaker.' He was a great crony -of
Burns', and it was in Mr. Morrison's house
that" the poet usually spent the ' mids o' the
day' on Sunday," It was in this' house that
he wrote his celebrated ' Address to a Hag-
gis,' after partaking liberally of that dish as
prepared by Mrs. Morrison."
Fair fa' your honest, sonsie' face.
Great chieftain o' the puddin' race !
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm :'
Weel are ye -worthy of a grace
As lang 's my arm.
' Jolly. 5 Small intestmes.
'f04
BURNS' -WORKS.
The grpaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdle^ like a distant hill.
Tour pin* wad help to inend amill •
In time of need.
While through yonr poires the dews
distil. '
Like fimber bead.
His knife gee rustic labour dight,'
And cut you up wi' ready slight.
Trenching your gushing entrails bright
Like ony ditch ;
And then, oh, what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin','' rich !
Then horn for horn they stretch and
strive,
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive.
Till all their weel-swall'd kytes belyve f
Are bent like drums ;
Then auld guidman, maist like tarivc,'
Bethankit hums.
Is there' that owre his French ragoiit.
Or olio that wad staw a sow,*
Or fricassee wad make her spew'
Wi' perfect scunner,^
Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu'
view
On sic a dinner?
Poor devil ! see him owre his trash.
As feckless' as a wither'd rash,
His spindle-shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve'" anit ;
Through bloody flood or field to dash,
Oh, how unfit !
But mark the rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his
tread,
Clap luhis walie nieve a blade.
He '11 mak it whisslo ;
And legs, and arms, and heads will
sned,''
LUte taps o' thrissle.
Ye powers wha mak mankind your
care.
And dish them out their bill o' fare.
" '' Wipe. ' Smoking. » Burst. " Pig
' Vomit. « Loathing. ...■ » Pithless. '» Fist.
" Cut o«E.
* A wooden- skewer with which it is lifted
-outond injo.the.vessel in whicltit,i3_cooked.
•f Tin all their well-swollen bellies by-and-
by. ■ - - • . - • . -
Auld Scotland wants nae skink^g
ware'- . . .
That jaups" in-luggjes ;"
But if^ye wish her gratefu' prayfeir,
Gie her a haggis 1
PROLOGUE.
SPOKEN BY MR. WOODS* ON HIS BENE-
FIT NIGHT, MOND.\Y, APRIL-16, 1787.
When by a generous public's kind ac-
claim, [fame.
That dearest meed is .granted — honest
When here yoUr favour is the actor's
lot, [got;
Nor even the man in private life for-
Wliat breast so dead to heavenly vir-
tue's glow, [f itl tl^qe ?
But heaves impassion'd with the grate-
Poor is the taslc to please a barbar-
ous throng, [em's song ;
It- needs no Siddons' powers in South-
But here an ancient nation famed afar,
For genius, learning high, as great in
war^ —
Hail, Caledonia ! name for ever dear !
Before whose sons I'm honour'd to ap-
pear ! [art^
Where every science — every nobler
That can inform the mind, or mend
the heart, [found.
Is known : as gratefaj natious oft have
Far as the rude barbarian marks the
bound. "~
Philosophy, no idle pedant dream.
Here holds her .search Ijy heaven-taught
Reason's beam ; [force.
Here History paints with elegance and
The tide of Empire's fluctuating course;
Here Douglas forms wfld ShaSespeare
into plan.
And Harleyf rouses all the god in man.
When weU-form'd taste and sparkling
wit unite [bright.
With manly lore, or female beauty
'= Thin stuff,
dishes.
' ' Splashes. "In wcoden
* Mr. Woods had been the friend of Fergus-
son. He was long a favourite actor in Edin-
btirgh, and was himself a- man of some poetical
talent,
t Henry Mackenzie, author of " The Man of
Feeling.'' - • •.
PdEMS.
105
(Beauty, where faultless symmetry and
grace,
'Cstifbttly charm us in tho second place),
Witness my heart, how oft with pant-
ing fear, [liere :
As. on this night, I've met tliese judges
But still the hope Experience taught
to live, [give.
Equal to judge — you he candid tOj^pr-
No hundred-headed Riot hers we mest,
With decency and law heneath his
^feet : ' - [name;
Nor Insolence assumes fair Freedom's
Like , Calbdohians, you applaud or
. Ijlamc.
O Thou dread Povirer ! wliose ejnpire-
l^ving hatfd [honour'd land !
Has oh, been stretcli'd tp shield the
Strong may she glow wittiall her an-
cient; fire ! f
May every son he worthy of his sire !
Firm may she rise with generous dis-
dain [.chain !
At Tyranny^ or. direr Pleasure's,
Still self - d^jmjent in Uer native
..shore ' [loudest roar.
Bold may s^, brave -grim Danger's
Till Fate the curtain drops on worlds
to be no more.
NATURE'S LAW.
HUMBLY INSCnrBBD TO GAVIN HAM-!
ILTON, ESQ.
These verses were first published in Mr. Pick-
ering's edition of the poet's works, printed
• from the original MS. in the poet s hand-
Writing. They appear to have been written
s^brtlj^ after " Bonny Jean " had presented
him with twins.
.*' Great Nature spoke — observant man
obcy'd." - — Pore.
Let other heroes boast tiieir scars, ■
The marks of sturt and strife;
And other poets sing of wars,
The plagues of Imman life:
Shame fa' the fun, wi' sword and gun.
To slap mankind like lumber !
■ I sing his name and nobler fame,
Wna multiplies our number.
Great Nature spoke, with air benign,
"Go on, ye human race !
This lower world I you resign;
Be f;-Uitful and increase.
Tho liquid five of strong desire
I've potlr'd it in each bosom;
Here, in this hand, does mankind stand,
And there is beauty's blossom !"
The hero of these artless strains,
A lowly bard was he,
Who sung his rhymes in Coila's plains.
With miokle mirth and glee; ' •' ^
Kind Nature's care had given hife share
Large of the flaming currenff;''
And ail devout, ho never sought
To stem the sacred torrent
He felt the powerful, high behest,
Thrill, vital, thro.ugh and through;
And sought a correspondent breast
To give obedience due : [flowers
Propitious Powers screen'd the young
From mildews of abortion:
And lo ! the batd, a great reward; , "
Has got a double portion ! ,
Auld cantie-Goil may count tlie day, -'
As annual it returns,
The third of Libra's equal sway, '
That gave another Burns,
With future rhymes, and other times,
To emulate his sire;
To sing ojd Coil in nobler style,
With more poetic fire.
Ye powers of peace, and peaceful song,
Look .down witli-gl;acious eyes;
And bless- auld Coila, large and long.
With multiplying joys;
Lang may she stand to:^rop the land.
The flower of ancient nations;
And Buriis' spring, her fame to sing.
To endless generations !
THE HERMIT.'
■WRITTEN ON A MARBLE SIDEBOARD IN
THE HEKMITAGE BELONGING TO THE
DUKE OF ATHOLE, IN THE WOOD OF
ABEBPELDY.
Whoe'er thou art, . these lines now
reading, [receding,
Think not, though ffom the wOrld
I joy my lonely days to lead in
This desett drear; [ing,
That fell remorse, a conscience bleed-
Hath led me here.
100
BURNS' WORKS.
No tlioiight of guilt my bosom. sours;
Pree-will'd I fled from courtly bowers;
For well I saw in Lalls and towers
That lust and pride,
The arch -fiend's dearest, darkest
powers,
In state preside.
I saw mankind with vice incrusted;
I saw that Honour's sword was rusted;
That few for aught but folly lusted;
That he was still deceived w'ho trusted
To love or friend;
And hither came, with men disgusted,
My life to end.
In this Ipne cave, in garments lowly.
Alike a foe to noisy Wily,
Aijd brow-bent gloomy melancholy,
I wear away
My life, and in my office holy
Consume the day.
This rook my shield, when storms are
blowing;
The limpid streamlet yonder flowing .
Supplying drink, the earth bestowing
Aly simple food: -
But few enjoy the calm I know in
This desert wood.
Content and comfort bless me more in
This grot than e'er I felt before in -^.^
A palace — and with thoughts still soar-
ing
To God on high.
Each night and morn, with voice im-
ploring,
This wish I sigh —
"Let me, 0 Lord! from life retire.
Unknown each guilty worldly fire,
Remorse's throb, or loose desire;
And when I jdie.
Let me in tliia belief expire —
'To God I fly."
Strangej', if f^iU of youth and riot,
And yet no grief has marr'd thy quiet,
Thou haply throw'st a scornful eye at .
The hermit's prayer;
But if thou hast good cause to sigh at
'Bhy fault or care; ;
If thou hast known false -love's veSa^
tion, •
Or hast been exiled from thy nation,
Or guilt affrights thy contempla,tion, .
And makes thee pine, '
Oh ! how must thou lament thy station.
And envy mine!
SKETCH OF A CHARACTER,
"This fragment,"^ says Burns to Dugajd"
Stewart,-"! have not shown to man living
till I now send iifto you. It forms the pos-
tulata, the axioms, the definitiqn <pf a char- i
acter, which, if it rppear at. ^all, shall be
placed in'ai vaoety of lights. This particular
part I send you merely as a sample of my
hand at portr4it-sketchmg." ' ' ■
A LITTLE, upright, pert, tart, tripping '
wight, [lig^t:
And still his precious self his dear de- '
Who. loves his own smart sliadov.' in
the streets [meets:
Better than e'er the fairest she lie
A man of fasliion, too",' he made hii>
tour -■ ■■ ^- ' ' • ^ [Vumoiir! .
Learn'd Vive la lagatelle, et Vive
So travell'd morikies their grimace im-
prove, . . [love.r
Polish their grin, nay, sigh for IxtdiGti', !
Much specious lore, but little under-
stood: . , , . ,
Veneering oft outshines the solid wood :
His solid sense by inches you must tell,
But mete his cunning' by the old Scots
"ell; :^
His meddling vanity, a busy fiend ,^ ,
Still making work his selfish craft
must mend. ' ....
VERSES
OK BEADING IN A NEWSPAPER THE
DEATH OP JOHN M'LKOD, ESQ., BKO-
THER TO A YOUNG LADY, A PARTIC-
ULAR FRIEND OF THE AUTHOR'S. . .
Sad thy tale, thou idle page, - "'
And ruefal'thy alarms:
Death tears the brother of her love'
From Isabella's arms. ,. ,,
Sweetly Cezki with pearly dew • -
Tlie morning ro.?e may blow;
But cold successive noontide blasts
May lay its beauties low.
Fair on Isabella's morn
The sun propitious smiled;
But, long ere nooii, succeeding clouds
Succeeding hopes beguiled.
-POEMS-*
107
Fate oft tears the bosom chords
That nature finest strung: .
So Isabella's heart was t'orm'd.
And so that heart was wrung.
Were it in the poet's power,
Strong as he shares the grief
That pierces Isabella's heart,
To give that heart jrelie'f !
Dread Omnipotence alone
Can heal the wound he gave;
Caji point the brimful grief- worn eyes
To scenes beyond the grave.
Vjjtue's blosspms there shall blow, .
And fear nowi^^ierlng blast;
■ There Isabella's? SB5)tleas wortili
Shall happjfto St last.
ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF SIK
JAMES HUNTER BLAIR.
Sir James Hunter Blair, who died in 1787, was
a partner in the eminent banking house of
Sir WiUiam Forbes &^o., of Edinburgh.
The lainp of day, with ill-preSaging
glare, [em wave;
Dim, cloudy, sunk beneath the west-
The inconstant blast howl'd through
the darkening air^ [cave.
And hollow whistled in the rocky
Lone as I wander'd by each cliff and
■ dell, [royal train;*
Oncq the loved haunts of Scotia's
Or musQd where limpid streams, once
hallow'd, well.f [fane.J
Or mouldering ruins mark the sacred
The increasing blast roar'd round the
beetling rosks, [starry sky,
The clouds swift- wing'd flew o'er the
The groaning trees untimelyshed their
locks, [startled eye.
And shooting meteors caught the
The paly moon rose in lh3 livi i east.
And 'mong the cliffs disclosed a stately
form, [breast.
In weeds of woe, that frantic beat her
And mix'd her wailings with the
raving storm.
♦JTJie King's Parle, at Holyrood House.
+ St. Anthoay.'s Well.
i St. Anthony's Chapel.
WiW to niyJieart'the filial puljsesglow,
'Twas Caledonia's trophied' shield I
view'd: ' [Wde,
Her form majestic droop'd in pensive
The lightning of her eye in tears
imbued.
Reversed that spear redoubtable in war.
Reclined that banner, ^rgt in fields
unfurVd, , [afar.
That like a deathful meteor gleam'd
And brayed the mighty monarchs -of
tlie wori(i.
"My'patribf son fills an untimely
gravel"- -' [she cried;
With acqents wild and HfteiJ arms
"' Low lies' the hand that, oft was
stretch'd to save, [honest pride.
Low lies the heart that swell'd with
••A weeping country joins a widow's'
tear, , . [phan's cry;
The helpless poor mix with the or-
The drooping arts surround their pa'
tron's bier, [heartfslt'sighl
And grateful' ccieneo 'hteaves- the
' ' I saw my sons resume their ancient
fire:. . . .,.,,- [blow:
I saw fair Freedoiu's blossbriis richly
But ah ! how hope is bom but to expire!
Relentless Fate ha§, l?iLd their guard-
ian-low. ...
',' My patriot falls, biit shall he lie un-
sung, [worthless name"?
While empty greatness . saves ..a
No; every Muse shall join her tuneful
tongue, ,,■■. [fame.
And future ages hear his growing
" And 'I will' join a mother's tender
•cares,' [virtues last;
Tlirough future times to make his
•That distant years may boast ojf other
Blairs!"— [sleeping blast.
She said, and vanish'd with the
TO MISS FERRIER,
ENCLOSING THE ELEGY ON SIR J. H.
BliAIE.
Nae heathen name shall I prefix
Frae Pindus or Parnassus;
Auld Reekie dings' them a' to sticks,
For rhyme-inspiring lasses.
' 'Beats. ^' ""'"
168
BUIfisrS'- WORKS.
Jove's tOUefu' dbchters three times
three
Made Homer deep their debtor;
But, gien th& body half an ee,
Nine Ferriers wad done better!
Last day. my mind was in a bog,.
Down Geoi^e's street I stoited;-
A creeping, cauld, prosaic fog
My very senses doited.^
Do what I doughl'' to set her free.
My saul lay in the mire;
Ye turn'd a neuk° — I saw your ee —
She took the wing lilce fire I
The mournf u' sang I here enclose.
In gratitude I send you;
And [wish and] pray in rhyme sincere,
A' guid things may attend you.
LINES
■WRITTEN WITH A PENCIL OVBK THE
CHIMNET-PIECE IN THE PABLOUK
OF THE INN AT KENMORE, TAY-
MOUTH.
ADMiBiNa Nature in her wildest grace.
These northern scenes with weary feet
I trace; [steep,
O'er ihany a winding dale and painful
The abodes of covey 'd grouse and timid
sheep.
My saVage journey, curious, I pursue.
Till famed Breftdalbane opens to my
view, — [divides,
The meeting cliffs each deep-sunk glen
The woods, wild scatter'd clothe their
ample sides; ['mong the hills.
The outstretching lake, embosom'd
The eye with wonder and amazement
fills: [pride,
The Tay, meandering sweet in infant
The palace, rising on its verdant side;
The lawns, wood-fringed in Nature's
native taste; [liaste;
The hillocks, dropt in Nature's careltes
The arches, striding o'er the new-born
stream ; Jliejiui —
The village, glittering in the jK-ioriticlp
Poetic ardours in my bosom swell.
2 Tottered.
° Cerncr,
3 Stupefied. * Would.
Lone wandering by the hermit's mossy
cell: [woods!
The sweeping - theatre of hanging
The incessant roar of headlong' tum-
bling floods.
Here Poesy might wake her Heaven-
taught lyre, [tivcfiro;
And look through Nature w^th crea-
Here, to the wrongs of Fate half -recon-
ciled, [der wild;
Misfortune's lighten'd steps might wan-
And Disappointment, in these lojiely
bounds, [liiig wounds;
Find balm to soothe her bitter rank-
Here heart-struck Grief jnight heaven-
ward stretch her scan, * [man.
And injured Worth forget and pardon
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF
BRUAR WATER.*
TO THE NOBLE DUIiE OP ATHOLE-
My lord, I know your noble ear
Woe ne'er assails in vain;
Embolden'd thus, I beg you'll hear
Your humble slave complain,
How saucy Phcebus' scorching^cams.
In flaming summer pride, [streams,
Dry - withering, waste my foamy
And drink my crystal tide.
The lightly-jumpin' glowrin' trouts.
That through my waters play.
If, in their random, Wanton spouts.
They near the margm stray;
If, hapless chance! they linger laiig,
I'm scorching ;ip so shallow,
"They 're left, the whitening stanes
amang.
In gasping death to wallow.
Last day I grat wi' spite and teen,
As Poet Burns caine by, ' '
That to a bard I should bo seen
Wi' half my channel dry;
A panegyric rhyme, I ween.
Even as I was ho shored' me ;
But had I jn my glory been.
He, kneeling, wad adored me.
* Promised.
* Bruar Falls, in Athole, are exceedingly
picturesque and .beautiful ; but their effect is
much impaired by the want' of treea ioid
shrubs.— B. -
POEMS.
10»
Here, foaming down the sUelvy rocks,
Liv twisting strength I rin ;
There, high my boiling torrent smokes,
- .1 .Wild-roaring o'er a linn :
Enjoying large each spring and well.
As nature gave tliem me,
I am, although I say 't mysel,
Worth gaun'^ apiilo to see.
Would, then, iay,;t^est mjister please
To' grant my higliest wishes,
He '11 shade my ba|lks wi' towering
trees, %:ji' " '
And bonny spri&ding bushes,
Delighted doublyV'then, my lord,
- You '11 wander on my banks,
And listen mony a grateful. Ijird
Return you tuneful tlianks.
The sober laveroclc," warbling wild,
, . Shall to the skies aspire ;
The gowdspink. Music's gayest child,
Shall sweetly join the choir ;
The blackbird strong, the lintwhite
clear.
The mavis^ mild and mellow ;
The robin pensive autumn cheer.
In ^11 her locks of yellow.
This, tpo, a covert shall insure.
To shieldthem. from; the storms ;
And coward mauldnai sleep secure
Low in their grassy fornls ;
The shepherd here shall make his
seat.
To weave hig crown of flowers ;
Or find a sheltering safe retroat
From, prone descending ajiowers.
Ari4 -here, by sW^eet endearing "stealth,
Shall meet the |SDving pair,
Dd^ising worlds v.ith all their wealtlj.
As empty idle care. [charms
The flowers shall vie in all their
Tfee hour of heaven to grace.
And birks extend their fragrant arms
To screen the dear embrace.
Here haply, too, at vernal dawn,
_gome musing bard may stray,
And eye the smoldng-dewy lawn,
Ajjd misty mountain gray ;■
Or, by the reaper's nightly beam,"
Mild-chequering through the trees,
, - ^ Going. 3,j^ark.
* The harvest moon.
* Thrush. ' Hares.
Bave to my darkly-dashing stream.
Hoarse swelling on the breeze.
Let lofty firs, and ashes cool.
My Ipwly baiiks o'erspread.
And view, deep-bending in the pool,
Their shadows' watery bed 1
LeJ fragrant birks in woodbines drest
My craggy cliffs adorn ; . '
And, for the little songster's nest.
The close-embowering "thoA.
So may old Scotia's darling hope,
, Your little angel band.
Spring, like their fathers', up to prop
Their honotlir*d'native land!
So may through Albion's furthest ken,
. To social-flowing glasses.
The grace be — " Athble's honest men,
And Athole's bonny lasses !"
LINES
■WRITTEN ■WITH A PBNCIl., STANmNG
BY ■ THE FALL OP ITYEHS, NEAK
' LOCH NESS.
Among the heathy hills and ragged
woods --{floods;
The, 'roaring Fyers pours . his mospy
Till full he dashes on the rocky mounds;
Where, through a shapeless breach,
his stream resounds, ■ [flow.
As liighlin air thie bursting torrents
As deep-recoiling surg^ foam below.
Prone clown the rock the whitening
sheet- descends, [rends.
Ancl viewless Echo's ear, astonished
.Dim seen thtough rising mists and
ceafl^J^sa showers, [lowers.
The hoary cavern, wide-surrounding,
Still, tliroughthe gap the struggling
river toils, [boils.
And still, below, the horrid caldron
CASTLE-aORDON.
Streams that glide in orient plains,
Never bound by Winter's chains! •
Glowing here on golden sands,
There- commix'd with foulest stains
From tyranny's empurpled bands:
These, their richly -gleaming waves,
I leave to tyrants and their slaves;
GUve me the stream that sweefly laves
The banks by Csistle-Gordon.
110
BURNS' WORKS.
Spicy forests, ever gay,
Shading from the burning ray.
Hapless wretches sold to toil,
Or the ruthless native's way,
Bent on slaughter, blood, and SjMil ;
Woods that ever verdant wave,
I leave the tyrant and the slave.
Give me the proves that lofty brave
The storms by Castle-Gordon.
Wildly here witlioilt control.
Nature reigns and rules the whole;
In that sober pensive mood.
Dearest to the feeling soul, . [flood:
She plants the forest, pours the
Life's poor day I'll musing i-ave.
And find at night a sheltering cavfe.
Where waters flow , and' wild woods
wave, . ,
By bonny Castle-Gordon.
ON SCARING SOME WATER-.
FOWL IN LOCH TURIT.
A WILD SCENE AMONG THE HILLS OF
OCfttERTYnE.
Why, ye tenants of the. lake,
For me your watery haunts forsake ?
Tell me, fellow-creatures, why
At my presence thus you fly'!
Wliy disturb your social joysj
Parent, filial, kindred ties? —
Common friend to you and me.
Nature's gifts to all aire free:
Peaceful keep your dimpling wave,
Busy feed, or wanton lave;
Or, beneath -the sheltering rock,
Bido the surging billow's shock.
Conscious, blushing for our race.
Soon,. too soon, your fears. I trace.
Man, yoiir proud usurping foe,
Would be lord of all below .
Plumes himself in freedom's pride.
Tyrant stern to all beside.
The eagle, from the cliffy brow,
Marking you his prey below.
In his breast no pity dwells.
Strong iiecessity compels :
Brit man, to whom alone is given
A ray direct from pitying Heaven,
Glories in his heart humane —
And crqatures for his pleasure slain,
In these savage, liquid plains.
Only known -to wandering swains, -
Wliere the mossy rivulet strays," ' ''
Far. from human haunts and ways*
All on nature- you depend'.
And life's poor season peaceful spend.
Or, if man's superior might
Dare invade your native right.
On the lofty ether borne,
Man with- all his powers you scorn i
Swiftly seek, on clanging wings.
Other lakes and othjer springs;
And the foe you cannot bravo
Scorn at least to be Ms slave.
TO MISS CUUIKSHANK,
A VERY YOUNG LADY. ' WEITTEN ON
THE BLANK LEAF OP A BOOK PRE-
SENl'ED to HEK BY THE AtTTHOK.
Thjs yaung lady was the subject of on^iof the
poet's songs, "A Rosebud by my Early
Walk." She was the daughter of Mr. Cruik-
shank. No. 1 30 - St;' James' Square, Edin-
burgh,: with whom the poet resided.-i for
some time during one of *is visits to Edin-
burrfi. " She after-wards became the wife of.
Mr. Henderson, a solicitor m JedbUrgh.
Beauteous rosebud, -young and . gay^
Blooming in thy eaily May,
Never mayst thou, lovely flower!
Chilly shrink in sleety shower !
Never Boreas' hoary path.
Never Eurus' poisonous breath,
Never baleful stellar lights.
Taint thee with untimely blights !
Never, never reptile tliief
Riot:on thy virgin leaf! '
Not even Sol too fiercely view
Thy bosom blushing still with dew!
Mayst thou long, sweet crimson gem.
Richly deck thy native" stem ;
VAIX some evening, sober calm, • -
Dropping dews, and breathing balm.
While all around the woodland rings.
And every bird thy requiem sings;
Thou, amid the dirgefnl sound,
Shed thy dying honours round, .
And rejagn to parent earth :<-^i
The loveliest form she e'er gave birth.
POETICAL ADDRESS TO ME. WIL.
LIAM TYTLER.
WITH A PRESENT OF THE BARD'S
'PICTURE.
William Tytler, Esq., of Woodhouselee, to
whom ■ these" lines were "addressed; wrote a
POEMS.
■Ill
work in defence of Maty (Jueen of Scots,
and earned the gratitude ofBurns, who had
allapoet's sympathies for the unfostunate
and beautiful pueen. Mr. Tytler wasgrand-
1. father -to Patricic Fraser Tytler, the author
of " The History of Scotland."
Eevbkbd defender of beauteotiis Stu-
art,
Of Stuart, a name once respeotedj —
A name wliicli to love was the mark of
a true heart.
But now 'tis despised and neglected.
Though soraetliiog like moisture con-
globe® in my eye,
Let no one misdeem me disloyal ;
A poor f rieudloss wanderer may vv-cll
claim a sigli, [royal.
Still more, if that wanderer were
My fathers that name have revered on
a throne ;
.My fathers have fallen to right it ;
Those fathers would spurn their degen-
, erate son, ._ {slight it.
That name should he scoffingly
StiEin prajrers for King George I most
heartily join, .
The queen and the res t of the gentry ;
Be they wise, be they foolish, ij noth-
ing of mine —
Their title's avow'd by my country.
But why of this epocha make such a
BiSS
Th^ gave us the Hanover stem ;
If br^glng them over was lucky for us,
1 'm sure 'twas as lucky for them".
But, loyalty, trace ! we 're on danger-
ous'ground, [alter ?
Who kriows how the fashions may
The doctrine to-day that is loyalty
sound,
To-morrow may bring us a haltter.
I send you a trifle, a head of a bard,
A trifle scarce worthy your care :
But accept it, good sir, as a mark of re-
gard.
Sincere as a- saint's dying prayer.
Now life's chilly evening dim shades
on your eye,
And ushers the Ion"; dreary night :
But you, like the star that athwart
gilds the sky.
Your coui:se toj the latest is bright.
ELEGY OX THE DEATH OF BOB-
ERT DUNDAS, ESQ.,^0P'ARn1S-
TON,*
LATE LOKD rRESIDBNT OF THE OOtTRT
OF SESSION.
In a letter to Dr. Geddes, Burns tells the fate
of this poem, and niakes his own comment :
— '' The following elegy has some tolerable
lines in it, but the incurable wound of my
pride Will not suffer me to correct,- or even
peruse, it. I sent a copy of it, with my best
prose letter, to the son of the great man, the
theme of the piece, by the hands of one ol^,
the noblest men in God's world — Alexander
Wood, surgeon. When, behold ! liis solicit-
orship took no more notice of liiy poem or
me than .if I-had been a strolliqg fiddler whd
liad made free with his lady's name over a
silly new reel ! Did the gentleman imagine
that I looked for any dirty gratuity !"
Lone on the bleaky hills the straying
flocks ' [tering rocks ;
Shun the fierce storms among the sliel-
Down foam the rivulets, red with dash-
ing rains ; [tant plains,;
The gathering floods burst o'er the dis-
Beneath the blast the leafless forests
groan ; ,
The hollow caVes return a sullfen moan.
Ye hills; ye plains, ye forests, and ye
caves, , ' [waves !
Ye howling winds, and wintry-swelling
Unheard, unseen, by human ear or eye.
Sad to your sympathetic scenes I fly;
Where, to the wliistling blast and wa-
ter's roar - ' [plore.
Pale Scotia's recent wound I may de-
Oh heavy loss, tliy country ill could
bear !
A loss these evil days can ne'er repair !
Justice, the high vicegerent of her God,
Her doubtful balance eyed, and sway'd
her rod ; - - ^
She heard the tidfngs of the fatal blow.
And sunk, abandon'd to the wildest
Wrongs, injuries, from many a daA-
somo den, [men :
Now gay in hope explore the paths of
See, from his cavern, grim Oppression
rise.
* Elder brother to Viscount Melville, born
17(3, appointe'd ' President in 1760, and died
Deeenatrer'is, 1787, after ashort illness
113
BURNS' WORKS.
And throve on Poverty' liis. cruel eyes ;
Keen on the lielpless victim see him
■"fly,- ■ • ■•' , _ [Cfy.
And stifle, dark, tlio feebly-bursting
Mark ruffian Violence, diatained with
crimes, ■ ' [times ;
Bousing- elate in- these ^ degenerate
View unsuspecting Innocenioe a i)rey,
As guileful Fraud points out the c^ri-inrj
way :
While subtle Litigation's pliant tongue
The life-blood equal sucks of Eight
• and Wrong : [listen'd tale.
Hark! injured Want, recounts tli' iiu-
And much-wrong'd Misery pours the
unpitied wail !
Ye dark waste hills, and brown un-
sightly plains, r.'. . . . [strains :
trb. yoii I sing 'my grief - mspired
Ye tempests, rage ! yo turbid torrents,
roll ! . .
Ye suit the joyless tenor of my soul,
life's social liaunts and pleasures I re-
sign, [ings mine.
Be naiiieless wilds and ■ lone wander-
To mourn the v^oes my country must
■ endure, [cure.
That wound degenerate ages cannot
TO CLAEINDA,
ON THE POET'S LEAVING EDINBTJBGH.
The maiden name of Clarinda was Agnes
Craig. At - the time Bums made ■ her ac-
quaintance she was the wife of a Mr. M'Le-
hose, from, whom she had been separated
on account of ineoinpatibility of temper,
etc. _ She .seems to have- entertained a sin-
cere affection for the poet. Burns, who was
always engaged in some affair of the heart,
seems to have been much less sincere. His
letters to her are somewhat forcjcd and stilt-
ed, and contrast verjt .unfavourably with
those of hers, which have been preserved.
He soon, fcfrgot her, however, to her great
regret and mortification. She was beautiful
and accomplished, and a poetess. (See jirc-
iatpry note to Letters to Clarinda.) Burns
thus alludes to bn'e of her prodiictiona ; —
" Your last verses to me haye s© delighted
me.that I have got an,e5cellent.old Scots air
that -suits the, measure, and you shall see
them inpnntin the Scots JSTusUaLMvsfm^
a work publishing by a friend of mitfediL.
this town. The air is ' The Banks oi Spey,'
andls most beautiful." r want 'four stanzas
— you gave me but three, and one, of them
alluded to an expression in my former let-
ter: 50 I have taken your first two verses.
with ■» slight 'altei^tion in the second, aftd
' have added a third ; .but-you must help me
to a fourth. Here they arc ; the latter half
of the first stanzaveould have been worthy
of Sappho ; I am in*raptures wfth it: —
" ' Talk not of Xove; it gives me pain.
For love has been my foe ; , . . -
He boundme with an-ircm chain.
And plunged me deep in woe.
" ' But friendship's pure and lasting joys
My heart was lorm'd to prove ;
There, welcome, win, and. v/car the prize.
But never talk of Love.
'^ ' Your friendship much can mal:e me b'.est.
-Oh ! why- that bliss destroy?
Why urge the .odious [j^nlyl.jone request
. You know. I oust twill] deny ?' ' ■
" P.S. — What v/ould you think ol this for a
fourth stanza ?
" ' Your thoti^ht, if Love must harbour there,
. Conceal it in that thought ;
Nor cause mc-from my bosom tear
The very friend I sought.' '
These verses are inserted in the second vol-
ume of the Musical Museum. '
Clarinda, mistress oi'my sovil.
The measured' time is tan !
The wretch beijeath the dreary pole, >
So marks his latest sun.
To what dark cavo of frozen night
Shall poor Sylvander hie ?
Deprived of thee, his life and light, .
'I'he sun of all his joy !
We part — ^but,- by these precious drops
That fill thy lovely eyes I '
No other light shall guide my steps
Till thy bright beams arise.
She, the fair sun of all her sex,
, Has blest my glorious day;
And shall a glimmering planet fix
•My worship to its ray 'I * .
TO CLARINDA.
WITH A PEKSENT OP A PAIR OF DRIl^K-
IKS-GLASSES. :'
Fair empress of the poet's soul.
And queen of poetesses;
.Clarinda, take this little boon.
This humble pair of glasses.
And flu them lligh with generous- juice,
As.generous as your mind;
And pledge me in the generovis toast —
"The" whole df human kiad !"
POEMS.
113
'.' To those tliat lovo us 1"— second fill;
But not to those whom we love;
Lest we love those who lovo not us !
A. third — " To thee and me, love I"
Long may we live ! long may wo love I
And long may we be happy I
And never may we want a glass
Well charged with generous nappy !
TO CLAEINDA.
Before I saw Clarinda's face.
My heart was blithe and gay.
Free as the wind, or feather'd race
That hop from spray to spray.
But now dejected I appear,
Clarinda proves unkind;
I, sighing, drop the silent tear,
But no relief can find.
In plaintive notes my tale rehearses
When I the fair have found;
On every tree appear my verses
That to her praise resound.
But she, ungrateful, shuns my sight,
My faithful love djSdains,
My vows and tears her scorn excite —
" Anbther happy feigns.
^h, though my looks betray,
I envy your success;
Yet love to friendship shall give way,
I cannot wish it less._
TO CLARIXDA.
" I BiniN, I burn, as when -i(hrough
ripen'd corn, [are borne!"
By driving winds, the crackling flames
Now maddening wild, I ,ciir=ie that
fatal. night; [my guilty sight.
Now bless the , hour wliich charm'd
In vain the "laws their feeble force
oppose; [vanquish'd foes:
Chaiu'd at his feet tliey groan Love's
In vain ' lieligion meets my shrinking
eye;
I dare not combat — ^but I turn and fly:
Conscience in vain upbraids the unhal-
low'dflre; [expire;
Love grasps its ocorpion*-— stifled they
Eeason drops headlong from his sacred
throne.
Your dear idea reigns, and reigns alone;
Each thought intoxicated homage
yields.
And ripts wanton in forbidden fields !
By all on high adoring mortals know !
By all the conscious villain fears belowl
By your dear self !— the last great oath
I swear-;—
Nor life nor soul was ever half so dear f
LINES
WBITTEN IN FBIABS CAIiSii! HERMIT-
AGE, ON THE BANKS OF THE NITH.
{First Version^
Bmns thought so well of this poem, that he
preserved both copies. The first was writ-
tea in June, 1783. The MS. of the amended
copy is headed, " Altered from the forego-
ing^, in December, 1788."" The hermitage in
which these lines were written wa& on the
property of Captain Riddel of Friars' Carse,
a beautiful house wiiH fiHe gr6unds,a mile
above' EUisland. . One of the many kindly
favours extend to the poet by Captain Rid-
del-and his accomplished lady was the per-
hiissi'oh to wairid'er at ■ will ill' the beautiful
.grounds of Friars' Carse. The first six lines
were graveti with a diamoiid on a pane of
, glass in a window -of the hermitage.
Thou whom chance may hither lead,
Be thou clad in russet weed.
Be thou deckt in silken stole.
Grave these maxims on thy soul: — '
Life is but a day at most.
Sprung from night, in darkness lost;
Day, Jiow rapid in its flights-
Day, how few must see 'the night;
Hope not sunshifle every honr.
Fear not clouds will always lower.
Happiness is but a name.
Make content and ease thy aim;
Ambition is a meteor gleam ;
Fame an idle, restless dream :
Pleasures, insects on the wing.
Round Peace, the tenderest flower of
Spring!
Those thp,t sip the dew. alone.
Make the butterflies thy own ;
Those thai; would the bloom devour,
Crush" the loouists — save the flower.
For the future be prepared.
Guard whatever thou canst guard :
But, thy utmost duly 'done,
AVelcome what thou canst not shun.
Follies past give thou to air.
114
BURNS' WORKS.
Make tlieir consequence thy care :
Keep the name of man in mind,
And dishonour not thy kind.
Reverence with lowly heart
Him whose wondrous work thou art ;
Keep His goodness still in view,
Tliy trust — and. thy example, too.
Stranger, go ! Heaven be thy guide.
Quoth the Beadsman on Nithside.
LINES
WMTTEN IN miABS' CAKSE HERMIT-
AGE, ON NITHSIDE.
(Second Version.)
Thou whoin chance may hither lead.
Be thou clad in russet weed.
Be thou deckt in siUien stole,
Urave these counsels on thy soul : —
Life is but a day at most,
Sprung from night, in darkness lost ;
Hope not sunshine every hour,
Fear not clouds will always lower.
As - Youth and Love, with sprightly
dance.
Beneath tliy moniingrstar advance.
Pleasure, with her siren air.
May delude the thoughtless pair ;
Let Prudence bless Enjoyment's cup.
Then raptured sip, and sip it up.
As thy day grows warm and high.
Life's meridian flaming nigh.
Dost tliou spurn the humble vale ?
Life's proud summits wouldst thou
scale ?
Clieck thy climbing step, elate.
Evils lurk in felon wait :
Dangers, eagle-pinion'd, bold.
Soar around each cliffy hold,
While cheerful Peace, with linnet song,
Qiants the lowly dells among.
As the shades of evening close.
Beckoning thee to long repose ;
As life itself becomes disease,
Seelt the chimney-neuk of ease,
There ruminate with sober thought
On all thou'st seen, and heard, and
wrought ;
And teach the sportive younkers round,
Saws of experience sage and sound ;
Say, man's true, genuine estimate,
The grand criterion of his fate.
Is not — Art thou high or low 1
Did thy fortune ebb or flow ?
Wast thou cottager or king?
Peer or peasant V — no such thing !
Did many talents gild thy span ?
Or frugal Nature grudge thee one ?
Tell them, and press it on their mind,
As thou thyself must shortly find.
The smile or frovm of awful Heaven
To Virtue or- to Vico is given.
Say, " To be just, and kind, and wisei-
There solid Self-enjoyment lies;
That foolish, selfish, faithless ways
Lead to the wretched, vile and base." "
Thus resign'd and quiet, creep
To the bed of lasting sleep;
Sleep, whenc3 thou shalt ne'er awake.
Night, where dawn shall never break.
Till future lif c^f uture no more —
To light and joy the good restore, '
To light and joy unknown before!
Stranger, go! Heaven be thy guide!
Quoth the Beadsman of Nithside.
A MOTHER'S LAMENT FOR THE
DEATH OF HER SON.
The poet says: — " ' The Mother's Lament'
was composed partly with a view to Mrs._
Ferg«|feon of Craigdarroch, and partly to the"
worthy, patroness of my" early unknown
muse; Mrs. Stewart of Alton." It was also
inserted in the Ah'isicai Museum^xo the tune
of *' Finlayston House."
Fate gave the word, the arrow sped,
And pierced my darling's heart ;
And with him all the joys are fled
Life can to me impart.
By cruel hands the sapling drops.
In dust dishonour'd laid;
So fell the pride of all my hopes.
My age's future shade.
The mother-linuet in the brake
Bewails her ravish'd young;
So I, for my lost darling's sake.
Lament the live-day long.
Death, oft I've fear'd thy fetal blow,
Now, fond, I bare my breast.
Oh, do thou kindly lay me low
With him I love, at rest!
POEMS.
118
ELEGY 0:X THE YEAR 1788.
A SKKTCn.
Cunningham says : — " Truly has the plough-
man bard described the natures of those
illustrious rivals, Fox and Pitt, under the
similitude of the * birdie cocks,' Nor will
the allusion to the ' hand-cuffed, muzzled,
hali -shackled regent ' be lost on those who
remember the alarm into which the nation
was thrown by the king's illness."
Foalords or kings I dinua mourn,
E'en }et tliem die — for tliat they're
- born!
But oil! prodigious tareflec'l
A towmont,' sirs, is gane to wreck!
0 Biglity-eigkt, in tliy sma' space
What dire events kae talcen place I
Of wkat enjoyments thou hast reft us!
I'- what a pickle thou hast left us!
'ike Spanish empire's tint' a head,
And my auld teethless Bawtie's' dead;
The tulzie's^ sair 'tween Pitt and Fox,
And our guid wife's wee birdie cocks;
The tane is game, a bluidy devil.
But to the hen-birds unco civil;
The tither's something dour o' treadin',
But better stuff ne'er claw'd a midden.
Ye ministers, como mount the pu'pit.
And cry till ye be hoa,rse and roopit,
For Eighty -eight' he wish'd you weel.
And gied you a' baith gear' and meal;'
E'en mony a plack, and mony a peck.
Ye. ken yoursels, for little feck 1"
Ye bonny lasses , dighf your een.
For some o' you hae tint a frieu';
In Eighty-eight, ye ken,* was ta'en
What ye'U ne'er hae to gie again.
Observe the very nowte' and sheep,
• How dowf and dowie'" now they creep;
\Nay, even the yirth itsel does cry,
-For Eriibragh wells are grutten" dry.
O Eighty-nino, thou's but a bairn.
And no owre auld, I hope to learn !
Thou beardless -boy, I pray tak care,
Tho'u now hast. got thy daddy's chair,
Nae hand-cufE'd, muzzled, half -shack-
led regent,
But likehimsel, a full, "free- agent.
Be sure ye-f olio w out the plan
' Twelvemonth. . ' tost. .' His dog.
■* Fight. 5 Goods; « Work. ' Wipe. » Know.
"Cattle. '"Pithless and low spirited. "Wept.
Nae waur" than he did, honest man !
As muckle better as you can.
Jim. I, 1789.
TO CAPTAIN RIDDEL OP GLEN-
KIDDEL.
EXTEMPOBB LINES ON KBTURNING A
NEWSPAPEB.
The newspaper sent contained some sharp
strictures on the poet's works,
Ellisland, Monday Evening,
YoDB news and review, sir, I've read
. through and througli, sir.
With little admiring or blaming;
The papers are barren of home news or
foreign, [ing.
No murders or rapes worth the nam-
Our friendi;tiie reviewers, tliose chip-
pers and bewers.
Are judges ofSajortar and stone,sir;
But -of me,e,t or umaeet, in a fabric
complete,
I boldly pronounce they are none, sir.
My 'goose-quill too rude is to tell all your
goodness
Bestow'd on your servant the poet;
Would to God I had one like a beam
of the sun, [know it I
And then all the world, sir, should
ODE:
SACKED TO THE MEMORY 03"
MRS. OSWALD.
The origin of this bitter and not very credit-
able efEusion is thus related by the poet in a
letter to Dr. Moore : — " The enclosed ' Ode'
is a compliment to the memory of the late
Mjs. Oswald of Auchincruive, You prob-
ably knew het personally, an honour which
I cannot boast, but I spent my, early years
in her neighbourhood, and among her ser-
vants and tenants. I know that she was de-
tested with the most heartfelt .cordiahty.
However, in the particular part of her con-
duct which roused my poetical wrath she
was much less blamable. In January last,
on ray road to Ayrshire, I had to put up at
Bailie Whigham's m Sanquhar, the only
tolerable inn in the place. The frost was
keen, and the grim evening ^nd howling
wind were ushering in a night of snow and
drift. My horse and 1 were both much
» Worse.
116
BURNB* WORKS.
fatigued with the labours of the day ; and
just as my friend the bailie, and I were bid-
ding defiance to the storm, over a smoking
bowl, in wheels the funeral pageantry of the
late Mrs. Oswald ; and poor I am forced to
brave all the terrors of the tempestuous
night, and jade my horse — my young favor-
ite horse, whom I had just christened
Pegasus — further on, through the wildest
hills and moors of Ayrshire, to New Cum-
nock, the next inn. The powers of poesy
and prose sink under me when I wquld de-
scribe what I felt. Suffice it to say that,
when a good tire at New Cufanock had so
far recovered my frozen sinews, 1 s&t down
and wrote the enclosed ' Ode.' " The poet
lived to think more favourably of the name :
one of his finest lyrics, '' Oh, wat ye wha's
in yon town," was written in honour of the
beauty of the succeeding Mrs. Oswald.
Dweller in yon dungeon dark.
Hangman of creation, mark !
Who in widow- weeds appears,
Laden with unhonour'd years.
Noosing with care a bursting purse.
Baited with many a deadly curse !
View the wither'd beldam's face —
Can thy keen inspection trace [grace?
Aught of humanity's sweet melting
■ Note that eye, 'tis rheum o'erflows.
Pity's flood there never rose.
See these hands', ne'er stretch'd to save,
Hands that took — but never gave.
ICeeper of Mammon's iron chest,
Lo, there she goes, unpitied and
unblest — [lasting rest !
She goes, but not to realms of ever-
ANTISTROPHK
Plunderer of armies, lift thine eyes,
(A while forbear, ye torturing fiends:)
Seest thou whose step, unwilling hither
bends ? [skies ;
No fallen angel, hurl'd from upper
'Tis thy trusty quondam mate,
Doom'd to share thy fiery fate.
She, tardy, hellward plies.
EPODE.
And are they of no more avail,
Ten thousand glittering pounds a year ?
In other worlds cau Mammon fail,
Omnipotent as he is here V
Oh, bitter mockery of the pompous bier,
"While down the wretched vital part is
driven ! [science clear,
The cave- lodged beggar, witli a con-
Expires in rags, unknown, and goes to
heaven.
TO. JOHN TAXLOR.
" The poet," says a correspondent of Cunning-
ham s, " it seems, during one of his journeys-
over his ten parishes as an exciseman, .had
-arrived at Wanlockhead on a winter^4ay,
when the roads were sHppery with ice, and
Jenny Geddes, his mare, icept her feet with
difficulty. Tlie blacksmith of the place was
busied with other pressing matters in the
forge and could not spare time for 'frosting*
the shoes of the poet's mare, and it is likely
he would have proceeded on his^dangerous
journey, had he not bethought* himself of
propitiating the son of Vulcan iwith verse.
He called for oen and ink, wrote these
verses to John Taylor, a. person of influence
in Wanlockhead ; and when he had done, a
gentleman of the .name of Sloan, who ac-
companied him, added these words: — 'J.
Sloan's best compliments to Mr. Taylor, and
■it would be doing him and the Ayrshire
bard a particular favour, if he would oblige
them instanter with his agreeable company.
The road has been so slippery that the ridei^
and the brutes w«re equally in danger of
getting some of their bones broken. For
uie poet, his life and limbs are of some con-
sequence to the world ; but for poor Sloan,
it matters very little what may become of
him. The whole of this business is to ask
the favour of getting the horses' shoes
sharpened.' On the receipt of this, Taylor
spoke to the smith, the smith flew to his
tools, sharpened the horses' shoes, and, it is
recorded, lived thirty years to say he had
never been ' weel paid but ance, and that
was by the poet, who paiti.him in money,
paid hin^n drink, and palS him in Verse.' ''
With Pegasus upon a day,
Apollo weary flying,
Through frosty hills the journey lay.
On foot the way v*'as plying.
Poor slipshod giddy Pegasus
Was but a sorry walker;
To Vulcan tlien Apollo goes.
To get a frosty caulker.*
Obliging Vulcan fell to work.
Threw by his coat and bonnet.
And did Sol's business iu a crack;
Sol paid him with a sonnet.
Ye Vulcan's sons of Wanlockhead,^
Pity my sad disaster;
My Pegasus is poorly shod — •
I'll pay you like my master.
Robert Burns,
Ramage's, three o'clock.
* A nail put into a shoe to prevent the foot
from slipping in frosty weather.
POEMS.
117
SKETCH:
INSCRIBED TO THE EIGHT HON.
C. J. POX.
In a letter to Mrs. Dunlop the poet says, " I
have a poetic whim in my hftad, which I at
, present dedicate or rather inscribe, to the
■ ■Rigllt Hon. Charles James Fox ; but how
P long- that fancy may hold, I cannot say. A
' few of the first lines I have just rough-
sketched as follows: " —
How wisdom arid, folly meet, mix, and
unite; [and tlieir white;
How virtne and vice blend tlieir black
How genius tlie illustrious father of
fiction, [tradlctioii—
Confounds rule and law, reconciles con-
1 sing: if these mortals, the critics,
should bustle, [whistle!
I care not, not I — let the critics go
But now for a patron, whose^ name
and whose glory [story.
At once may. illustrate and honour my
Thou first of our orators, first of our
wits; [seem mere lucky hits;
Yet whose parts and acquirements
With knowledge so vast, and with
judgment so strong, [far wrong;
Ko man with the half of 'em e'er went
With passions so potent, and fancies so
bright, [quite right; —
No man with the half of 'em e'er went
A sorry, poor mdsbegot sou of the
Muses,
t'or using thy name offers fifty excuses.
Good Lord, what is man ? for as simple
he looks, [his crooks;
Do but try to develop his hooks and
With his depths and his shallows, his
good and his evil; [the devil.
All in all he's a problem must puzzle
On his one ruling passion Sir Pope
hugely labours.
That, like the old Hebrew walking-
switch, eats up its neighbours ;
Manliind are his show-box — a friend,
would you know him ?
Pull the string, ruling passion the
picture will show him.
What pity, in rearing so beauteous a
system, (Itave miss'd him ;
One trifling particular truth should
For, spite of his fine theoretic positions.
Mankind is a science defies definitions.
Some sort all our qualities each to its
tribe, [describe ;
And think human nature they truly
Have you found this, or t'other "i there's
more In the wind.
As by one drunken fellow his com-
rades you '11 find. [the plan.
But such is the flaw, or the dept^ of
In the malte of that wonderful creature
call'd man, [claim.
No two virtues, whatever relation they
Nor even two different shades of the
same, [to brother,
Though like as was ever twin brother
Possessing the one shall imply you 've
the other.
But truce with abstraction, and truc3
with a Muse, [deign to peruse:
Whose rhymes you '11 perhaps, sir, ne'er
Will you leave your justings, your jars,'
and your quarrels, [ding laurels ?
Contending with Billy for proud-nod-
My much - honour'd patron, believe
your poor poet.
Your courage much more than your
prudence you show it ;
In vain with Squire Billy for laurels
you struggle.
He '11 have them by fair trade, if not,
he will smuggle ; [ceal 'em,
Not cabinets even of kings would con-
He 'd up the back-stairs, and by God
he would steal 'em.
Then feats like Squire Billy's you ne'er
can achieve 'em, [thieve him,
It is not, outdo him, the task Is out-
VERSES
ON SEEING A WOUNDED HABE LIMP
BY ME WHICH A FELLOW HAD JUST
SHOT.
This poem was founded on a real incident.
James Thomson, a neighbour of the poet's,
states that having shot at, and wounded a
hare, it ran past the poet, who happened to
be near. " He cursed me, and said he would
not mind throwing me into the water ; and
I'll warrant he could hae done't, though I
was both young and strong."
Inhuman man I curse on thy barb'rous
art, [eye ;
And blasted be thy murder-aiming
May never pity soothe thee with a
sigh.
Nor ever pleasure glad thy cruelhaart 1
ns
BURNS' WORKS.
Go live, poor wanderer of the wood and
field !
The bitter little that of life remains ;
, No more the thickening lirakes and
verdant plains [yield.
To thee shall home, or food, or pastime
Seek, mangled wretch, some place of
wonted rest, [bed !
No more of rest, but now thy dying
The sheltering rushes whistling o'er
thy head, [prest.
The cold earth with thy bloody bosom
Oft as by vrindiug Nith, I, musing,
wait , [dawn;
The sober eve, or hail the cheerful
I'll miss thee sporting o'er the dewy
lawn, [thy hapless fate.
And curse the ruffian's aim, and mourn
DELIA.
AN ODE.
This ode was sent to the Star newspaper with
the following eharacteristic letter : — " Mr.
. Printer,:— If the productions of a simple
ploughman can merit a place in the same
papei- with; the "other favourites of the'
Muses "who illuminate the Star with the
lustre of genius, your insertion of the en-
closed trifle will be succeeded by future
communications from yours, etc.,
" Robert Burns.
" Ellisland, near Dumfries, May i8, 1789.''
Fair the face of orient day.
Fair the tints of opening rose;
But fairer still my Delia dawns.
More lovely far her beauty blows.
Sweet the lark's wild- warbled lay.
Sweet the tinlding rill to hear;
But, Delia, more delightful still.
Steal thine accents on mitie ear.
The flower-enamour'd busy bee,
The rosy banquet loves to sip;
Sweet the streamlet's liinpid lapse
To the sun-brown'd Arab's lip.
But, Delia, on thy balmy lips
Let me, no vagrant insect, rove!
Oh, let me steal one liquid kiss !
For, oh! my soul is parch'd with love!
ADDRESS TO THE TOOTHACHE.
WBITTEN WHEN THE AUTHOR WkS
GBIEVOtrSLY TORMENTED BY THAT
DISORDER.
My curse upon the venom'd stang,
That shoots my tortured gums alang;
And through my lugs gies mony a
twang,
Wi' gnawing vengeance; -
Tearing my nerves wi' bitter pang,
Lilce racking engines!
Wlien fevers burn, or ague freezes.
Rheumatics gnaw, orcholic squeezes;
Our neighbour's sympathy may ease us,
Wi' pitying moan:
But thee — ^thou hell o' a' diseases.
Aye moclis ourgroan!
Adown my beard the slavers trickle!
I kick the wee stools o'er the mlckle, ,
Asl'ouud the fire the gigletskeckle,' •
To see me loap;' ■
WhUe raving mad, I wish a heckle*
Were in their doup.
Of a' thonurtterous human dools,'
In hairsts, daft bargains, cutty-stools, -
Or worthy friends raked i' the mools,*
Sad sight to see!
The tricks o' knaves, or fash o' fools.
Thou bear'st the gree.
Wliere'er that place be priests ca' liell.
Whence a' the tones o' misery yell.
And janlced plagues their, numbers
tell, '
In dreadfu' r^w, [bell
Thou, Toothadie, surely bear'st th^
Amang them a' !
O thou grim mischief -making chiel.
That gars the notes of disc&rd squeel, '
Till daft manldnd aft dance a reel
In gore a shoe thick.
Gie a' the faes o' Scotland's weal
A towmond's^ toothache I
1 The mirthful children laugh. ^ Jump.
= Troubles. * Grave— earth. ^ Twelve-
month's.
* A frame in which is stuck, sharp ends up-
permost, from fifty to a hundred steel .spikes,
through which the hemp is drawn to straight-
en It for manufacturing purposes, -
POEMS.
lit)
THE KIRK'S ALARM.
A SATIRE.
We quote Lockhart's account of the origin of
the "Kirk's Alarm :"—" M'Gill and Dal-
rymple, the two ministers of the town of Ayr,
had long been suspected of entertainmg
heterodox opinions on several points, par-
ticularly the doctrine of original sin and the
Trinity ; and the former at length published
*An Essay on the Death cf Jesus Christ,'
which vfas considered as demanding the
notice of the Church courts. More than a
year was spent in the discussions which
arose out of this : and at last. Dr. M'Gill was
fain to acknowledge his errors, and promise
that he would take an earljr opportunity; of
apolQgising for them to his congregation
from the pulpit, which promise, however,
he never performed. The gentry of the
, country took, for the most part, the side of
M'Gill, who was 3. ma^-6f cold, unpopular
manners, but of unreproached moral char-
acter, and possessed of some accomplish-
ments. The bulk of-, the lower orders
espoused, with far^'mofrS" fervid zeal, the
cause of those who conducted the prosecu-
tion against this erring doctor. Gavin
Hamilton, and all persons of his-stamp, were,
of course, on the side of M'Gill — Auld and
the Mauchhne elders with his enemies.
Robert Aiken, a writer in Ayr, a man of re-
markable talents, particularly in public
speakMg, had the principal management of
M'Gill's cause before the presbytery and the
synod. He was an imiitiate friend of Ham-
ilton's, and through him had about X-his time
formed an acquaintance which soon ripened
into a warm friendship with Burns. - Bums
was, therefore, from the beginning, a zeal-
ous, as in the end he was, perhaps, the most
effective, ' partisan of the side on which
Aiken had staked so much of his reputation."
Orthodox, orthodox,
Wha believe in John Knox,
Let me sound an alarm to your con-
science—
There's a heretic blast
Has been blawn i' the wast,
That what is not sense must be non-
sense.
Doctor Mac,* Doctor Mac,
You should stretch on a rack
To strike evil doers wi' terror;
To join faith and sense.
Upon ony pretence.
Is heretic, damnable error.
Town of Ayr, town of Ayr,
It was mad, I declare.
* Dr. M'Gill.
Tq meddle wi' mischief a-brewing ;
Provost Johnf is still deaf
To the Church's relief, '
And Orator Bob i is its ruin.
D'rymple mild,§ D'rymple mild,
Though your heart 's lilte a child.
And your life like the new-driven
snaw ;
Yet that winna save ye,
Auld Satan must have ye, [twa.
For preaching that three 's ano and
Rumble John, || Rumble John,
Mount the steps ■wi' a groan,
Cry the book is wi' heresy cramm'd ;
Then lug out your ladle,
Deal brimstone like adle,'
And roar eveiy note of the damn'd.
Simper James ,T[ Simper James,
Leave the fair Killie^ dames.
There 's a holier chase in your view
1 '11 lay on your head
That the pack ye '11 soon lead,
For puppies like you there 's but few.
Singet Sawney,** Singet' Sawney,"
Are ye herding the penny,
Unconscious what evil await ?
Wi' a jump, yell and howl,
Alarm every soul,
For the foul thief is just at your gate.
Daddy Auld, ft Daddy Auld,
There 's a tod-* in the fauld, '
A tod.meilde waur than the clerk ;ii
Though ye downa do skaith," >
Ye '11 be in at the death.
And if ye canna bite, ye can bark.
* Putrid water. 2 Kilmarnock. * Singed.
* Fox. ' Harm. - -
t John Ballantyne, Esq., provost of Ayr, to
whom the " Twa Brigs "^is dedicated.
$ Mr. Robert Aiken, writer in Ayr^ to-whont
the "Cotter's Saturday Night' is inscribed.
He was agent for Dr. M'Gillin the presbytery
and synod.
§ The Rev. Dr. William Dalrymple, senior
minister of the collegiate church of Ayr.
I "The Rev. John Russell, celebrated in the
" Holy Fair."
^ The Rev. James Mackinlay, the hero ot
the " Ordination." , ' -
** The Rev Alexander Moodie.of Riccarton,
one of the heroes of the " Twa Herds."
H The Rev^ Ml, Auld. of Mauchhne,
jj The olerk was Mr, Gavin Hamilton, who
had been a thorn in the side of Mr. Auld.
130
BURNS' WORKS.
, Davie Bluster, §§ Davie Bluster,
For a saunt if ye muster.
The corps is no nice of recruits ;
Yet to wortli let 's be just.
Royal blood ye might boast.
If the ass were the king of the iDrutes.
Jamie Goose,||| Jamie Goose,
Ye hae made but toom roose,"
In hunting the wicked lieutenant ;
But the doctor 's your mark,
For the Lord's haly ark [in 't.
He has cooper'd and ca'd' a wrang pin
Poet Willie,!! Poet Willie,
Gie the Doctor a volley, [wit;
Wi' your "Liberty's chain" and your
O'er Pegasus' side
. Ye ne'er laid a stride. [he — — .
Ye but smelt, man, the plac e where
Andro Gonk,*** Andro Gouk,
Ye may slander the book, [tell ye;
And the book nane the waur, let me
Though ye're rich and look big.
Yet lay by hat and wig, [value.
And ye'll hae a calf's head o' sma'
Barr Steenie,fff Barr Steenie,
What mean ye, what mean ye 1
If ye'll meddle nae mair wi' tlie matter.
Ye may hae some pretence
To havins* and sense,
Wi' people wha ken ye nae better.
Irvine side,||:f Irvine side,
Wi' your turkey-cock pride.
Of manhood but sma' is your share;
Ye've the figure, 'tis true.
Even your f aes will allow.
And your friends they daur grant you
nae mair.
Muirland Jock,§§§ Muirland Jock,
When the Lord makes a rock
* Empty fame. ' Driven. ^ Good manners.
§§ Mr. Grant, Ochiltree.
Ill Mr. Young, Cumnock.
^^ Tlie Rev. Dr. Peebles, of Newton-upon-
Ayr, the author of an indifferent poem on the
centenary of the revolution, in which occurred
ihe line to which the poet alludes.
*♦* J}r. Andrew Mitchell, Monkton, a
wealthy member of presbytery.
ttt' Rev. Stephen Young, Barr.
■ iit Rev. Mr. Georjre Smith, Galston.
iSi-Mr. John Shepherd, Muirkirk.
To crush Common Sense for her sins.
If ill manners were wit.
There's no mortal so fit
To confound the poor Doctor at ance.
Holy Will, II III Holy Will,
There was wit i' your skull
When ye pilfer'd the alms o' the poor;
The timmer is scant.
When ye're ta'en for a saunt,
Wlia should swing in a, rape for an
hour.
Calvin's sons, Calvin's sons.
Seize your spiritual guns.
Ammunition you never can need;
Your hearts are the stuff
Will be powther enough.
And your skulls are storehouses o' lead.
Poet Burns, Poet Bums,
Wi' your priest-skelplng turns.
Why desert ye your auld native shire ?
Your Muse is a gipsy —
E'en though she were tipsy,
She could ca' us nae waur than we are.
THE WHISTLE.
Bums says : — " As the authentic prose his-
tory of the ' Whistle ' is curious, I shall
here give it : — In the train of Anne of Den-
mark, when she came to Scotland with our
James the Sixth, there came over also a
Danish gentleman of gigantic stature and
great prowess, and a matchless champion of
acchus. He had a little ebony whistle,
which at the commencement of the orgies
he laid on the table, and whoever was the
last .able to blow it, everybody else being
disaibled -by the potency of the bottle,, was
to carry oft the whistle as a trophy of
\'^ory. The Dane produced credentials of
Ms victories, without a single defeat, at the
courts of Copenhagen, Stockholm, Moscow,
Warsaw, and several of the petty courts in
Germany ; and challenged the Scots Bac-
chanalians to the alternative of trying his
prowess, or else.of acknowledging their in-
feriority. After many overthrows on Uie
Eart of the Scots, the Dane was encountered
y Sir Robert Bawrfe of Maxwelton, ances-
tor of the present worthy baronet of that
name, who, alter three days* and three
nights' hard contest, left the Scandinavian
under the table,
And blew on the whistle his requiem ^rill.
Sir Walter, son of Sir Robert before men-
ililll William Fisher, elder in Mauchline,
whom Burns so often -scourged.
POEMS;
131
tioned, afterwards lost the wliistle to Walter
Riddel of Glenriddel,.wha had" married a
Sister of Sir Walter's. On Friday, the i6th
of October, 1789, at Friars' Carse, the whis-
tle Was oiic^- more .contended f or» as, related
in the ballad, by the present Sir Robert
Lawrie of Maxwelton ; Robert Riddel, Esq.,
of Glenriddel, lineal descendant and repre-
sentative of WaltePfeRiddel, who won the
whistle, and in whaise family it had contin-
ued ; and AiexMtitr Ferguson, Esq., of
Craigdarroch, likewise descended from the
great Sir Robert, which last gerttleman car-
_ried off the hard-won honours of the
field."
A good deal of doubt was at one time felt as
to whether Burns was present at the con-
test for the whistle — Professor Wilson hav-
ing contended that he was not present: cit-
ing as evidence a letter to Captain Riddel,
which will be found in the General Corre-
spondence. These doubts are now set at
rest. Captain Riddel, in replying to the
letter mentioned, invited the poet to be
present. He answered as follows : —
" The king's poor blackguard slave am I,
And scarce dow spare a minute ;
But I'U'be with you by-and-by,
Or else the devil's in it !"— B.
Mr. Chambers places the matter still further
beyond doubt by quoting the testimony of
William Hunter, then a servant at Friars'
Carse, who was living in 1851, and who dis-
tinctly remembered that Burns was there,
and, what was better still, that Burns was
remarkably temperate during the whole
evening, and took no part in the debauch.
I STNG of a whistle, a wliistle of worth,
I sing of a whistle, the pride of the
North, [Scottish king.
Was brought to the court of our good
And long with this whistle all Scot-
land shall ring.
Old Loda * still rueing the arm of
Fingal, [ his hall—
The god of the, bottle sends down from
' ' This whistle's- your challenge — ^to
Scotland get o'er, [me more!"
And drink them to hell, sir, or ne'er see
Old poets have sung, and old chronicles
tell, [pions fell;
What champions ventured, what cham-
The son of great Loda was conqueror
still, [shrill,
And blew on the whistle his requiem
Till Robert, the lord of the Cairn and
the Skarr, [in war,
Uumatch'd at the bottle, unconquer'd
* See Ossian's Caric-thura,^B.
He drank his poor godship as deep as
the sea, [he.
No tide of the Baltic e'erdrunlcerthaii
Thus Robert, victorious, the trophy
hasgain'd; [remaln'd;
Which now in his house has for ages
Till three noble chieftains, and all of
his blood.
The jovial contest again have renew'd.
Three joyous good fellows, with hearts
clear of flaw: [and law;
Craigdarroch, so famous for wit, worth,
And trusty Glenriddel, so skill'dinold
coins: [old .wines.
And gallant Sir Robert, deep-read in
Craigdarroch began, with a tongue
smooth as oil, [spoil;
Desiring Glenriddel to yield up the
Or else hq would muster the heads of
the clan • [was the man.
And once more, in claret, try which
" By the gods of the ancients!" Glen-
, riddel replies,
" Before I siirrende/so glorious a prize,
I'll conjure the ghost of the great Rorie
Moref [times o'er."
And bumper his horn with him twenty
Sir Robert, a soldier, no speech would
pretend, [ — or his friend,
But he ne'er turn'd his back on his f 00
Said, Toss down the. whistle, the prize
of the field, [he'd yield.
And, knee-deep in claret, he'd die ere
To the board of Glenriddel our heroes
repair, [care ;
So noted for drowning of sorrow and
But for wine and for welcome not more
known to fame, [sweet lovely dame.
Than the sense, wit, and taste, of a
A bard was selected to witness the
fray, [day;
And tell future ages the feats of the
A bard who detested all sadness and
«pleen, [had been.
And wish'd that Parnassus a vineyard
The' dinner beiijg over, the claret they
ply; [of Joy;
And every new cork is a new spring of
t See Johnspns Tour to the' Hebrides. -B.
13?
BURNS' WORKS.
Jn the biw.ds of old f rie»idBhip and kin-
dred so set, [more they were wet.
And the bands grew the tighter the
Gay pleasure ran riof as bumpers ran
o'er: [ous a core,
Bright Phoebus ne'er witness'd so joy-
And vow'd that to leave them he was
quite forlorn, [morn.
Till Cynthia hinted he'd see them next
Six bottle apiece had well wore out the
night, [fight,
Wlien gallant Sir Robert to finish the
Turn'd o'er in one bumper a bottle of
. red, [ancestors did.
And swore 'twas the way that their
Then worthy Glenriddel, so cautious
• and sage, [wage;
No longer the warfare, vmgodly, would
A high ruling-elder tQ wallow in wine!
He left the foul business to folks less
divine. ,'-'.,
The gallant Sir Robert fought hard to
the end; [bumpers contend ?
But who can with Fate and quart-
'Though Fate said — A hero shall perish
in light; [fell the knight.
So up rose bright Phoebus — and down
Next up rose our bard, li^e a prophet
in drink: [tion shall sink!
." Craigdarroch, thou'lt soar when crea-
But if thou wouldst flourish immortal
in rhyme, .[the subliine!
Come — one bottle more — and have at
" Thy line, that have struggled for
freedom with Brace,
Shall heroes and patriots ever produce:
So thine be the laurel, and mine be the
bay; [god of day!"
.The field thou hast won, by yon bright
VERSES
ON CAPTAIN GKOSB'S PBKEGBINATIONS
THROUGH SCOTLAND, COLLBCTI»«g(
THE ANTIQUITIES OF THAT K.ING-
DOM.
Captain Grose, the hero of this poem, author
■ of a work on the Antiquities of Scotland,
was an enthusiastic antiquary, fond of good
wine and ^ood company. Burns met him
. at the hospitable tabiesa Xilaptain iUddel of
Friars' Carse. He died in Dublin, of an
apoplectic fit, in 1791, in the sad year of his
age.
Hbab, Land o' Cakes, and brither
Scots,
Frae Maidenkirk* to Johnny Groat's;
If there's a hole in a' your coats,
I rede you tent' it;
A duel's amang you takin' notes,
A^d, faith, he'll prent it!
If in your bounds you chance to light,
Upon a fine, fat, fodgel^ wight,
O' stature short, but genius bright.
That's he, mark weel — •
And wow ! he has an unco slight
0' cauk and keel, f
By some auld, houlet-haunted biggin', j:
Or kirk deserted by its riggin';
It's ten to aiie ye'll find him snug in'
Some eldritch^ part, .
Wi' deils, they say, Lord save's ! col-
leaguin'
At some black art.
Hit ghaist that haunts auld ha' or chau-
mer,
Ye gipsy gang that deal in glamour,*
And you, deep read in hell's black
grammar.
Warlocks and witches;
Ye'll quake at his conjuring hammer.
Ye midnight bitches !
It's tauld he was a sodger bred,
And ane wad rather fa'n than fled;
But now he's quat the spurtle-blade
Arid.jdiog-skin wallet,
-And ta'en — ^the antiquarian trade,
I think they call it.
He has a fouth^ o' auld nick-nackets.
Busty aim caps and jinglin jaekets,§
Wad haud the Lothians three in tackets
A towmondguid; [ets.
And parritch-pats, and auld saut-back-
Afore the flood.
' Heed. " Plump. = Unholy. < Black art.
^ Abundance.
* An inversion of the name of Kirkmaiden,
in Wigtonshire; the most southerly parish in
Scotland. . ''•..'
1' Alluding to his powers as a.draughtsmaij.
t See his " Antiquities of Scotland."— B.
" I S6e Ills "- Treatise on Ancieat Armo'Of ana
WeapQns."-r-B. - •
POEMS.
:133
.Of Eve's firat Are.' lie lias a cinder; .
Auld Tubal Cain's flre-sliool and fender;
Tliat which distingu.is6d the gender
i-.'' O' Balaam's ass;
A broomstick o' the witch o' Endor,
Weel shod wi' brass.
Forbye he'll shape yon aff, fu' gleg,*
The cut of Adam's philabeg:
The knife that iiicket Abel's craig'
He'll prove you fully,
It was a faulding jooteleg,
Or lang-kaU gully.
Jiut wad ye see him in his glee,
Eor meikle glee and fun has he.
Then set him down, and twa or three
Quid fellows wi' him;
And port, O port ! shine thou a wee.
And then ye'll see him !
Now, by the powers o' verse and prose!
Thou art a dainty chiel, 0 Grose ! —
Whae'er o' thee shall ill suppose,
They'sair misca' thee;
J'd take the rascal by the nose,
Wad say. Shame fa' thee!
LINES WEITTEjST IN A WRAPPER,
ENCLOSING A LETTER TO CAPTAIN
GSOSB.
Burns having undertaken . to gather some
■ antiquarian arid legendary material as to the
■ ruins in Kyle, inlsepding them to Captain
Grose under, cover to Mr. Cardonnel, a bro-
' ^rcr antiquary, the following ;ver^es, in imi-
fation of the ancient ballad . of *' Sir John
Malcolm,", were .enclosed. ^Cardonnel read
them everywhere, much to the captain's
annoyance,, and to the amusement pf his
friends.
Ken ye oijglit o' Captain Grose ?
Igo and ago.
If he's amang his friends or foes ?
IraiH, «oram, dago.
Is he south, or is he north ?
Igo and ago.
Or drowned in the river Forth ?
Iraln, coram, dago.
Is he slain by Highlan' bodisS?
Igo and ago,
Aiid leaten like a wether-haggis J.
Iram, coram, dago.
' Full quickly. . ' Throat. .
Is he to Abra'na's' bosom j;aue !
I Igo and ago.
Or haudin' Sarah by the wame ? '
- Iram, coram, dago.
Where'er he be, the Lord be near him 1
Igo and ago.
As for the deil, he daurna steer him !
Iram, coram, dago.
But please transmit the enclosed letter,
Igo a~nd ago.
Which will oblige your humble debtor,
Iram, coram, dago.
So may ye hae auld stanes in store,
Igo and ago.
The very stanes that Adam bore,
Irani, coram, dago.
So niay ye get in glad possession, . ,
Igo and ago,
The coins o' Satan's coronation ! '
Iram, coram, dago.
SKETCH— NEW YEAR'S CAY,
[1790.]
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
On the. origmal MS. of these lines, the pofet
writes as follows: — " Oh second thoughts I
send you this extempore blotted -sketch., it
is just'thfe first VUndom scraiwl : but* if you
think the piece worth while, I shall retouch
it, and finish it. Though I' have no copy of
it, my memory serves.me." , . ■■
This day, Tima winds the exhausted
chain-, - ._ ,
To run the twelvemonth's length again ;
I see the old, bald.pated fellow.
With ardent eyes, complexion sallow,
Adjilst the unimpair'd machine.
To wheel the equal, dull routine.
The absent lover, minor heir
In vain assail him with their prayer;
Deaf, as my friend, he sees them press.
Nor makes the hour one moment less.
Will you (the Major's* with the
hounds.
The happy tenants share his rounds; •
Coila's fair Rachel'sf care to-day.
* Major, afteiwards General, Andrew Dun-
lop, Mrs. Dunlop's second son.
+ Miss ' Rachel Dunlop, who afterwards
married Robert Glasgo.w, Esq* - , .^ . ^
134
BURNS' WORKS.
And blooming Keith's f engaged with
Wray) ' [row —
From housewife cares a minute hor-
That grandchild's cap will do to-mor-
row—
And join with me a-moralising.
This day's propitious to be wise in.
First, what did yesternight deliver ?
" Another year is gone forever!"
And what is this day's strong sugges-
tion? [on!"
"The passing moment's all we rest
Rest -on — for what ? what do we here ?
Or why regard the passing year? [lore?
Will Time, amused with proverb'd
Add to our date one minute more ?
A few days may — a few years must —
Repose us in the silent dust,
Then is it wise to damp our bliss ?
Yes — all such reasonings are amiss 1
The voice of Nature loudly cries.
And many a message from the skies.
That something in us never dies:
That on this frail, uncei-tain state.
Hang matters of eternal weight:
Tliat future life, in worlds unltnown,
Must take its hue from this. alone;
Whether as heavenly glory bright,
Or dark as Misery's woful night.
Since, then, my honour'd, first of
friends.
On this poor being all depends.
Let us the important noio employ.
And live as those who never die.
Though you, with days and honours
crown'd.
Witness that filial circle round,
(A sight,' life's sorrows to repulse,
A sight, pale Envy to convulse).
Others now claim your chief regard;
Yourself, -you wait your bright reward.
PROLOGUE,
SPOKEN AT THE THBATEE, DUMPKIES
ON NEW -YEAE'S day EVENING,
[1790.]
Burns, writing to his brother Gilbert, says : —
"We have gotten a set of very decent
players here ]ust now: I have seen them an
i Miss Keith Dunlpp, the youngest daughter.
evening or two. David Campbell, in Ayr,
wrote to. me by the manager of the company^
a Mr. Sutherland, who is a man of apparent
worth. On New Year's Day I gavd him the
following prologue, which he spouted to his
audience with applause :" —
No song nor dance I bring from yon
great city [more's the pity:
That queens it o'er our taste — the
Though, by-the-by, abroad why will
you roam ? [at home:
Good sense and taste are natives here
But not for panegyric I appear,
I come to wish you all a good new year!
Old Father Time deputes me here be^
fo.'e ye, [story..
Not for to preach, but tell his simple
The sage grave ancient cough'd, and
bade me say, [day."
" You're one year older this important
If wiser, too — ^he Jiinted some sugges-
tion, [the question;
But 'twould be rude, you know, to ask
And with a would-be rougish leer and
wink, [word—" Think!"
Ho bade me on you press this one
Ye sprightly youths, quite flush'd with
hope and spirit, [of merit.
Who think to storm the world by dint
To you the dotard has a deal to say.
In his sly, dry, sententious, proverb
wa,y! ■ [less rattle.
He bidi?-you mind, amid your thought-
That the first blow is ever half the
battle; [to snatch him,
That though some by the skirt may try
Yet by the forelock is the hold to catch
him; [bearing.
That whether doing, suffering, or for-
You may do miracles by persevering.
Last, though not least in love, ye faith-
ful fair, [care!
Angelic forms, high Heaven's i)eculiar
To you old Bald-pate smoothes his
wrinkled brow, [portant Now !
And humbly begs you'll mind the im-
To crown your happiness he asks your
leave.
And offers bliss to give and to receive.
, , .-j (,
For our sincere, though haply weak,
endeavours, ' -
With grateful pride we own -your
many, favours;
POEMS.
13t
And howsoe'er our tongues may ill re-
veal it, [it.
Believe our glowing bosoms truly feel
TO THE OWL.
This poem was originally printed, from a MS.
in the poet's handwriting, by Cromek, who
threw some doubts on its being written by
Burns. But as the MS. copy showed occa-
sional interiineations in the same hand,
there can be little doubt, we presume, as to
its authenticity.
Sad bird of night, wliat sorrows call
tUee forth, - [night hour ?
To vent thy plaints thus in the mid-
Is it some blast that gathers in the
north, [bower ?
Threatening to nip the verdure of thy
Is it, sad owl, that Autiunn strips the
shade, [forlorn ?
And leaves thee here, unshelter'd and
Or fear that %Yiuter ^vill thy nest in-
vade ? [mourn ?
Or friendless melancholy bids thee
Shut out, lone bird, from all the
feather'd train, png gloom;
To tell thy sorrows to the unheed-
No friend to pity when thou dost com-
. plain, [thy home.
Grief all thy thought, and solitude
Sing on, sad mourner ! I will bless thy
. strain, [song:
And pleased in sorrow listen to thy
Sing on, sad mourner; to the night
complain, [along.
While the lone echo wafts thy notes
Is beauty less, when down the glowing
cheek [fall?
Sad, piteous tears, in native sorrows
Less Idnd the heart when anguish bids
it break? [call?
Less happy he who lists to pity's
Ah no, sad onW nor is thy voice less
sweet; [is there ;■
Tliat sadness tunes it, and that grief
That Spring's gay notes, unskill'd, thou
canst repeat; [repair.
That sorrow bids thee to the gloom
Nor that the treble songsters of the day
Are quite estranged, sad bird of
night ! from thee; [ing spray,
Xor that the thrush deserts the even-
When darkness calls thee from thy
reverie.
From some old tower, thy melancholy
dome, [solitudes
While the gray walls, and desert
Return each note, responsive to the
gloom [woods.
Of ivied coverts and surrounding
There hooting, I will list more pleased
to thee
Than ever lover to the nightingale;
0:^ drooping wretch, oppress'd with
misery, [tale.
Lending his ear to some cond,oling.
VERSES
ON AN EVENING VIEW OF THE BUINS
OF LINCI/tTDBN ABBEY.*
Ye holy walls, that, still sublime.
Resist the crumbling touch of time;
How strongly still your form displays
The piety of ancient days !
As through your ruins hoar and gray —
Ruins yet beauteous in decay — •
The silvery moonbeams trembling fly; .
The forms of ages long gone by
Crowd thick on Fancy's wondering eye.
And wake the soul to musings high.
Even now, as lost in thought profound,
I view the solemn scene around.
And, pensive, gaze with wistful eyes.
The past returns, the present flies;
Again the dome, in pristine pride,
Lifts high its roof and arches wide.
That, knit with curious tracery.
Each Gothic ornament display.
The high-arch'd windows, painted fair.
Show many a saint and martyr there.
As on their slender forms I gaze,
Methinks they brighten to a blaze !
With noiseless step and taper-bright,
What are you forms that meet my
sight ?
* On the banks of the river Cluden, and at a
short distance from Dumfries, are the beauti-
ful ruins' of the Abbey of Lincluden, v/hich
was founded ' in the time of Maltolra,' the
fourth King of Scotland.
336
BURNS' WORKS.
Slowly" they move, while every eye
Is heavenward raised in ecstasy.
'Tis the lair, spaUeas»..-v:eiitaiL,traiiv, .
That seek in prayer the midnig'Itt fane.
And, hark ! what more than mortal
sound
Of music breathes the pile around ?
'Tis the soft-chanted choral song,
Whose tones the echoing aisles prolong ;
Till, thence return'd, they softly stray
O'er Clud'n's wave, with fond delay;
Now on the rising gale swell high.
And now in fainting murmurs die;
The boatmen on Nitli's gentle stream,
That glistens in the pale moonbeam.
Suspend their dashing oars to hear
The holy anthem loud and clear; ,
Each worldly thought a while forbear.
And mutter forth a lialf-form'_d prayer.
But as 1 gaze, the vision fails.
Like frost-work touch'd by southern
gales;
The altar sinks, the tapers fade-.
And all the splendid scent'j decay'd.
In window fair the painted pane
No longer glows with holy stain,
But through the broken glass the gale
Blows chilly from the misty vale ;
The bird of eve flits sullen by.
Her home these aisles and arches high !
The choral hymn, that erst so clear
Broke softly sweet on Fancy's ear.
Is drown'd amid the mournful scream
'f hat breaks the magic of my dream !
Roused by the sound, I start and see
The ruin'd sad reality !
PROLOGUE,
FOR MB. SUTHERLAND'S BENEFIT
NIGHT, DUMFRIES.
Xhis prologue was accompanied with the fol-
lowing letter to Mr. Sutherland, the man-
ager of the Dumfries Theatre ; —
" Monday Morning:
" I was much disappointed in wanting your
most agreeable company yesterday. How-
ever, I heartily pray for good "weather next
Sunday ; and whatever aerial being has the
" ^idance of the elements, "lie may take any'
other half dozen of Sundays he pleases, and
clothe them with
Vapours, and clouds, and storms,
Until he terrify himself
At combustion of his own raising.
I shall see you on Wednesday forenoon. In
the greatest hurry. — R. B."
What needs this din about the town
r. . o' Eott'OB*., [is comin' ?
How this new pla^ aBjiMUat new sang
Why is outlandish stuff* saen.ja^U^'
courted ? [importe<^?.
Does nonsense mend lUce whisky, when
Is there nae poet, burning keen for
fame, [hame?
Will try to gie us sangs and plays at
For comedy abroad he needna toil,
A fool and knave are plants of every
soil ; , [Greece,
Nor need he hunt as far as Rome and '
To gather matter for a serious piece ;
There 's themes enow in Caledonian-
story, [glory. -
Would show the tragic muse in a' her
Is there no daring bard will rise and
tell : .[less fell ?-
How glorious Wallace stood, now hap-
Where are the Muses lied that could
produce . -
A drama worthy o' the name o' Bruce ;
How here, even here, he first uu-
sheath'd the sword, [lord ;
'Gainstmighty England and her guilty:
And after mony a bloody, deathless do-
ing, [jaws of ruin ?
Wreuch'd his dear country from, the!
Oh for a Shaliespeare or an Otway
scene [queen !
To draw the lovely, hapless Scottish
Vain all the omnipotence " of female'
charms [hellion's arms.
'Gainst headlong, ruthless, mad Re-
She fell, but fell with spirit truly Ro-",
man, [woman:
To glut the vengeance of a rival
A woman — though the phrase may
seem uncivil —
As able and as cruel as the devil !
One Douglas lives in Home's immortal'
But Douglases were heroes every age ;
And though vour fathers, prodigal of
life,
A Douglas followed to the martial strife.
Perhaps if bowls tow right, and Right
succeeds, [leads !:
Ye yet may follow where a Douglas
' Much.
POEMS.
127
As yo liae generous done, if a' tlie
- land [hand ;
Would take tlie Muses' servants by tlie
Not only hear, but patronise, befriend
them, [commend them;
And where ye justly can commend.
And aiblins when they winna stand the
test, . [their best !
Wink hard and say the folks hae dono
Would a' the land do this, then I'll be
caution [tion.
Yell soon liae poets o' the Scottish na-
Will gar Fame blaw until her trumpet
. crack, . [back !
And warsle? Time, and lay him on his
For us and for our stage slwrtild ony
spier,^ [thi§ bustle hero ?"
" Wha's aught thae cMels maks a'
My best leg foremost, I'll set up my
brow.
We have the honour to belong to you !
We're your ain bairns, e'en guide us
as ye lUie, [ye strike.
But like), good mithers, shore* before
And grrfefu' still I hope ye'U everfind
us, [ness
For a' the patronage and meikle kind-
We've got f rae a' professions, sets and
ranks; [get but thanks.
God help us ! we're but poor — ye'se
STANZAS ON THE DUKE OF
QUEENSBERRY.
On beiij^ .questioned as to the proprieny of
satirising people unworthy 'of his notice,
and the Dukeof Queensberry being cited as
an instance, Burns drew out his pencil and
penned the following bitter lines as his re-
ply :—
How shall I sing Drumlanrig's Grace —
Discarded rernnant of a race
Once great in martial story ?
His forbears' virtues'all contrasted —
The very name of Douglas blasted —
His that inverted glory.
Hate, envy, oft the Douglas bore;
But he has superadded more,
' And sunk them in cont-empt;
Follies and crimes haye. stain'd the
name; [claim.
But, Qiieensberry, thine the virgin
From aught that's good exempt.
2 Wrestle. » Ask. ■> Threaten.'
VERSES TO MY BED.
Thou bed, in which I first began
To be that various creature — man !
And when again the fates decree.
The place where I must cease to be;-^
When sickness comes, to whom I Hy,
To soothe my pain, or close miae eye ; —
When cares surround me wheie I weep.
Or lose them all in balmy sleep ;-.-
When sore with-Iabour whom I court
And to thy downy breast resort —
Where, too, ecstatic joys I find.
When deigns my Delia to be kind —
And full of love in all her charms,
Thou gi vest the fair One to my arms.
The centre thou, where grief and pain.
Disease and rest, alternate reign.
Oh, since within thy little space
So many various scenes take place;
Lessons as useful shalt thou teach,
As sages dictate — churchmen preach;
And man convinced by tliee alone.
This great important truth shall own ■.-~
That thin partitions do divide
The bound-s where good and ill reside; •
Thatnought is perfect here below;
But hlisa still bordering upon woe.
ELEGY ON' PEG NICHOLSON.
Peg Nicholson, the " good bay mare," te-
long-ed to Mr. William Nicol.'afast Iriend ~
of: the poet's, and was so named from a.
frantic virago who attempted the life of
George ^I. The poet enclosed the follow-"
ing verses in a letter to his friend, in
February, 1790, with along account of the
deceased mare,.which letter will be found,
in the correspondence of that year.
Pes Nicholson was a good bay ma:e
Asever trode on airn;'
But now she's floating down the Nith,
And past the Diouth 0' Cairn.
Peg Nicholson was a good bay maro,
And rode through thiclv and thin ;
But now she's floating down tho Nith,-
Aiid wanting even tlie skin.
Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare.
And ance she bore a priest;
But now she's floating down the Nith,-
For Sol way fish a feast..
Peg Nicholson wa.g a good bay maro,
■ And the priest he rode her sair; [was
And much oppress'd and bruised she'
As priest- rid cattle are. '
' iron. ""^ '■ '
128
BURNS' WORKS.
LINES
WBITTEN TO A GENTLEMAN WHO HAD
SENT HIM A NEWSPAPEK, AND OF-
FERED TO CONTINUE IT FREE OF
EXPENSE.
Kind sif, I've read your paper tlirougli.
And f aiti, to me 'twas really new ! [ted?
How guess'd ye, sir, what maist I wau-
This mony a day I've gran'd' and gaun-
ted^ [in'.
To ken wliat French mischief was bre w-
Or what the drumlie Dutcli were doin';
That vile doup-skelper. Emperor
Joseph,
If Venus yet had got his nose off;
Or how the collie&'hangie'' works
Atween the Russians and the Turks;
Or if the Swede, hefore lie halt.
Would play anither Charles the Twalt:
If Denmarli, anybody spalc o't;
Or Poland, wha had now the tack^ o't;
How cut-throat Prussian blades were
hingin';'
How libbet* Italy was singin' :
It Spaniards, Portuguese, or Swiss
Were sayin' or takin' augkt amiss:
Or how our merry lads at liame.
In Britain's court, kept up the game:
How royal George, the Lord leuk o'er
him !
Was managing St Stephen's quorum;
If sleekif Chatham Will was livin'.
Or glaikit' CTiarlie got his nieve' in;
How Daddie Burke the plea was cook-
in', [iu';'»
If Warren Hastings' neck was yeuk-
How cesses, stents, and fees were
rax'd,"
Or if bare a — s yet were tax'd;
The news o' princes, dukes, and earls,
Pimps, sharpers, bawds, and opera
girls;
If that daft buckie, Geordie Wales,
Was tlireshin' still at hizzies' tails; -
Or if he was grovpn oughtlins douser,^*
And no a perfect kintra cooser.
A' this and mair I never heard of ;
And but for you I might despair'd of.
1 Groaned. ^ Yawned. ^ Quarrel.
* Lease. ^ Hanging;, "^ Castrated. ^ Sly.
« Thoughtless. » Fist. i° Itching.
*^ Stretched. ^2 At all more sober.
So gratef u', back your news I send you.
And pray, a' guid things may attend,
you !
Ellisland, Monday Morning;^ 1790.
ELEGY ON CAPTAIN MATTHEW
HENDERSON,
A GENTLEMAN WHO HELD THE PAT-
ENT FOB HIS HONOURS IMMEDIATB-
■ LT FROM ALMIGHTY GOD.
The following note was appended to the
onginal MS. « the Elegy :^" Now that you
are over with the sirens of flattery,-the har-
pies of corruption, and the furies of ambi-
tion— those infernal deities that, on all sides
and in all parties, preside over the villain-
ous business of polidcs — permit a rustic
muse of your acquaintance to do her best to
soothe you with a song. You knew Hender-
son. • I'have not flattered his memory."
In a letter to Dr. Moore, dated February 1791,
the poet says :— " The Elegy on Captain
Henderson is a tribute to the memory of a
man I loved mudh. Pcets have in this the
same advantage as Roman Cathc^ics ; they
can be of service to their friends after they
have passed that bourne where all other
kindness ceases to be of any avail. Whether,
after ail, either the one or the other, be of.
any real servicetb'Ifie dead is,'I fear, very
problematical ;" but-lvam sure they are high-'
ly gratifying to the living. Captain, Hender-
son was a retired soldier, of .agreeable man-
ners and upright character, who had a lodg-^ '
in^ in Carrubber's Close, Edinburgh, and
mingled with the best society of the city ;
he' dined regularly at Fortune's Tavern,
and was a member of the Capillaire ClUb,
which was. composed of all who inclined to
the witty and the joyous."
" Should the poor be flattered ?"
— Shakespeare^
But now his radiant course is run,
For Matthew's course was bright ;
His soul was like the glorious sun,"
A matchless heavenly light !
0 Death ! thou tyrant fell and bloody!
The meilde devU wi' a woodie'
Hauf 1- thee hame to his black smiddie,*
O'er hurcheon" hides.
And like stock-fish come o'er his stud,
die^ .
Wi' thy auld sides 1
He's gano ! he's gane ! he's frae us
torn !
The ae best fellow e'er was born !
1 Halter. - Drag-. . = Hedgehog. * Anvil.
*■ Smiddie^ a blacksmith's shop — whence the
appropriateness of its use in the .present in.,
stance. , ,.
POEMS.
129
Thee, Matthew, Nature's sel shall
mourn
By wood and wild.
Where, haply, Pity strays forlorn,
Frae man exiled !
Ye hills ! near neibors o' the starns,'
That proudly cock yonr cresting cairns !
Ye cliffs, the liaunts of sailing yearns,"
Where Echo slumbers !
Come join, ye Nature's sturdiest bairns,
My wailing numbers !
Mourn, ilka grove the cushat kens !' _
Ye hazelly shaws and briery dens !
Ye burnies, wimplin' down your glens,
Wi' toddlln' din,'j-
Or foaming Strang, wi' hasty stens,*
Frae lin to lin !
Mourn, little harebells o'er the lea;
Ye stately foxgloves fair to see;
Ye woodbines, hanging bonnilie
In scented Ifowers;
Ye roses on your thorny tree,
The first o' flowers.
At dawn, when every grassy blade
Droops with a diamond at its head.
At even, when beans their fragrance
shed,
I' the rustling gale.
Ye maukins whiddin'' through the
glade.
Come, join my wail.
Mourn, ye wee songsters o' the wood;
Ye grouse that crap'" the heather bud;
Ye curlews calling, through a clud:"
Ye whistling plover;
And mourn, ye whirring paitrick'-
brood! —
He's gane forever.
Mourn, sooty coots, and speckled teals;
Ye fisher herons, watching eels;
Ye duck and drake, wi' airy wheels
Circling the lake;
Ye bitterns, till the quagmire reels,
Ralr J for his sake.
* Stars. ^ Eagles, ' Wood-pijfeon knows.
* Bounds. " Hares' running, "* Crop, eat.
" Cloud. '= Partridge.
tTVith the noise of one who goes hesitat-
ingly or insecurely,
X We can hardly convey the meaning here ;
but we know of no better word.
Mourn, clam'ring craiks" at close o'
day,
'Mang fields o' flowering clover gay;
And when ye wing your annual way
Frae our cauld shore.
Tell thae far warlds wha lies in clay.
Wham we deplore.
Ye honlets, "frae your ivy bower.
In some auld tree or eldritch'* tower.
What time the moon, wi' silent glow-
er,"*
Sets up her horn,
- WaU. through the dreary midnight liour
Till waulmfe" morn !
0 rivers, forests, hills, and plains !
Oft have ye heard my canty'* strains:
But now, what else for me remains
But tales of woe?
And frae my een the drapping rains
Maun ever flow.
Mourn, Spring, thou darling of the,
year !
Ilk cowslip cup shall kep" a tear:
Thou, Simmer, while each corny spear
Shoots up its head.
Thy gay, green, flowery tresses shear
For him that's dead 1
m
Thou, Autumn, wi' thy yellow hair.
In grief thy sallow mantle tear !
Thou, Winter, hurling through the air
'The roaring blast.
Wide p'er the naked world declare
The worth we've lost !
Mourn him, thou Sun, great source of
light !
Mourn, empress of the silent night I
Afad you, ye twinkling starnies bright, ,
My Matthew mourn !
For Hirougli your orbs he's ta.'en his
fliglit,
Ne'er to return,
0 Henderson ! the man — ^tlie brother !
And art thou gone, and gone forever?
And hast thou cross'd that unknown
river.
Life's dreary bound ?
Like tliee, where shall I find another
, The world around !
"Landrails. "Owls. '» Haunted. "Stare.
" Wakening. '» Happy, '» Gatch. '
130
BURXS' WORKS.
Go to your sculptured tombs,ye great.
In a' tlie tinsel trash o' state !
But by thy honest turf I'll wait.
Thou man of worth 1
And weej) the ae best fellow^s fate
E'er lay in earth.
THE EPITAPH.
Stop, passenger ! — my stor/s brief,
And truth 1 shall relate,nian;
I tell nae common tale o' grief —
For Matthew was a great man.
if thou uncommon merit hast,
Yet spurn'd at Fortunes door, man,
A look of pity hither cast —
For Matthew was a poor man.
If thou a noble sodger art.
That passest by this grave, man,
There moulders here a gallant heart —
For Matthew was a brave man.
If thou on men, their worlcs and ways.
Canst throw uncommon light, man.
Here lies wha weel had won thy
praise —
For Matthew was a bright man.
Jf thou at friendship's sacred ca'
Wad life itself resign, man,
Tlie sympathetic tear maun fa' —
For Matthew was a kind man !
If thou art stanch without a stain,
hike the unchanging blue, man,
This was a kinsman o' thy ain —
' For Matthew was a true man.
If thou hast wit, and fun, and fire.
And ne'er guid wine did fear, man.
This was thy billie, dam, and sire —
For Matthew was a queer man.
If ony whiggish whingin' sot.
To blame poor Matthew dare, man.
May dool and sorrow be his lot I —
For Matthew was a rare man.
TAM 0' SHANTER:
A TALE.
Captain Grose, in the introduction to his
- Antiquities of Scotland, " says, "To my
ingenious friend, Mr. Robert Bums, I have
■ been seriously obligated ; he was not only
at the pains of making out what was most
worthy of notice in Ayrshire, the country
honoured by his birth, but he also wrote,
expressly for this work, the pretty tale
annexed to AUoway Church." This pretty
tale was " Tam o' Shanter," cenainly the
most popular of all our poet's works.
In a letter to Captain Grose, No. CCXXVII.
of the General 'Correspondence, Burns gives
the legend which formed the ground wcM-k
of the poem": — "" On a market day in the
town of^ Ayr, a farmer from CaiTick, and
Consequently whose way laid by the very
gate cf AUoway kirkyard, in order to cross
the river Doon at the old bridge, which is
about two or three hundred yards farther on
than the said gate, had been detained by his
business, till by the time he reached AUo-
way it was the wizard hour, between night
and morning. Though he wras terrified
with a blaze streaming from the kirk, yet it
is a well-known fact that to turn back on
these occasions is running by far the great-
est risk of mischief,— he prudently advan-
ced on his road. When hehad reached the
gate of the kirkyard, he was surprised and
entertained, through the ribs and arches of
an old Gothic window, which still faces the
highway, to see a dance of witches merrily
footing it round their old sooty blackguard
master, who was keeping them all alive
with the power of his bagpipe. The farmer,
stopping nis horse to obser\'e them a little,
could plainly descry the faces of many old
women of his acquaintance" and neighbour-
hood. How the gentleman was dressed tra-
dition does not say, but that the ladies were
all in their smocks : and one of them happen-
ing unluckily to have a smock which was
considerably too short lo answer all the
purpose of that piece of dress, our farmer
was so ' tickled that he ipvoluntarily burst
out, with a loud laugh, ''Weel luppen,
Maggie wi' the short sark.l' and,tecollect-
ing himself, instantly spurred his horse to
the top of his speed. I need not mention
the univereally-knowTi fact that no diaboli-
cal power can pursue you beyond the
middle of a runnmg stream. Lucky it was
for the poor farmer that the river Doon was
so near, for notwithstanding the speed of his
horse, which was a good one, against he
reached the middle of uie arch of the bridge,
and conse<)uently the middle of the stream,
the pursuing, vengeful hags, were so close
at his heels that one of them actually sprung,
to seize him ; but it was too late, nothing
was on her side of the stream but the horse's
tail, which immediately gave way at her in-
fernal grip, as if blasted by a stroke of
lightning ; but the farmer was beyond her
reach. However, the unsightly, tailless
condition of the vigorous steed was, to the
last hour of the noble creature's life, an
awful warning to the Carrick farmers not to
stay too late in Ayr markets."
Douglas Grahame of Shanter, a farmer on the
Carrick shore, who was in reality the drunk-
en, careless being the poet depicts him,
became the hero of the legend, and several
ludicrous stories current about him were
woven into ^ with admirable skill. It is re-
ported of him that one market, day being in
POEMS.
131
Ayr he had tied his mare by the bridle to a
ring at the door of a public liouse, and while
he was making himself happy with some
cronies inside, the idle boys of the neigh-
bourhood pulled all the hair out of the
mare's tail. This was not noticed until the
following morning, when, becoming bewil-
dered as to the cause of the accident, he
could onljr refer it to the agency of witch-
craft. It is further related of Grahame that
when a debauch had been prolonged until
the dread of th6 " sulky sullen dame " at
home rose up before him, he would frequent-
ly continue drinking rather than face her,
even although delay would add to the
terrors of the inevitable home-going.
The poem was composed in one day in the
winter of 1790. Mrs. Bums informed Cro-
mek that the poet had lingered longer by the
river side than his wont, and that taking
the children with her, she went out to join
him, but perceiving that her presence was
an interruption to him, she lingered behind
him : her attention was attracted by_ his
wild gesticulations and ungovernable mirth,
while he was reciting the passages of the
poem as they arose in nis mind.
" Of brownyis and of bogilis full is this buke."
— Gawin Douglas.
When chapman billies' leave tlie
street,
And droutliy'' neibors neibors meet.
As market days are ^vearin' late,
And folk begin to tak the gate;^
While we sit bousing at the nappy,*
And gettin' fou and unco happy,
We think na on the lang Scots miles.
The mosses, waters, slaps, and stiles,*
That lie between ns and our hame,
Whare sits our sulky sullen dame.
Gathering her brows like gathering
storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.
This truth fand honest Tam o' Shanter,
As he f rae Ayr ae night did canter,
(Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town sur-
passes
For honest men and bonny lasses.)
O Tam ! hadst thou but been sae wise
As ta'en thy ain wife Kate's advice !
film .tauld thee weel thou, wast a skel ■
lum,* [blellum;'
A blethering, blustering, drunken
That f rae November till October,
. Ao market day thou wasna sober;
1 Fellows. 2 Thirsty. ^ Road. ■> Ale.
s Breaches in hedges or walls. ^ A worthless
fellow. ' A talker of nonsense, a. boaster,
and a dninkon fool.
That ilka melder,* wi' the miller
Thou sat as lang as thou hadst siller;'
That evel-y naig' was ca'd a shoe on,
The smith and thee gat roaring fou on;
That at the Lord's house, even on Sun-
day, [Monday,
Thou drank wi' Kirktonf Jean till
She prophesied that, late or soon.
Thou wouldst be found deep drown'd
in Do^n !
Or catch'd wi' Warlocks i' the mirk,'"
By Alloway's auld haunted kirk.
Ah, gentle dames ! it gars" me greet
To think how mony counsels sweet,
How mony lengtheu'd Sage advices,
The husband frae the wife despises!
But to our tale: — Ae market night,
Tam had got planted unco" right,
Fast by an ingle,'^ bleezing linely,
Wi' reaming swats," that drank di-
vinely;
And at his elbow Souter Johnny,
His ancient, trusty, drouthy'' crony;
Tam lo'ed him like a vera brither —
They had been fou for weeks thegither!
The night they drave on wi' sangs and
clatter.
And aye the ale was growing better:
The landlady and Tam grew gracious,
Wi' favours secret, sweet, and pre-
cious;
The Souter tauld his queerest stories.
The landlord's laugh was ready chorus:
The storm without might rair'" and
rustle —
Tam didna mind the storm a whistle.
Care, mad to see a man sae happy,
E'en drown'd himsel araang the nappy!
As bees flee hame wi' lades" 0' treasure.
The minutes wing'd their way wi'
pleasure: [glorious.
Kings may be blest, but 'Tam was
O'er a' the ills o' life victorious !
8 Money. » Horse. '» Dark. " Makes.
" Unusually. '* Fire. '•' Foaming ale.
IS Thirsty. '« Roar. " Loads.
* Any quantity of corn sent to the mill is
called a melder.
t The village where a parish church is situa-
ted is usually called the Kirkton (Kirk-town)
in Scotland. A certain Jean Kennedy, who
kept a repuuhle public house in the village of
Kirkoswald, is here alluded to,
132
BURNS' WORKS.
Bnt pleasures are like poppies spread,
Tou seize the flower, its bloom is shed!
Or like the snowfall in the riter,
A moment white — then melts forever;
Or like the borealis race.
That flit ere you can point their place;
Or like the rainbow's lovely form.
Evanishing amid the storm.
Nae man can tether'* time or tide;
The hour approaches Tam maun ride;
That iour, o' night's black arch the
ke^tane, [in;
That dreary hour he mounts his beast
And sic" a night he taks the road in
As ne'er poor sinner was abroad in.
The wind blew as 'twad blawn its last;
The rattling showers rose on the blast;
The speedy gleams the darltness swal-
low'd; [low'd:
Loud, deep, and lang, the thunder bel-
That night, a child might understand
The deil had business on his hand.
Weel mounted on his gray mare, Meg,
A better never lifted leg, [mire,
Tarn skelpit^" on through dub and
Despising wind, and rain, and fire;
\A'^hiles holding fast his guid blue bon-
net.
Whiles crooning^' o'er some auld Scots
.sonnet; [cares.
Whiles glowering'- round wi' prudent
Lest bogles*' catch him unawares:
Kirk-AUoway was drawing nigh, [cry.
Whare ghaists and houlets" nightly
By this time he was 'cross the foord,
Whare in the snaw the chapman
smoor'd;'*
And past the birks and meikle stane
Whare drunken Charlie brak's neck-
bane: [cairn**
And through the whins, ?nd by the
Whare hunters fand the murder'd
bairn;
And near the thorn, aboon the well,
Wliare Mungo's mither hang'd hersel.
Before him Doou pours a' his floods;
The doubling storm roars through the
wood.s;
Tlie lightnings flash frae pole to pole;
^^ Tie up. *^ Such. -" Rode with careless
speed. 21 Humming. ^^ Staring. 23 Spirits.
»* Ghosts and owls. ^^ Pedlar was smothered.
" Stone-heap..
Near and more near the thunders roll;
When, glimmering through the groan-
ing trees,
Kirk-Alloway seem'd in a bleeze;
Through ilka bore" the beams were
glancing, [iiig-
And loud resounded mirth and danc-
Inspiring bold John Barleycorn !
What dangers thou canst mali us scorn!
Wi' tippenny,*" we fear nae evil;
Wi' usquebae,*' we'll face the devil ! —
The swat sae ream'd in Tammie's nod-
dle, i»
Fair play, he cared na deils a boddle.^'
But Maggie stood right sair astonish'd,
Till, by the heel and hand admonish'd.
She ventured forward on the liglft;
And, wow ! Tam saAv an unco si^m i
Warlocks and witches in s. dame;
Nae cotillon brent-new"* frae^i"fa"nee;
But hornpipes, jigs, strathspeys,""»n(i
reels,
Put life and mettle i' their heels :
At ^vinnock-bunker,'* i' the east,
Tliere sat auld Nick, in shape o' beast;
A towzie tyke,** black, grim, and
large.
To gie them music was his charge:
He screw'd the pipes, and gart^' them
skirl,^*
Till roof and rafters a' did dirl."
Coffins stood round, like open presses.
That shaw'd the dead in their last
dresses;
And by some devilish cantrip^' slight
Each in its cauld hand held a light,;—
By which heroic Tam was able.
To note upon the haly table,
A murderer's banes in gibbet aims;^'
Twa span-lang, wee,* unchristen'd
bairns;
A thief, new-cutted frae a tape,
Wi' his last gasp his gab'" did gape;
Five tomahawks, wi' bluid red-rusted;
Five scimitarSj wi' murder crusted;
A garter, which a babe had strangled;
A knife, a father's throat had mangled.
Whom his ain son o' life bereft,
" Every hole in the wall. =« Twopenny ale.
2' Whisky. s» The ale so wrought in Tam-
mie's head. =1 A small coin. ^^ Brand-new.
" A kind of window seat. " A rQujth dor.
ssMade. "Scream, s' Vibrate. 9» SpelL
s» Irons. " Small. «' Mouth.
POEMS.
13a
The gray hairs yet stack to the heft:''^
i
Wi' mair o' horrible and awfu',
Which even to name wad be unlawfu'.
As Tammie glower'd,'" amazed and
curious, [ous:
The mirth and fun grew fast and f uri-
The piper loud and louder blew,
The dancers quick and quicker flew;
They reel'd, they set, they cross'd,
- they cleekit.
Till ilka carlin swat and reekit,^
And,eoost*° her duddies*"^ to the wark.
And linket" at it in her sark.^*
Now Tarn ! O Tain ! had thae been
queans,""
A' piump and strappin' in their teens,
Their sarks, instead o' creeshie flan-
nen,^'' [linen ! §
Been snaw- white seventeen - hunder
Thirbreeks*' o' mine, my only pair.
That ance were plush, o' guid blue
, hair,
• I wad hae gien them afE iny hurdies,*'
For ae blink*' o' the bonny burdies !"
But wither'd beldams, auld, and droll,
Rigwoodie^* hags, wad spean^ a foal,
Lowpin' and flingin' on a cummoek,"
I wonder didna turn thy stomach.
But Tam kenn'd'' what was what f u'
brawlie,^' fwalie,"™ ||
" There was ae winsome wench and
" Handle. *' Stared. "Till each old
beldam smoked with sweat. ■" Stript. ^«
Clothes. ■" Tripped. *« Shirt. <» Young
fjrls. ^° Greasy flannel, s' These breeches.
'Hams. =' Look. =• Lasses. "> Gallows-
worthy. 5*Wean. ^'Jumping and capering
on a staff. "» Knew. " Full well. «» A
hearty girl and jolly.
J The following^ four lines- were, in the
original MS., in this place :—
Three lawyers' tongues tum'd inside out,
Wi' lies seam'd like a beggar's clout :'
And priests' hearts, rotten, black as muck,
Lay stinking, vile, in every neuk.^
The poet omitted them at the suggestion of
Mr. Tytler of Woodhouselee.
1 Rags. 2 Corner.
I The manuficturers' term for a fine linen
■ woven in a reed of 1700 divisions, — Cromek.
I Allan Ramsay.
That night enlisted in the core,
(Lang after kenn'd on Carrick shore;
For mony a beast to dead she shot,
And perish'd mony a bonny boat.
And shook baith meikle corn and bear,
And kept the country side in fear.)
Her cutty sark,*' o' Paisley harn.
Thai, while a lassie,*'- she had worn.
In longitude though sorely scanty.
It was her best, and she was vauntie.*'
AU ! little kenn'd thy reverend grannie.
That sark she coff* for her wee Nan-
nie, [riches,)
Wi' twa pund Scots, ('twas a' her
Wad ever graced a dance o' witches !
But here my Muse her wing maun
cour,"*
Sic flights are far beyond her power;
To sing how Nannie lap and flang,"
(A souple jade*' she was and Strang,^)
And .how Tam stood, like ane be-
witch'd.
And thought his very een enrich'd;
Even Satan glower'd, and fidged fu'
fain, [and main:
And botched' d"' and blew wi' might
Till first ae caper, syne™ anither,
Tam tint" his reason a' thegither.
And roars out, "Weel done. Cutty-
sark !"
And in an instant a' was dark:
And scarcely had he Maggie rallied.
When out the hellish legion sallied.
As bees bizz out wi' angry fyke,'-
When plundering herds assail their
byke,"
As open pussie's-mortal foes, [noae;
When, pop ! she starts before their
As eager runs the market-crowd.
When "Catch the thief!" resounds
aloud;
So Maggie runs, the witches follow,
Wi' mony an eldritch" screech and
hollow.
Ah, Tam ! ah. Tarn ! thou'lt get thy
fairiu'!"
In hell they'll roast thee like a herrin' !
In vain thy Kate awaits thy comin'!
«" Short shirt, "» Girl. »» Proud of it, ««
Bought. " Lower. " Jumped and kicked.
" Girl, •" Strong. " HItchel. '° Then.
" Lost. " Fuss. " Hive. " Unearthly.
75 Deserts,
134
BUllNS' WORKS.
Kate soon will be a wof u' woman !
Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg,
And win the keystane^f of the brig;
There at them thou thy tail may toss,
A running stream they darena cross;
But ere the keystane she could make
■ The fient'* a tail she had to shake !
For Nannie, far before the rest.
Hard upon noble Maggie prest.
And flew at Tam wi' furious ettle:"
But little wisf' she Maggie's mettle —
Ae spring brought off her master hale,
But left behind her ain gray tail;
The carlln claught her by the rump.
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump.
Now, wha this tale o' truth shall read,
Ilk" man and mother's son, take heed:
Whane'er to drink you are inclined.
Or Cutty -sarks run in your mind,
Tliiuk ! ye may buy the joys owre
dear —
Remember Tam o' Shanter's mare.
ON THE BIRTH OF A POSTHU-
MOUS CHILD,
BORN IN PECULIAE CmCTJMSTANCES OF
FAMILY DISTRESS.
The mbtherof the child was Miss Susan Dun-
lop, daughter of Bums' friend, Mrs. Dunlop.
She had married a French gentleman of
birth and fortune, named Henri, who died
Erematurely. Some time afterwards, Mrs.
lenri went to the south of France, where
she died, leaving her phild exposed to all
the dangers of me revolutionary excesses.
He was carefullytKnded by an old domestic
of the family's, and restored to his friends
when the tranquillity of the country was
secured.
Sweet floweret, pledge o' meiklelove.
And ward o' mony a prayer; [move.
What heart o' stane would thou na
Sae helpless, sweet, and fair !
November liirples' o'er the lea,
Chill on thy lovely form;
70 Ne'er. " Design. '» Knew. "' Each.
1 Moves slowly.
T" It is a well-known fact that witches, or
,any evil spirits, have no pow«r to follow a
poor wight any farther than the middle of Ihe
next running stream. It may be proper like-
wise to mention to the benighted traveller
that, when he falls in with bogles^ whatever
'^^ger may be in his going forward, there is
j^uch more hazard in turning back. — B.
And gane, alas ! the sheltering tree
Should shield thee from the storm.
May He who gives the rain tp pour,
And wings the blast to blaw, .
Protect the frae the driving shower;
The bitter frost and suaw !
May He, the friend of woe and want.
Who heals life's various stounds,"
Protect and guard the mother-plant.
And heal her cruel wounds !
But late she flourish'd, rooted fast.
Fair on the summer's mom:
Now feebly bends she in the blast,
Unshelter'd and forlorn.
Blest be thy bloom, thou lovely gem,
Unscathed by ruffian hand !
And from thee many a parent stem
Arise to deck our land !
ELEGY ON MISS BURJSET OF
MONBODDO.
Miss Burnet was the daughter of the accom-
plished and eccentric Lord Monboddo. She
IS alluded to in the "Address to Edin-
burgh," (p. lOl.)
Fair Burriet strikes th' adoring eye.
Heaven's beauties on my fancy shisc ;
I see the Sire of Love on high.
And own His work indeed divine.
She was one of the most beautiful women
of her time, and died of consumption in the
twenty-third year of her age.
Life ne'er exulted in so rich a prize
As Burnet, lovely from her native
skies ; « [blow.
Nor envious Death so triumph'd in a
As tliat which laid th' accom'plish'd
Burnet low.
Tliy form and mind, sweet maid, can I
forget ?
In richest ore the brightest jewel set !
In thee, high Heaven above was truest
shown, [best is known.
As by His- noblest work the (lodliead
In vain ye flaunt in summer's pride , yo
groves; [flowery shore.
Thou crystal streamlet with tliy
Ye woodland choir that chant yoiir-idte
loves.
Ye cease to charm — Eliza is no more!
2 Pangs.
POEMS.
13&
I'e heathy wastes, immix'd with reedy
fens,-, : ,;. . [rushes stored;
Ye mossy streams, with s^dge and
Ye ragged "cliffs, o'erhanging dreary
glens.
To you I fly, ye with my soul accord.
Princes, whose cumbrous pride was all
. their worth, , [liail 1
Shall venal lays their pompous exit
And thou, sweet excellence ! forsake
our earth, [wail ?
And not a Muse in honest grief be-
We saw thee shine in youth and beau ■
ty's pride, [yond the spheres;
And virtue's light, that beams be-
But, like the sun eclipsed at mprning
tide, [of tears.
Thou left'st us darkling in a world
The parent's heart that nestled fond in
thee, [and care
That heart how sunk, a prey to grief
So deckt the woodbme sweet joh. aged
tree; [and bare.
So from it ravish'd, leaves it- blealc
LAMENT OF MARY QUEEN OF
SCOTS, ON THE APPROACH OF
SPRING.
This poem is said to have been written at the
instigation of Lady Winifrsd Maxwell Con-
stable, daugliter of William Maxwell, Earl
of Nithsdale, who rewarded him with a
present of a valuable snufE-box, having a
portrait of p-aeen Mary on the lid. In a let-
ter to Graham of Fintry, enclosing a copy of
" The Lament," the poet says : — '' Whether
it IS that -t^e story of our Mary Queen of
Scots has a peculiar effect.on the feelings of
a poet, or whether I have, in the enclosed
ballad, succeeded beyond my usual poetic
success, 1 Icnow not, but it has pleased mc
beyond any effort of my Muse for a good
white past. '
Now Nature hangs her mantle green
On every bloaming tree,
And spreads her sheets o' daisies white
Out o'er the grassy lea;
Now Phoebus cheers the crystal
streams.
And glads the azure skies;
But nought can glad the weary wight
That fast in durance lies.
Now lav'rocks wake the merry morn.
Aloft on dewy wing;
The merle, in his noontide bower.
Makes woodland echoes ring;
The mavis wild, wi' mony a note, '
Sings drowsy day to rest;
In love and freedom they rejoice,
Wi' care or thrall opprest.
Now blooms the lily by the bank.
The i^rimrose down the brae;
The hawthorn's budding in the glen,
And milk-white is the slae;
The meanest hind in fair Scotland
May rove their sweets amang;
But, I, the queen Of a' Scotland,
Maun lie in prison Strang !
I was the queen o' bonny France,
Where happy I hae been;
Fu' lightly rise I in the morn.
As blithe- lay down at e'en:
And I'm the sovereign of Scotland,
And mony a traitor there;
Yet here I lie in foreign bands,
And never-ending care.
But as for thee, thou false woman ! —
My sister and my fae.
Grim Vengeance yet shall whet a sword
That through thy soul shall gae !
The weejjing blood in woman's breast
Was never known to thee; [woe
Nor the balm that draps on wounds of
Frae woman's pitying ee.
Jiy son ! my son ! may kinder stars
Upon thy fortune shine !
And may those jileasures gild thy reign.
That ne'er wad blink on mine !
God keep thee frae thy mother's faes.
Or turn their hearts to thee: [friend.
And where thou meet'st thy mother's
Remember him for me !
Oh/! soon to me may summer suns
Nae mair light up the morn !
Nau mair to me the autumn winds
Wave o er the yellow corn !
And in the narrow liouse o' death
Let winter round me rave; [spring
And the next flowers that deck the
Bloom on my peaceful grave !
LAMENT FOR JAMES, EARL OF
GLENCAIRN.
The early death of the Earl of Glencaim
robbed the poet of an intelligent friend and
13ft
BURNS' WORKS.
fjatron. Burns enclosed the '* Lament in a
etter to Lady Elizabeth Cunningham, the
sister of the ear], from which we quote the
following ;— " My heart .glows, and shall
ever glow, with the- most grateful sense and
remembrance of his lordship'^ goodness.
The sables I did myself the honour to wear
to his lordship's' memory -were not the
■* mocker3r of woe.' Nor shall my gratitude
Ferish 'with me ! If, among my children,
shall have a son that has a heart, he shall
hand it down to hts child as a family hon-
our, and a family debt, that ray dearest ex-
istence 1 owe to the noble house of Glen-
The wind blew hollow frae the hills,
By fits the sun's departing beam
Look'd on the fading yellow woods
That waved o'er Lugar's winding
stream
Beneath a craigy steep, a bai-d,
Laden with years and meikle pain,
In loud lament bewail'd his lord,
Whom death had all untimely ta'en.
He lean'd him to an ancient aik,
Wliose trunk was mouldering down
■with years; [time,
His locks were bleached white with
His hoary cheek was wet wi' tears;
And as he touched his trembling harp,
And as he tuned his doleful sang.
The -winds lamenting through their
caves.
To Echo bore the notes alang; —
" Ye scatter'd birds that faintly sing
The reliques of the vernal quire !
Ye woods that shed on a' the winds
The honours of the aged year !
A few short months, and glad and gay,
Again ye'll cli£|,rm tlie ear and ee;
But nocht in all revolving time
Can gladness bring again to mo.
" I am a bending aged tree.
That long has stood the wind and
rain ; ■■ "
But now has come a cruel blast.
And my last hold of earth is gane;
Nae leaf o' mine shall greet the Spring,
Nae simmer sun exalt my bloom;
But I maun lie before the storm.
And itliers plant them in my room.
" I've seen saemony changefu' years.
On eartli I am a stranger grown ;
I wander in the ways of men.
Alike unknowing and unknown :
Unheard, unpitied, unrelieved,
I bear alane my lade o' care,
For silent, low, on beds of dust,
Lie a' mat would my sorrows share.
" And last (the sum of a' my griefs !)
My noble master lies in clay;
The flower amang owr barons bold.
His country's pride — ^his country's
stay !
In weary being now I pine.
For a' the life of life is dead.
And hope has left my aged ken,
On forward wing forever fled.
' ' Awake thy last sad voice, my harp !
The voice of woe and wild despair;
Awak*! resound thy latest lay —
Then sleep in silence evermair !
And thou, my last, best, only friend,
That fillest an untimely tomb^
Accept this tribute from, the bard
Thou brought from Fortune's mirk-
est gloom.
" In Poverty's low barren vale
Thick mists, obscure, involved me
round:
Tliough oft I turrfd the wistful eye;
Nae ray of fame was to be found ;
Thou found'st me, like the morning
sun,
Tliat melts the fogs in limpid air —
The friendless bard and rustic song
Became alilte thy fostering care.
"Ohl why has worth so short a
date.
While villains ripen gray with time?
Must thou, the noble, generous,
great.
Fall in bold manhood's hardy prime!
Why did I live to see that day ?
A day to me so full of woe ! —
Oh! had I met the mortal shaft ;
Which laid my benefactor low!
"The bridegroom may forget the
bride
. Was made his wedded wife yestreen :
The monarch may forget the crown
That on his head an hour has been;
The mother may forget the child
That smiles sae sweetly on her knee;
But I'll remember tliee, Glencairn,
And a' that thou hast done for me !"
POEMS.
137
LINES
SENT TO SIK JOHN ■WHITEFOOKD,
BAKT. , OF WHITEFOOKD, WITH THE
FOEBGOING POEM.
Thou, who thy honour as thy God re-
verest, [earthly fear'st,
Who, save thy mind's reproach, nought
To thee this votive-offering I impart,
The tearful tribute of a broken heart.
The friend thou valued'st, I the patron
loved; [approved.
His worth, his honour, all the world
We'll mourn till we too go as he has
gone,
And tread the dreary path to that dark
world unknown.
ADDRESS TO THE SHADE OF
THOMSON,
on crowning his bust at ednam,
roxbukghshire, with bays.
The Earl of Buchan invited Ihe poet to be
g resent at the coronation of Thomson's
ust, on Ednam Hill. He could not attend,
' but sent the following " Address " in-
stead : —
While virgin Spring, hy Eden's flood,
Unfolds her tender mantle green.
Or pranlts the sod in frolic mood,
Or tunes .lEolian strains between:
While Summer with a matron grace,
Retreats to Dryburgh's cooling shade,
Yet oft, delighted, stops to trace
The progress of the spiky blade:
While Autumn, benefactor land.
By Tweed erects his aged head,
And sees, with self -approving mind.
Each creature on his bounty fed:
While maniac Winter rages o'er
The hills whence classic Yarrow
flows.
Rousing the turbid torrent's roar,
Or .sweeping, wild, a waste of snows :
So long, sweet poet of the year !
Shafl bloom that wreath thou well
liastwon;
Wliile Scotia, with exulting tear.
Proclaims that Thomson was her son !
VERSES
to JOHN MAXWELL OF TBRRAUGHTY,
ON HIS BIRTHDAY.
Health to the Maxwells' veteran chief I
Health, aye unsour'd by care or grief:
Inspired, I turn'd Fate's sybil leaf
This natal morn;
I see thy life is stuff o' prief,'
Scarce quite half worn.
This day thou metes threescore eleven,
And I can tell that bounteous Heaven
(The second sight, ye ken, is given
Toilka^.pbet)
On thee a tack o' seven times seven
Will yet bestow it.
If envious buckles' view wi' sorrow
The lengthen'd days on this blest mor-
row.
May Desolation's laug-teeth'd harrow,
Nine mfles an hour.
Rake them, like Sodom and Gomorrah,
In brunstane stoure l*
But for thy friends, and they are mony,
Baith honest men and lasses bonny.
May couthie^ Fortune, kind and canny.
In social glee, [ny,
Wi' mornings blithe and e'enings fun-
Bless them and thee !
Fareweel, auld birkie !* Lord be near
ye,
And then the deil he daurna steer ye:
Your friends aye love, your faes aye
fear ye;
For me, shame fa' me.
If neist my heart I dinna wear ye,
While Burns they ca' me!
THE VOWELS:
A TALE.
'TwAS where the birch and sounding
thong are plied,
Tlie noisy domicile of pedant pride;
Where Ignorance her darkening vapour
throws, [blows,;
And Cruelty directs the thickening
Upon a time, Sir Abece the. great,
In all his pedagogic powers elate,
' Proof. « Every. = Bucks. * Dust. " Lov-
ing. ^ A lively fellow.
138
BURNS' WORKS.
His awful chair of state resolves to
mount, [count.
And call tke trembling Vowels to ac-
First enter'd A, a grave, broad, solemn
wight, [sight !
But, ah ! deform'd, dishonest to. the
His twisted head look'd backward on
Ills way, [grunted ai !
And flagrant from the scourge he
Reluctant, E stalk'd in ; with piteous
race [face !
The jostling tears ran down his honest
That name, that well-worn name, and
all his own, [throne !
Pale he surrenders at the tyrant's
The pedant stiiies keen the Roman
sound [compound ;
Not all his mongrel diphthongs can
And next the title following close he-
hind, [sign'd.
He to the nameless ghastly wretch as-
The cobweb'd Gothic dome resounded
Y!
In suUep vengeance, I disdain'd reply:
The pedant swung his felon cudgel
round, [the ground !
And knocked the groaning vowel to
In rueful apprehension enter'd 0,
The wailing minstrel of despairing
woe; [pert.
The inquisitor of Spain the most ex-
Might there have learnt new mysteries
of his art: [ing. ^
So grim, deform'd, with horrors enter-
His dearest friend and brother scarcely
knew 1
As trembling U stood staring all
aghast, [Iiim fast.
The pedant in his left hand clutch'd
In helpless' infants' tears he dipp'd his
right, [his sight.
Baptized Mm eu, and kick'd him from
ADAM A-
-'S PRAYER.
The circumstances under which the following
lines were written were as follows : — The
servant of a Mauchline innkeeper having
been too indulgent to one oi her master^
customers, a numbfer of reckless young fel-
lows, among whom was Adam A , an
ill-made little fellow, made her " nde the
stang " — that is, placed her astride r, wood-
en pole, and carried her through the streets.
An action being raised against the offend-
ers, Adam A absconded. While skulk-
ing about, Burns met him and' suggested
that he needed some one tp pray for him ;
"Just do't yoursel. Burns: 1 know no one
so fit," Adam replied. Adam A 's Prayer
was the result. ^
GilDE pity me, because I'm little.
For though I am an elf o' mettle.
And can, like ony wabster's' shuttle,
Jink'^ there or here; [tie.*
Yet, scarce as lang's a guid kail whit-
I'm unco queer.
And now thou kens our woefu' case.
For Geordie's jurr* we're in disgrace,
Because we've stang'd her through the
place;
And hurt her spleuchan.
For which we daurna show our face
Within the clachan.'
And now we're dem'd^ in glens aiid
hollows.
And hunted, as was William Wallace,
Wi' constables, those blackguard fal-
lows.
And sodgers baith ;
But Gude preserve us frae the gallows.
That shamefu' death !
Auld, grim, black-bearded Geordie's
sel.
Oh, shake him o'er the mouth o' hell.
There let him hing, and roar, and yell,
Wi' hideous din7
And if he offere to rebel.
Just heave' him in.
When Death comes in, wi' glimmering
blinlv, [wink.
And tips auld drunKen Nanse f the
May Hornie gie her doup a clink
Ahint his yett,'
And fill her up wi' brimstone drink.
Red, reeking, liet.
There's Jockie and the haveril Jenny, J
Some devils seize them in a hurry,
^ Weaver's. ^ Dodge. ^ -Knife. * Village.
" Hidden. « Pitch. ' Gate.
* " Jurr" is in the west of Scotland a collo-
quial term for "journeyman," and is often
applied to designate a servant of either sex.
t Geordie's wife.
% Geordie's son and daughter.
POEMS.
139
And waff them in tile infernal wlierry
Strauglit. tlirougli the lalte.
And gie their hides a noble curry,
Wi' oil of aik.
As for the jurr, poor worthless body,
She 's got mischief enough already ;
Wi' stanged hips, and buttocks blViidy,
She 's sufEer'd sair ;
But may she wintle in a woodie,"
If she whore ,mair.
VERSES TO JOHN RANKINE.*
Ae day, as Death , that grusome carl.
Was driving to the tither warl'
A mixtie-maxtie, motley squad.
And mony a guilt-bespotted lad ;
Black gowns of eacli denomina;tion,
And thieves of every rank and station.
From him that wears the star and gar-
ter.
To him that wiutles' in a halter.
Ashamed himsel to see the wretches,
He mutters, glowerin'- at the bitches,
" By God, I Tl not be seen behint them.
Nor 'mang JEhe sp'ritual core present
them.
Without, at least, ae honest man.
To grace this damn'd infernal clan."
By Adamhill a glance he threw,
"Lord God!" quoth he, "1 have it
now ;
There 's just the man I want, i' faith !"
And quicldy stoppit Rankine's breath.
ON SENSIBILITY.
TO MT DE^VH AND MUCn-IIONOTIBED
FRIEND, MKS. DITNLOP OF DDNLOP.
Sensibility, how charming.
Thou, my friend, canst truly tell ;
But distress, with horrors arming.
Thou hast also known too well !
Fairest flower, behold the lily.
Blooming in the sunny ray :
Cet the blast sweep o'er the valley.
See it prostrate on the clay.
Hear the woodlark charm the forest.
Telling o'er his little joys ;
Hapless bird ! a prey the surest,
'to each pirate of the skies.
Dearly bought the hidden treasure
Finer feelings can bestow ;
Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure -
Thrill the deepest notes of woe.
' Struggle in a Baiter.
> Struggles. = Stating.
* John Rankine of Adamhill, the " rough,
rude, ready-witted Rankine" of the Epistle.
LINES ON FERGUSSON.
The following lines were inscribed by Burns
on a blank leaf af a copy of the periodical
. publication entitled . the World, from which
they have been copied : —
III - FATED genius ! Heaven - taught
Fergusson ! [yield a tear.
What heai-t that feels and will not
To thinlc life's sun did set ere well be-
gun ' [career.
To shed its influence on thy bright,
Oh, why should truest worth and ge;
nius pine [Woe,
Beneath the iron grasp of Want and
Wliile titled knaves and idiot great-
ness shine [stow I
In all the splendour Fortune can be-
THE BIGHTS OP WOMAN,
AN OCCASIONAL ADDHESS SPOKEN BY
MISS PONTENELLE ON HER BEN-
EFIT NIGHT.
While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty
things, [kings ;
The fate of empires and the fall of
While quacks of state must each pro-
duce his plan, [man ;
And even children lisp the rights of
Amid this mighty fuss, just let me
mention, [tention.
The rights of woman merit some at-
First, in the sexes' intermix'd con-
nexion, [tection.
One sacred right of woman is, pro-
The tender flower that lifts its head,
elate, ' [fate.
Helpless, must fall before the blasts of
Sunk on the earth, defaced its lovely
form, [storm.
Unless your shelter ward th' impendmg
140
BURNS' WORKS.
Our second right — but needless here is
caution, [ion ;
To keep that right inviolate 's the fash-
Each man of sense has it so full before
him, [corum.
He 'd die before he 'd wrong it — 'tis de-
There was, indeed, in far less polish'd
days, [naughty ways ;
A time, when rough, rude man, had
Would swagger, swear, get drunk,
kick up a riot.
Nay, even thus invade a lady's quiet !
Now, thank our stars ! these Gothic
times are fled ; [well bred ! —
Now, well-bred men — and ye are all
Most justly think (and we are much
the gainers) [manners.
Such conduct neither spirit, wit, nor
For right the third, our last, our best,
our dearest, [the nearest,
That right to fluttering female hearts
Which even the rights of kings in low
prostration [miration!
Most humbly own — 'tis dear, dear ad-
In that blest sphere alone we live and
move ; [love ;
There taste that life of life — ^immortal
Smiles, glances, sighs, tears, fits, flir-
tations, airs, [dares —
'Gainst such a host what flinty savage
When awful Beauty joins with all her
charms,
WTio is so rash as rise in rebel arms ?
But truce with kings, and truce with
constitutions, [tions !
With bloody armaments and revolu-
Let majesty your first attention sum-
mon.
Ah! fa ira! the majesty op woman!
ON THE DEATH OF A FAVOURITE
CHILD.
The following lines were composed on the
death of a daughter, which took place sud-
denly while the poet was absent from
home : —
Oh, sweet be thy sleep in the land of
the grave.
My dear little angel forever; [slave.
For ever — oh no I let not man be a
His hopes from existence to sever.
Though cold be the clay where thou
pillow'st thy head.
In the dark silent mansions of sorrow.
The spring shall return to thy low nar-
row bed, [row.
Like the beam of the daystar to-mor-
The flower-stem shall bloom like thy
sweet seraph form, [som;
Er^ the spoiler had nipt thee in blos-
When thou shrunk from the scowl of
the loud winter storm,
And nestled thee close to that bosom.
Oh, still I behold thee, all lovely in
death.
Reclined on the lap of thy mother.
When the tear trickled bright, when
the short stifled breath, [other.
Told how dear ye were aye to each
My child, thou art gone to the home of
thy rest, [ye,
Where suffering no longer can harm
Where the songs of the good, where
the hymns of the blest.
Through an endless existence shall
charm thee.
While he, thy fond parent, must sigh-
ing sojourn
Through the dire desert regions of
sorrow.
O'er the hope and misfortune of being
to mourn.
And sigh for his life's latest morrow.
TO A KISS.
Hdmid seal of soft affections,
Teuderest pledge of future bliss,
Dearest tie of young connexions,
Love's first snowdrop, virgin kiss !
Speaking silence, dumb confession.
Passion's birth, and infant's play.
Dove-like fondness, chaste concession,
Glowing dawn of brighter day,
Sorrowing joy, adieu's last action.
When lingering lips no more must
. join,
What words can ever speak affection
So thrilling and sincere as thine i
POEMS.
141
SONNET.
ON IIEABINO A THllUSH SING IN A
MORNING WALK; -WKITTEN JAN. 25,
1793, THE BIRTHDAY OF THE' AU-
THOR.
Sink on, sweet tlirush, upon tlie leaf-
less bough, , [strain:
Sing on, sweet bird, I listen to thy
See, aged Winter, 'mid his surly
reign, [brow.
At thy blithe carol clears his f urrow'd
So in lone Poverty's dominion drear.
Sits meek Content with light unanx-
ious heart, [them part.
Welcomes the rapid moments, bids
Nor asks if they bring aught to hope or
fear.
I thank Thee, Author of this opening
day ! [orient skies !
Thou whose bright sun now gilds yon
Riches denied. Thy boon was purer
joys, [away !
What wealth could never give nor take
Yet come, thou child of Poverty and
Care;
The mite high Heaven bestow'd, that
mite with thee I'll share.
IMPROMPTU ON MBS. KIDDEL'S
BIRTHDAY.
NOVEMBER 4, 1793.
Old Winter with his frosty beard
Thus once tc Jove his prayer preferr'd —
"What have I done, of all the year.
To bear this hated doom severe?
My cheerless suns no pleasure know;
Night's horrid car drags dreary, slow;
My dismal months no joys are crown-
ing, [ing.
But spleeny English, hanging, drown-
" Now, Jove, for once be mighty civil.
To counterbalance all this evil;
Give me, and I've no more to say,
Give me, Maria's natal-day !
That brilliant gift shall so enrich me,
Spring, Summer, Autumn, cannot
match me." [story,
"'Tis done!" says Jove; so ends my
And Winter once rejoiced in glory.
EPISTLE FROM ESOPUS TO
MARIA.
The Esopus of this epistle was Williamson, the
■ actor; and the Maria to whom it is address-
ed was Mrs. Riddel—" A lady," says Allan
Cunningham, " whose memory will be held
in g^rateful remembrance, not only for her
having forgiven the poet for his lampoons,
but for her having written a sensible, clear,
heart-warm account of him when laid in the
grave. Mrs. Riddl^ was a sincere friend
and admirer of Burns, who quarrelled with
her on account of some fancied slight.
Williamson was amember of tlie dramatic
company which frequently visited Dumfries.
He nad been a frequent visitor at Mrs.
Riddel's. While the dramatic company
were at Whitehaven, the Earl of Lonsdale
committed them to prison as vagfrants.
Burns had no- favour for the Earl of Lons-
dale, and managed in the epistle to gratify
his aversion to him, as well as his temporary
anger with Mrs Riddel. His behavioiir
towards the latter was as discreditable to
him as Mrs- Riddel's generosity in forgiving
it was worthy'of hei- goodness and her high
opinion of his better nature."
From those drear solitudes and frowsy
cells, [dwells;
Where infamy with sad repentance
Where turnkeys make the jealous mor-
tal fast, [past;
And deal from iron hands the spare re-
Where truant 'prentices, yet young in
sin, [in;
Blush at the curious stranger peeping
Where strumpets, relics of the drunken
roar, [no more;
Resolve to, drink, nay, half to whore.
Where tiny thieves, not destined yet to
swing, [string:
Beat hemp for others riper tor the
From these dire scenes my wretched
lines I date.
To tell Maria her Esopus' fate.
" Alas ! I feel I am no actor here ! "
'Tis real hangmen real scourges bear !
Prepare, Maria, for a horrid tale
Will turn thy very rouge to deadly
pale; [gipsy poH'd,
Will make thy hair, though erst from
By barber woven, and by barber sold.
Though twisted smooth with Harry's
nicest care,
Like hoary bristles to erect and stare.
The liero of the mimic scene, no more
I start in Hamlet, in Othello roar;
Or haughty chieftain, 'mid the din of
arms, [charms;
In Highland bonnet woo Malvina's
1^
BURNS' WOHKS.
Whilst saus-CuloUes stoop up tlie
mountain liigh.
And steal from me Maria's prying eye-.
Blest Highland bonnet ! once my
proudest dress, [press.
Now prouder still, Maria's temples
I see her wave tliy towering plumes
afar, [war;
And call each coxcomb to the wordy
I see her face the first of Ireland's
sons, [bronze;
And even out-Irish his Hibernian
The crafty colonel leaves the tartan'd
lines, [shines;
For other wars, where he a ■ hero
The hopeful youth, in Scottish senate
bred, [the head;
Who owns a Bushby's heart without
Comes, 'mid a string of coxcombs to
display
That 'Deni, mdi, vici, is his way ;
The shrinking bard adown an alley
skulks, [Woolwich halks:
And dreads a meeting worse than
Though there, his lieresies in church
and state [mer's fate;
Might well award him Muir and Pal-
Still she undaunted reels and rattles on,
And dares the public like u, noontide
sun. [stagger
(What scandal call'd Maria's janty
The Ticket reeling of a crooked swag-
ger; [venom when
Whose spleen e'en worse than Burns'
He dips in gall unmix'd his eager
pen, — [iug line,
And 'jjours his vengeance in the burn-
Who christen'd thus Maria's lyre
divine;
The idiot strum of vanity bemused.
And even the abuse of poesy abused;
Who call'd her yerse a parish work-
house, made [or stfay'd ?)
For motley, foundling fancies, stolen
A workhouse ! ha, that sound awalies
my woes, [pose !
And pillows on the thoni my rack'd re-
in' durance vile here must I wake and
weep, [steep !
And all my frowsy couch in sorrow
That straw where many a rogue has.
lain of yore.
And vermin'd gipsies littered hereto-
fore. ■
Why, Lonsdale, thus -thy wrath on va- !
grants pour, [dure?
Must earth no rascal save thyself e'n-
Mtist thou alone in guUt immortal
swell; -
And make a vast monopoly of. hell?
Thou kuow'st the virtues cannpt hate
thee worse; [curse ?
The vices also, inust they club their
Or must no tiny sin to others. faD,
Because thy guilt's supreme enouglii
for all?,
Maria, send me to thy grief s and
cares; _ '
In all of these sure thy Esopus shares.
As thou at all mankind the flag un-
furls, ~ [hurls-?
Who on my fair one satire's vengeance
Who calls thee pert, affected, vain co-
quette,
A wit in folly, and a fool in wit ?
Who says that fool alone is not thydue.
And, quotes thy treacheries to prove it
true ? . _ . - -
Our force united on thy foes we'll turn.
And dare the war with all of woman
bom; [and I?
For who can write and speak as thou
My periods that deciphering defy.
And thy still matchless tongue that
conquers all reply.
MONODY ON A LADY FAMED FOK
HER CAPRICE.*
How cold is that bosom which folly
once fired.
How pale is that cheek where the
rogue lately glisten'd !
How silent that tongue which the
echoes oft tired.
How dull is that ear which to flat-
tery so listen'd !
If sorrow and anguisli their exit await,
From friendship and dearest affec
tion removed;
How doubly severe, Eliza, thy fate.
Thou diedst unwept as thou livedst
unloved.
* This was another of the poet's splenetic
attacks 0*11 Mrs. Riddel.
POEMB. ■
143
Loves, Graces, and Virtues, I call not
on you; [not a tear
So shy, grave, and distant, ye slled
But come, all ye ofcspring of Folly so
true, [<;o]d bier.
And flowers let us cull for , Eliza's
We'll search through the garden for
each silly flower,
We'll roanj through the forest for
each idle weed;
But chiefly the nettle, so typical,
shower, [rued the rash deed.
For none e'er approach'd her but
We'U sculpture the marble, we'll
measure the lay;
Here Vanity strums on her idiot lyre;
There keen Indignation shall dart on
her prey, [deem from his ire.
Which spurning Qjntempt shall re-
POEM ON PASTORAL POETRY.
Hail, Poesie ! thou njTuph reserved !
In chase o' thee, what crowds hae
swerved
Frae common sense, or sunk ennerved
'Mang heaps o' clavers ;'
And och ! owre aft thy joes'^ hae
starved
'Mid a' thy favours !
Say, lassie, why thy train amang.
While loud the trump's heroic clangs
And sock or busldn skelp alang
To death or marriage;
Scarce ane has tried the shepherd sang
But wi' miscarriage ?
In Homer's craft Jock Milton thrives;
Bschylus' pen Will Shakespeare drives;
Wee Pope, the knurlin,^ till him rives'"
Horatian fame;
In thy sweet sang, Barbauld, survives
Even Sappho's flame.
But thee, Theocritus, wha matches?
Tlaey're no herd's ballats, Maro's
catches:
Squire Pope but busks his skinklin'
. patches
0' heathen tatters :
I pass by hunders, nameless wretches.
That ape their betters.
_ 1' Nonsense. " Lovgrs. 3 Dwarfish.
* X>rav.rs. 5 Thin or gauzy.
In this braw age o' wit and lear,
Will nane the Shepherd's whistle mair
Blaw sweetly in its native air
And .rural grace ;
And wi' the far-famed Orecian share
A rival place ?
Yes ! there is ane; a Scottish callah —
There's ane; come forrit, honest Allan!*
Thou need na jouk' behint the hallan^
A chiel sae clever;
The teeth o' time may gnaw Tantallan,
But thou'sfor ever!
Thovi paints auld nature to the nines.
In thy sweet Caledonian -lines; [twines,
Nae gowden stream through myrtles
Where Philomel,
While' nightly breezes sweep the vinesi
Her griefs will tell !
In gowany glens thy bumie strays.
Where bonny, lasses bleach their claes;
Or trots by hazelly shaws and braes,
Wi' hawthorns gray.
Where blackbkds join the shepherij's
lays
At close o' day.
Thy rural loves are nature's sel;
Xae bombast spates o' nonsense swell;
Nae snap conceits — but that sweet spell
0' witehin' love ; ' '
That charm that can the strongest quell,
The sternest move.
SONNET
ON THE DEATH OF ROBEKT RIDDEL,
ESQ., OP GLEN EIDDEL.f
No more, ye warblers of the wood, no
more ! [my soul:
Nor pour your descant, grating, on
Thou young-eyed Spring, gay in tliy
verdant stole —
More welcome were to me grim Win-
ter's wildest roar.
How can ye charm, ye flowers, with all
your dyes ? [friend !
Ye blow upon the sod that wraps my
How can I to the tuneful strain at-
tend?
« Hide.
* Allan Ramsay.
+ Robert Riddel, Esq., of Friars' Carse, q
very worthy gentleman, and one from whani
Burns had received many obligations. '*
144
BUHNS' WORKS.
That strain flows round the untimely
tomb where Riddel lies !
Yes, pour, ye warblers, pour the notes
of woe ! [his bier:
And soothe the Virtues weeping o'er
The Man of Worth, who has, not left
his peer, [low.
Is in his narrow house, for ever darkly
Thee, Spring, again with joy shall
others greet, [ineet.
Me, memory of my loss will only
LIBERTY :
A FRAGMENT.
Writing to Mrs. Dunlop from Castle-Douglas,
the poet says; — " I am just going to trouble
your critical patience with the first sketch
of a stanza 1 have been framing as 1 passed
along the road. The subject is Liberty:
you Know, my honoured friend, how dear
the theme is to me. I design it as an irreg-
ular ode for General Washington's birth-
day. After having mentioned the d^gener-
' -acy of other kingdoms, I come to Scotland
thus ;" —
Thee, Caledonia, tliy wild heaths
among, [sacred song.
Thee, famed -for martial deed and
To thee I turn with swimming eyes;
Where is that soul of freedom fled?
Immingled with the mighty dead.
Beneath the hallow'd turf where
Wallace lies !
Hear it not, Wallace, in thy bed of
death !
Ye babbling winds, in silence sweep;
Disturb' not ye the hero's sleep.
Nor give the coward secret breath.
Is this the power in freedom's war
That wont to bid the battle rage ?
Behold that eye which shot immortal
hate.
Braved usurpation's boldest daring !
That arm which, nerved with thunder-
ing fate, [ing :
Crush'd the despot's proudest bear-
One quench'd in darkness, like the
inking "tar, [powerless age.
And one the palsied arm of tottering.
His royal visage seam'd with many a
sear, [form.
That Caledonian rear'd his martial
Who led the tyrant-quelling war.
Where Bannockbum's ensanguined
flood
Swell'd with mingling hostile blood,
Soon Edward's" myriads struck with
deep dismay, [their way.
And Scotia's* troop of brothers win
(Oh, glorious deed to bay a tyrant's
band ! , [laud !
Oh, heavenly joy to free our native
While high their riiighty chief pour'd
on the doubling storm.
VERSES
TO MISS GRAHAM OF FINTRY, WITH A
PRESENT OF SONGS.
Here, where the Scottish Muse im-
mortal lives, [bers join'd.
In sacred strains and tuneful num-
Accept the gift, though humble he who
gives ; [mind.
Rich is the tribute of the grateful
So may no ruffian feeling in thy breast
Discordant jar thy bosom - chords
among ! [rest,
But Peace attune thy gentle soiil to
Or Love, ecstatic, wake his seraph
Or Pity's notes, in luxury of tears,
As modest Want the tale of woe re-
veals ; [endears,
Wliile conscious Virtue all the strain
And heaven-born Piety her sanction.
THE TREE OF LIBERTY.
This poem was taken from a MS. in the poet's
handwriting in the possession of Mr. James
Ifuncan, Mosesfield,' near- Glasgow, and
was first printed in Mr. Robert Cham'bers'
edition of^the poet's works, 1838.
Heard ye o' the tree o' France,
1 watna' what's the name o't;
Around it a' the patriots dance,
Weel Europe kens the fame o't.
It stands where ance the Bastile stood,
A prison built by kings, man, , ■.
When Superstition's hellish brood
Kept France in leading-strings, man.
' Know not.
POEMS.
'145
TJpo' this tree there grows sic fruit,
f Its virtues a' can tell, man;
It raises man aboon tlie brute.
It makes liint ken liimsel, man.
Gif auce the peasant taste a bit,
■ He's greater than a lord, man,
And wi' the beggar shares a mite
Of a' he can aflord, man.
Sriiis fruit is worth a' Af ric's wealth,
-To comfort us 'twas sent, man :
To gie the sweetest blush o' health.
And mak us a' content, man.
It clears the een, it cheers the heart,
Maks high and low guid friens, man.
And he whaacts the traitor's part
It to jjerdition sends, man.
My blessings aye attend the chiel-
Wha pitied Gallia's slaves, nian,
And staw^ a branch, spite o' the deil,
Frae yont' the western waves, man.
Fair Virtue water'd it wi' care.
And now she sees wi' pride, man.
How Weel it buds and blossoms there.
Its branches spreading wide, man.
Uat vicious folic aye hate to see
, The works o' Virtue thrive, man;
The Courtly vermin's bann'd the tree,
And grat^ to see it thrive, man ;
King Louis thought to cut it down.
When it was unco' sma', man;
For this the watchman cracked his
crown.
Cut aff his head and a', man.
A wicked crew syne,' on a time.
Did tak a solemn aitli, man.
It ne'er should flourish to its prime,
I wat^ they pledged their faith, m^n.
Awa' they gaed,' wi'^mock parade,
- Lilie beagles Imating game, man.
But soon grew weary o' the trade, .
And wished'- they'd been at . hame,
man.
For Freedom, standing by the tree,
, Her sons didlbudly ca', man;
She sanga sang o' liberty.
Which pleased them ane and a', man.
By her Inspired, the new-bom race
-Soon drew the avenging steel, man;
^ Man. '^ Stole. • From beyond. ' Wept.
• Very. ^ Then. « Know. " Went.
Tlio hirelings ran — her foes gied'P
chaSe,
And bang'd" the despot weel, man.
Let Britain boast her hardy oak,
Her poplar and her pine, fflaUi
Auld Britain ance could crack her joke>
And o'er her neighbours shine, man.
But seek the forest round and round.
And soon 'twill be agreed, man,
That sic a tree cannot be found' '
.'Twist London and the Tweed, man.
Without this tree, alake, this life
Is but a vale o' woe, man;
A scene o' sorrow mix'd wi' strife,
Nae real joys we know, man.
We labour soon, we labour late.
To feed the titled knave, man;
An4- a' the comfort we're to get
Is that ayont the grave, man.
Wi^ plenty o' sic trees,'I trow,
The warld would live in peace, ip,an ;
The sword wpuld help to mak a plough,
The din o' war wad cease, man.
Like brethren in a common cause.
We'd on each-other smile, man;
And equal rights and egual laws
Wad gladden every isle, man.
Wae worththe loon" wha wadna eat^
Sic halesonie dainty clieer,- man;
I'd' gie my shoon frae aff my feet,-
To taste sic fruit, I s wear, man.
Syne let us pray, auld England may-
Sure plant this far-famed tree, man;
And blithe we'll sing, and hail the day
That gives us liberty, man.
TO CHLOEIS.
The Chloris of the following: lines, and of sev-
eral songs of the poet's, was a Mrs,- Whelp-
dale, the beautiiul daughte/ of ^Mr. Williaip
LoHmer, farmer of Keffimis Hall, near Ellis-
land. Her marriage was unfortunate, for a
few months after it took place slje was sep-
arated from her husband; whom she did not
again meet for- twenty-three yeai's.
'Tis Friendship's pleslge', my young-f
fair friend.
Nor thou the gift refuse,
Nor with unwilling ear attend
The moralising Muse.^
,10 Gave. " Beat. '= Fellow.
146
BURNS' -WORKS.
Since thou, in all thy youth and
charms.
Must bid the world adieu
(A world 'gainst peace in constant arms)
To join the friendly few.
Since thy gay morn of life o'ercast,
Chill came the tempest's lower;
(And ne'er misfortune's eastern blast
Did nip a fairer flower.)
Since life's gay scenes must charm no
more.
Still much is left behind;
Still nobler wealth hast thou in store —
The comforts of the mind !
Thine is the self-approving glow.
On conscious honour's part:
And, dearest gift of Heaven below.
Thine friendship's truest heart.
The joys refined of sense and taste.
With every Muse to rove :
And doubly were the poet blest.
These joys could he improve.
VERSES
ON THE DESTBtrCTION OP THE WOODS
NEAB DKUMLANRIG.
The Duke of Queensberry, who was no fav-
ourite of the port's, and who was deserved-
ly held in little esteem wherever his charac-
ter was known, had (we quote from Mr.
Chambers) " stripped his domains of Drum-
lanrig in Dumfriesshire, and Neidpath in
Peeblesshire, of all the wood fit for being
cut, in order to enrich the Countess of Yar-
mouth, whom he. supposed to be his daugh-
ter, and to whom, by a singular piece of
good fortune on her part, Mr. George Sel-
wyn, the celebrated wit, also left a fortune,
under the same, and probably equally mis-
taken, impression."
As on the banks o' wandering Nith
Ae smiling summer morn I stray'd.
And traced its bonny howes and haughs.
Where Unties sang andr lambkins
play'd,
I sat me down upon a craig.
And drank my fill o' fancy's dream.
When, from the eddying deep below.
Uprose the genius of the stream.
Park, like the frowning rock, his brow.
And troubled like his wintry wavo.
And deep, as sughs' the boding wind
Amang his eaves, the sigh he gave —
"And came ye here, my son," he
cried,
' ' To wander in my birken shade ?
To muse some favourite Scottish theme.
Or sing some f atwurite Scottish
maid !
" There was a time, it 's nae langsyne,'
Ye might hae seen me in my pride.
When a' my banks sae bravely saw
Their woody pictures in my tide ;
When hanging beech and spreading
elm
Shaded my stream sae clear and cool;
And stately oaks their twisted arms
Threw broad and dark across the
pool :
" Wlien glinting through Ihe trees ap-
pear'd
The wee white cot aboon the mill.
And peacefu' rose its ingle reek,'
That slowly curl'd up the hill.
But now the cot is bare and cauld.
Its branchy shelter 's lost and gane.
And scarce a stinted birk is left
To shiver in the blast its lane. "
" Alas !" said 1, " what ruefu' chance
Has twin'd^ ye o' your stately trees !
Has laid your rocky bosom bare ?
Has stripp'd the deeding' o' your
braes !
Was it the bitter eastern blast.
That scatters blight in early spring?
Or was 't the wil-fire scorch'd their
boughs.
Or canker-worm wi' secret sting ?"
" Nae eastlin blast," the sprite replied;
" It blew na here sae fierce and fell;
And on my dry and halesome banlis
Nae canker worms get leave to
dwell :
Man ! cruel man !" the genius sigh'd —
As through the cliffs he sank him
down — [trees,
" The worm that gnaw'd my bonny
That reptile wears a ducal crown !"
' Sighs. ' Since. ' The smoke of its fire.
* Reft. 5 Clothing.
POEMS.
147
ADDRESS
SPOKEN BY MISS FONTENBLLE OK HEK
BENEFIT NIGHT.
" We hifve. had a brilliant theatre here this
season," the poet writes to Mrs. Dunlop^ ;
** only, as all otlier business does, it experi-
ences a stagnation of trade from the epidem-
ical complamt of the country — want of cash.
I mention our theatre merely to lug in an
occasional address which I wrote for the
benefit night of one of the actresses."
Still anxious to secure your partial
favour, [than ever,
And not less anxious, sure, this night
A Prologue, Epilogue, or some such
matter, [ing better;
'Twoiild vamp my hill, said I, if noth-
So sought a poet, roosted near the skies,
Told him I came to feast my curious
eyes; [printed;
Said nothing like his works was ever
And last, my Prologue-business slily
hinted. [man of rhymes,
"^Ma'am, let m^e tell you," quoth my
"I know your bent — ^these are no
laughing times:
Can you-^but, Miss, I own I have my
fears — .
Dissolve in pause and sentimental tears ;
With laden sighs, and solemn-rounded
sentence, ' [Repentance ;
Rouse from his sluggish slumbers fell
Paint Vengeance, as he takes his horrid
stand.
Waving on liigli the desolating brand,
, Calling the Storms to bear htm o'er a
. guilty land ?"
I could no more — askance the creature
eyeing, [for crying ?
D'ye think, said I, this face was made
I'll laugh, that's poz — nay, more, the
■ world shall know it: [Poet!
And so, your servant ! gloomy Master
Firm as my creed, sirs, 'tis my fix'd be-
lief.
That Misery's another word for Grief;
I also think — so may I be a bride !
That so much laughter, so much life
enjoy'd.
Thou man of crazy care and ceaseless
sigh, [eye;
Still under bleak Misfortune's blasting
Doom'd to that sorest task of man alive —
To make three guineas do the work of
five; [lam witch t
Laugh in Misfortune's face — the bed-
Say you'll be merry, though you can't
be rich. [love.
Thou other man of care, the wretch in
Who long with jiltisli arts and airs hast
strove ; [ject,
Wlio, as the boughs all temptingly pfo^
Measured in desperate thought — a
rope — ^thy neck — [the deep.
Or, where the beetling cliff o'erhangs
Peerest to meditate the healing leap:
Wouldst thou be cured, thou silly,
moping elf, [thyself:
Laugh at her follies — ^laugh e'en at
Learn to despise those frowns now- so
terrific, [specific.
And love a kinder — that's your grand
To sum up all, be merry, I advise;
And as we're merry, may we still. be
wise 1
TO COLLECTOR MITCHELL.
The poet died within a few months of writing
this. But Collector Mitchell, who was a
sincere friend to him, was not aware of
his distress at this time.
Fbiend of the poet, tried and leal,
Wlia, wanting thee, might beg or steal;
Alake ! alake ! the meikle deil
Wi' a' his witches
Are at it skelpin'^ jig and reel.
In my poor pouches !
I modestly fu' fain wad hint it.
That one pound one I sairly want it;
If wi' the hizzie'' down ye sent it,
It would be kind;
And while my heart wi' life-blood
dunted,^
I'd bear't in mind.
So may the auld year gang^ out moan-
To see the new come laden, groanmg,
Wi' double plenty o'er the loaning'
To thee and thine;
Domestic peace and comforts crowning
The hale design.
I Dancing. '^ Girl. = Throbbed.
<• The road loading to the farm.
4 Go.
148
BURNS' WORKS.
POSTSCRITT.
Ye've heard tliis while how I've been
licket,*
And by fell Death was nearly nicket;'
Grim loun ! he gat me by the fecket,'
And sair me sheuk;
But by guid luck I lap a wicket,
And turn'd a neuk.
But by that health, I've got a share
o 't, [o 't.
And by that life I'm promised mair
My hale and weel I'll tak a care o 't,
A tentier' way:
Then fareweel folly, hide and hair o' t,
For ance and aye !
TO COLONEL DE PEYSTER.*
My lionour'd colonel, deep I feel
Your interest in the poet's weel .
Ah ! now sma' heart hae I to speel'
The steep Parnassus.
Surrounded thus by bolus piU
And potion glasses.
Oh, what a canty' warld were it.
Would pain, and care, and sioloiess
spare it;
And foirtune favour worth and merit
As they deserve I
And aye a rowth^, roast beef and
claret;
Syne'' wha wad starve ?
Dame Life, though fiction out may
trick her. Pier;
And in paste gems and frippery deck
Oh ! flickering, feeble, and unsicker'
I've found her still.
Aye wavering, like the willow wicker,*
'Tween good and iU.
-Then that curst caniiagnole,auld Satan,
Watches, like baudrons' by a ratton,
Our sinf u' saul to get a claut* on
Wi' felon ire;
Syne whip ! his tail ye'U ne'er cast
saut' on—
He's aff like fire.
Ah, Nick I ah, Nick ! it is nae fair.
First showing us the tempting ware.
Bright wines and bonny lasses rare.
To put us daft;™
Syne weave, unseen, the spider snare
O' hell's damn'd waft.
Poor man, the flee aft bizzes by,
And aft as chance he comes thee nigh.
Thy auld damn'd elbow yeuks" wi'
joy,
And hellish pleasure;
Already In thy fancy's eye,
■ Thy sicker treasure.
Soon, heels-o'er-gowdie !'^ in he gangs,
And, like a sheep-head on a tangs.
Thy girning'^ laugh enjoys his pangs
And murdering wrestle.
As, dangling in the wind, he hangs
A gibbet's tassel.
But lest you think I am uncivil.
To plague you with this draunting"
drivel.
Abjuring a' intentions evil,
I quat my pen:
The Lord preserve us f rae the devil !
Amen ! Amen !
« Beaten. ' Cut off. « Waistcoat. ' Morq
careful.
' Climb. 2 Happy. ^ Abundance. * Then,
s Insecure. » Twig. 'Cat. « Claw. "Salt.
* Arentz de Peyster, colonel of the Gentle-
men Volunteers of Dumfries, of wTlicTi Burns
was a ipenjber. He had made some kind in-
quiries as to the poet's health.
TO MI^ JESSl LEWARS, DUM-
FRIES,
WITH A PRESENT OF BOOKS.
Cunningham says :— " Miss Jessy Lewars
watched over the poet and his little house-
hold'durmg his declining days with all the
affectionate reverence of a daughter. For
this she has received the silent thanks of
all who admire the genius of Bums, or look
with sorrow on his setting sun ; she has re-
ceived more — the undying thanks of the poet
hlinself ; "his songs to her honour, andr his
simple gifts of books and verse, will keep
her nameand^ame long in the world."
Thine be the volumes, lessy, fair.
And with them take the poet's prayer—^
That Fate may in her fairest page, ■
With every Idndliest, best presage
Of future bliss, enrol thy name;
With native worth, and spotless fame.
And wakeful caution still aware
Of ill — but chief, man's felon snare.
All blameless joys on earth we Snu„
And all the treasures of the mind —
These be thy guardian and reward;
So prays thy faithful friend — the Bard.
i» Mad. >i Itches. '- Topsy-turvey. »= Gripv
ning. 1^ Drawling.
EPISTLES.
-EPISTLE TO JOHN RANKINE,
ENCLOSING SOME POEMS.
O ROUGH, rude, ready-witted Rankbie,
Thei wale' o' cooks for fun and drinkin'!
There's mony godly folks are thinkin-
Your dreams* and tricks
Will send you, Korali-like, a-sinkin',
Straught to auld Nick's.
Ye liae sae mony cracks and cants,^
And in your wicked, drucken rants,^
Ye mak a devil o' the saunts.
And fill them to\i-*\
And then their failings, flaws, and
wantSj
Are a' seen through.
Hypocrisy, in mercy spare it !
That holy robe, oh, dinna tear it ! [it,
Spare't for their sakes wha aften wear
The lads in black !
But your curst wit, when it comes
near it,
Eives't' aff their back.
Think, wicked sinner, whaye'reskaith-
Ing," [elaithingt
It's just the blue-gown badge and
1 Choice, 2 Stories and tricks. . ^ Bouts.
< -Tipsy. s Pulls it. "Injuring.
* A certain humorous dream of his was then
making a noise in the country-side.— B.
t A minister or elder, some say Holy Willie,
had caHed. on Ikankine, and had partaken so
freely of whisky-toddy as to have ended by
tumbhng dead-drunk on the floor,
i " The affusion Rere is tp a privileged class
ofioendicantswtll known In Scotland by tie
nathe of ' Blue Gowns.' -The order was insti-
tuted by James V, of Scotland, the royal
.' Gaberlunzie-Man,' "
0' saunts; tak that, ye lea'e them nae-
thing
To ken them by,
Frae ony unregenerate heathen
Like you or I.
I've sent you here some rhyming ware,
A' that I bargain'd for, and mair;
Sae, when ye hae an hour to spare,
I will expect
Yon sang,§ ye'U sen't wi' cannie care.
And no neglect.
Though, faith, sma' heart hae I to
si-ng ! [wing 1
My muse dow' scarcely spread her
I've play'd mysel a bonny spring,
And danced my fill !
I'd better gaen and sair't" the king.
At Bunker's Hill.
'Twas ae night lately, in my fun,
I gaed a roving wi' the gun,
And brought a paitrick' to the grun',
A bonny hen.
And, as the twilight was begun.
Thought nane wad ken,'"
The poor wee thing was little hur*>
I straikit" it a wee for sport, [for't;
Ne'er thinking they wad fash''^ me
But, diel-ma care !
Somebody tells the poacher-court
The hsje affair.
Some auld-used hands had ta'en a note,
That Sic a hen had got a shot.
' Dare » Served. » Partridge. •" Know.
"Stroked. "Trouble,
§ A song tie had promised the author.— B,
150
BURNS' WORKS.
I was suspected for tlie plot;
I scom'd to lie;
So gat the whistle o' my groat,
And pay't the fee.
But, by my gun, o' guns the wale,
And by my pouther and my liail,
And by my hen, and by her tail,
I vow and swear !
The game shall pay o'er moor and dale,
For this, neist year.
As soon's the clocking-tune is by.
And the wee pouts begun to cry.
Lord, I'se hae pportiu' by and by.
For my gowd guinea.
Though I should herd the buckskin
kye
For't in Virginia.
Trouth, they had muckle for toblamej
'Twas neither broken wing nor limb,
But twa-three draps about the wame
Scarce through the feathers :
And baith a yellow George to claim
Ajid thole their blethers !'*
It pits me aye as mad's a hare;
So I can rhyme nor write nae mair;
But pennyworths again is fair,
When time's expedient;
Meanwhile I am, respected sir.
Your most obedient.
EPISTLE TO DAVIE,,
A BHOTHER POET.
January^ 1785.
David Sillar, to whom this epistle was
addressed, was a native of Tdrbolton, a poet
■and scholar. He. was for many years a
schoolmaster at Irvine, and was latterly a
magistrate of that town. He published a
vc^ume of poems in the Scottish diaject.
Wnn.E winds frae aff Ben Lomond
blaw.
And bar the doors wi' driving snaw,
And hing' us owre the ingle,'
I set me down to pass the time.
And spin a verse or twa o' rhyme,
In hamely westlin jingle.'
While frosty winds blaw in the drift,
Ben to the chimla lug.*
*^ Nonsense.
' Hang. 2 Fire. s Homely
west country dialect. * Chitpney corner.
I grudge a wee the great folk's gift.
That live sae bien° and snug:
I tent' less, and want less
Their roomy fire-side;
But hanker and canker
To see their cursed pride.
It's hardly in a body's power
To keep at times frae being sour.
To see how things are shared; .
How best o' chiels' are whiles in want,
While coofs* on countless thousands
rant,'
And ken na how to wair't;'"
But, Davie, lad, ne'er fash" your head,
Though we hae little gear, '^
We're fit to win our daily bread,
AS lang's we're hale and fier:''
"Mair spier na, nor feer na,""
Auld age ne'er mind a feg,'*
The last o't, the warst o't,
Is only but to beg.
To lie in kilns and barns at e'en, [thin.
When banes are crazed, and blitid is
Is doubtless great distress !
Yet then content could make us blest r
Even then, sometimes, we'd snatch a
taste
Of truest happiness.
The honest heart, that's free frae a'
Intended fraud or guile.
However Fortune kick the ba'.
Has aye some cause to smile-.
And mind still, you'll find still,
A comfort this nae sma' ;
Nae mair then, we'll care then,
Nae farther can we fa.'
What though like commoners of air.
We wander out we know not where, '
But either house or hall ! [woods.
Yet nature's charms — the hills and
The sweeping vales, and foaming
floods —
Are free alilte to all.
In days when daisies deck the ground,
And blackbirds whistle clear.
With honest joy our hearts will bound
To see the coming year:
On braes,. when we please then,
We'll sit and sowth" a tune: '
' ComfortaWej « Heed. ' Men. » Fools.
» Live extravagantly. " Spend it. "Trouble.
" Goods or wealth. " Whole and sound.
"More ask hot, nor fear not, ^=Fig, "Whistle.
EPISTLES.
151
Syne iliyme-tiirt, we'll time till't,
And sing- 1 when we iae dune.
It's no in titles nor in rank:
It's no in wealth like Lon'on bank,
To purchase peace and rest:
It's no in making muckle mair;"
It's no in books, it's.no in lear;'*
To malie us truly blest;
If happiness hae not her seat
And centre in the breast,
We may be wise, or rich, or great,
But never can be blest:
Nae treasures, nor pleasures.
Could make us happy lang:
The heart aye's the part aye
That makes us right or wrang.
Think ye that sic" as you and I, [dry,
Wha drudge and drive through wet and
Wi' never-ceasing toil;
Think ye, are we less blest than they
Wha scarcely tent'"' us in their way,
. As hardly worth their while ?
Alas ! how aft in haughty mood,
God's creatures they- oppress !
Or else, neglecting a' that's guid.
They riot in excess !
Baith careless and fearless
Of either heaven or hell f
Esteeming-and deeming
It's a' an idle tale !
Then let us cheerfu' acquiesce;
Nor make our scanty pleasures less.
By pining at our state ;
And, even should misfortunes come,
I here wha sit hae met wi' some,
An's thankfu' for them yet.
They gie the wit of age to youth;
They let us ken oursel;
They niake us see the naked truth,
' . The real guid and ill.
Though, losses and crosses
Be lessons right severe.
There's wit there, ye'Il get there,
Ye'll find nae other where.
But tent me, Davie, ace o' hearts I [tes,
(To say aught less wad wrang the car-
And flattery I detest,)
This life has joys for you and I;
And joys that riches ne'er could buy:
And joys the very best. ,
" Much more. " Learning. " Such. '" Heed.
There's a' the .pleasures o' the heart,
The lover and the frien';
Ye hae your Meg,* your dearest part.
And I my darBng Jean I
It warms me, it charms me.
To mention but her name:
It heats me, it beets me.
And sets me a' on flame !
Oh, all ye powers who rule above !
0 "Thou, whose very self art love !
Thou know'st my words sincere !
The life-blood streaming through my
heart.
Or my more dear immortal part.
Is not more fondly dear 1
When heart- corroding care and grief
Deprive my soul of rest.
Her dear idea brings relief
And solace to my breast.
Thou Being, all-seeing.
Oh, hear my fervent prayer !
Still take her and make her ,
Thy most peculiar care !
All hail ! j'e tender feelings dear !
The smile of love, the friendly tear.
The sympathetic glow !
Long since, this world's thorny ways
Hard number'd out my weary days.
Had it not been for you !
Fate still has blest me with a friend.
In every care and ill;
And oft a more endearing band,
A tie more tender still.
It lightens, it brightens
The tenebrific scene.
To meet with, and greet with
My Davie or my Jean !
Oh, how that name inspires my style!
The words come skelpin',''' rank and
Amaist" before I ken !'' [file,
The ready measure rins as fine
As Phoebus and the famous Nine
Were glowerin' owre my_pen.
My spaviet''' Pegasus will limp,
Till ance he's fairly het; [jimp,"
And then he'll hilch," and stilt, '"-'and
And rin an unco fit:
" Dancinpr. "^ Almost. " Know. '* Spa-
vined. " Hobble. " Halt. s'Jump.
* Sillar's flame was a lass of the name of
Margaret Orr, who had charge of the children
of Mrs. Stewart of Stair, It was not the for-
tiine of " Meg " to become Mrs. Sillar.
l52
BUKNS' WORKS.
But lest tlien, the beast tlien,
Sliould xue^' this hasty ride,
I'll light' now, and dight'' now
His sweaty, wizen'd™ hide.
EPISTLE TO JOHN LAPEAIK,
AN OLD SCOTTISH BAKD.
April 1, 1785.-
Whtle briers and woodbines budding
green.
And paitricks' scraichin^ loud at e'en.
And morning pouSsie^ whiddiu seen.
Inspire my Muse,
This freedom in an unknown frieu'
1 pray excuse.
On Fasten-e'en we had a rockin',*
To ca' the crack^ and weave our
stockin';
And there was muckle^ fun and jokin'.
Ye needna doubt;
At length we had a hearty yokin'*
At sang about.
Tliere was ae sang, amang the rest,
Aboon them a' it pleased me best.
That some kind husband had addrest
To some sweet wife:
It thirl'd the heari;-strings through the
breast,
A' to' the life.f
I've scarce heard ought described sae
weel.
What generous manly bosoms feel;
Tliorigfe I, "Can this be Pope, or
Steele, ■
Or Beattie's wark ? "
They tauld me 'twas an odd kind chieP
About Muirkirk.
It pat me fidgin-fain^ to hear't.
And sae about him there I spiert;'
»" Repent. ^<> Wipe, s" 'Withered.
* PartridgeSi ^ Screaming, ^ xhe hare.
* To drive the talk. .» Much. ' Bout. ' Man.
' Made me fidget with desire. ' Inquired.
, * In former times young women were wpnt
to meet together, each having her distajT or
itick for the purpose of spinning while tli6
song and the gossip went round.
+ This song is entitled, " When I upon thy
bosom Icjin."
Then a' that kent'" him round declared
He had ingine;"
That nane excell'd it, few cam near't.
It was sae fine.
That, set him to a pint of ale.
And either douce'* or merry tale.
Or rhymes and sangs he'd made himsel.
Or witty catches:
'Tween Inverness and Teviotdale
He had few matches.
Then up I gat, and swore an aith,"
Though I should pawn my pleugh and
graith"
Or die a cadger pownie's death.
At some dike back,
A pint and gill I'd gie them baith
"To hear you crack.
But, first and foremost, I should tell,
Amaist as soon as I could spell,
I to the crambo-jingle'^ fell.
Though rude and rough:
Yet crooning" to a body's sel
Does weel enough.
I ain nae poet, in a sense.
But just a rhymer, like by chance,
And hae to learning nae pretence.
Yet what the matter ?
Whene'er my Muse does on me glance,
I jingle at her.
Your critic folk my cock their nose.
And say, ' ' How can you e'er propose.
You, wha ken hardly verse frae prose.
To malt a sang V
But, by your leaves, my learned foes,
Ye're maybe wrang.
AMiat's a' your jargon o' yotir schools.
Your Latin names for horns and stools;
If honest nature made you fools.
What sairs jour grammars?
Ye'd better ta'en up spades and
sliools.
Or knappiu' -hammers.
A set o' dull, conceited hashes,"
Confuse their brains in college classes!
They gang in stirks,'* and come out
asses.
Plain truth to speak;
>" Knew. " Genius or geniality. " Sober.
'= Oath. » Taclde. >» Doggerel verses,
'« Humming. " Bldckheads, '"Vear-old cattle;
EPISTLES.-
158^
And syne" they think to climb Par-
nassus-
By dint o' Greek !
Gie me ae spark 6' Nature's Are !
That's a' the learning I desire;
Then, though I drudge through dub
and mire
At pleugh or cart,
My Muse, though hainely in attire,
May touch the heart.
Oh for a spunk o' Allan's™ glee.
Or Fergusson's, the bauld and slee,'"
Or bright Lapraik's, my friend to be.
If I can liit it !
That would be lear'^' enough for me.
If I could get itJ
Now, sir, if ye hae friends enow.
Though real friends I b'lieye are few.
Yet,- if your catalogue be f u',
I'se no insist.
But gif ye want ae friend that's true,
I'm on your list.
I winna'' blaw about mysel;
As ill I like my faults to tell;
But friends and folk that wish me well.
They sometimes roose'* me ;
Though I maun^' own, as mony still
As far abuse me.
There's ae wee faut'-'' they whiles lay
to me,
I like the lasses — Gude f orgie me !
For mdny a pladc they wheedle frae
me, ,
At dance or fair;
Maybe some ither thing they gie me.
They weel can spare.
But Mauchline race, or Mauchline fair,
I should be proud to meet you there;
We'se gie ae night's discharge to Care,
If we forgather,
And hae a swap^' o' rhymin' ware
Wi' ane anither.
The fduT-gill chap'^ we'se gar'' him
clatter,
19 Then. =» Allan Ramsay. " Sly.
" Learning. " will not. " Praise. =» Must
'"' Small fault. 27 An exchange. =" Stoup.
29 Make. ■
And kirsen^" hiin wi' reekin' water; •
Syne we'll sit down and tak our whit.
ter,8i
To cheer our heart;
And faith, we'se be accuainted better
Before we part.
There's naething like the honest nap-
py F
Whar'll^^ ye e'ei see men sae happy.
Or women sonsie, saft, and sappy^'
'Tween morn and morn.
As them wha like to taste the drappy^'
In glass or horn !
I've seen me dais't^" upon a time,
I scarce could wink, or see a styme;^' •
Just ae half-mutehldn does me prime.
Aught less is little.
Then back ! rattle on the rhyme.
As gleg's a whittle !**
Awa' ye selfish war'ly race, [grace,.
Wha think that havins,'' sense, and
E'en love and friendship, should give '
place
'To catch-the-plack !"
I dinna'*' like to see your face.
Nor hear your crack. ^^
But ye whom social pleasure charms.
Whose hearts the tide of kindness
warms,
Who hold your being on the terms,
" Each aid the others,"
Come to my bowl, come to my arms.
My friends, my brothers.
But to conclude my long epistle.
As my auld pen's Worn to the grissle;
Twa lines frae you would gar me iis-
sle,«
Who am, most fervent,
Wliile I can either sing or wliissle.
Your friend and servant.
SECOND EPISTLE TO LAPRAIK.
April 11^ 1785^
While new-ca'd kye rowte' at the
stake.
And pownies reek', in pleugh orbrailc,^
31 Christen. »' Hearty draught. "^ Ale'.
S3 Where win. =< Comely. so Smalldrop. ■
s" Stupid. 8' See in the least. '" As keen as
a knife. s" Decorum, ■'° To seek after
money. «i Do not. ^^ Talk. 4' Fidget.
' Driven cows low. "^ Smoke. ^ Harrow.
154
BURNS' WORKS.
This hour on e'enin's edge I take,
To own I'm debtor .
To honest-hearted, auld Lapraik,
For his Idnd letter.
Forjraket sair,' wi' weary legs,
Rattlin' the corn out-owre the rigs.
Or dealing through amang the naigs
Their ten-hours' bite.
My awkward Muse sair pleads and
I wouldna write.
The tapetless ramfeezledhizzie,^
She's saft at best, and something lazy,
Quo' she, "Ye ken, we've been sae
busy.
This month, aiid mair.
That, trouth, my head is grown right
dizzy.
And something sair."
Her dowfE ^ excuses pat me mad :
"Conscience," says I, "ye thowless
iadP
I'll write, and that a hearty blaud,'
Tliis vera night;
So dinna ye affront yoar trade.
But rhyme it right.
" Shall bauld Lapraik, the king o'
hearts.
Though mankind were a pack o' cartes,
Roose you sae weel for your deserts.
In tenns sae friendly,
Yet ye'll negjlect to shaw your parts,
And thank him' kindly ? "
Sae I gat paper in a blink,'
And down gaed stumpie in the ink;
Quoth I, " Before I sleep a wink,
I vow I'll close it;
And if ye winna mak it clink,'"
By Jove I'll prose it! "
Sae, I've begun to scrawl, but whether
In rhyme, or prose, or baitli thegither.
Or some hotch-potch* that's rightly
neither.
Let time malt proof ;
* Worn sore with fatigue. ^ The heedless
and exhausted jade, * Silly. ' Lazy jade.
8 Quantity. > Twinkling. '" Rhyme.
* Hotch potch is the Scotch name for a soup
made of all sorts of vegetables. No other ex-
planation could give a proper idea of the
meaning of the phrase here.
But I shall scribble down some
blether"
Just clean aff-loof.f
My worthy friend, ne'er grudge ani,
carp, [sharp;
Though Fortune use you hard and
Come, kittle'^ up your moorland-haq>'
Wi' gleesome touch !
Ne'er mind how Fortune waft and
warp;
She's but a bitch.
She's gien'^ me mony a jert and fleg;'''
Sin' I could striddle owre a rig;
But, by the Lord, though I shouldbeg
Wi, lyart pow,'^
I'll laugh, and shig, and shake my leg.
As lang's I dow ! '*
Now comes the sax and twentieth sim-
mer
I've seen the bud upo' the timmer,"
Still persecuted by the limmer"
Frae year to year;
But yet, despite the kittle kimmer,"
I, Rob, ain here.
Do you envy the city gent,
Behint a kist to lie and sklent.J
Or purse-proud, big wi' cent, per cent.
And muckle wame,'°
In some bit brugh to represent
A bailie's name t
Or is't the paughty,^' feudal thane,
AVi' ruffled sark and glancing cane,
Wha thinks himsel nae sheep-shank
bane.
But lordly stalks, ■
"While caps and bonnets aff are ta'en,'*
As by he walks.
0 Thou wlia gies us eacli guid gift !
Gie me o' wit and sense a lift.
Then turn me, if Thou please, adrift,
Through Scotland wide;
Wi' cits nor lairds I wadna shift.
In a' their pride !
Were this the charter of our state,
' ■ On pain o' hell be rich and great,"
" Nonsense. " Tickle. '» Given. " Jerk
and kick. ^^ Gray head, i* Can. '' Tree.
18 Jade. 1" Girl. 2« Big belly. " Haughty,
s" Taken.
t Scotticism for extemporaneous.
X Behind a counter to lie and leer.
EPISTLES.
135
Danmation tlien would be our fate
Beyond remead;
But, thanks to. Heaven, that's no the
gate
We learn our creed.
For thus the royal mandate ran.
When first the human race began,
" The social, friendly < honest man,
_' Whate'er he be,
'Tis he fulfils great Nature's plan,
And none but he !"
G mandate, glorious and divine !
The Tagged followers o' the Nine,
Poor, thoughtless devils ! yet may
shine
In glorious light.
While sordid sons o' Mammon's line
Are dark as night.
Though here they scrape, and squeeze,
Slid growl,
Their worthless nievef u'*' of a soul
May in some future carcase howl;
The forest's fright;
Or in some day-detesting owl
May shun the light.
Then may Lapraik and Burns arise,
To reach their native kindred. skies,
And sing their pleasures, hopes, and
joys,
In some mild sphere.
Still closer: knit in friendship's ties
Each passing year ]
EPISTLE TO JOHN GOUDIE, KIL-
MARNOCK,
ON THE PUBLICATION OF HIS ESSAYS.
John Goudie was a Kilmarnock tradesman.
His Essay, fully discussingr the authority of
the HolyScriptures, first appeared m 1780,
and .a new edition in 1785, The publication
of the new edition called forth the following
epistle from the poet : —
0 Goudie ! terror of the Whigs,
Dread of black cQats and reverend ^^'igs,
Sour Bigotry, on her last legs,
Gimin',' looks back,
WisWn' the ten Egyptian plagues
Wad seize you quick.
s= Handful.
* Grinning.
Poor gapin', glowrin,'! Superstition,
Waes me ! she's in a sad condition;
Fie I bring Black Jock,* her. state
physician,
To see her water:
Alas 1 there's ground 0' great suspicion
She'll ne'er get better.
Auld Orthodoxy long did grapple.
But now she's got an unco ripple;'
Haste, gie her name u i' the chapel.
Nigh, unto death ;
See how she fetches at the thrapple,*-
And gasps for breath !
Enthusiasm's past redemption,
Gaen* in a galloping consumption,.
Not a' the quacks, wi' a' their; gump-
tion,"
Will ever mend her.
Her feeble pulse gies strong presump.
tion
Death soon will end her.
'Tis you and Taylorf are the chief,
,Wha are to bjame for this mischief;
But gin the Lord's ain folk gat leave,
A toom' tar-barrel
And twa red peats* wad send relief,
And end the quarrel.
EPISTLE TO WILLIAM SIMPSON,
OCHILTKEB.
May^ T785.
William Simpson was schoolmaster of .Ochil--
tree, a parish a few miles south of Mauch-
line. According to Mr. Chambers, he had
sent a rhymed epistle to Burns, on reading
hissatireof the ^"Twa Herds','' whicli called"
forth' the following beautiful epistle in re-
ply :—
I GAT your letter, winsome' Willie;
Wi' gratefu-' heart I thank vou braw-
lie,-^
Though I maun s^'t, I wad be silly.
And unco vain.
Should I believe, my coaxin' billie,^
Your flatterin' strain.
2 Staring. ^"Pains in the back and loins.
< Throat. ° Gone. « Knowledge. ' Empty.'
^ Two burning peats to set fire to the tat
barrel.
> Hearty. = Heartily. » Fellow.
* The Rev. John Russell, Kilmarnock, one
of the heroes of the " Twa Herds."
t Dr. Taylor of Norwich.— B.
158
BURNS' WORKS.
But I'se believe ye kindly meant it,
I sud* be laitli, to tliink ye hinted
Ironic satire, sidelins sklented''
■ On my poor Musie;
Though in sic phrasin'* terms ye'vo
penn'd it,
I scarce excnse ye.
My senses wad be in a creel,*
Slujuld I but dare a hope to speel,
Wi' Allan or wi' Gilbertfield,}
The braes o' fame;
Or Fergusson,! the writer chiel,
A deathless name.
(0 Fergusson, thy glorious parts
III suited law's dry musty arts !
Bty curse upon your whunstane hearts,
Ye E'nbrugh gentry !
The tithe o' what ye waste at cartes'
Wad stow'd* his pantry ! )
Yet when a tale comes i' my head.
Or lasses gie my heart a screed,'
As whiles they're like to be my dead,
(0 sad disease !)
I kittle'" up my rustic reed;
It gies me ease.
AuldCoila§,now may fidge fu' fain,"
She's gotten poets o' her ain, [hain"
Cliiels'- wha their chanters winna
But tune their lays,
Till echoes a' resound again
Her weel-sung praise.
Nae poet thought her worth his while,
To set her name in measured style;
She lay lilce some unkenn'd-of isle
Beside New Holland,
Or where wild-meeting oceans boil
Besouth Magellan.
Bamsay and famous Fergusson
Gied Forth and Tay a lift aboon;"
4 Should. ' Obliquely directed. » Flatter-
ing. ' Cards, s Stored. » Rent. " Tickle.
"Fidget with Joy. " Fellows. " Will not
spare. ^* Above.
* A basket. When a person's wits are sup-
posed to be a wool-gathering, he is said to be
in a creel.
+ Allan Ramsay, and William Hamilton of
Gilbertfield, a forgotten poet and contempo-
rary of Ratfisay's.
i Robert Fergusson, the poet.
§ An application frequently applied by
Burns to the district of Kyle.
Yarrow and Tweed, to mony a tune,
Owre Scotland rin^, .,.
While Irwin, Lugar, Ayr, and Dooiai;
Naebody sings.
Th' missus, Tiber, Thames, and
Seine,
Glide sweet in mony a tunefu' line !
But, Willie, set your fit to mine,
And cock'° your crest.
We'll gar'' our streams and bumies
shine
Up wi' the best.
We'll sing auld Coila's plains and fells,
Her moors red-brown wi' heather-bells.
Her banks and braes, her dens and
dells,
Where glorious Wallace-
Aft bare the gree," as story tells,
Frae southron billies.
At Wallace' name what Scottish blood
But boils up in a spring-tide flood !
Oft have our fearless fathers strode
By Wallace' side,
Still pressing onward, red-wat shod,"
Or glorious-died.
Oh, sweet are Coila's haughs" and
woods, [buds.
When lint whites chant amang the
And jinkiu''^° hares, in amorous whids, J
Their love enjoy.
While through the braes -die cushai
croods^'
With wailf u' cry !
Even winter bleak has charms to me, .
When winds rave through the naked
tree ;
Or frosts on hills of Ochiltree
Are hoary gray:
Or blinding drifts wild-furious flee,
Darkening the day L
O Nature ! a' thy shows and forms.
To feeling, pensive hearts hae charms!
Whether the summer kindly warms
Wi' life and light.
Or winter howls, in gusty storms,
Thelang, dark night!
'» Elevate. " Make. , " Often bore the bell.
" Their shoes red in blood. " Meadows
2«- Dodging. " Coos. ■
I A word expressive of. the quick, nimble
movements of the hare.
EPISTLES.
157
The Musp, nae poet ever fand''^ her,
Till by himself he learn'd to wander,
Adown some trotting hum's meander.
And no think lang;
Oh, sweet to stray, and pensive ponder
A heart-felt sang!
The war'ly race may drudge and drive,
Hog-shouther, jundie," stretch, and
. strive —
Let me fair Nature's face descrive,'1
And I, wi' pleasure.
Shall let the busy, grumbling liive
Bum. owre-* theirtreasure.
Fareweel, " my rhyme - composing
brither'" [ither:'-""
We've been owre lang unkenn'd to
Now let us lay our heads thegither,
In love fraternal;
May Envy wallop-' in a tether'^*
Black fiend, infernal 1
While Highlandmen hate tolls and
taxes; [braxies,T[
While moorlan' herds like gold fat
While terra flrrtia on her axis
Diurnal turns,
Count on a friend, in faith and practice,
In Robert Bukns.
POSTSCKIPT.
My memory's no worth" a preen i''^'
I had amaist forgotten clean
Ye bade me write you what they mean
By this New Light,* *
'Bout which our herds sae aft hae been
Maist like to fight.
In days when mankind were but cal-
lans****
At grammar, logic, and sic talents,
They took nae pains their speech to
balance.
Or rules to gie,^'
But spak their thoughts in plain., braid
lallans,"^
Like you or me.
"Found. 23 Jostle, push. i''' Describe.
?^ Hum over. '^^ Too long ' unknown to
each other. '' Struggle. ^S^Rope. =» Pin.
^''.Juveniles. ^^ Give. 32 Lowland speech.
1" Sheep which have died of disease ; and
which are understood to tJelong to the shep-
herds as their perquisites. -
** An allusion to the "Twa Herds."
In thae auld times, they thought the
moon,
Just like a sark,'' or pair of shoon,^*
Wore by degrees, till her last roon^'
Gaed past their viewing,
And shortly after she was done,
They gat a new one.
This pass'd for certain — undisputed:
It ne'er cam i' their heads to doubt it.
Till chiels** gat up and wad confute it,
And ca'd it wrang:
And iftuckle din there was about it,
Baith loud and lang.
Some herds, weel learn'd upo' the
beuk," - [teuk;3'
Wad threap^* auld folk the thing mis-
For 'twas the auld moon turn'd a
neuk,«
And out o' sight,
And backlins^'-comin', to the leuk''^
She grew mair bright.
This was denied — it was affirm'd;
The herd and hirsels^^ were alarm'd;
The reverend gray-beards raved and
storm'd
That beardless laddies"
Should think they better were in-
form'd
Than their auld daddies**
Frae less to mair it gaed to sticks;. ,
Frae words and aiths' to clours and
nicks;*"
And mony a fallow gat his licks,*'
Wi' hearty crunt:**
And some, to learn them for their
tricks,
Were hang'd and brunt.
This game was play'd in mony lands,
And Auld-Hght caddies*' bure sjc
hands [sands
That, faith, the youngsters took the
Wi' nimble shanks,^"
Till lairds forbade, by strict commands.
Sic bluidy pranks. '
But New -Light herds gat sic a cowe,*'
Folk thought them ruih'd stick and
stowe,*'*
33 Shirt. 34 Shoes. 3S Shred. '^ Fellows.-
" Book. 3" Argue. 3° Mistook. ^ Corner.
«' Backwards. <" Look. <3 Flocks. << Lads;
^° Fathers. ^^ Blows and cuts. ^' Got a beat-
ing. <3 Dint. <» Fellows. «» Legs. " Such
a fright, s^* Stump and rump. -
158
BUHNS' WORKS.
Till now amaist on every knows*'
Ye'll find ane placed;
And some tlieir New-bight fair avow,
Just quite barefaced.
Nae doubt the Auld-Light flocks are
bleatin'; [sweatin';
Their zealous herds are vex'd and
Mysel, I've even seen them greetin'**
Wi' girnin'*° spite,
To hear the moon sae sadly lied on.
By word and write.
But shortly they will cowe the loons !=°
Some Auld-Light herds in neibor towns
Are mind't, in things they ca' balloons.
To tak a flight,
And stay ae month amaug the moons.
And see them right.
Guid observation they will gie them;
And when the auld moon's gauu to
lea'e them, [wi' tlxem,
The hindmost shaird," they'll fetch it
Just i' their pouch,''
And when the New-Light billies"' see
them,
I think they'll crouch !
Sae, ye observed that a' this clatter*"
Is naething but a "moonshine matter;"
But though dull prose-folk Latin splat-
ter
In logic tulzie,"'
I hope we bardies ken some better
Than miud sic brulzie.'-
THIRD EPISTLE TO JOHN
LAPRAIK
This epistle did not appear in either of the
editions of his worlcs which the poet saw
through the press. It was written while in
the midst of his second harvest, at Mossgiel
— an unfortunate one, as it proved ; for be-
ing both a iate and a wet season, an evil
conjunction on the cold wet soil, half the
crops were lost.
Sejiiember 13, 1785.
GuiD speed and furder* to you,Johnny,
Guid health, hale ban's, and weather
bonny;
'^= Hillock. '« Cryins-. == Grinning. 5S
Rascals. *' Shred. »» Pocket. «» Fellows.
^° Gossip. *i Contention. *2 Broils.
* Good speed and success in furtherance "to
you.
Now when ye're nickau' down fu'
canny
^The staff o' bread.
May ye ne'er want a stoup o' bran'y
To clear your head.
May Boreas never thrash your rigs,f
Nor kick your ricldes* aff their l^s,
Sendin' tlie stufE o'er muirs and haggs'
Like drivin' wrack;
But may the tapmast grain that wags
Come to the sack.
I'm bizzie too, and skelpin'^ at it.
But bitter, daudin'° showers hae wat it,
Sae my auld stumpie pen I gat it
Wi' muckle wark.
And took my jocteleg^ and whatt' it.
Like ony dark.
It's now twa month that I'm your
debtor, [ter.
For your braw, nameless, dateless let-
Abusiu' me for harsh ill nature
On holy men,
WhUe deil a hair yoursel ye're better.
But mair profane.
But let the kirk-folk ring their bells', ,
Let's sing about our noble sels;
We'll cry nae jads* frae heathen hills
To help or roose' us.
But browster wives'" and whisky stills.
They are the muses.
Your friendship, sir, I winna quat it.
And if ye mak objections at it.
Then han' in nieve" some day we'll
knot'^ it.
And witness take.
And when wi' usquebae we've wat it.
It winna break.
But if the beast and branks" be spared
Till kye be gaun" without the herd,
And a' the vittel'* in the yard.
And theekit'* right,
I mean your ingle -side to guard
Ae winter night.
' Cutting. = Stooks or shocks of corn.
' Morasses. ■■ Driving at it. ' Wind-driven.
« Clasp-knife. ' Cut or sharpened it. = Muses.
» Rouse. '» Ale-house wives. " Hand in fist.
" Bind. " Bridle. " Gome. " Victual.
"Thatched.
t May Boreas never shake the com in your
ridges.
EPISTLES.
159
Then muse-inspirin' aqua vitae [witty,
Shall malte us baltli sae blitue and
Till ye forget ye're auld and gatty,"
And be as canty"* [ty. "
As ye were nine years less than thret
Sweet ane and twenty I
But stocks are cowpit™ wi' the blast,
And now the slnu keeks'' in the west.
Then I maun rin amang the rest.
And quat my chanter;
Sae I subscribe myself in haste,
Yours, Rab the Ranter.
EPISTLE TO THE REV. JOHN
M'MATH.
The Rev. John M'Math was at this time assist-
ant to the Rev. Peter Wodrow of Torbolton.
As a copy of " Holy Willie's Prayer" accom-
panied the epistle, we need hardly say he
■-was, a member of the New-light party.
The bleak un^enial harvest weather is very
graphically pictured in the first verse.
September 17, 1785.
While at the stook the shearers' cower
To shun the bitter blaudin- shower,
Or in giilravage. rinnin' scower'
To pass the time,
To you I dedicate the hour
"In idle rhyme.
My Musie, tired wi' mony a sonnet
On gown, and ban', and douce^ black
bonnet.
Is grown right eerie' now she's done it.
Lest they should blame her,
And rouse their holy thunder on it
And anathem her.
I own 'twas rash, and rather hardy,
That I, a simple country bardie,
Should meddle wi' a pack sae sturdy,
Wha, if they ken me.
Can easy, wi' a single wordie,
Lowse hell upon me.
But I gae mad at their grimaces.
Their sigh in', cantin', grace-proud
faces, '
" Frail. '9 Happy. " Thirty. =» Over-
turned. ■•" Sun blinks.
1 Harvest people. '^ Pelting. ^ Run riotous-
ly for amusement. * Sedate. ' Timorous.
Their three-mile prayers, and half-mile
graces;
Their raxin'" conscience,
Whase greed, revenge, and pride dis-
graces
Waur nor' their nonsense.
There's Gawn,* misca't' waur than a
beast,
Wha has mair honour in his breast
Than mony scores as guid's the priest
Wha sae abus't him.
And may a bard no crack his jest
What way they've use't him?
See him, the poor man's friend in need,
The gentleman in word and deed.
And shall his fame and honour bleed
By worthless skellums,'
And not a muse erect her head
To cowe the blellums ?'"
0 Pope, had I thy satire's darts.
To gie the rascals their deserts,
I'd rip their rotten, hollow hearts.
And tell aloud.
Their jugglin' hocus-pocus arts,
To cheat the crowd.
God knows, I'm no the thing I should
be,
Nor am I even the thing I could be.
But twenty times I rather would be
An atheist clean,
Than under gospel colours hid be
Just for a screen.
An honest man may like a glass.
An honest man may like a lass,
But mean revenge, and malice fause,"
He'll still disdain,
And then cry zeal for gospel laws.
Like some we ken.
They take religion in their mouth ;
They talk o' mercy, grace, and truth,
For what ? — to gie their malice skouth"
On some puir wight, '^
And hunt him down, o'er right and
ruth,'^
To ruin straight.
" Stretching. ' Worse than. ^ Misnam2j.
» Wretches. >» Fellows. >' False. " Scope.
" Fellow. '* Mercy.
* Gavin Hamilton, Esq,
160
BURNS' WORKS.
All hail, Religion ! maid divine !
Pardon a Muse sae mean as mine,
Who, in her rough imperfect line,
Thus daurs to name thee;
To stigmatise false friends of thine
Can ne'er defame thee.
Though blocht and foul wi' mony a
stain,
And far unworthy of thy train.
With trembling voice I tune my strain
To join with those
Who boldly daur thy cause maintain
In spite o' foes:
In spite o' crowds, in spite o' mobs,
In spite o' undermining jobs,
In^pite o' dark banditti stabs
At worth and merit.
By scoundrels, even wi' holy robes.
But hellish spirit.
O Ayr ! my dear, my native ground,
Within thy presbyterial bound,
A candid liberal band is found
Of public teachers.
As men, as Christians too, renown'd,
And manly preachers.
Sir, in that circle you are named;
Sir, in that circle you are famed;
And some, by whom your doctrine's
blamed,
(^^^lich gies you honour).
Even, sir, by them your heart's es-
teem'd.
And winning manner.
Pardon this freedom I have ta'en.
And if impertinent I've been.
Impute it not, good sir, in ana
Whase heart ne'er wrang'd ye.
But to his utmost would befriend
Ought that belang'd ye.
SECOND EPISTLE TO DAVIE,
A BROTHER POET.
AULD Nbibor,
I'M three times doubly o'er your debtor,
For your auld-farrant' friend'ly letter;
Though I maun say't, I doubt ye flatter.
Ye speak sae fair,
Fm my puir, silly, rhymm' clatter
Some less maun sair.^
^ Sagacious. ^ Must serve.
Hale be your heart, hale be your fiddle;
Langmayyour elbuck jink and diddle,^
To cheer you through the weary widdle*
0' warly cares.
Till bairns' bairns kindly cuddle'
Your auld gray hairs.
But, Davie, lad, I'm rede ye're glakit;"
I'm tauld the Muse ye hae negleckit;
And gif it 's sae, ye sud be licket'
Until ye fyke;'
Sic hauns as you sud ne'er be faikit,'
Be haint'" wha like.
For me, I'm on Parnassus' brink
Rivin'" the words to .gar'^ them clink;.
Whiles dais't'* wi' love, whiles dais't
vri' drink,
Wi' jads or masons;
And whiles, but aye owre late, I think
Braw sober lessons.
Of a' the thoughtless sons o' man,
Commen' me to the bardie clan;
Except it be some idle plan
0' rhymin' clink.
The devil-haet,''' that I sud- ban.
They ever think.
Nae thought, nae view, nae scheme o'
livin', .
Nae cares to gie us joy or grieTin';
But just the pouchie'" put the nieve"
in,
Arid while ought's there.
Then hiltie skiltie'' we gae scrieviu',"
And fash" nae mair.
Leeze me'-" on rhyme ! its aye a treas-
ure.
My chief, amaist my only pleasure.
At hame, a-fiel', at wark, or leisure.
The Muse, poor hizzie'.*'
Though rough and raploch*'^ be her
. measure.
She's seldom lazy.
Haud to the Muse, my dainty Davie,
The warl may play you mony a sha-
vie;22
3 Elbow dodge and jerk. * Struggle. ^
Fondle. « I fear you are foolish. ' Should
be beaten. » Shrug, "Spared, i" Saved.
11 Twisting. 12 Make. " Stupid. i« The
devil- a' bit, ■= Pocket. "Fist, " Helter,
skelter. " Go smoothly. i» Trouble. .=» A ,
term of endearment, an expression of happi.) -
ness or pleasure. =i' Lass. ^'Coarse. 2" Tricks*
EPISTLES.
161
But ft)r tlifi Muse she'll never leave ye,
ITiough e'er so puir,
Na, even though limpin' wi' the spa-
vie«
Frae door to door.
EPISTLE- TO JAMES SMITH.
James Smith, oae of Bums' earliest friends,
was a merchant in Mauchline. He was
present at the scene in *' Poosie Nansie's,"
which suggested "The Jolly Beggars."
*' Friendship ! mysterious cement of the soul!
' Sweet'ner of life, and solder of society !
1 owe thee much."— Blair.
Dbak Smith, thesleest," paukie^ thief.
That e'er attempted stealth or rie^,^
Ye surely hae some warlock breef''
- " - Owre human hearts;
For ne'er a bosom yet was prieP
Against your arts.
For me, I swear by sun and moon.
And eveiy star that blinks aboon,
Ye've cost me twenty pair of shoon'
Just gaun to see you;
And every ither parr that's done,
Mair ta'en I'm wi' you.
That auld capricious carlin,' Nature,
To mak amends for scrimpit' stature,
Slie's turn'd you aii, a human creature
On her first plan;
And in her freaks, on every feature
She's wrote, "The Man.'
Just now I've ta'en the fit o' rhyme,.
My barmie' noddle's working prime.
My fancy yerkit'" up sublime
Wi' hasty summon:
Hae ye a leisure moment's time
To hear what's comin'?
Some rhyme a neibor's name to lash;
Some rhyme (vain thought!) for needfu'
.cash; , [clash,"
Some rhyme to court the country
And raise a din,"
Far me, an aim I never fash;"
I rhyme for fun.
24 Sparin.
' Slyest. " Knowing. ' Robbery. '■> Spell.
■''Proof. "Shoes. 'Woman. "Stinted.
'Yeasty. "'Fermented. "Gossip, "Noise.
" Trouble.
The star that rules my luckless lot
Has fated me the russet coat.
And damn'd my fprtuue to the groat; '
But m requit,
Has blessed me wi' a random skot
O' country wit.
This while my notion's ta'en a sklent, '^
To try my fate in guid black prent;
But still, the mair I'm that way bent.
Something cries, " Hoolie!''
I rede" you, honest man, tak tent,"
Ye'll shaw your folly.
"There's ither poets much your betters.
Far seen in Greek, deep men o' letters,
Hae thought they had insured their
debtors.
A' future ages;
Now moths deform in shapeless tatters
Their unknown pages. "
Then fareweel hopes o' laurel-boughs.
To garland my poetic browsJ '
Henceforth I'll rove where busy
ploughs
Are whistling tlirang.
And teach the lanely heights and
howes'*
My rustic sang. ;
I'll wander on, with tentless" heed
How never halting moments speed.
Till Fate shall snap the brittle thread;
Then, all-unknown,
I'll lay me with inglorious dead,
Forgot and gone!
But why o' death begin a tale ?
Just now we're living sound and hale,
Then top and maintop crowd the saU,^'
Heave Care owre side!
And large, before Enjoyment's gale,
Let's tak the tide.
This life, sae far's I understand,
Is a' enchanted fairy-laud,. .
Where Pleasure is the magic wand.
That, wielded right,
Maks hours like minutes, hand in hand.
Dance by f u' light.
The magic wand then let us wield.
For, anoe that five-and- forty's speel'd,'"
" Twist. >' Beware. '* Warn. " Care.
JB Hollows. i» Aimless. '" Climbed.
162
BUftNS' WORKS.
See, crazy, weary, joyless Eild,'"
Wi' wrinkled face.
Comes liostin','^^ lijrpliu',''* owre the
field,
Wi' creepin' pace.
When ance life's day draws near the
gloamin'.
Then fareweel vacant careless roamin' ;
And fareweel cheerf u' tankards f oatnin'
And social noise;
And fareweel, dear deluding woman !
The joy of joys !
O Life ! how pleasant is thy morning,
Young Fancy's rays the hills adorning !
Cold -pausing Caution's lesson scorning.
We frisk away, [ing,
Like schoolboys, at the expected warn-
To joy and play.
We wander there, we wander here.
We eye the rose upon the brier,
•Unmindful that the thorn is near.
Among the leaves;
And though the puny wound appear.
Short, while it grieves.
Some, lucky, find a flowery spot.
For which they never toil'd or swat;'*
They drink the sweet and eat the fat
But care or pain;
And, haply, eye the barren hut
With high disdain.
With steady aim some fortune chase;
Keen hope does every sinew brace;
Through fair, through foul, they urge
the race
And seize the prey:
Then cannie,'" in some cozie *' place.
They close the day.
And others like your humble servan',
Poor wights !^' nae rules nor rodes ob-
servin'
To right or left, eternal swervia',
They zig-zag on ; [vin'.
Till curst with age, obscure and star-
They aften groan.
Alas ! what bitter toil and straining —
But truce with peevish, poor complain-
ing !
^^ Age. 22 Coughing. ^^ Limpinff.
=< Sweated. ?= Quietly, '' Snug. 2' Fellows.
Is Fortune's fickle Luna waning?,^ ,<
E'en let her gang ! '
Beneath what light she has remaining^
Let's sing our sang.
My pen I here fling to the door,
Andlineel, "Ye Powers !" and warm
implore,
' ' Though I should wander Terra o'er.
In all her climes.
Grant me but this, I ask no more.
Aye rowth-* o' rhymes.
" Gie dreeping roasts to country laird^,
Till icicles hing frae their beards; ,.
Gie fine braw claes to fine life-guards.
And maids of honour !
And yill and whisky gie to cairds,'^'
Until they sconner,""
" A title, Dempster* merits it;
A garter gie to Willie Pitt;
Gie wealth to some be-ledger'd cit, ? T
In cent, per cent. ; .
But gie me real, sterling wit.
And I'm content.
"While ye are pleased to keep. me
hale,
I'll sit down o'er my scanty meal,
Be't water-brose, or muslin-kaU,"
Wi' cheerf u' face, . ^ j
As lang's the Muses dinna fail . --
To say the grace. "
An anxious ee I never throws
Behint my lug'* or by my nose ;
I jouk" beneath Misfortune's blows .
As weel's I may, -"
Sworn foe to Sorrow, Care, and Prose.
I rhyme away. '
0 re douce** folk, that live by rule.
Grave, tideless-blooded, calm and cool,
Compared wi' you — 0 fool! fool! fool!
How much unlike!
Your hearts are just a standing pool.
Your lives a dike !''
Nae har«brain'd, sentimental traces,' i
In your unletter'd nameless faces!
=' Abundance. " Tinkers. »" Are nauseated;
^^ Broth made without meat. sa Ear
=2 Stoop. 34 Serious. ss Blank as a wall."
* George Dempster of Dunnichen, a parlia-
mentary orator of the time.
EPISTLES.
163
111 arioso trills and graces
Ye never stray,
fiuf gravissimo, solemn basses
Te hum away.
Te are sae grave, nae doubt ye're wise;
Nae '^erly^" tiiougli ye do despise
Tke liairum-scairum, ram-stam*' boys.
The rattling squad:
I see you upward oast your eyes —
Ye ken tlie road.
Wliilst I— but I sliall hand me there —
Wi' you I'll scarce gang ony where —
Then,' Jamie, I shall say nae mair,
Bttt quat my sang,
Cijntent wi' you to mak a pair,
Whare'er I gang.
EPISTLE TO GAVIN HAMILTON,
Esq.,
recommending a boy.
Gavin Hamilton, solicitor in Mauchiine, was
- a warm"'and generous friend of the poet's,
a New-Light partisan who had suffered
from Aul^-Lignt persecutions.
MOSGAVILLE, May 3, 1786.
I HOL.D it, sir, my bounden duty
To warn you liow that Master Tootie,
Alias, Laird M'Gaun,
Was here to hire yon lad away
'Bout whom ye spak the tither day.
And wad hae done't aff han':'
But lest he learn the callan' tricks.
As, faith, I muckle doubt him,
Like scrapiu' out auld Crummie's
nicks.
And tellin' lies about them :
, , As lieve' then, I'd have then.
Your clerkship he should sair.
If sae be, ye may be
Not fitted other where.
Although I say't, he's gleg* enough.
And' 'bout a house that's rude and
rough,
_The boy might learn to swear;
But then wi' you he'll be sae taught,
- =i« Wonder, " Reckless.
' Cffl-Hand. ' Boy. ' More willingly.
* Sliarp.-
And get sic fair example si;raught,
I haeha ony fear.
Ye'U catechise him every quirk.
And shore' him weel wi' hell;
And gar* him follow to the kirk —
Aye when ye gang yoursel.
■ If ye then, maun be then
Erae hame this comin' Friday;
Then please sir, to lea'e, sir.
The orders wi' your lady.
My word of honour I hae gien,
In Paisley John's, that night at e'en.
To meet. the warld's worm;''
To try to get the twa to gree,
And name the airles' and the fee.
In legal mode and form:
I ken he weel a sneck can draw,'
When simple bodies let him;
And if a devil be at a',
In faith he's sure to get him.
To phrase you, and praise you.
Ye ken your laureate scorns:
The prayer stUl; yon share still.
Of grateful MiNSTKBL Burns.
POETICAL INVITATION TO MR.
JOHN KENNEDY.
This rhymed epistle was accompanied by a
Erose letter, and a copy of the '^ Cotter's
aturday Night." Kennedy had interest^'
himself greatly in the success of the Kilmar-
nock edition of the poems. He was after-
wards ■ factor to the Marquis of 'Breadal-
bane.
Now Kennedy, if foot or horse
E'er bring you in by Mauehline corse,'
Lord, man, there's lasses there wad
- force
A hermit's fancy; [worse.
And down the gate, in faith they're
And mair unchancy.
But, as I'm sayin', please step to Dow's,
And taste sic gear as Johnnie brews.
Till some bit callant'' bring me news
That you are there;
And if we dinna baud a bouze
I'se ne'er drink mair.
'• Threaten. * Make. ^ Avaricious crea-
ture. ' Earnest money. » Can take advant.
age. . ■ , , - ." -
' Mauchiine market cross. " Boy
164
BURNS' WORKS.
It's no I like to sit and swallow.
Then like a swine to puke and wallow;
But gie me just a true good fallow,
Wi' right ingine,'
And ppunkie,''ance to make us mellow.
And then we'll shine.
Now, if ye're ane o' warld's folk,
Wha rate the wearer by the cloak.
And sklent* on poverty their joke,
Wi' bitter sneer,
Wi' you no friendship will I troke,'
Nor cheap nor dear.
But if, as I'm informed weel,
Te hate, as ill's the very deil.
The flinty heart that canna feel —
Come, sir, here's tae you !
Hae, there's my haun', I wiss you weel.
And guid be wi' you.
EPISTLE TO A YOUNG FRIEND.
This epistle was addressed to Andrew Aiken,
the son of his old friend Robert Aiken, writer
in Ayr. Andrew Aiken afterwards earned
distinction in the service of his country.
May^ 1786.
I LANG hae thought, my youthfu'
friettd,
A something to have sent you,
Though it should serve nae other end
Than just a kind memento;
But how the subject theme may gang,
Let time and chance determine ;
Perhaps it may turn out a ssmg,
Perhaps turn out a sermon,
Te'll try the world fu' soon my lad.
And, Andrew dear, believe me.
You'll find manldnd an unco squad,^
And muckle they may grieve ye:
For care and trouble set your thougit.
Even when your end's attain'd;
And a' your views may come to nought.
Where every nerve is strain'd.
I'll no say men are villains a':
The real, harden'd, wicked,
Wha hae nae check but human law,
Are to a few restricked :
' Genius or tcihperament.
'meant, ^ Throw. " Exchange.
* Queer lot.
' Whisky is
But, ocli ! mankind arc unco^ weak, .
And little to be trusted;
If self the wavering balance shake, ^
It's rarely right adjusted !
Yet they wha fa' in fortune's strife.
Their fate we shouldna censure.
For still the important end of life
They equally may answer;
A man may hae an honest heart.
Though poortith' hourly stare him;
A man may talc a neibor's part.
Yet hae na cash to spare him.
Aye free aff han' * your story tell.
When wi' a bosom crony;=
But still keep something to yoursel
Ye scarcely tell to ony.
Conceal yoursel, as weel's ye can
Frae critical dissection;
But keek' through every other man,
Wi' sharpen'd, sly inspection.
The sacred lowe o' weel-placed love.
Luxuriantly indulge it;
But never tempt the illictrove.
Though naething should divulge it:
I waive the quantvim o' the sin.
The hazard of concealing; -
But, och lit hardens a' within.
And petrifies the feeling !
To catch dame Fortune's golden smile.
Assiduous wait upon lier;
And gather gear' by every wile
That's justified by honour;
Not for to hide it in a hedge.
Nor for a train-attendant;
But for the glorious privilege
Of being independent.
The fear o' hell's a hangman's whip
To liaud the wretch in order;
But where ye feel your honour grip.
Let that aye be your border:
Its slightest touches, instant pause —
Debar a' side pretenses;
And resolutely keep its laws.
Uncaring consequences.
The great Creator to revere
Must sure become the creature;
But still the preaching cant forbear.
And even the rigid feature:
2 Very, s Poverty. < Off-hand. ' Boon
companion. ° Look pryingly. ' Wealth.
EPISTLES.
165
Yet ne'er with wits profane to range,
Be complaisance extended;
An isitlieist laugh's a poor exchange
For Deity o&ended!
When ranting round in Pleasure's ring.
Religion may be blinded;
Or if she gie a random sting,
Jt may belittle minded;
But when on life we're tempest-driven,
A conscience but a canker —
A correspondence fix'd wi' Heaven
Is sure a noble anchor!
Adieu, deir, amiable youth!
Your heart can ne'er be wanting!
May prudence, fortitude, and truth-
Erect your brow undaunting!
In ploughman phrase, " God send you
speed,"
Still daily to grow wiser:
And may you better reck the rede
Than ever did th' adviser!
, EPISTLE TO MR. M'ADAM OF
CRAIGENGILLAN.
The following was written on receiving a let-
. ter, congratulating him on his p^ic efforts,
from Mr. M'Adam.
Sib, o'er a gill I gat your card,
I trow' it made me proud;
" See wha taks notice o' the bard!"
I lap- and cried fu' loud.
Now deil-ma-care about their jaw.
The senseless, gawky^ million;
I'll cock my nose aboon them a' —
I'm robs'd'* by Craigengillan!
'Twas noble, sir; 'twas like yoursel,
To grant your" high protection:
A great man's Smile, ye ken f n' well.
Is aye a blest infection.
Though by his* banes wha in a tub
Match'd Macedonian Sandy !f
On my ain legs, through dirt and dub,
I independeift stand aye.
>^yow. "Leaped. » Silly. < Praised.
.■ * Diogenes.
+ Alexander the Great.
And when those legs to guid warm
kail,'>
Wi' welcome canna bear me;
A lee dilie-side,* a sybow' tail.
And barley scoue" shall cheer me.
Heaven spare you lang to kiss the
breath
0' mony flowery simmers!
And bless yoiir bonny lasses baith—
I'm tauld they're loe'some kimmers!'
And God bless young Dunaskin's laird.
The blossom of our gentry!
And may he wear an auld man's beard,
A credit to his country.
EPISTLE TO MAJOR LOGAN.
Major Logan, a retired military officer, lived
at Parle House, near Ayr, with his mother
and sister — the latter the Miss Logan to
whom Burns addressed some verses, with a
present of Beattie's poems.
Hail, thairm' inspirin', lattlin' Willie!
Though Fortune's road be rough and
hilly
To every fiddling, rhyming billie.
We never heed.
But tak it lilte the unback'd filly, '
Proud o' her speed.
When idly goavan' whiles we saunter,
Yirr, Fancy barks, awa' we canter.
Up hill, down brae, till some mischan-
ter,^
Some black bog-hole.
Arrests ua, then the scaith and banter
We're forced to thole. ^
Hale be your heart! hale be your fiddle!
Lang may your elbuek jink and did-
dle,*' [dle«
To cheer you through the weary, wid-
0' this wide warl*.
Until you on a cummock driddle'
A gray-hair'd carl.
° Broth. ° A shadv wall-side. ' The young
onion. ^ Cake. ^ Heart-enticing creatures.
^ Fiddle-string. " Walking aimlessly. ^ Misr
hap. * Bear. * Elbow dodge and jerk.
* Struggle. ' Until you hobble on a staff.
* These two lines also occur in the Second
Epistle to Davie.
166
BURNS' WORKS.
Come wealth, come poortith* late or
soon, [tune.
Heaven send your heart-strings aye in
And screw your temper-pins aboon,
. A fifth or mair,
The melancholibus, lazy cioon'
O' cankrie care!
May still your life from day to day
Nae lente largo in the play.
But aMegretto f(rrte gay
Harmonious flow:
A sweeping, kindling, bauld strath-
spey—
Encore! Bravo!
A blessing on the cheery gang
Wha dearly like a jig or sang,
And never think o' right and wrang
By square and rule.
But as the clegs'" o' feeling stang
Are wise or fool!
My hand-waled" curse keep hard in
chase [race,
The harpy, hoodock," purse-proud
Wha count on poortith as disgrace —
Their tuneless hearts !
May fireside discords jar a base
To a' their parts !
But come, your hand, my careless
brither —
r til' ither warl', if there's anither —
And that there is I've little swither''
About the matter —
We cheek for chow" shall jog the-
. gither,
I'se ne'er bid' better.
We've faults and failings — ^granted
clearly.
We're frail backsliding mortals merely.
Eve's bonny squad, priests wyte'* them
sheerly,"
For our grand fa' [ly —
But stiU — but still — 1 like them dear-
God bless them a'!
Ochon ! for poor Castalian drinkers,
When they fa' foul o* earthly jinkere,"
* Poverty. » Drone. >" Gadflies. " Chosen.
"Money-loying-. i= Doubt. " Jole. '» Blame.
>• Sorely, " Sprightly girls.
'The witching, cursed, delicious blink- -
ers"* - 1 . ■ '.', A
Hae put meliyte," [e-ei,^"
And gart me weet my waukrife wink-
Wi' girnin'^' spite.
But by yon moon! — and that's liigU
swearin' —
And every star within my hearin' !
And by her een wha was a dear ane !f
I'll ne'er forget;
I hope to gie the jads''^ a clearin'
In fair play yet.
My loss I mourn, but not repent it,
I'll seek my pursie whare I' tint it,''
Ance to the Indies I were wonted.
Some cantrip" hour.
By some sweet elf I'll yet be dinted,
Then; Vive V amour !
Hhitea mes baisemai'ns respectueuses.
To sentimental sister Susie,
And honest Lucky; no to roose^° ye.
Ye may be proud.
That sic a couple Fate allows ye
To grace your blood.
•
Nae mair at present can I measure.
And trouth my rhymin' ware's nae
treasure; [leisure.
But whe% in -Ayr, some half-hour's
Be't light, be't dark, , , ■
Sir Bard will do liimsel the pleasure
To call at Park.
MOSSGIEL, Oct. 30, 1786.
EoBEET Burns.
TO THE GUIDWIFE OP WAU-
CHOPE HOUSE.
Mrs. Scott of Wauchope, to whom this epistle
was addressed, was a lady of considerable
taste and talent, a, writer of veise,. and;
something of an artist. She was, niece to
Mrs. Cockburn, authoress of a beautiful
version of " The Flowers of the Forest."-
GuiDwiPE, • ' :
I mind it weel, in early date, [blaie,'
When I was beardless, young, and
And first could thrash the barn,
'' Pretty girls. " Mad: =» Sleepy eyelids.
=' Gnnnlnpr. 22 Lasses. =3 Lost. =■> witch-
ing. 2' Praise.
• ' Bashful.
t An allusion to tlie unfortunate termination
of his courtship with Jean Armour. i
EPISTLES.
W:
d'haiid a yokia' at the pleugh; •
And, thougli forfoughten' sair eneugh,
' Yet unco proud to learn:
When first, iamang. the yellow corn
A man I rfeckon'd was.
And wi' the lave* ilk merry morn
Could rank my rig and lass,
Still sliearing, and clearing,
The tither stooked raw,
Wi' claivers and haivers*
Wearing the day awa'.
Even then, a wish, (I mind its power,)
A wish that to my latest hour
ShaJl strongl;^.lieave my breast—
That'I fo>poor auld Scotland's sake,
Somd ugefu' plan or beuk could malte,
Or sing^a sang at least.
The rough burr-thistle, spreading wide
Amang the bearded bear,
I tuni'd the weeder-clips aside.
And spared the symbol dear:
No nation, no station.
My envy e'er could raise,
A Scot still, but blot still,
I knew nae higher praise.
But still the elements o' sang.
In formless jumble right and wrang, '
Wild floated in my brain ;
Till on that hairst^ I said before.
My ^rtner in the merry core.
She roused the forming strain:
I see her yet, the sonsie quean,*
Tluit-ljghted up my jingle,
Her witching Smile, her pauky een,
That gart' my heart-strings tingle !
I fired, inspired,
At every kindling keek,*
But bashing and dashing,
I feared aye to speak.
Health to the sex ! ilk guid chiel' says,
Wi' merry dance in winter-days,
■ And we to share in common :
The gust o' joy, the balm of woe.
The saul o' life, the heaven below.
Is rapture-giving woman.
Ye surly suaiphs, '" who hate the name.
Be mindfu' o' your mither:
She, honest woman, may think shame
That ye're coimected with her.
' Fatigued. ' Rest. * Idle stories and gossip.
^'•Harvest. ^Comely lass- '' Made.' ** Glance.
» Fellow. "Blockheads. ' '
Ye're wae" men, ye're nae men,
That slight the lovely dearS;
To shame ye, disclaim ye.
Ilk honest birkie", swears.
For you, no bred to barn and byre,
Wha sweetly tune the Scottish lyre.
Thanks to you for your line :
The marled plaid ye kindly spare
By me should gratefully be ware;" *
'Twad please me to the Nine.
I'd be mair vauntie" o' my haj),"
Douce hingin'''' owre my curple,"
Than ony ermine ever lap,
Or proud imperial purple.
Fareweel then, lang heal then.
And plenty be your fa';
May losses and crosses
Ne'er at your hallan'* ca'!
EPISTLE TO WILLIAM CREECH.
William Creech was the publisher of the first
Edinburgh edition of the poet's works. He
was the most celebrated publisher of his
time in Edinburgh ; and it was his good
fortune to be the medium through which
the works of the majority of that band of
eminent men who made Edinburgh the
head-quarters of literature during the latter
half of the eighteenth centurj^, passed to
the world. This epistle was written during
the .poet's Border tour, and while Creech
was in London.
AtJi.D chuclde' Reekie's^ sair distrest
Down droops her ance weel-burnisht
crest,
Nae joy her bonny buskit* nest
, Can yield ava,*
Her darling bird that she lo'es best,
Willie's awa'!
0 Willie was a witty wight,'
And hado' things an unco slight;'
Auld Reekie aye he keepit tight.
And trig and braw:
But now they'll busk her like a fright-
Willie's awa'l
The stifEest o' them a' he bow'd;
The bauldest o' them a' he cow'd; '
"Woeful. 1' Fellow. "Worn. "Proud.
^5 Covering. ^^ Bravely hangingf. ^^ Rump.
■a Porch. _ ^
* Literally a hen. ^ Edinburgh. ^ 'Decor-
ated. * At all. " Fellow. ° A-great knowl-
edge.
m
BURNS' WORKS.
They durst nae mair tlian lie allow'd.
That was a law:
We've lost a birkie' weel worth gowd —
Willie's awa' !
Now, gawkies, tawpies, gowks,* and
fpols,
Frae colleges and boarding-schools,
May sprout like simmer puddock'-
Stools
In glen or sliaw;
He wlia could brush them down to
mods'" —
Willie's awa'!
The brethren o' the Commerce-Cliau-
mer* [our;
May mourn their loss wi' doolfu' clam-
He was a dictionar and grammar
Amang them a' ;
I fear they'll now mak. mouy a stam-
mer"—
Willie's awa' !
Nae mair we see his levee door
Philosophers and poets pour.
And tootliy critics by tlie score.
In bloody raw !
The adjutant o' a' the core —
Willie's awa' !
Now worthy Gregory's f Latin face,
Tytler'sJ and Greenfield's § modest
grace;
Mackenzie,! Stewart,^! sic a brace
As Rome ne'er saw;
They a' maun''^ meet some ither place —
Willie's awa' !
Poor Burns — e'en Scotch drink canna
qnicken, [en,
He cheeps'^ like some bewilder'd chick-
Scared frae its minuie'*and the cleck-
in'5
By hoodie-craw;
Griers gien his heart an unco kickin' —
Willie's awa !
^ Fellow. ^ Simpletons, sluts — gtjwk means
Bterally cuckoo, also a fool. ' Toad, >» The
dust. "Stumble. "Must. " CMrps. "
Mother. "> Brood.
* The Chamber of Commerce, of which
Creech was secretary.
■ t Dr. James Gregbry.
t Tytler of Woodhouselee.
I Professoir of Rhetoric in the. University.
H Henry Mackenzie.
K Bugatd Stewart. ,
Now every sour-mou'd girnin' blel-
lum,"
And Calvin's folk, are fit to fell him;
And self-conceited critic skellum" *
His quill may draw;
He wlja could brawlie'* ward their hel-
ium"—
Willie's awa'!
Up wimpling stately Tweed I've sped.
And Eden scenes ^n crystal Jed,
And Ettrick banks now roaring red.
While tempests blaw;
But every joy and pleasure's fled —
Willie's awa' !
May I be Slander's common speech;
A text for Infamy to preach ; >
And lastly, streekit™ out to bleach J ■
In w^iuter snaw.
When I forget thee, Willi^ Creech,
Though far awa' !
May never ividied Fortune touzle" himi
May never wicked men bamboozle"
him !
Until a pow'^^ as auld's Methusalem
He eanty^'' claw !
Then to the blessed N<^^^rusa^em,
Fleet wing awa' !
EPISTLE TO HUGH PARKER.
Mr. Hugh Parker was a Kilmarnock merchant,
and an early friend and admirer of the
poet's.
In this strange laud, this unoouth_
clime,
A land unknown to prose or rhyme;
Where words ne'er crost the muse"()
heckles,*
Nor limpet' in poetic shackles;
A land that Prose did never view it.
Except when drunk -he stachert-.
through it;
Here, ambush 'd by the chimla cheek,*
Hid in an atmosphere of reek,^
I hear a wheel thrum i' the neuk,^
I hear it — for in vain I leuk.
>• Talking fellow, i^ A term of contempt.
18 Easily. >» Attacks. =» Stretched. »> Teaze/
aa Bother. "Head. "Cheerful.
' Limped. » Staggered. * Chimney comer,
* Smoke. * Comer.
* A series of sharpi-pointed spikes througlj
which flax- is drawn in dressing it for manu..
1 facture. Its application here is obvious. '^
EPISTLES.
Tlie red peat gleams, a fiery kernel,
Euhusked by a fog infernal:
Jlere, for my wonted rhyming raptures,
I sit and count my sins by diapters;
For life and spunk like ither Christians,
I'm dwindled down to mere existence;
Wi' nae converse but Gallowa bodies,
Wi' nae kehn'd face but Jenny Ged-
des.f
Jenny, my Pegasean pride !
Do*&' she saunters down Nithside,
And aye a westliu leuk she throws.
While tears hap' o'er her auld brown
nose !
Was it for this wi' canny^ care.
Thou bure the bard through many a
shire ?
At howes' or hillocks never stumbled.
And late or •arly never grumbled ?
Gh, had I power like inclination, '
I'd heeze'" thee up a constellation.
To canter with the Sagitarre,
Or loup the ecliptic like a bar;
Or turn the pole like any arrow;
Or, when auld Phoebus bids good-mor-
row,
Down the zodiac urge the race.
And cast dirt on his godship's face;
For I could lay my bread and kail
He'd ne'er cast saut upo' thy tail.
Wi'.a' this care and a' this grief.
And sma,' sma' prospect of relief,
Aojd nought but peet-reek i' my head,
How can I write what ye can read ?
Torbolton, twenty-fourth o' June,
Ye'll find me in a better tune:
But tUl we meet and weet' ' our whistle,
Tak this excuse for nae epistle.
Robert Btokns.
FIRST EPISTLE TO R. GRAHAM,
ESQ., OF fintrt;
Robert Graham of Fintry was a Commis-
sioner of Excise.
When Nature her great masterpiece
design'd, [liuman mind.
And. framed her last, best work, the
Her eye intent 6n all the mazy plan,
She form'ddf various parts the various
man.
.« Sadly. 'Hop. s Gentle. "Hollows. K'
Raise.. '.' Wet.
t The poet's mare.
Then first she calls the useful many
forth; [worth:
Plain plodding industry and sober
Thence peasants, fanners, native sons
of earth, [their birth:
And merchandise' whole genus talie
Each prudent cit a warm existence
finds, [kinds.
And all mechanics' many - apron'd
Some other rarer sorts are wanted yet.
The lead and buoy are needful to the
net;
The caput mortuum of gross desires
Makes a material for mert- knights and
squires, [flow.
The martial phosphorus is taught to
She kneads the lumpish philosophic-
dough, [grave designs.
Then marks th' unyielding mass with
Law, physic, politics, and deep divines:
Last, she sublimes th' Aurora of the
poles.
The flashing elements of female souls.-
The order'd system fair before her stood,
T^ature, well-pleasei, pronounced it
very good:
But ere she gave creating labour o'er.
Half -jest, she tried one curious labour
more.
Some spumy, fiery ignis-fatuusvaatteTTf
Such as the slightest breath of' air
might scatter;
With arch alacrity and conscious glee
(Nature may have her whim as well as
we, [show it)
Her Hogarth-art perhaps she meant to
She forms the thing, and christens it —
a Poet, [and sorrow.
Creature, though oft tlie prey of care
When blest to-day, unmindful of to-
morrow.
A being form'd t' amuse his graver
friends.
Admired and praised — and there the
homage ends:
A mortal quite unfit for Fortune's strifes-
Yet oft the sport of all the ills of life;
Prone to enjoy each pleasure riches
give.
Yet haply wanting wherewitljal to live;
Longing to wipe each tear, to heal
each groan,
Yet frequent all unheeded in his own.
But honest Nature is not quite a TuA,
170-
BURNS' "WORKS.
She laugh'd at first, then felt for her
poor work. [kind,
Pitying the propless climber of man-
She cast about a standard tree to find;
And, to support his helpless woodbine
state, [great,
Attach'd him to the generous truly
A title, and the only one I claim.
To lay strong hold for help on boun-
teous Graham.
Pity the tuneful Muses' hapless train.
Weak, timid landsmen on life's stormy
main ! [stuff,
Their hearts no selfish stem,absorbent
That never gives — though humbly
takes enough; [soon,
I'he little fate allows, they share as
Unlike saga, proverb'd, wisdom's hard-
wrung boon. [depend.
The world were blest did bliss on them
Ah, that "the friendly e'er should
want a friend!" • [son.
Let prudence number o'er each sturdy
Who life, and wisdom at one race be-
gun, . [rule.
Who feel by reason and who give by
(Instinct's a brute, and sentiment a
fool!) [slwuld —
Who make poor wiU do wait upon /
We own they're prudent, but wlio feels
they're good? [eye!
Ye wise ones, hence! ye hurt the social
God's image rudely etch'd on base
alloy!
But come, ye who the godlike, pleasure
know, [bestow!
Heaven's attribute distinguish'd — to
Whose arms of love would grasp the
human race: [tier's grace;
Come thou who givest with all a cour-
Friend of my life, true patron of my
rhymes! [times.
Prop of my dearest hopes for future
Why shrinks my soul half -blushing,
half -afraid, [aid ?
Backward, abash'dtoask thy friendly
I know my need, I know thy giving
hand, [mand;
I crave thy friendship at thy kind com-
But there are such who court the tune-
ful Nine — [be mine!
Heavens! should the branded character
Wkose Yerse in manhood's pride
sublimely flows,
Yet vilest reptiles in their begging j
prose. 1 ')
Mark, how their lofty, independent!
spirit [meiit!
Soars on the spuming wing of injured
Seek not the proofs in private life to
find; . [wind!!
Pity the best of words should be but
So to heaven's gate the lark's shrUl
• song ascends.
But grovelling on the earth the carol
ends.
In all the clam'rous cry of starving
want, [front;
They dun benevolence with' shameless:
Oblige them, patronise their tinsel laySy.'
They persecute you all your future
days! [stain.
Ere ipy poor soul such de^ damnation
My homy fist assume the plough again;
The piebald jacket let me patch once
more; [fore; '
On eighteenpence a week I've lived be-
Though, thanlis to Heaven, 1 dare even
that last shift! [gifti-
I trust, meantime, my boon is in thy
That, placed by thee upon the wish'd-
f or height, [sights!.
Where, man and nature fairer in he£
My Muse may imp her wing for some
sublimer flight.
EPISTLE TO JAMES TAIT OP
GLENCONNER.
Atild comrade dear, and brither sinner.
How's a' the folk about Glenconner?
How do ye this blae eastlin' win',
That's like to blaw a body blin'?
For me, my faculties are frozen.
My dearest member nearly dozen,' -
I've sent you here, by Johnnie SimsoUiJ
Twa sage philosophers to glimpse on !
Smith, wi' hi s sympathetic feeling.
And Eeid, to common sense appealing.
Philosophers have fought an wrangled;'
And meikle Greek and Latin mangled.
Till wi' their logic-jargon tired.
And in the depth of science mired.
To common sense they now appeal.
What wives and wabster.s'^ see and feel,-
But, hark, ye, frieu'! I charge .you
strictly.
1 Numbed, ^Weavers,
EPISTLES.
171
Peruse them, and return them quickly,
For now I'm grown sae cursed douce^-
I. pray and ponder butt the house;
My shins, my lane,'' I there sit roastin',
Perusing Bunyan, Brown and Boston;
Till by and by, if I hand on,
I'll grunt a real gospebgroau:
Already I begin to try it.
To cast my een up like a pyet,'
When by. the gun she tumbles o'er.
Fluttering and gasping in her gore;
Sae shosjily you shall see me bright,
A burning and a shining light.
My heart-warm love to guid auld Glen,
The ace'*nd wale* of honest men:
When, bending down wi' auld gray
hairs, '
Bene^^ tlie load of years and cares,
May ^e who made him still support him.
And views beyond the grave comfort
him.
His worthy family, far and hear,
God bless them a' wi' grace and gear !
My auld schoolfellow, preacher Willie,
The manly tar, my mason BUlie,
And Auchenbay, I wish him joy;
If he's a parent, lass or boy,
May he be dad, and Meg the mither.
Just flve-and-f orty years theglther !
And no forgetting Wabster Charlie,
I'm tauld he ofEers very fairly.
And, Lord, remember singing Sannook
Wi' hale-breeks,' saxpence, and a ban-
nock.* [cy.
And next my auld acquaintance, Nau-
Sihce she is fitted to her fancy;
And her kind stars hae aii-ted' till her
A good chiel wi' a pickle siller.'"
My kindest, best respects I sen' it.
To cousin Kate and sister Janet; [tious.
Tell them, frae me, wi' chiels" be cau-
For, faith, they'll aiblins'^ fin' them
fashiqus;'*
To grant a heart is fairly civil.
But to grant a maidenhead's the devil.
And -lastly, -Jttmie, for yoursel.
May guardian angels tak a spell.
And steer you seven miles south o' hell :
But first, before you see heaven's glory,
May ye get mony a merry story,
' Serious. * By myself. "> Magpie. "
Choice. ' Whole breeches. ^ Oat cake.
'Directed. '" Some money. "Fellows. '2
Perhaps. '^ TroubJ^some.
Mony a laugh, and mony a drink.
And aye eneugh o' needf u' clink. '■'
Kow fare ye weel, and joy be wi' you;
For my sa^e tliis I beg it o' you.
Assist poor Simson a' ye can,
Ye'll find him just an honest man;
Sae I conclude, andquat my chanter.
Yours, saint or sinner,
Rob the Eantbr.
EPISTLE TO DR. BLACKLOCK,
ISr ANSWER TO A LETTER.
Dr. Blackiock, the blind poet, had been edu-
cated for the Church, but in consequence of
his blindness was disappointed of a charge.
He kept a boardin^ctlool for young men
attendmg college. He was much respected
by the literati of the town ; but, what is
more important, it was his letter to Mr.
Georgie Lawrie of Kilmarnock, the friend
of Bums, which fired the poet's ambition^
and induced his visit to Edinburgh, and the
abandonment of his projected departure for
the West Indies.
Ellisland, October 2r, 1789.
Wow, but your letter made me vaun-"
tie!'
And are ye hale, and weel, and cantie?'
I kenn'd it still your wee bit jauntie
Wad bring you to:
Lord send you aye as weel's I want ye.
And then ye'll do.
The ill-thief blaw the Heron* south!
And never drink be near his drouth !'
He tauld mysel, by word o' mouth.
He'd tak my letter;
I lippen'd* to the chiel in trouth"
And bade^ nae better.
But aiblins honest Master Heron
Had at the time some dainty fair one
To ware' his theologic care on.
And holy study;
And tired o' sauls to waste Iris lear^ on.
E'en tried the body.
Bat what d'ye think, my trusty, fier,'
I'm tum'd a ganger'" — Peace be here !
'^ Monej-,
' Proud. 2 Cheerful, s Thirst. < Trusted.
'■> A petty oath. ^ Deserved. ^ Spend. ^ Learn-
ing. * Friend. '" Exciseman.
* " Heron, author of a History of Scotland
published in i8co ; and, among various other-
works, of a respectable life of our poet him-
self."— CURRIE,
173
BURNS' WORKS.
Parnassian queans," I fear, I fear,
Ye'llnow disdain me!
And then my fifty pounds a year
Will little gain me.
Ye glaikit," gleesome, dainty damies,
Wlia, by Castalia'a wimplin' streamies,
Lowp,'-" sing, and lave your pretty
limbiea.
Ye ken, ye ken.
That Strang Necessity supreme is,
'Mang sons o' men.
I hae a wife and twa wee laddies,
They maun hae brose and brats o'
du'ddies:''' [is
Ye ken yoursels my heart right proud
I needna vaunt,"'
But I'll sned besoms" thraw saugh
woodies,"
Before they want.
Lord, help me through this world o'
care !
I'm weary sick o't late and air;'^
Not but I hae a richer share
Than mony ithers;
But why should ae man better fare, ,
And a' men brithers ?
Come, firm Resolve, take thou the van,
Thou stalk o' carl-hemp in man !f
And let us mind, faint heart ne'er wan
A lady fair:
Wha does the utmost that he can,
Will whiles" do mair.
Bnt to conclude my silly rhyme,
(I'm scant o' verse, and scant o' time,)
"To make a hawy fire-side clime.
'fo weans'^" and wife;
That's the true pathos and sublime
Of human life.
My compliments to sister Beckie;
And eke the same to honest Lucky,
" Lasses. '= Foolish. 13 Jump. i* Rags
o' clothing. 1' Boast. W Cut brooms, i'
Twist willow withes. ■» Early ,■ " Some-
times. 20 Children.
• + The male hemp— that which bears the
seed. " Ye have a stalk o' carl-hemp in you,"
is a Scotch remark, and means that a man has
more stamina in him than ordinary.
I wat she is a dainty chnckie.j: 4
As e'er tread clay !
And gratefully, my guid auld cockie§ .
I'm yours for aye.
Robert Buens.
SECOND EPISTLE TO
ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ., OF
FINTRY,
ON THE CLOSE OF THE DISPUTED ELEC-
TION BETWEEN SIB JAMBS JOHNSTON
AND CAPTAIN MILLEE, FOB THE
DUMFRIES DISTRICT OF BOROUGHS.
FiNTRT, my stay in wordly strife.
Friend o' my Muse, friend o' my life.
Are ye as idle's I am 'i
Come then, wi' uncouth, kiutra fleg,'
O'er Pegasus I'll fling my leg.
And ye shall see me try him.
I'll sing the zeal Dmmlanrig* bears,
Wha left the all-important cares
Of princes and their darlin's:
And, bent on winning borough touns.
Came shaking hands wi' wabster louns.
And kissing barefit carlins-
Combustion through ourboroughs rode.
Whistling his roaring pack abroad.
Of Tnad, unmuzzled lions;
As Queensberry "buff and blue"
unfui-I'xi,'
And Westerha'f Hopetoun hurl'd
To every Whig defiance.
But cautious Queensberry left the war.
The unmamier'd dust might soil his
star;
Besides, he hated bleeding:
But left behind him heroes bright.
Heroes in Csesarean fight.
Or Ciceronian pleading.
1 Country kick. 2 Barefooted women.
t Chuckle — literally, hen. Often lised as a
familiar term of endearment in speaking of a
female.
§ Cockle — literally, cock. Used in the same
way as chuckle.
* The fourth Duke of Queensberry, of in-
famous memory.
t Sir James Johnston, the Tory candidate.
EPISTLES.
173
Oh, for a throat like huge Mons-Meg,
To muster o'er each ardent Whig
Beneath DrumlaHiig's banners,
Heroes and heroines commix.
All in the field of politics,
' To win immortal honours.
M'MurdoJ: and his lovely spouse
(Th' enamour'd laurels kiss her brows I)
Led on the Loves and Graces:
She won each gaping burgess' heart.
While he, all conquering, play'd his
part
Amang their wives and lasses.
Craigdarrochg led a light-arm'd corps;
Tropes, metaphors, and figures pour,
Like Hecla streaming thunder:
Gleniiddel, |' sldU'd in rusty coins.
Blew up each Tory's dark designs,
And bared the treason under.
In; either wing two champions fought,
Redoubted Staig,Tr who set at nought
The wildest savage Tory;
And Welsh,** who ne'er yet ilinch'd
" his ground.
High- waved his magnum-bonum round
With Cyclopean fury.
Miller brought up the artillery ranks,
The many-pounders of the Banks,
Resistless desolation !
While Maxwelton, that baron bold,
Mid Lawson's-|:f port entrench'd his
hold,
And threaten'd worse damnation.
To these, what Tory hosts opposed;
With these, what Tory warriors closed.
Surpasses my discriying:
Squadrons extended long and large,
With furious speed rush'd to the
charge.
Like raging devils driving.
What verse can sing, what prose
narrate,
t Chamberlain of the Duke of Queensberry
at Drumlanrig, and a friend of the poet's.
§ Fergusson of Craig-darroch.
I Captain Riddel of Glenriddel, another
friend of the poet's.
^ Provost Staig of Dumfries.
** Sheriff Welsh.
tt A wine merchant in Dumfries.
The butcher deeds of bloody Fate
Amid tliis mighty tulzie I'
Grim Horror grinn'd — pale Terror
roar'd.
As Murther at his thrapple shored,''
And Hell mix'd in the brulzie !*
As Highland crags by thunder cleft,
When lightnings fire the stormy lift,'
Hurl down wi' crashing rattle:.
As flames amang a hundred woods;
As headlong foam a hundred floods;
Such is the rage of battle I
The stubborn Tories dare to die;
As soon the rooted oaks would fly
Before th' approaching fellei-s:
The Whigs come on like Ocean's roar.
When all his wintry billows pour
Against the Buchan Bullers.:|::|:
Lo, from the shades of Death's deep
night,
Departed Whigs enjoy the fight.
And think on former daring:
The muflled murtherer of Charles § §
The Magna-Charta flag xmfuirls, '
All deadly gules its bearing.
Nor wanting ghosts of Tory, fame.
Bold Scrimgeour 1 1| follows gallant
Grahame,T[T[
Auld Covenanters shiver.
(Forgive, forgive, much-wrong'd Mon-
trose!
While death and hell ingulf thy foes.
Thou liv'st on high forever!)
Still o'er the field the combat burns.
The Tories, Whigs, give way by turns;
But Fate the word has spoken;
For woman's wit and strength o' man,
Alas! can do but what they can —
The Toiy ranks are broken!
Oh that my een were flowing bums!
> Conflict. * Threatened. ' Broil. « Fir-
mament.
XX The " Bullers of Buchan" is an appella-
tion given to a tremendous rocky recess, on
the Aberdeenshire coast, near Peterhead —
having ah opening to the sea, while thetop'is
open. The sea, constantly raging in- it, gives
it the appearance of a pot or boiler, and hence
the name.
§§ ^The executioner of Charles I, was
masked.
Ill John Earl of Dundee.
^^'The great "Marquis of Montrose.
174
BURNS' WORKS.
My voice a lioneSs that mourns
Her darling Gub's undoing!
That I might greet, that I might cry,
While Tories fall, while Tories fly,
And furious Whigs pursuing!
What Whig hut wails the good Sir
I James ?
Dear to his country hy the names
Friend, patron, benefactor!
Not Pulteney's wealth can Pulteney
save, [brave!
And Hopetoun falls, the generous
And Stewart,*** bold as Hector.
Thou, Pitt, shalt rue this overthrow,
4^nd Thurlow growl a curse of woe:
And Melville melt in wailing!
Now Fox and Sheridan rejoice!
And Burke shall sing, "0 Prince arise!
Thy power is all -prevailing."
For your poor friend, the bard afar
Ho liears, and only hears, the war,
A cool spectator purely;
So wjien the storm the forest rends.
The robin in the hedge descends.
And sober chirps securely.
Additional verse in Glosebum MS: —
Now for my friends' and brethren's
And formy dear-loved Land o' Cakes,
I pray with holy fire:
Lord, send a rough-shod troop o' hell.
O'er a' wad Scotland buy or sell,
To grind them in the mire !
THIRD EPISTLE TO ROBERT
GRAHAM, ESQ., OF FINTRY.
Late crippled of an arm, and now a
leg,*
About to beg a pass for leave to beg:
■Dull, listless, teased, dejected, and
deprest,
*** Stewart of Hillside.
* Burns wrote to Mrs. Dunlop, on the 7th of
February, 1791," that, by a fall, not from my
horse, but with my horse, I have been a
cripple for some time, and this is the first day
my arm and hand have been able to serve mc
in writihg,"
(Nature is adverse to a cripple's rest;)
Will generous Graham list to his
poet's wail T [her tale;,)
(It soothes poor Misery, heark'ning .to
And hear him curse the Kght he fifst
survey 'd, [tra4^?
And doubly curse the luckless rhyining
Thou, Nature ! partial Nature ! I
arraign :
Of thy caprice maternal I complain:
"The lion and the bull thy care Tiave
found.
One shakes the forests, and one spurns
the ground:
Thou giv'st the asS his hide, the snail
his shell,
Th' envenom'd wasp, victorious, guards
his cell;
Thy minions, kings, defend, control,
devour, [power;
In- all th' omnipotence of rule and
Foxes and statesmen subtle vriles
insure; [secure;
The cit and polecat stink, and are
Toads with their poison, doctors with
their drug.
The priest and hedgehog in their robes
are snug;
Even silly woman has her warlike arts.
Her , tongue and eyes — her dreaded
spear and dai-ts. [hard.
But, oh ! thou bitter stepmother and
To thy pool', fenceless, naked, child-^
the bard !
A thing unteachable in wordly skill.
And half an idiot, too, more helpless
still ; [don,
Xo heels to bear him from the opening
No claws to dig, his hated sight .to
shun; [worn.
No horns, but those by luckless Hymeu
And those, alas ! not Amalthea's horn:
No nerves olfactory. Mammon's trusty
cur, [fur; —
Clad in rich Dullness' comfortable
In naked feeling, and in aching pride.
He bears the unbroken blast from
every side: [heart.
Vampire booksellers drain him to the
And scorpion critics curseless venom
dart.
Critics ! — appall'd I venture on the
name, [of fame:
Those cut-throat bandits in the paths
EPISTLES.
175
Bloody dissectors, worse tlian ten
Monroes If [expose.
He hacks to teach, they mangle to
His heart by causeless wanton malice
wrung, [stung:
By hlockheads' daring into maSness
His well-won bays, Stan life itself
more dear, [sprig must wear:
By miscreants torn, who ne'er one
Foil'd, bleeding, tortui-ed, in the
unequaJ strife, [life;
The hapless poet flounders on through
Till, fled each hope that once his bosom
fired, [inspired.
And fled each muse that glorious once
Low sunk iu squalid unprotected age,
.Dead, even resentment, for his injured
page, [less critic's rage.
He heeds or feels no more the ruth-
So, by some hedge, the generous steed
deceased, , [feast.
For half-starved snarling curs a dainty
By toil and famine worn to skin and
bone, [son.
-Lies senseless of each tugging bitch's
,0 Dullness ! portion of the truly blest !
■Calm'd shelter'd haven of eternal rest !
Thy sons ne'er madden in the fierce
extremes
Of Fortune's polar frost,or torrid beams.
It mantling high sh« fills the golden
cup.
With sober selfish ease they sip it up:
Conscious the bounteous meed they
well deserve, [not starve.
They only wonder "some folks" do
Tile grave sage hem thus easy picks
his frog, [less dog.
And thinks the mallard a sad worth-
When disappointment snaps- the clue
of Hope, [darkling grope,
And tlirough disastrous night they
With deaf endurance sluggishly they
bear, [fortune's care. "
And just conclude tliat "fools are
So,' heavy, passive to the tempest's
shoclis, [stupid ox.
Strong on the sign-post stands the
'" t The allusion here is to Alexander Manro,
the distinguished Professor of Anatomy in
the University of Edinburgh in Bums' day.
Not so the idle Muse's mad-cap train.
Not such the workings of their moon-
struck brain I
In equanimity they never dwell,
By turns in soaring heaven or vaulted
hell.
I dread thee. Fate, relentless and
severe, [fear !
With all a poet's, husband's, father's
Already one stronghold of hope is lost —
Glencajrn, the truly noble, lies in dust;
(Fled, like the sun eclipsed as noon
appears, tears:)
And left us darkling in a world of
Oh ! hear my ardent, grateful, selfish
prayer ! — [spare !
Pintry, my other stay, long bless and
Through, a long life his hopes and
wishes crown, [go down!
And bright in cloudless skies liis sun
May bliss domestic smooth his private
path, [latest breatjli.
Give energy to life, and soothe his
With many a filial tear circling the bed
of death !
FOURTH EPISTLE TO ROBERT
GRAHAM, ESQ., OF FINTR'S:.
The following verses were written in ac-
knowledgment of the favour the previous
epistle prayed for.
I CALL no goddess to inspire my strains,
A fabled Muse may suit a bard that
feigns; [burns.
Friend of my life ! my ardent spirit
And all the tribute of my heart returns,
For boons accorded, goodness ever new.
The gift still dearer, as the giver you.
Thou orb of day ! thou other paler
light ! [night;
And all ye many sparkling stars of
If aught that giver from my mind
efface;
If I that giver's bounty e'er disgrace;
Then roll to me along j'our wandering
spheres,
Only to number out a villain's years !
EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, ETC.
THOUGH FICKLE FORTUNE HAS
DECEIVED ME.
" The following," says Burns, "was written
extempore, under the pressure of a heavy
train of misfortunes, which, indeed, threat-
ened to undo me altogether. It was just at
the close of that dreadful period mentioned
already (in Commonplace-book, March,
1784) ; and though the weather has bright-
ened up a little with me since, yet there has
always been a tempest brewm^ round me
in the grim sky of futurity, which I pretty
plainly see will; some time or other, per-
haps ere long, overwhelm me, and drive me
,into some doleful dell, to pine in solitary,
squalid wretchedness."
Though fickle Fortune lias deceived
me, [ill;
She promised fair and perform'd but
Of mistress, friends, and wealth be-
reaved me, [still.
Yet I bear a heart shall support me
I'll act with prudence as f ar's I'm abl«,
But if success I must never find,
Then come. Misfortune, I bid thee wel-
come, [mind.
I'll meet thee with an undaunted
ON JOHN DOVE, INNKEEPER,
MAUCHLmE.
Here lies Johnny Pigeon;
What was his religion ?
Whae'er desires to ken,'
To some other warl'
Maun follow the carl,"
For here Johnny Pigeon had nanel
1 Know. 2 Old man.
Strong ale was ablution-
Small beer persecution,
A dram was memento mori/
But a full flowing bowl
Was the saving Ms soul,
And port was celestial glory.
TO A PAINTER.
While in Edinburgh, the poet paid a visit to
the studio of a well-known painter, whom
he found at work on a picture of Jacob's
Dream ; and having looked at the sketch foi
a little, he wrote the following verses on
the back of it : —
Dear- — , I'll gie ye some advice.
You'll tak it no uncivil :
You shouldna paint at angels mair.
But try to paint the devil.
To paint an angel's kittle wark,
Wi' auld.Nick there's less daiiger;
You'll easy draw a weel-kent face,
But no sae weel a stranger.
R. B.
EPITAPH ON THE AUTHOR'S
FATHER.
The following Imes were inscribed on a small
headstone erected over the grave of the
poet's father, in Alloway Kirkyard t—
O YE whose cheek the tear of pity
stains; [attend!
Draw near with pious reverence, and
Here lie the loving husband's dear re-
mains, [friend;
The tender father, and the generous
EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, Etc.
177
The pitying heart' that felt for human
woe; [human pride;
The dauntless heart that fear'd no
The friend of man, to vice alone a foe:
' For even his faUings lean'd to vir-
tue's side,"*
A FAREWELL.
These lines form the conclusion of a letter
from Burns to Mr. John Kennedy, dated
Kilmarnock, August, 1786.
Pabeweli,, Aaar friend! may guid
luck hit you, '
And, 'mang her favourites admit you !
If e'er Detraction shone to smite you.
May nane believe him!
And ony deil that thinks to get you.
Good Lord deceive him.
OH A WAG IlSr MAUCHLINE.
The wag here meant was James Smith, the
James Smith of the epistle commencing
'^ Dear Smith, the sleest, pawkie thief."
Lament him, Mauchline husbands a',
He aften did assist ye;
For had ye staid whole years awa'.
Your wives they ne'er had miss'd ye.
Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye pass
To school in bands thegither.
Oh, tread ye lightly on his grass —
Perhaps he was your father.
POETICAL REPLY TO AN INVI-
TA'TION.
MOSSGIEL, 17S6.
Sm,
Yours- this moment I unseal.
And faith, I am gay and hearty!
To tell the truth and shame the deil,
I am as fou as Bartie .f
But foorsday, sir, my pronuse leal.
Expect me o' your party,
If on a beastie I can speel,
Or hurl in a cartie. — II. B.
TO A YOUNG LADY IN A
CHURCH.
During the poet's Border tour, he went to
church one Sunday, accompanied by Miss
* Goldsmith.
+ A proverbial saytag, which may be inter-
preted by arline of an old song : —
"I'mnoiUstfou, but I'm gayley yet."
Ainslie, the sister of his traveling compan-
ion. The text for the day happened to con-
tain a severe denunciation of obstinate sin-
ners ; and Burns, observing the young lady
intently turning over the leaves of her Bible
in search of the passage, took out a stnall
piece of paper, and wrote the following
lines upon it, which he immediately passed
to her:—
Fair maid, you need not take the hint.
Nor idle texts pursue;
'Twas guUty dnners that he meant,
Not angels such as you 1
VERSES
WRITTEN UNDER THE PORTRAIT OF
FERGUSSON, THE POET, IN A COPY OP
THAT author's WORKS PRESENTED
TO A YOUNG LADY IN EDINBUReH,
MARCH, 17, 1787.
Curse on ungrateful man, that can be
pleased, [pleasure !
And yet can starve the author of the
0 thou, my pjder brother in misfortune,
By far my elder brother in the Muses,
With tears I pity thy unhappy fate !
Why is the bard-unpitied by the world.
Yet has so keen a relish of its pleasures'?
ON THE ILLNESS OF A FAVOUR-
ITE CHILD.
Now health forsakes that angel face,
Na© mair my dearie smiles;
Pale sickness withers ilka grace,
And a' my hopes beguiles.
Tlie cruel Powers reject the prayer
I hourly mak for thee 1
Ye heavens, how great is my despair, \
How can I see him die 1
EXTEMPORE ON TWO LAWYERS.
During Burns' first sojourn in Edinburgh, in
1787, he paid a visit to the Parliament
House, and the result was ^o well-drawrt
sketches of the leading counsel of the day—
the Lord Advocate, Mr. Hay Campbell,
(afterwards Lord President), and the Dean
of Faculty, Harry Erskme.
LORD ADVOCATE.
He elencli'd his pamphlets in his fist,
Ho quoted and ke hinted-.
178
BURNS' WORKS.
Till in a declamation mist
His argument he tint' it;
He gaped for 't, he graped' for 't,
He found it was awa', man;
But what liiB common sense cam short.
He eked out wi' law, man.
DEAN OP FACULTY.
Collected Harry stood a wee,
Then open'd out his arm, man;
His lordship sat wi' ruef u' ee.
And eyed the gathering storm, man:
Like wind-driven hail, it did assail.
Or torrents owre a linn, man;
The Bench sae wise, lift up their eyes,
Half-waken'd wi' the din, man.
THE HIGHLAND WELCOME.
When Death's dark stream I feriy o'er,
A time that surely shall come;
In heaven itself I'll ask no more
Than just a Highland welcome.
EXTEMPORE ON WILLIAM
SMELLIE,
AUTHOR OP THE "PHILOSOPHY OP
NATURAL niSTOUY," AND MEMBER
OP THE ANTIQUARIAN AND ROYAL
SOCIETIES OP EDINBUKGH.
Smellie belon^d to a club called Ihe Crochal-
lan Fencibles, of which Burns was a mem-
ber.
Shrewd Willie Smellie to Crochallan
came, [the same;
The old cock'd hat, the gray surtout.
His bristling beard just rising in its
might, [shaving night;
'Twas four Jong nights and days to
His uncomM grizzly locks wild star-
ing, thatclPd , [unmatch'd:
A head for thought profound and clear
Yet though his caustic wit was biting,
rude, [good.
His heart was warm, benevolent, and
} Lost. " Groped.
VERSES WRITTEN ON A
WINDOW OF THE INN
AT CARRON.
The following lines were written on being
refused admittance to the Carroa " iron-
works : — '-"
We cam na here to view your warks
In hopes to be mair wise.
But only lest we gang to hell.
It may be nae surprise:
But when we tirled at your door.
Your porter dought na hear us;
Sae may, should we to hell's yetts come
Your billy Satan sair us !
LINES ON VIEWING STIRLING
PALACE.
The following lines were scratched with a
diamond on apane of glass in a window of
the Inn at which Bums put up, on the'occa-
sion of his first visit to Stirling. They were
quoted to his prejudice at the time, and no
doubt did him no good -with those who
could best serve his interests. On his next
visit to Stirling, he smashed the pane with
the butt-end of his riding whip : —
Here Stuarts once in glory reign'd.
And laws for Scotland's weal ordain'd;
But now unroof'd their palace stands.
Their sceptre's sway'd by other hands;
The injured Stuart line is gone,
A race outlandish fills- their throne —
An idiot race, to honour lost; ' ' [most.
Who know them best despise "them
THE REPROOF.
Rash mortal, and slanderous poet, thy
name [of fame;
Shall no longer appear in the records
Dost not know, that old Mansfield,
who writes like the Bible;
Says, The more 'tis a truth, sir, the
more 'tis a libel ?
LINES
WRITTEN UNDER THE PICTBBE OF THE
CELEBRATED MISS BURNS.
Cease, ye prudes, your envious railing,
Lovely Burns has charms — confess*
True it is, she had one failing-
Had a woman ever less ?
EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, Etc.
179
ON INCIVILITY SHOWN TO HIM
AT INVERARY.
The poet having- halted' at Inverary during
-iiis first Highland tour, put -up at the inn :
but on finding himself neglected by the
landlord, whose house was filled with visit-
0^^tO'th6 Duke of Argyle, he reseated the
incivility in the following lines : —
Whoe'er "he be that sojourns here,
. I pity much liis case,
Unless lie come to wait upon
The lord their god, his Grace.
There's natliipg liere But Highland
pride,
And Highland cauld and hunger;
If Providence lias sent me here,
'Twas surely in His anger. *
ON A SCHOOLMASTER.
Hbbe lie Willie Michie's banesj
O Satan, when ye tak him,
Gie him the sclioolin' o' your weans.
For clevei deils he '11 mak 'em !
VERSES
addressed to the landlady of the
inn at rosslyn.
Mt blessings on you, sonsie wife;
I ne'er was here before; [knife,
You've gien us walth for born and
Nae heart could wish for more.
Heaven keep you free' frae care and
strife.
Till far ayont fourscore;
And, while I toddle on through life,
m ne'er gang by your door.
INNOCENCE.
Innocence
Looks gayly-smiling on; while rosy
Pleasure [wreath,
Hides young Desire amid her flowery
And pours ber cup luxuriant; mantling
high [and Bliss !
The sparkling heavenly vintage — Love
ON ELPHINSTONE'S TRANSLA-
TION OP MARTLAL'S " EPI-
GRAMS."
" Stopping at a merchant's shop., in Edin-
burgh," says Burns^ " a friend of mine one
day put Elphinstone s translation of Martial
into my hand, and desired my opinion of it.
1 asked permission to write my opinion on a
blank leaf of the "book ;' which being grant-
ed, I wrote this Epigram;" —
0 Thou, whom Poesy abliors !
Wbom Prose lias turned out of doors !
Heard'st thou that groan ? — proceed no
further — [tlier!"
'Twas laurell'd Martial roaring, " Mur-
LINES
WRITTEN ON A PANE OF GLASS IN
THE INN AT MOFFAT.
While Bums was in the inn at Moffat one
day, the " charming, lovely Dayies" of one
of nis songs happened to pass, accompanied
by a tall and portly lady : and on a friend
asking him why God had made Miss Davies
so small and the other lady' so large, he re-
plied : —
Ask why God made the gem so small.
And why so huge tbe granite ?
Because God meant manfind should set
Tbe higher value on it.
LINES
SPOKEN EXTEMPORE ON BEING AP-
POINTED TO THE EXCISE.
Searching auld wives' barrels,
Ocb, bon ! the day ! [laurels;
That clarty barm should stain my
But — wbat'U ye say ? [weans
'These moviu' things ca'd wives and
Wad move the very hearts o' stanes !
EPITAPH ON W .
Stop, tliief ! Dame Nature^ cried to
Death,
As Willie drew his latest breath ;
You have my choicest model ta'en.
How shall I make a fool again 1
ON A PERSON NICKNAMED THE
MARQUIS.
The person who bore this name was the land-
tso
BURNS' WORKS.
lord of a tavern in Dumfries frequented by
Burns. In a moment ofweakness he asked
the poet to write his epitaph, which he im-
mediately did, in a style not at all to the
taste of the Marquis.
Heius lies a mock Marquis, wliose
titles were sliamm'd;
If ever he rise — ^it will be to be damn'd.
TO JOHN M'MUEDO, ESQ.
John M'Murdo was steward to the Duke
of Queensberry, and the faithful friend of
Burns during the whole period of his resi-
dence in Nithsdale.
Oh 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.
TO THE SAME.
Blest be M'Murdo to his latest day 1
No envious cloud o'ercast his evening
ray; [Care,
No wrinkle furrow'd by the hand of
Nor ever sorrow add one silver hair !
"Oh, may no son the father's honour
stain, [pain !
Nor ever daughter give the mother
ON CAPTAIN FRANCIS GROSE.
One night at table, when the wine had circu-
lated pretty freely, and
*'The mirth and fun grew fast and
furious,"
Captain Grose, it is said, amused with the
sallies of the poet, requested a couplet on
himself. Having eyed the corpulent anti-
quary for a little. Bums repeated the follow-
ing :—
The devil got notice that Grose was
a-dying, [came flying;
So whip at the summons old Satan
But when he approach'd where poor
Francis lay moaning, [a-groaning,
And saw each bedpost with its burden
Astonish'd, confounded, cried Satan,
"By God! [nableload!"
I'll want 'im, ere ,1 take such- a dam-
ON GRIZZEL GRIM.
Heke lies with Death auld Grizzel
Grim,
Lincluden's ugly witch;
O Death, how horrid is thy taste
To lie with such a bitch !
ON MR. BURTON.
Burns having on one occasion met a young
Englishman of the name of Burton, he be-
came very-importunate that the. poet should
compose an epitaph for him. " In vain,"
says Cunningham, " the bard objected
that he was not sufficiently acquainted with
his character and habits to qualify ^im for
the task ; the request "was constantly repeat-
ed with a " Dem my eyes. Burns, do" write
an e^taph for me; oh, dem my bloody do.
Bums, write an epitaph for me." Over-
come by his importunity. Burns at last took
out his pencil and produced, the follow-
ing:—
Here cursing, swearing Burton lies,
A buck, a beau, or Dem my eyes !
Who in his life did little good; [blood 1
And his last words were — Dem my
POETICAL REPLY TO AN INVITA-
TION.
The king's most humble servant, I
Can scarcely spare a minute;
But I'll be wi' you by and by.
Or else the devil's in it.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAB.
'* Bums at one period," says Cunningham,
" was in the habit of receiving the Star
newspaper gratuitously ; but as it came
somewhat irregularly to hand, he sent the
following lines to head-quarters, to insure
more punctuality :" —
Dear Peter, dear Peter,
We poor sons of metre.
Are often negleckit, ye ken;
For instance, your sheet, man,
(Though glad I'm to see't, man,)
I get it no ae day in ten.
ON BURNS' HORSE BEING IM-
POUNDED.
Was e'er puir poet sae befitted, [ted ?
The maister drunk — the horse commit-
EPIGRAMS, EPITA.PHS, Etc.
-181
Puir harmless beast ! tak thee nae care,
Thou'lt be a horse when ie's nae mair
•0
LINES
BENT TO A GENTLEMAN WHOM HE HAD
OFFENDED.
The friend whom wild from, wisdom's
way
, The fumes of wine infuriate send;
(Not moony madness more astray;)
Wlio but deplores that hapless
friend?
Mine was the insensate frenzied part !
Ah V why should I such scenes out-
live !
Scenes so abhorrent to my heart I
'Tis thine to pity and forgive.
VERSES TO JOHN EANKINE,
ON HIS WHITING TO THE POET THAT A
GIRL IN THAT PART OF THE COUNTRY
WAS WITH CHILD BY HIM.
I AM a keeper of the law
In some sma' points, although not a':
Sopie people tell me gin I fa',
Ae way or ither.
The breaking of ae point, though sma'.
Breaks a' thegither.
I hae been in for't ance or twice.
And winna say o'er far for thrice.
Yet never met with that surprise
That broke my rest,
• But now a rumour's lilte to rise,
A whaup's i' the nest.
ON SEEING MISS FONTENELLE
IN A FAVOURITE CHARACTER.
Sweet ndwete of feature,
Simple, wild, enchanting elf,
Not to thee, but thanks to Nature,
Thou art acting but thyself.
Wert thou awkward, stiff, affected,
Spurning nature, torturing art;
. lioves and graces all rejected,
Then indeed thou'dst act apart.
ON GABRIEL- RICHARDSON,
BREWER, DUMFRIES.
Here brewer Gabriel's fire's extinct,
And empty ajl his barrels:
He's blest— if, as hebrew'd, he drink-
In upright honest morals.
THE BLACK-HEADED EAGLE:
A FRAGMENT ON THE DEFEAT OF THE
ATISTRIANS BY DUMODRIBB, AT GEM-
APPE, NOVEMBER, 1793.
The black-headed eagle.
As keen as a beagle,
He hunted owre height and owre howe;
But fell in a trap
On the braes of Qemappe,
E'en let bim come out as he dowe.
ON A SHEEP'S-HEAD.
Having' been dining at the Globe Tavern,
Dumfries, on one occasion when a sheep's-
head happened to be the fare provided, he
was aslced to give something new as a
grace, and instantly replied : —
0 Lord, when hunger pinches sore.
Do Thou stand us in stead,
And send us from Thy bounteous store
A tup or wether head ! — Amen.
After having dined, and greatly enjoyed this
dainty, he was again asked to return thanks,
when, without a moment's premeditation,
" he at once said : — -
0 Lord, since we have feasted thus,
Which we so little merit.
Let Meg now take away the flesh.
And Jock bring in the spirit ! — Amen.
ON THE DEATH OF A LAP-DOG
NAMED ECHO.
In wood and wild, ye warbling throng.
Your heavy loss deplore;
Now half-extinet your powers of song,
Sweet Echo Is no more,
Ye jarring, screeching things around.
Scream your discordant joys;
Now half your din of tuneless sound
With Echo silent lies.-
183
BURNS' WOKKS.
ON SEEING THE BEAUTIFUL
SEAT OFLOKD GALLOWAY.
This and the three following verses were
written as political squibs during the heat
of a contested election : —
What dost thou in that mansion fair? —
Flit, Galloway, and find
Some narrow, dirty, dungeon cave.
The picture of thy mind I
ON THE SAME.
No Stewart art thou, Galloway,
The Stewarts all were brave;
Besides, the Stewarts were but fools.
Not one of them a knave.
ON THE SAME.
Bright ran thy line, O Galloway,
Through many a far-famed sire !
So ran the far-famed Roman way.
So ended — in a mire !
TO THE SAME.
ON THE AUTHOB'S BEING THREATENED
WITH HIS RESENTMENT.
Spare me thy vengeance, Galloway,
In quiet let me live :
I ask no kindness at thy hand,
For thou hast none to give.
HOWLET FACE.
One of the Lords of Justiciary, says a corre-
spondj^nt of Mr. Chambers', while on circuit
at Dumfries, had dined one day at Mr. Mil-
ler's of Dalswinton ; and having', according^
to the custom of the time, taKen wine to
such an extent as to affect his sight, said to
his host, on entering the drawing-room, and
at the same time pointing to one of his
daughters, who was thought ah uncommon-
ly handsome woman, " Wha's you howlet-
f'aced thin^ in the corner?" The circum-
stance having been related to Burns, who
happened to dine there next day, he took
out his pencil and wrote the foUov/ing lines,
which he handed to Miss Miller; —
Ho"W daur ye ca* me liowlet- faced.
Ye ugly glowering spectre ?
My face was but the keekin' glass.
And there ye saw your picture I
THE BOOK- WORMS.
Having been shown into a magnificent Jibrary,
while on a visit to a nobleman,, and observ-
ing a splendidly-bound, but iincut and
worm-eaten, copy of Shakespeare on the
table, the poet left the following lines in
the volume :—
Through and through the inspired
leaves.
Ye maggots, make your windings;
But, oh, respect his lordship's taste.
And spare the golden bindings !
EPIGRAM ON BACON.
Brownhill w^as a posting station some fifteen
miles from Dumfries. Dining there on one
occasion^ the poet met a Mr. Ladyman, a
commercial traveller, who soticited« sample
of his " rhyming ware." At dinner, beans
and bacon were served, and the landlord,
whose name was Bacon, had, as was his
wont, thrust himself somewhat offensively
into the company of his guests.
At Brownhill we always get dainty
good cheer, [year;
And plenty of bacon each day in the
We've all things that's neat, and mostly
%a season, [me a reason.
But why always Bacon Y — come, give
THE EPITAPH.
In this stinging epitaph Bums satirizes Mrs.
Riddel of Woodley Park. He had taken
offence because she seemed to pay more at-
tention to officers in the company than to
the poet, who had a supreme contempt for
^'epauletted puppies," as he delighted to
call them.
Here lies, now a prey to insulting
neglect, [life's beam:
What once was a butterfly, gay in
Want only of wisdom denied her re-
spect, [esteem.
Want only of goodness denied her
ON MRS. KEMBLB.
The poet having witnessed the performance
of Mrs. Kemble in the part of Yarico, one
night at the Dumfries theatre, seized a piece
of paper, wrote these lines with a pencil,
and handed them to the lady at the conclu-
sion of the performance ; —
Kemble, thou curst my unbelief
Of Moses and his rod;
At Yarico's sweet notes of grief
The rock with tears had flow*d.
EPIGRAMS, EPITAPHS, Etc.
183
THE CREED OF POVERTY.
" When the Board of Excise," says Cunning-
■ ham, " informed Burns that his business
' was to act, and not thinlc, he read the order
'to a friefid, turned the paper, and wrote as
'-follows:" —
In politics if tliou wouldst mix,
And mean thy fortunes be;
Bear this in miAd — ' ' Be deaf and blind ;
Let great folks heai-and see."
WRITTEN IN A LADY'S POCKET-
BOOK.
The following lines indicate how strongly
Burns sympathized with the lovers of lib-
erty during the first outbreak of the French
Revolution : —
Qkant me, indulgent Heaven, that I
may live [give;
To see the miscreants feel the pairi they
Deal Freedom's sacred treasures free
as air, [which were.
Till slave and despot be but things
THE PARSON'S LOOKS.
Some one having remarked that he saw false-
hood in the very look.of a certain reverend
gentleman, the poet replied : —
That there is falsehood in his looks
I must and will deny;
They say their master is a knave —
And sure they do not lie.
EXTEMPORE,
PINNED TO A lady's COACH.
If you rattle along like Jrour mistress's
tongue.
Your speed will outrival the dart;
But u fly for your load, you'll break
down on tho road.
If your stufE be as rotten's her heart.
ON ROBERT RIDDEL.
The poet traced these lines with a diamond
on the window of the hermitage of Friars'
Carse.'the first time he visited it after the
death of his friend the Laird of Carse.
To Riddel, much-lamented man.
This ivied cot was dear;
Reader, dost value matchless worth?
Tills ivied cot revere.
ON EXCISEMEN.
WKifl»M:N ON A WINDOW IN DUMFRIES.
" One Say,'' says Cunningham, " while in the
King's Arms Tavern, Dumfries, Burns
overheard a country gentleman talking dis-
paragingly conceitamg excisemen. The poet
went to a window, and on one of the panes
wrote this rebuke with his diamond :' —
Ye men of wit and "l^^alth, why all
this sneering [a hearing;
'Gainst poor excisemen ? give the cause
What are poor landlords' rent-rolls?
taxing ledgers;
What premiers — what? even mon-
archs' mighty gangers :
Nay, what are priests, those seeming
godly wise men ? [cise men ?
What are they, pray, but spiritual ex-
VEKSES
WRITTEN ON A WINDOW QF THE GLOBE
TAVERN, DITMFRIES.
The graybeard, old Wisdom, may
boast of his treasures.
Give me with gay Folly to live ;
I grant him calm-blooded, time-settled
pleasures.
But Folly has rapture to give.
THE SELKIRK GRACE.
The poet having been on a visit to the Earl of
Selkirk at St. Mary's Isle, was asked to" say
grace at dinner. He repeated the following
words, which have since been known in the
district as " The Selkirk Grace :"—
Some hae meat, and canna eat.
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat.
And sae the Lord be thankit.
EPITAPH ON A SUICIDE.
Earth'd up here lies an imp o' hell.
Planted by Satan's dibble —
Poor silly wretch he's damn'd himsel
To save the Lord the trouble.
TO DR. MAXWELL,
ON MISS JESSIE STAIS'S RECOVERY.
' How do you like the following epigram,''
says the poet, in a letter to Thomson,
'^ which I wrote the other day on a lovely
young girl's recovery from a fever ? Doctor
184
BURNS' WORKS.
Maxwell was the physician who seemingly
saved her from the grave ; and to him I
address the ioilowing :" —
Maxwell, if merit here you crave.
That merit I deny;
You save fair Jessie from the grave ? —
An angel couli not die.
THE PARVENU.
Bums being present in a company where an
ill-educated parvemt was boring every one
by boasting of the many great people he
had lately been visiting, gave vent to his
feelings in the following lines : —
No more of your titled acquaintances
boast, [been;
And in what lordly circles you've
An insect is still but an insect at most.
Though it crawl on tlie head of a
queen I
POETICAL INSCRIPTION
FOR AN ALTAR TO INDEPENDENCE.
The following lines were inscribed on an altar
erected at the seat of Heron of Kerrough-
tree. They were written in 1795, when the
hopes and triumphs of the French Revolu-
tion had made it a fashion to raise altars to
Freedom, and plant trees to Liberty.
Thou of an independent mind.
With soul resolved, with soul resign'd;
Prepared power's proudest frown to
brave.
Who wilt not be, nor have, a slave;
Virtue alone who dost revere.
Thy own reproach alone dost fear.
Approach this shrine, and worship
here.
EXTEMPORE TO MR. SYME,
ON REFUSING TO DINE WITH HIM
Dec. 17, 179s.
No more of your guests, be they titled
or not.
And cookery the first in the nation;
Who is proof to thy personal converse
and wit
Is proof to all other temptation.
TO MR. SYME,
WITH A FRESBNT OF A DOZEN OP
POBTEB.
Jerusalem Tavekw, Dumfries-
Oh, had the malt thy strength of mind.
Or hops the flavour of thy wit,
'Twere drink for first of humankind,
A gift that e'en for Syme were fit.
INSCRIPTION ON A GOBLET.
THBaiE's death in the cup — sae beware !
Nay, more — there is danger iu toucli-
ing;
But wha can avoid the fell snare ?
The man and his wine's sae bewitch-
ing!
THE TOAST.
Burns having been called on for a song at a
dinner given by the Dumfries Volunteers
in honour of the anniversary of Rodney's
great victory of the 12th of April, 1782^ gave
, the following lines in reply to the call :—
Instead of a song, boys, I'll give you
a toast —
Here's the memory of those on the
twelfth that we lost! —
That we lost, did I say? nay, by
Heaven, that we found;
For their famo it shall last while the
world goes round.
The next in succession, I'll give you —
The Kmg! [may he swing!
Whoe'er would betray him, on high
And here's the grand fabric. Our free
Constitution, _ [olution;
As built on the base of the great Rev-
And longer with politics not to be
cramm'd, [damn'd;
Be Anarchy cursed, and be Tyranny
And who would to Liberty e'er prove
disloyal - [first trial t-
May his son be a hangman, and he his
ON THE POET'S DAUGHTER.
The following lines were written on the loss
of an only daughter and darling child " of
the poet s, who died in the autumn of
179s :-
Herb lies a rose, a budding rose.
Blasted before its bloom :
Whose innocence did sweets disclose
Beyond that flower's perfume.
EPIGR'AMS, epitaphs, Etc.
185
To tljose who for her loss are grieved,
This consolation's given-
She's from a world of woe relieved.
And blooms a rose in heaven.
ON A COUNTRY LAIRD.
Bless the Redeemer, Cardoness,
With grateful lifted eyes,
Who said that not the soul alone.
But body, too, must rise;
For had He said, " The soul alone
From death I will deliver;"
Alas! alas! O Cardoness,
Then thou hadst slept forever!
THE TRUE LOYAL NATIVES.
The- origin of these lines is thus related by
Cromek : — " When politics ran high the poet
happened to be in a tavern, and the follow-
' ing lines — the production of one of 'The
'- True Loyal Natives' — wrere handed over the
table to Bums: —
* Ye sons of sedition, give ear to my song,
Let Syme, Bums, and Maxwell, pervade
every throng ; [quack.
With Craken the attorney, and Mundell the
Send Willie the monger to hell with a smack.'
The poet took out a pencil and instantly
wrote this reply; " — ^
Y'E true ' ' Loyal Natives" attend to my
song, [long;
In uproar and riot rejoice the night
From envy and hatred your corps is
exempt, - [of contempt ?
But where is your shield from the darts
EPITAPH ON TAM THE
CHAF^IAN.
Tarn the chapman was a Mr. Kennedy, a
travelling agent for a commercial house.
'The foHpwing lines were composed on his
recovery from a severe illness : —
As Tam the Chapman on a day
Wi' Death forgather'd by the way,
Weel pleased, he greets a wight' sae
famous, ['Thomas,
And Death was nae less pleased wi'
Wha cheerfully lays down the pack.
And there Maws up a hearty crack ;^
His social, friendly, honest heart
Sae tickled Death, they couldna part:.
1 Fellow,
2 Gossip.
Sae, after viewing knives and g*rtei?s.
Death takes him hame to gie him
quarters.
EPITAPH ON ROBERT AIKEN.ESQ.
Know thou, O stranger to the fame
Of this much-loved, much-honour'd
name,
(For nond that knew him need be told)
A warmer heart Death ne'er made cold!
ON A FRIEND.
An honest man here lies at rest.
As e'er God with His image blest !
The frieind of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth;
Few hearts like hiS, with virtue
warm'd.
Few heads with knowledge so inform'd:
If there's another world, he lives in
bliss, [this.
If there is none, he made the best of
ON GAVIN HAMILTON.
The poor man weeps— here Gavin
Whom canting wretches blamed:
But with such as he, where'er he be.
May I be saved or damn'd !
ON WEE JOHNNY.
HIC JACET WEE JOHNNY.
John Wilson, the printer of the Kilmarnock
edition of the poet's works.
Whoe'er thou art, 0 reader, knovir
That Death has murder'd Johnny !
And here his body lies f u' low —
For caul he ne'er had ony.
ON A CELEBRATED RULING
ELDER.
Heke sonter Hood in death does
sleep; —
To hell, if he's gone thither,
Satan, gie him thy gear' to keep.
He'll haud'^ it weel thegither.
I Wenlth. 2 Hold.
186
BURNS' WORKS.
ON A NOISY POLEMIC.
James Humphrey, a working mason, was the
*' noisy polemic " of this epitaph. Burns
and he -frequently disputed on Auld-Light
and New-Light topics, and Humphrey,
although an illiterate man, not unfrequently
had the best of it. He died in great pover-
ty, having solicited charity for some time
before his death. We have heard it said
that in soliciting charity from the strangers
who arrived and departed by the Maucliline
coach, he grounded his claimsto their kind-
ness on the epitaph — " Please sirs, I'm
, Bums' bletherin* bitch 1 "
Below tliir stanes lie Jamie's banes:
0 Deatli, it's my opinion.
Thou ne'er took such a bleth'rin' bitch
Into thy dark dominion !
ON A NOTED COXCOMB.
Light lay the earth on Billy's breast,
His chicken heart so tender;
But build a castle on his head,
His skull will prop it under.
ON MISS JEAN SCOTT OP
ECCLEFECHAN.
The young lady, the subject of these lines,
dwelt in Ayr, and cheered the poet, not
only by her sweet looks, but also with her
sweet voice.
Oh ! had each Scot of anqient times
Been, Jeannie Scott, as thou art,
The bravest heart on English ground.
Had yielded like a coward !
ON A HENPECKED COUNTRY
SQUIRE.
As Father Adam first was fool'd,
A case that's still too common,
Here lies a man a woman ruled —
The devil ruled the woman.
ON THE SAME.
0 Death, hadst thou but spared his
life
Whom we this day lament !
We freely wad exchanged the wife,
And a' been weel content !
E'en as he is, cauld iri his graff.
The swap' we yet will do't ;
1 Exchange.
Tak thou the carlln's* carcase aff,
Thou'se get the saul to boot.
ON THE SAME.
One Queen Artemisia, as old stories tell.
When deprived of her husband she
loved so well,
In respect for the love and aSection
he'd show'd her
She reduced him to dust and she drank
up the powder. [complexion^
But Queen Netherplace, of a different
When call'd on to order the funeral
direction.
Would have eat her dead lord, on
a slender pretence.
Not to show her respect, but — ^to save
the expense !
JOHNNY PEEP.
Bums having been on a visit to a town in
Cumberland one day, entered a tavern and
opened the door of a room, but on seeing
three men sitting, he was about to withdraw,
when one of them shouted, " Come in,
Johnny Peep." The poet accordingly en-
tered, and .soon became the ruling spirit
of the party. In the midst of their mirth', it
was proposed that each should vvrite a verse
of poetry, and place it along with a half-
crown, on the table — the best poet to have
his half-crown returned, and the other three^
to be spent in treating the party. It is
almost needless to say that the palm of
victory was awarded to the following lines
by Bums : —
Heeb am I, Johnny Peep;
I saw three sheep,
And these three sheep saw me;
Half-a-crown apiece
AVill pay for their,fleece.
And so Johnny Peep gets free.
THE HENPECKED HUSBAND.
It is said that the wife of a gentleman, at
whose table the poet was one day dining,
expressed herself with more freedom than
propriety regarding her husband's ex-
travagant convivial habits, a rudeness
which Burns rebuked in these sharp lines ;—
CuKSED be the man, the poorest wretch
in life.
The crouching vassal to the tyrant wife !
^ * Carlin— a woman with an evil tongue. In
olden times used with reference to a woman
suspected of having dealings with the devil.
EPIQKAMS, EPITAPHS, Etc.
187
Who lias no will but by lier high per-
mission; [session;
Who has not sixpence but in her pos-
Who must to her his dear friend's
secret tell; [than hell!
Wlio dreads a curtain-lecture worse
Were such the wife had fallen to my
part, [heait;
I'd break her spirit, or I'd break her
I'd charm her with the magic of a
switch, [verse bitch.
I'd kiss her maids, and kick the per-
ON ANDREW TURNER.
In se'enteen hunder and forty-nine,
Satan took stuff lo.mak a swine.
And cuist it iiva corner;
But wilily he changed Ms plan.
And shajjed it something like a man,
And ca'd it Andrew Turner.
A GRACE BEFORE DINNER.
O Thou, who kindly dost provide
For every creature's wanW
We bless thee, God of nature wide.
For all thy goodness lent:
And, if it please thee, heavenly Guide,
May never worse be sent;
But, whether granted or denied.
Lord, bless us with content! — Amen.
ON MR. W. CRUIKSHANK.
One of the masters of the Hig:h School, Edin-
burgh, and a well-known friend of the
poet's.
Honest Will's to heaven gane.
And mony shall lament him;
His faults they a' in Latin lay,
In English nane e'er kent them.
ON WAT.
Sic a reptile was Wat,
Sic a miscreant slave.
That the very worms damn'd him
When laid in his grave.
" In his flesh there's a famine,"
A starved reptile cries;
" And his heart is rank' poison,''
Another replies.
ON THE KIRK OF LAMINGTON
IN CLYDESDALE.
Having been stayed by astorm one Sunday at
Lamington in Clydesdale, the poet went to
church ; but the day was so cold; the place
so uncomfortable, and . the sermon so poor,
that he left the - following poetic protest
in the pew ; —
Aa cauld a wind as ever blew,
A caulder kirk, and in't but few;
As cauld a minister's e'erspak,
Ye'se a' be het ere I come back.
A MOTHER'S ADDRESS TO HER
INFANT.
My blessin's upon thy sweet wee lippie:
My blessin's upon thy bonny ee-brie I
Thy smiles are sae like my blithe sod-
ger laddie, [me!
Thou's aye the dearer and dearer to
VERSES
■WniTTEN ON A PANE OF GLASS, ON
THE OCCASION OP A NATIONAL
THANKSGIVING POX A NAVAL VIC-
TORT.
¥e hypocrites ! are these your pranks?
To murder men, and gie (Jod thanks !
For shame I gie o'er — proceed no fur-
ther— [ther !
God won't accept your thanks for mur-
I MURDER hate by field or flood.
Though glory's name may screen us ;
In wars at hame I'll spend my blood.
Life-giving wars of Venus.
The deities that I adore,
Are social peace and plenty;
I'm better pleased to make one more,
Than be the death of twenty.
My bottle is my holy pool.
That heals the wounds o' care and dool ;
And pleasure is a wanton trout.
An' ye drink it dry, ye'll find him out.
ON JOHN BUSHBY.
Bushby, it seems, was a sharp-witted, clever
lawyei', who happened to cross the poet's
path in politics, and was therefore consid-
ered a fair subject for a lampoon. ■
Here lies John Bushby, honest man !
Cheat liim, devil, gin you can.
188
BURNS' WORKS.
LINES TO JOHN RANKINE.
These lines were written by Burns while on
his death-bed, and forwarded to Rankine
immediately after the poet's death.
He who of Rankine sang lies stiff and
dead, [head;
And a green grassy hillock haps his
Alas ! alas 1 a devilish change indeed !
TO MISS JESSY LEWARS.
" During the last illness of the poet," says
Cunningham, " Mr. Brown, the surgeon
who attended him, came in, and stated that
he had been looking at a collection of wild
beasts iust arrived, and pulling out t^e list
ot the animals, held it out to Jessy Lewars.
The poet snatched it from him, took up a
pen, and with red ink wrote the following
on the back of the paper, saying, ' Now it is
fiL to be presented to a lady.' "
Talk not to me of savages
From Afric's burning sun,
No savage e'er could rend my heart
As, Jessy, thou hast done.
But Jessy's lovely hand in mine,
A mutual faith to plight.
Not even to view the heavenly choir
Would be so hlest a sight.
THE TOAST.
On another occasion, while Miss Lewars was
waiting upon him during his illness, he took
up a crystal goblet, and writing the follow-
ing lines on it, presented it to her ;—
Fill me with the rosy wine.
Call a toast — a toast divine;
Give the poet's darling ilame.
Lovely Jessy be the name ;
Then thou mayst freely boast
Thou hast given a peerless toast.
ON THE SICKNESS OF MISS JESSY
LEWARS.
On Miss Lewars complaining of illness in the
hearipg- of the poet, he said he would pro-
vide 'for' the worst, and seizing another
crystal goblet, he wrote as follows :—
S-A.Y, sages, what's the charm on earth
Can turn Death's dart aside ?
It is not purity and worth.
Else Jessy had not died.
ON THE RECOVERY OF JESSY
LEWARS.
On her recovering health, the poet said,
" There is a poetic reason for it,' and com-
posed the following :—
But rarely seen since nature's birth.
The natives of the sky;
Yet still one seraph's left on earth,
For Jessy did not die.
A BOTTLE AND AN HONEST
FRIEND.
Some doubt has been expressed by the
brother of the poet as to the authenticity of
this small piece ; —
" There's nane that's blest of humankind
But the cheerful and the gay, man.
Fal, lal,"'&c.
Hbbb's a bottle and an honest friend!
What wad you wish for mair, man 1
Wha kens, before his/life may end,
What his share may be of care, man?
Then catch the moments as they fly,
And use them as ye ought, man;
Believe me. Happiness is shy, [man.
And comes not aye when sought.
GRACE AFTER DINNER,
0 Thou, in whom we live and move.
Who madest the sea and shore;
Thy goodness constantly we prove,
And, grateful, would adore.
And if it please Thee, Power above.
Still grant us, with such store,
,The friend we trust, the fair we love;
And we desire no more.
ANOTHER.
LOBD, we thank Thee and adore.
For temp'ral gifts we little merit;
At present we will ask no more —
Let William Hyslop give the spirit !
SONGS.
MY HANDSOME NELL.
Tune — " I am a man unmarried."
Nelly Kilpatrie^, the heroine of this sonff,
,was the daughter of the village blacksmith,
"and the poet s first partner in the labours of
the harvest-field. She -was the "sonsie
quean" he sin^ of, whose " witchingsmile"
first made his heart-strings tingle. " This
song," he says, " was . the first of my per-
formances, and done at an early period of
my life. When my heart glowed with honest,
warm simplicity^unacquainted and uncor-
rupted with the ways of a vi^icked world.
It has many faults ; but I remember I com-
posed it in a wild enthusiasm of passion ;
and to this hour I never recollect it but my
hfeart melts — my blood sallies, at the remem-
brance."
Oh, once I loved a bonny lass.
Aye, and I lov&her still;
And whilst tli4t virtue warms my breast
I'll love my handsome Nell.
Fal^ lal de ral, &c.
As bonny lasses I liae seen,
Andmony fuU as braw;'
But for a modest, gracef u' mien,
The' like I never saw.
A bonny lass, I will confess.
Is pleasant to the ee
But without some better qualities
She's no a lass for me.
But Nelly's looks are blithe and sweet;
And, wliat is best of a' —
Her reputation is complete,
And fair without a flaw.
She dresses aye sae clean and neat,
Baith decent and genteel ;
And then there's something in her gait
Gars^ ony dress look weel.
1 Well dressed.
2 Makes.
A gsiudy dress and gentle air
May slightly touch the heart;
But it's innocence and modesty
That polishes the dart.
'Tis this in Nelly pleases me,
'Tis this enchants my soull
For absolutely in my breast
She reigns without control.
I DEEAM'D I LAY WHERE FLOW.
ERS WERE SPRINGING.
" These two stanzas," says the poet, " which
are among the oldest*! my printed pieces,.
I composed when I was seventeen."
I dkeam'd I lay where flowers were
springing
Gayly in the sunny beam.
Listening to the wild birds singing
By a falling crystal stream :
Straight the sky grew black and daring;
Through the woods the whirlwinds
rave;
Trees with aged arms were warring.
O'er the sweUirig, drumlie wave.
Such was my life's deceitful morning.
Such the pleasures I en joy 'd;
But lang or' noon, loud tempests storm-
ing.
A' my flowery bliss destroy'd. [me,
Though fickle Fortune has deceived
(She promised fair, and perform'd
but ill,)
Of mony a joy and hope bereaved me,
I bear a heart shall support me still.
' Ere.
190
BURNS' WORKS.
MY NANNIE, O.
Tune — " My Nannie, O."
Behind yon hills, where Lugar flows
'Mang moors and mosses many, O,
The wintry sun the day has closed.
And I'll awa' to Nauni^, 0.
Tlie westliu wind blaws load and shrill :
The night's baith mirk and rainy, 0;
But I'll get my plaid, and out I'll steal.
And owre the hills to Nannie, O.
My Nannie's charming, sweet, and
young,
Nae artfu' wiles to win ye, O:
May ill befa' the flattering tongue
'That wad beguile my Nannie, O,
Her face is fair, her heart is true.
As spotless as she's bonny, O:
The opening go wan,' wat wi' dew,
Nae purer is than Nannie, 0.
A country lad is my degree.
And few there be that ken me, O;
But what care I how few they be,
I'm welcome aye to Nannie, O.
My riches a's my penny-fee,'
And I maun guide it cannie, 0;
But warl's gear" ifl'er troubles me,
My thoughts are a' my Nannie, 0.
Our auld guidman delights to view
His sheep and kye thrive bonny, 0;
But I'm as blithe that hands his pleugh.
And has na care but Nannie, O.
Come weel, come woe, I care na by,
I'll tak what Heaven will sen' me, O;
Nae ither care in life have I
But live and love my Nannie, 0 !
O TIBBIE, I HAE SEEN THE DAY.
Tune — " Invercauld's Reel."
O TrBBlB, I hae seen the day
Ye wadna been sae shy;
For lack o' gear ye lightly' me.
But, trowth, I care na by.
Daisy.
Wages. s World's wealth.
> Slight.
Yestreen I met you on the moor.
Ye spak na, but gaed by like stoure:"
Ye geek' at me because I'm poor,
But feint a hair care I.
I doubt na, lass, but ye may think,
Because ye hae the name o' clink,*
That ye can please me at a wink
Whene'er yc like to try.
But sorrow tak him that's sae mean.
Although his pouch o' coin were clean,
Wha follows ony saucy quean,''
That looks sae proud and high.
Although a lad were e'er sae smart.
If that he want the yellow dirt
Ye'U cast yer head anither airt,*
And answer him f u' dry.
But if he hae the name o' gear,'
Ye'U fasten to him like a brier.
Though hardly he, for sense or lear,'
Be better than the kye.'
But Tibbie, lass, tak my advice.
Your daddie's gear maks you sae nice;
The deil a ane wad spier your price
Were ye as poor as I.
There lives a lass in yonder park,
I wadna gie her in her sark'"
For thee, wi' a' thy thousau' mark !
Ye need na look sae high.
ON CESSNOCK BANKS.
Tune—" If he be a butcher neat and trim."
On Cessnock banks there lives a lass.
Could I describe her shape and mien.
The graces of her weelfaurd' face,
And the glancing of her sparkling
eeu.
She's fresher than the morning dawn.
When rising Phoebus first is seen.
When dew-drops twinkle o'er the lawn;
And she"s twa glancing, sparkling
een.
She's stately, like you youthful ash
That grows the cowslip braes be-
tween, "
-.Dust driven by the wind. » Mock. *
Money. » Wench. "Direction. > Wealth.
'Learning, s Cows, w Shift.
' Well-favoured.
SONGS.
191
And shoots it's liead above each busli;
And' she's twa glancing, sparkling
een.
She's spotless as the flowering thorn,
With flowers so white and leaves so
green,
Wlien purest in the dewy morn ;
And she's twa glancing, sparkling
een.
Her looks are like the sportive lamb,
When flowery M&y'adorns the scene.
That wantons roanffits bleating dam;
And she's twa glancing, sparkling
een.
Her hair is lUie the curling mist [e'en
That shades the mountain-side at
When flower-reviving rains are past;
And she's twa glancing, sparkling
een.
Her forehead's like the showery bow.
When shining sunbeams intervene.
And gild the distant mountain's brow;
And she's twa glancing, sparkling
een.
Her voice is like the evening thrush
That sings on Cessnock banks un-
seen, [bush;
Wliile his mate sits nestling in the
And she's twa glancing, sparltling
een.
Her lips are like the cherries ripe
. That sunny walls from Boreas
screen — [sight;
They tempt the taste and charm the
• Andshe's twa glancing, sparkling
een.
Her teeth are like a flock of sheep
With fleeces newly washen clean.
That slowly mount the rising steep;
And she's twa glancing, sparkling
Her breath is like the fragrant breeze
That gently stirs the blossom'd bean
When Phoebus sinks behind the seas;
And she's twa glancing, sparkling
een.
But it's not her air, her fonn, her face.
Though matching beauty's fabled
qaeen,
But the mind that shines in every grace,
And chiefly in her sparkling een.
IMPROVED VERSION.
On Cessnock banks a lassie dwells,
Could I describe her shape and mien,
Our lassies a' she far excels;
And sMs twa sparkling, roguish een.
She's sweeter than the morning dawn.
When rising Phoebus first is seen.
And dew-drops twinkle o'er the lawn/
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
She's stately, like yon youthful ash
That grows the cowslip braeS be-
tween, {fresh;
And drinks the stream tcith mgour
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
She's spotless, like the flowering thorn.
With flowers so white, and leaves so
green.
When purest in the dewy morn;
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
Her looks are like the vernal May,
When evening Phcebus shines serene.
While Tnrds rejoice oil every spray;
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
Her hair is like the curling mist [e'en
That climbs the mountain-sides at
When flower-reviving rains are past;
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
Her forehead's like the showery bow.
When gleaming sunbeams intervene.
And gild the distant mountain's brow;
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
Her clieeks are like yon crimson gem,
Tlie pride of all the fiowery scene.
Just opening on its thorny stem;
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
Her teeth are Wee the nightly snow.
When pale th^ morning rises keen,
While hid the murm'ring streamlets
flow;
And she's twa spa/rkling, roguish een.
Her lips are like yon cherries ripe
That sunny walls from Boreas
screen — [sight;
They tempt the taste and charm the
And she's twa sparkling-, roguish een.
Her breath is like the fragrant breeze.
That gently stirs the blossom'd bean
When Phoebus sinks behind the seas;
And she's twa sparkling, roguish een.
m
BURNS' WORKS.
Her voice. is like tlie evening. thrush,
That sings on Cessnock banks un-
seen, [bush;
W-htlB his mate sits nestling in the
Andshe's twa sparkling, roguish een.
But it's not her air, her form, her face,
'Though matching beauty's fabled
queen, [grace;
'Tis the mind that shines in every
And chiefly in her roguish een.
MY FATHER WAS A FARMER.
XytfE—" The- Weaver and his Shuttle, D."
"'The foUowHng song," says the poet, "is a
wild rhapsody, miserably deficient in versi-
fication ; but the sentiments were the
genuine feelings of my heart at the time it
was written."
My father was a farmer
Upon the Carrick border, O,
And carefully he bred me
In decency and order, 0;
He bade me act a manly part.
Though I had ne'er a farthing, 0,
For without an honest manly heart,
No man was worth regarding, O.
Then out into the world
My course I did determine, O;
Though to be rich was not my vrish,
Yet to be great was charming, 0:
My talents they were not the worst,
. . Nor yet my education, O;
Resolved was I, at least to try,
To mend my situation, 0.
In many a way, and vain essay,
I courted Fortune's favour, O;
Some cause unseen still stept between.
To frustrate each endeavour, O;
iSometimes by foes I was o'erpower'd;
Sometimes by friends forsaken, 0;
And when my hope was at the top,
I still was worst mistaken, O.
Then sore harass'd, and tired at last,
With Fortune's vain delusion, 0,
'I dropt my schemes, like idle dreams,
And came to this conclusion, O:
The past was bad, and the future hid;
Its good or ill untried. 0;
But the present hour was in my power,
And so I would enjoy it, 0.
No help, nor hope, nor view had I,
Nor person to befriend me, O;
So I must toil, and sweat, and broil,
And labour to sustain me, O;
To plough and sow, to reap and mow,
My father bred me early, O;
For one, he said, to labour bred.
Was a match for Fortune fairly, O.
Thus all obscure, unknown, and poor.
Through life I'm doomed to wan-
der, 0,
-Till down my weary bones I lay
In everlasting slumber, O,
No view nor care, but shun whate'ei-
Might breed .me pain or sorrow, O;
I live to-day as well's I may.
Regardless oi to-morrow, O.
But cheerful still, I am as well
As a monarch in a palace, O,-
Though Fortune's frown still hunts
me down.
With all her wonted malice, 0:
I make indeed my daily bread.
But ne'er can make if farther, 0;
But as daily bread is all I need,
I do not much regard her, 0.
"WTien sometimes by my labouc
I earn a little money, 0,
Some unforaeen misfortune
Comes generally upon me, O:
Mischance, mistake,, or by neglect,
: Or my good-natured folly, O;
But come what will, I've sworn it still
I'll ne'er be melancholy, 0.
All you who follow wealth and power
With unremitting ardour,- O,'
The more in tliis you look for bliss,
You leave your view the farther, 0",
Had you the wealth Potosi boasts.
Or nations to adore you, O,
A cheerful, honest-hearted clown
T will prefer before you, 0 !
JOHN BARLEYCORN:
A BALLAD.
The following is an improvement of an early
song of English origin, a copy of which
was obtained by Mr. Robert Jameson from
a black-letter sheet in the Pepys Library,
Caaibridge, and first published in his
" Ballads : "—
SONQS.
193
Theke were three kings inta the 'east,
Three kings both g'reat and high;
And they hae swore a solemn oath
John Barleycorn should die.
They took a plough and plough'd him
down.
Put clods upon his head ;
And they liae sworn a solemn oath
John Barleycorn was dead.
But the cheerful spring came kindly oh,
And showers began to fall;
John Barleycorn got up again.
And sore surprised them all.
The sultry suns of summer came.
And he grew thick and strong;
His head weel arm'd wi' pointed spears.
That no one should him wrong.
The sober autumn enter'd mild.
When he grew wan and pale;
His bending joints and drooping head
Show'd he began to fail.
His colour sicken'd more and more.
He faded into age;
And then his enemies began
To show their deadly rage.
They've ta'en a weapon long and sharp.
And cut him by the knee;
Then tied him fast upon a cart,
Like a rogue for forgerie.
They laid him down vipon his back.
And oudgell'd him full sore;
They hung liim up before the storm.
And turu'd him o'er and o'er.
They fillM up a darksome pit
With water to the brim;
They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let hiui sink or swim.
They laid him out upon the floor,
To work him further woe:
And still, as signs of life appear'd,
They to.s3'd him to and fro.
They wasted o'er a scorching flame
The marrow of his bones;
But a miller used him worst of all —
He crushed him 'tween two stones.
And they hae ta'en his very heart's
Mood, _ _ y
And drank it round and round,
And still the more and more they
drank,
Their joy did more abound.
John Barleycorn was a hero bold.
Of noble enterprise;
For if you do blit taste his blood,
'Twill makb your courage rise.
'Twill make a man forgpt his woe;
'Twill heighten all his joy:
'Twill make the widow's heart to sing.
Though the tear were in her eye.
Then let tis toast John Barleycorn,
Each man a glass in hand;
And may his great posterity
Ne'er fail in old Scotland !
MONTGOMERY'S PEGGT.
Tune— "Gala Water."
" Montgomery's Peggy." says the poet, "who
had been bred in a style of life rather
elegant, was my deity for six or eight
months."
Although my bed were in yon muir,
I Amang the heather, in my plaidie.
Yet happy, happy would I be,
Had I my deaf Montgomery's Peggy.
When o'er the hill beat surly stbrms.
And winter nights were dark and
rainy;
I'd seek some dell, and in my arms
I'd shelter dear Montgomery's Peggy.
Were I a baron proud and high,
And horse and servants waiting
ready.
Then a' 'twad gie o' joy to me,
Tlie sharin't wi' Montgomery's
MARY MORISON.
Tune—" Bide ye yet.''
O Mahy, at thy window be,
It is the wish'd, the trystedhour!,
Those smiles and glances let me see
That make the miser's treasure poor;
How blithely wad I bide the stoure,
A weary slave frae sun to sun;
Could I the rich reward secure,
The lovely Mary Morison.
194
BURNS' WORKS.
Yestreen, when to the trembling
string, [ha',
The dance gaed through the lighted
To thee my iancy took its wing —
I sat, hut neither heard nor saw:
Though this was fair, and that was
braw.
And yon the toast of a' the town,
I sigli'd, and said amang them a',
' ' Ye are na Mary Morison. "
0 Mary, canst thou wreck his peace
Wha for tliy sake wad gladly die ?
Or canst thou break that heart of his
Whase only f aut is loving thee ?
If love for love thou wilt nagie.
At least be pity to me shown;
A thought ungentle canna be
'Ihe thought o' Mary Morison.
THE RIGS 0' BARLEY.
Tune — " Corn Rigs are Bonny."
It was upon a Lammas night,
When corn rigs are bonny,
Beneath the moon's unclouded light,
I held awa' to Annie:
The time flew by wi' tentless heed.
Till, 'tween the late and early,
Wi' sma' persuasion she agreed
To see me through the barley.
The sky was blue, the wind was still.
The moon was shining clearly,
I set her down, wi' right good will,
Amang the rigs o' barley:
I kent her heart was a' my ain,
1 loved her most sincerely:
I kiss'd her owre and owre again,
Amang the rigs o' barley.
I lock'd her in my fond embrace !
Her heart was beating rarely.
My blessings on that happy place,
Amang the rigs o' barley!
But by the moon and stars so bright.
That shone that hour so clearly!
She aye shall bless that happy night,
Amang the rigs o' barley.
I hae been blithe wi' comrades dear;
I hae been merry drinkin'!
1 hae been joyfu' gath'rin' gear;
I hae been happy thinkin' :
But a' the pleasures e'er I saw.
Though three times doubled fairly.
That happy night was worth them a',
Amang the rigs o' barley.
Corn- rigs, and barley rigS,
And corn rigs are boiffly:
I'll ne'er forget that happy night,
Amang the rigs wi' Aimie.
PEGGY.
Tune — " I had a horse, 1 had nac main"
Now westlin winds and slaught'ring
guns
Bring autumn's pleasant weather;
The moorcock springs on whirring
wings,
Amang the blooming heather:
Now waving grain, wide o'er the plain.
Delights the weary farmer;
And the moon shines bright, when I
rove at night.
To muse upon my charmer.
The partridge loves the fruitful fells;
The plover loves the mountains;
' The woodcock haunts the lonely dells;
The soaring hern the fountains:
Through lofty groves the cushat' roves,
The path of man to shun it;
The hazel bush o'erhangs the thrush.
The spreading thorn the linnet.
Thus every kind their pleasure find.
The savage and the tender;
Some social join, and leagues combine;
Some solitary wander:
Avaunt, away ! the cruel sway.
Tyrannic man's dominion; [cry.
The sportsman's joy, the murdering
The fluttering, gory pinion!
But Peggy, dear, the evening's clear,
Thick flies the skimmmg swallow;
The slfv is blue, liie fields in view.
All fading green and yellow:
Come, let us stray our gladsome way.
And view the charms of nature;
The rustling com,, the fruited thorn.
And every happy creature.
We'll gently walk, and sweetly talk.
Till the silent moon shine clearly;
i '
^ Wood-pigeon.
SONGS.
195
I'll grasp thy waist, and, fondly prest.
Swear how I love thee dearly :
Not vernal showers to budding flowers,
Not autumn to the farmer.
So dear can be, as thou to me.
My fair, my lovely charmer!
GREEN GROW THE RASHES, 0 !
Tune—" Green gfrow the rashes."
Green grow the rashes, 0 !
Green grow ihe rashes, 0 !
The sweetest hours that e'er I spend.
Are spent amang the lasses, 0 !
There's nought but care on every han'.
In every hour that passes, 0:
Wliat signifies the life o' man.
An' 'twere na for the lasses, 0 ?
The warl'ly' race may riches chase.
And riches still may fly them, O;
And though at last they catch them
fast,
Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, 0.
But gie me a canny'' hour at een.
My arms about my dearie, O,
And warl'ly cares, and warl'ly men.
May a' gae tapsalteerie," 0.
For you sae douce,'' ye sneer at this,
Ye're nought but senseless asses, O;
The wisest man the warl' e'er saw.
He dearly loved the lasses, 0.
Auld Nature swears the lovely dears
Her noblest work she classes, O,
Her 'prentice hand she tried on man.
And then she made the lasses, O.
THE CURE FOR ALL CAKE.
Tune — " Prepare, my dear brethren, to the
tavern let's fly."
The poet composed this song shortly after
joining the Torbolton Mason Lodge, which
was long noted in the west for its festivities.
No churchman am I for to rail and to
write, [fight.
No statesman nor soldier to plot or to
No sly man of business contriving a
snare— [my care.
For a big-bellied bottle's the whole of
1 'Worldly. 2 Happy, lucky. * Topsy-turvy.
• Grave.
The peer I don't envy, I give liira his
bow; [low;
I scorn not the peasant, though ever so
But a club of good fellows, like those
that are here, [care.
And a bottle like this, are my glory and
Here passes, the sqiiire on his brother —
his horse; [liis purse;
There centum per centum, tlie cit with
But see you the crown, how it waves
in the air ! [care.
There a big-bellied bottle still eases my
The wife of my bosom, alas ! she did
die; [fly;
For sweet consolation to church I did
I found that old Solomon proved it fair,
That a big-bellied bottle's a cure for all
care.
I once was persuaded a venture to
malte ; . [wreck ; —
A letter informed me that all was to
But the pursy old landlord just wad-
dled up stairs [cares.
With a glorious bottle that ended my
"Life's cares they are comforts," — a
maxim laid down
By the bard, what d'ye call him, that
wore the black gown; [a hair;
And faith, I agree with the old prig to
For a big-bellied bottle's a heaven of a
care.
ADDED IN A MASON LODGE.
Then fill up a bumper, and make it
o'erflow, [throw;
And honours masonic prepare for to
May every true brother of the compass
and square [with care !
Have a big-bellied bottle when harass'd
MY JEAN !
Tune—" The Northern Lass."
" The heroine of this sweet snatch," says Cun-
ningham, " was bonny Jean. It was com-
fosed when the poet contemplated the West
ndia voyage, and an eternal separation
from the land and all that was dear to
him."
Though cruel fate should bid us part,
Far as the pole and line.
Her dear idea round my heart
Should tenderly entwine.
196
BURNS' WORKS.
Though mountains rise, and deserts
howl,
And oceans roar between;
Yet, dearer than my deathless soul,
I still would love my Jean.
A FRAGMENT.
Tune — " John Anderson my Jo."
One night as I did wander ,
When corn begins to shoot,
I sat me down to ponder
Upon an auld tree root:
Auld Ayr ran by before me,
And ijicker'd' to the seas;
A cushat croodled^ o'er me.
That echo'd through the braes.
WHEN CLOUDS IN SKIES DO
COME TOGETHER.
" The following," says the poet in his first
Commonplace Book, " was an extempore
effusion, composed under a train of misfor-
tunes which threatened to undo me alto-
gether."
When clouds in skies do come together
To hide the brightness of the
sun [weather
There will surely be some pleasant
When n,' their storms are past and
gone.
Though fickle Fortune has deceived
me, [but ill;
She promised fair, and perform'd
Of mistress, friends, and wealth be-
reaved me, [still.
Yet I bear a heart shall support me
I'll act with prudence, as far's I'm able;
But if success I must never find.
Then come Misfortune, I bid thee wel-
come, [mind.
I'll meet thee with an undaunted
ROBIN.
Tune — " Dainty Davie."
It is related that when the poet's mother felt
her time approach, his father took horse in
the darkness of a stormy ■ January night,
and set out for Ayr to procure the nece_ssary
* Raced leapingly. '^ Wood-pfgeon cooed.
female attendant. On acriving at the ford
of a rivulet which, crossed the road,, he
found it so deep in flood, that a female way-
farer sat on the opposite side unable fo
cross ; and, notwithstanding his own haste,
he conveyed the woman through the stream
on his horse. On returning from Ayr with
the midwife, he found the gipsy, for sudh
she proved to be, seated at his cottage fire-
side ; and on the child's being placed in the
lap of the woman, shortly after his ,.birth,
she is said to have inspected his 'palm,
after the manner of her tribe, and made the
predictions which the poet has embodied in
the song.
There was a lad was bom in Kyle,
But whatna day o' whatna style,
I doubt it's hardly worth thie while
To be sae nice wi' Robin.
Robin was a rovin' boy,
Rantin' rovin', rantin' rovin";
Robin was a. rovin' boy,-
Rantin' rovin' Robin !
Our monarch's hindmost year btit ane
Was five and twenty days begun,
'Twas then a blast o' Januar win
Blew hansel in on Robin.
The gossip keekit' in his loof ,'
Quo' she, wha lives will see the proof,
"This waly' boy will be nae coof'' —
I think we'U ca' him Robin.
He'll hae misfortunes great and sma',
But aye a heart aboon them a';
He'll be a credit till us a'.
We'll a' be proud o' Robin.
But, sure as three times three mak
nine,
I see, by ilka score and line,
This chap will dearly like our kin'.
So leeze^ me on tliee^ Robin.
Guid faith, quo' she, I doubt ye gar
The bonny lasses lie aspar.
But twenty fauts ye may hae waur.
So blesstn's on thee, Robin! ,
LUCKLESS FORTUNE.
0 RASING Fortune's withering blast
Has laid my leaf full low, O !
0 raging Fortune's withering blast
Has laid my leaf full low, 0 !
1 Peeped. ' Palm,
term of endearment.
5 Goodly. ■> Fool. » A
SONGS.
197
My stem was fair, my bud was green,
My blossom sweet did blow, O ;
The dew fell fresli, the sun rose mild.
And made my branches grow, 0.
Put luckless Fortune's northern storms
Laid a' my blossoms low, 0;
But luckless Fortune's northern storms
Laid a' my blossoms low, 0.
THE MAUCHLINE LADY.
Tune — " I had a horse, I had nac mair.''
When first I came to Stewart Kyle,
My mind it was na steady:
Where'er 1 gaed, where'er I rade,
A mistress still I had aye;
But when I came rouu' by Mauchline
town,
Not dreadin' ony body.
My heart was caught, before I thought;
And by a Mauchline lady.*
THE BRAES 0' BALLOCHMYLE.
Tune—" Braes o' Ballochmyle."
The Catrine woods were yellow seen.
The flowers decay'd on Catrine lea,
Nae laverock' sang on hillock green,
But nature sicken'd on the ee.
Through faded groves Maria sang,
Hersel in beauty's bloom the while.
And aye the wild- wood echoes rang,
Fareweel the Braes o' Ballochmyle !
Low in your wintry beds. ye flowers.
Again ye'll flourish fresh and fair;
Ye birdies dumb in withering bowers.
Again ye'll charm the vocal air.
Biit here, alas ! for me nae mair
Shall birdie charm or floweret smile:
Fareweel the bonny banks of Ayr,
Fareweel, fareweel 1- sweet Balloch-
myle !
Tune
YOUNG PEGGY.
' The last time I cam o'er the muir.''
Young Peggy blooms our bonniest lass,
Her blush is like the morning,
1 Lark.
* Jean Armour,
The rosy dawn the springing grass
With pearly gems adorning:
Her eyes outshine the radiant beams
That gild the passing shower,
And glitter o'er the crystal streams,
And cheer each freshening flower.
Her lips more than the cherries bright,
A richer dye has graced them ;
They charm th' admiring gazer's sight,
And sweetly tempt to taste them ;.
Her smile is, like the .evening, mild,
When feather'd tribes are courting.
And little lamb ins wanton wild,
' In playful bauds disporting.
Were Fortune lovely Peggy's foe,
Such sweetness would relent her;
As blooming Spring unbends the brow
Of surly, savage Winter.
Detraction's eye no aim can gain.
Her winning powers to lessen;
And spiteful Envy grips in vain,
The poison'd tootli to fasten.
Ye Powers of Honour, ■ Love, and
Truth,
From every ill defend her;
Inspire the highly-favqur'd youth
The destinies intend her;
Still fan the sweet connubial flame.
Responsive in each bosom;
And bless' the dear parental name
With many a filial blossom.
THE RANTIN' DOG THE DADDIE
O'T.
Tune—" East neuk o' Fife."
The subject of this lively ditty was a girl of
the name of Elizabeth Paton, a domestic
servant in the poet's house, and the mother
of his illegitimate child — " sonsie, sihirking,
dear-bought Bess." "I composed it," he
says, " pretty early in life, and seji't it to a
young girl, a very particular acquaintance
of mme, who was at the time under a
cloud."
Oh wha my babie-clouts' will buy ?
Oh wha will tent' me when I cry ?
Wha will kiss me where I lie ? —
The rantin' dog the daddie o't.
Oh wha will own he did the faut ?
Oh wha will buy the groanin' maitt ?^
' Baby-clothes. ' Heed. " Malt to brew
ale to wercoihc the birth of a chil.l.
198
BURNS' WORKS.
Oh wlia will tell me liDw to ca't —
The rantin' dog the daddie o't.
Wlien I mount the creepie-chair,*
Wha will sit beside me there !
Gie me Rob, I'll seek nae mair,
•The rantin' sdog the daddie o't.
Wha will crack to me my lane 1
Wlia will mak me fidgin-fain ?*
Wha will kiss me o'er again ? —
The rantin' dog the daddie o't.
MENIE.+
Tune — " Johnny's Gray Breeks."
The choras of this beautiful lyric was bor-
rowed by L rns f -om a song composed by
an Edinburgh gentleman ; but it n'as been
generally objected to by critics as interfer-
ing with the sombre sentiments of the
lines.
Again rejoicing nature sees
Her robe assiime its vernal hues,
Her leafy locks wave in the breeze,
All freshly steep'd in morning dews.
And maun I still on Menie dote.
And bear the scorn that's in her ee ?
For it's jet, jet black, and it's like a
hawk,
And it winna let a body be !
In vain to me the cowslips blaw.
In vain to me the violets spring;
In vain to me in glen or shaw'
The mavis and the lintwhite'' sing.
The merry ploughboy cheers his team,
Wi' joy the tentie^ seedsman stalks;
But life to me's a weary dream,
A dream of ane that never wauks."
The wanton coot the water skims,
Amang the reeds the ducklings cry.
The stately swan majestic swims.
And everytlring is blest but I.
The shepherd steeks' his faulding
slap," [shrill;
And owre the moorlands whistles
* Fidget with delight.
> Wood. " Linnet. = Heedful, i Wakes.
' Shuts. « Gate.
* The stool of repentance,- on wjiich cul-
prits formerly sat when making public satis-
faction in the church.
t The common abbreviation of Mariamne.
Wi' wild, unequal, wandering step,
I meet him on the dewy liill.
And when the lark, 'tween light a.ni"
• dark,
Blithe waukens by the daisy's side.
And mounts and sings on fluttering
wings, [glide.'
A woe • worn ghaist I hameward
Come,- Winter, with thy angry howl,
And raging bend the naked tree: ,
Thy gloom will soothe my cheerless
soul, . 1 '.
When nature all is sad like me!
LAMENT,
WEITTEN AT A TIME WHEN THE POET
WAS ABOOT TO LEAVE SCOTLAND.
Tune—" The Banks of the Devon."
These verses were -first given to the public in'
, the columns of the -Z>u»tyries JouruaL
O'ER the inistshrouded cliffs of the
lone mountain straying,
Wliere the wild winds of winter in-
cessantly rave.
What woes wring my heart while in-
tently surveying
The storm's gloomy path on the
breast of the wave!
Ye foam-crested billows, allow me to
wail, [native shore;
Ere ye toss me afar from my loved
Where the flower which, blooni'd
sweetes'' in Coila's green vale,
The pride of my bosom, my Mary's
no more!
No more by the banks of the streamlet
we'llwander, [in the wave:
And smile at the moon's rimpled face
No more shiJl my arms cling with
fondness around her,
For the dewdrops of morning fall
cold on her grave.
No more shall the soft thrill of love
warm my breast, [tant shore;
I haste with the storm to a far-dis-
Where, unknown, unlamented, my
ashes shall rest, [more.
And joy shall revisit my bosom no
SONGS.
THERE WAS A LASS.
Tdne — '' Duncan Davison."
There was a lass, they, ca'd her Meg,
And she held o'er the moor to spin;
There was a lad that foUow'd her,
They ca'd liim Duncan Davison.
The moor was driegh' and Meg was
sklegli,*
Her favour Duncan couldna win ;
For wi' the rock she wad him knock.
And Siyo she shook the temper-pin.
As o'er the moor they lightly foor,'
A burn was clear, a glen was green,
Upon the banks they eased their
shanks,
And aye she set the wheel between:
But Duncan swore a haly aith,
That Meg should be a bride the mom,
Then Meg took up her spinnin' graith,*
And ilang them a' out o'er the burn.
We'll big a house — a wee, wee house.
And we will live like king and
queen,
Sae blithe and merry we will be
When ye sit by the wheel at e'en.
A man may drink and no be drunk;
A man may fight and no be slain;
A man may kiss a bonny lass.
And aye be welcome back again.
AFTON WATER.
TiTNE— "The Yellow-hair'd Laddie."
Flow gently, sweet Af ton, among thy
green braes, [thy praise;
Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring
stream — [lier dream.
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not
Thou stock-dove, whose echo resounds
through the glen, [thorny den.
Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon
Tllou green-crested lapwing, thy
screaifting forbear — [ing fair.
I charge you disturb not my slumber-
How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighbour-
ing hills, [winding rills;
Far mark'd with the courses of clear
There daily I waader as noon rises high.
My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in
my eye.
How pleasant thy banks and green val-
leys below, . [roses blow;
Where wild in the woodlands the prim-
There oft as mild evening weeps over
the lea, [and me.
The sweet-scented birk shades my Mary
Thy crystal stream, Afton, how. lovely
it glides, [resides;
And winds by the cot where my Mary
How wanton thy waters hei 'snowy feet
lave, [thy clear wave.
As gathering sweet flowerets she stems
Flow geiitly,- sweet Afton, among thy
green braes, [my lays;
Flow gently, sweet river, the thteme.of
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring
stream — . [not her dream !
Flow gently, sweet Afton,' disturb
THE HIGHLAND LASSIE.
Tune — *' Tlie deuks dang o'er my daddy."
" This," says the poet, " was a composition of
mine before I was at all known in the
world. My Highland lassie [Mary] was a
"warm-hearted, charming young creature as
ever blessed a man with generous Jpve."
For an account of this simple, inf^esting
girl, whom the poet's passfdn has placed in
'• Fame's proud temple," and clothed, with
immortality as with a gartnent, the i;eader
is referred to the introduction to the verses
entitled, "To Mary in Heaven," p. 219.
Burns having sent this" song to Mary when
she was residing with her parents in the
Highlands, her mother saw it, and greatly
admired.it; and years after -the death of
this gentle girl, whom every one seems to
have loved, it is said the poor -old woman
was wont to soothe her sorrow , by singing
to her grandchildren the sweet strains in
■which the poet has celebrated the beauty
and charms of her favourite daughter. Hav-
ing outlived her husband and many of her
children, she died in great poverty at
Greenock in 1822.
Nab gentle* dames, though e'er Sae
fair.
Shall ever be my Muse's care:
' Tedious.
* Gear.
s High-minded. » Went.
* Gentle is used here in opposition to sim-
ple, in the Scottish and old English sense of
the word. — i^ae gentle Hatnes — no high-blood-
ed names. — Cukrie, .
300
BURNS' WORKS.
Their titles a' are empty show;
&ie me my Highland Lassie, O.
Within the glen sae husliy, 0,
Ahoon the plains sae rushy, O,
I set me down wi' right good will.
To sing my Highland Lassie, 0.
Oh, were yon hills and valleys mine.
Ton palace and yon gardens fine !
The world then the love should know
I bear my Highland Lassie, O.
But fickle Fortune frowns on me,
And I maun cross the raging sea !
But while my crimson currents flow,
I'll love my Highland Lassie, 0.
Although through foreign climes I
range,
I know her heart will never change,
For her bosom burns with honour's
glow,
My faithful Highland Lassie, 0.
For her I'll dare the billows' roar,
For her I'll trace the distant shore.
That Indian wealth may. lustre thvow
Around my Highland Lassie, 0.
She has my heart, she has my liaud.
By sacred tiiith and honour's band !
'Till the mortal stroke shall lay me low,
I'm thine, my Highland Lassie, 0.
Fareweel the glen sae bushy, 0!
Fareweel the plain sae rnsliy, 0!
To other- lands I now must go,
To sing my Highland Lassie, 0!
MARY!
Tune — "Blue Bonnets."
This beautiful "song was found amongst the
poet's manuscripts after his death, inscribed,
A Prayer for Mary." Who Mary was the
world knows.
Powers celestial ! whose protection
Ever guards the virtuous fair,
While in distant climes I wander,
Let my Mary, be your care;
Let her form sae fair and faultless,
Fair and faultless as your own.
Let my Mary's kindred spirit
Draw your choicest influence down.
Make the gales you waft around her
Soft and peaceful as. her breast;
Breathing in the breeze that fans her.
Soothe her bosom into rest.
fluardian angels! oh, protect her,
Wlien in distant lands I roam; [me,
To realms unknown while fate exiles
Make her bosom still my Jiome I
WILL YE GO TO THE INDIES, MY
MARY?
rt', ■
" In my very early years," says the poet, in a
.letter to Mr. Thomson in 1792, " when I was
thinking of going to the West Indies, I took
the following farewell of a dear girl [Higfe
land Mary] .■^' —
Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary,
And leave auld Scotia's shore ?
Will ye go to the Indies, my Mary,
Across the Atlantic's roar?
Oh,- sweet grow the lime and the
orange.
And the apple on the pine;
But a' the charms o' the Indies
Can never equal thine.
I hae sworn by the Heavens to my Mary,
I hae sworn by the Heavens to be
true;
And sae may the Heavens forget me
When I forget my vow !
Oh, plight me your faith, my Mary,-
And plight me your lily-white hand;
Oh, plight me jour faith, my Mary,
Before I leave Scotia's strand.
We hae plighted our troth, my Mary,
In mutual affection to join; [us)
And curst be the cause that shall part
The hour and the moment o' time!
ELIZA.
Tlne— " Gilderoy.'"
Fbom thee, Eliza, I must go.
And from my native shore:
The cruel fates between, us throw
A boundless ocean's roar;
But bolindless oceans roaring wide
Between my love and me.
They never, never can divide
My heart and soul from thee!
Farewell, farewell, Eliza dear,
The maid that I adore!
A boding voice is in mine ear.
We part to meet no more'!
SONGS.
301
The latest throb that leaves my heart,
While death stands victor by.
That throb, Eliza, is thy part,
And thine that latest sigh I
A FAREWELL TO THE BRETH-
REN OF ST. JAMES' LODGE,
TORBOLTON.
Tune—" Good night, and joy be wi' you a' !"
The poet is said to have chanted this " Fare-
well " at -a meeting of St. Jlmes' Mason
Lodge at Torbolton, while his chest was on
the way to Greenock, and he had just
written the last song he thought he should
ever compose in Scotland. The person
alluded to in the last stanza was Major-
Genera, James Montgomery, who was
-Worshipful Master, whilft Burns was
Depute-Master.
Adieu ! a heart-warm, fond adieu !
Dear brothers of the mystic tie !
Ye favonr'd, ye enlighten'd.few,
Companions of my social joy !
Though I to foreign lands must hie,
Pursuing Fortune's slidd'ry ba','
With melting heart, and brimful eye,
I'll mind you still, though far awa'.
Oft have I met your social band,
And spent the cheerful, festive night;
Oft, honour'd with supreme cWnmand,
Presided o'er the sons of light:
And, by that hierogl^■Tlhic bright,
Whicli none but craftsmen ever saw !■
Strong memory on my heart shall
write
Those happy scenes when far awa'.
May freedom, Jiarmony, and love,
Unite you in the grand design.
Beneath "the Omniscient eye above.
The glorious Architect Divine !
Tliat you may keep the unerring line,
Still rising by the plummet's law.
Till order bright completely shine,
Shall be my prayer when far awa'.
And you, farewell! whose merits claim,
Justly, that highest badge to wear !
Heaven bless your honour'd, noble
name,
To masonry and Scotia dear !
A last request permit me here,
When yearly ye assenible a',
One round — I ask it with a tear —
To him the Bard that's far awa'.
' Slippery ball.
THE SONS OF OLD KILLlE.
Tune — " Shawnboy."
Bums having been induced to participate in
the festivities , of . the Kilmarnock Mason
Lodge, which was presided over by his
friend William Parker, produced the follow-
ing appropriate song for the occasion ; —
Yb sons of old Killie, assembled by
Willie,
To follow the noble voca,tion ;
Your thrifty old mother has scarce
such another
To sit in that honoured station.
I've little to say, but only to pray.
As praying's the ton of your fashion.;
A prayer from the Muse you well may
excuse,
'Tis seldom her favourite passion.
Ye powers who preside o'er the wind
and the tide, ~ ,
Who marked each element's border;
Who formed this frame with benefi-
cent aim,
Whose sovereign statute is order;
Within this dear mansion may way-
ward Contention
Or withered Envy ne'er enter;
May Secrecy round be the mystical
bound,
And Brotherly Love be the centre !
SONG,
IN THE CHARACTER OF A RUINED
FARMER.
Tune — " Go from my window, love, do."
The sun he is sunk in the west.
All creatures retired to rest,
While here I sit all sore beset
With sorrow, grief, and wo;
And it's 0, fickle Fortune, 0 1
The prosperous man 'is asleep.
Nor hears how the whirlwinds sweep;
But Misery and I must watch
The surly tempest blow: .
And it's 0, fickle Fortune, 0 !
There lies the dear partner of my breast,
Her cares for a moment at rest:
Must I see thee, my youthful pride,
Thus brought so very Ipwl
And it's 0, fickle Fortune, 0 !
203
BURNS' WORKS.
There lie my sweet babies in lier aTms,
No anxious fear tlieir little lieart
alarms;
But for tlieir sake my lieart dotli aclie,
With many a bitter throe;
And it's 0, fickle Fortune, 0 !
I once was by Fortune carest,
I once could relieve the distrest:
Now, life's poor support hardly earn'd,
My fate will scarce bestow:
And it's 0, fickle Fortune, 0 !
No comfort, no comfort I have !
How welecme to me were the grave !
But then my wife and children dear,
0 whither would they go 'I
And it's O, fickle Fortune, O !
O whither, 0 whither shall I turn !
All friendless, forsaken, forlorn !
For iu this world Rest or Peace
1 never more shall know !
And it's 0, fickle Fortune, 0 !
THE LASS OF BALLOCHMTLE.
Tune — *' Miss Forkes' Farewell to Banff."
The beautiful estate of Ballochmyle, which is
situated on the Ayr, in the neighbourhood
of Mauchline, was at this period of the po-
et's life transferred from the family of the
Whitefoords (whose departure he has
lamented in the lines on " The Braes of
Ballochmyle'') to Mr. Claud Alexander, a
gentleman who had made a large fortune as
paymaster-general of the East India Com-
pany's troops at Bengal ; and havinpf just
taken up his residence at the mansion-
house, his sister. Miss Wilhelmina Alexan-
der, was one day walking out through the
grounds, which appear to have been a fav-
ourite haunt of Burns', when she accident-
ally encountered him in a musing attitude,
with his shoulder leaning against a tree.
As the grounds were thought to be strictly
private, the lady appears to have "been
somewhat startled ; but, having recovered
herself, passed on^ and thought no more of
the matter. A short time afterwards, how-
ever, she was reminded of the circumstance
by receiving a letter from the poet, enclos-
ing the song. " I had roved out." he says,
" as chance directed in the favourite haunts
of my Mu£e, on the banks of the Ayr. to
view nature ui all the gayety of the vernal
year. The evening sun was flaming over
the distant western hills ; not a breath
stirred the crimson opening blossom, or the
verdant spreading leaf. It was a golden
moment for a poetic heart. Such was the
scene, and such was the hour — when, in a
corner of my prospect, I spied one pf the'rj
fairest pieces of Nature's workmariship that
ever crowned a poetic landscape Or met a
poet's eye. The enclosed song was fhfe^-
work of my return home ;. and- perhaps*'jit
but poorly answers what might have Deen
expected from such a scene." Much to the
mostification of Btirns, however, the lady
took no notice of either the letter or. the
song, although she ultimately displayefiili
high sense of the honcmr which the genius
of the poet had conferred on her. She died
■ unmarried in 1843, at the age of qightynr,
eight. ■' ' '■;, "'^t
'TwAS even — the dewy^ fields were
green, - ■ , ■
On every blade the pearls hang, ;'
The zephyrs wanton'd round the bean, ,"
And bore its fragrant sweets alang: -'
In every glen the mavis sang, .. ,_t'.
All nature listening seem'd the while,
Except where greenwood echoes rangt.T^'
Ainang the braes o' Ballochmyle. ' f=
With careless step I onward stray 'd, '
My heart rejoiced in Nature's joy, - '
When musing in a lonely glade,
A maiden fair I chanced to spy;
Her look was lilte the morning s eye, ' -
Her air like Nature's vernal smile, .„,
Perfection ■wh'isper'd, passing by,' ''.;
Behold the lass o' Ballochmyle ! ' .
Fair is the morn in flowery May, . ,
And sweet is night in autumn mil^; '
When roving tlirough the garden gay,
Or wandering in the lonely wild: „,,
But woman, Nature's darling child ! ' .',.
There all her charms she does com-
pile; ~
Even there her other works are foil'cl
By the bonny lass o' Ballochmyle.
Oh ! had she been a country maid, ,7
And I the happy country swain,
Though shelter'd in the lowest shed ,1?
That ever rose on Scotland's plain;"
Through weary vvinter'swind and rain,.
With joy, with rapture, I would, toijv
And nightly to my bosom strain
The bonny lass o' Ballochmyle !
Then pride might climb the slippery
steep,
Wliere fame and honours lofty shine;
And thirst of gold might tempt the
deep,
Or downward seek the Indian mine;
. SONGS.
Give me the cot below the pine
;,To tend the flocks, or tillthe soil, '
A»Q every day have joys divine
With the bonny lass o' Ballochmyle'.
.THE BONNY BANKS OF AYR.
Tune — '^ Roslin Castle."*
TSe gloomy night is gathering fast,
Loud roars the wild inconstant blast;
Yon murky cloud is foul with rain,
I see it driving o'er the plain ;
The hunter now has left the moor.
The scatter'd coveys meet secure;
While here I wander, prest with care.
Along the lonely banks of Ayr.
-.*
Tjie Auliuran. mourns her ripening corn.
By eariy. Winter's ravage torn;
Across her placid, azure sky,
She sees the scowling tempest fly:
Chill runs my blood to hear it rave —
1 think upon the stormy wave.
Where many a danger I must dare.
Far from the bonny banks of Ayr.
'Tis not the surging billow's roar,
'Tis not the fatal, deadly shore;
Though death in every shape appear,
The wretched have no. more to fear !
Bijt round my heart the ties are bound.
That heart transpierced with many a
wound;
These bleed afresh, those ties I tear.
To leaye the bonny banks of Ayr.
Farewell old Coila's hills and dales.
Her heathy moors and winding vales;
The scenes where wretched fancy
roves.
Pursuing past unhappy loves ! [foes !
Farewell, my friends ! farewell my
My peace with these, my love with
tiiose —
The bursting tears my heart declare;
PaTe\Vell the bonny banks of Ayr !
-X'--'- THE BANKS OF BOON.
FIRST TBESION.
"Hie following song relates to an incident in
real life— an unhappy love tale. The unfor-
tunate heroine was a beautiful and accom-
'{<lishbd woman, the daughter and heiress of
a gentleman of fortune in Carrick. . Having;
been deserted bv her lover, the son of a
wealthy Wigtonshir^ pbrprietor, to whom
she had born a child without the sanction of
the Church, she is said to have 'died of a
broken heart. The poet composed a second
version of this song in ,1792, for the Scois
Musical Museum; but it' lacks the pathos-
and simplicity of the present one.
Ye flowery banks o' bonny Coon,
How can'ye bloom sae fair;
How can ye chant, ye little birds.
And I sae f u' o' care !
Thou'lt break my heart, thou bonny
bird
That sings upon the bough ;
Thou minds me o' the happy days
When my fause love was true.
Thou'lt break my heart, thou bonny-
bird
That sings beside thy mate;
For sae I sat, and sae I sang,
Aiid wist na o' my fate.
Aft hae I roved by bonny Doon,
To see the woodbine twine;
And ilka bird sang o' its love.
And sae did I b' mine;
Wi' lightsome lieart I pu'd a rose,
Frae off its thorny tree;
And my fause luver staw' the rose.
But left the thorn- wi' me.
THE AMERICAN WAR.
A FEAGMENT.
Tune — "Killiecrankic."." '
WHEN'Guildford good our pilot stood.
And did our helm thraw,' man,
Ae night, at tea, began a plea.
Within America, man:
Then up they gat the maskin'-pat,''
And in the sea did jaw,'* man;
And did nae less, in full Congress,
Than quite refuse our law, man.
1 Stole.
' Turn. 2 Teapot. » Throw.
* The English Parliament having imposed
an excise duty upon tea imported .into North
America, the Kast India Company sent several
ships laden with that article to Boston ; but,
on their arrival, the natives went on board by
force of arms, and emptied all the tea into the
sea.
304
BUKNS' WOKKS.
Then througli the lakes, Montgomeryf
takes,
I wat he wasna slaw, man!
Down Lowrie's burn i he took a turn.
And Garleton did ca', man:
But yet, what-reck, he, at Quebec,
Montgomery -like § did fa', man :
Wi' sword in hand, before his band,
Amanghis en"mies a", man.
Poor Tammy Gage, within a cage.
Was kept at Boston ha', mau;|
Till Willie Howe took o'er the knowe
For Philadelphia, man;
Wi' sword and gun he thought a sin
Quid Cliristian T)luid to draw, man;
But at- New York, wi' knife and fork.
Sir-loin he hacked sma', man.f
Burgoyne gaed up, like spiir and whip.
Till Fraser brave did fa', man;
Then lost his way, ae misty day,
In Saratoga shaw,'' man.**
C'ornwallis fought as long's he dought"
And did the buckskins claw, man :
But Clinton's glaive frae rust to save,
He hung it to the wa', man.
Then Montague, and Guildford too.
Began to fear a fa', man;
And Sack villa doure,* wha stood the
stoure,'
The German chief to tliraw,' man;
For Paddy Burk, like ony Turk,
Nae mercy had at a', man;
And Cliarlie Fox threw by the box,
And loosed his tinkler jaw.f f man.||
' Woulq. » Could. ' Stubborn. ' Dust.
8 Thwart.
1 General Montgomery invaded Canada in
1775, and took Montreal, the British general,
Sir Guy Carleton; retiring before him.
X A pseudonym for the St. Lawrence.
§ A compliment to the poet's patrons, the
Montgomeries of Coilsfield.
I An allusion to General Gage's being be-
sieged in Boston by General Washington.
1 Alluding to an inroad made by Howe,
when a large number of cattle was destroyed.
** An allusion to the surrender of General
Burgoyne's army at Saratoga.
it Free-spoken tongue. Tinkers are pro-
verbial for their power of speech.
%i By the union of Lord North and Mr.
Fox, in 1783, tlie heads of the celebrated coa-
lition, Lord Shclburne was compelled to re-
sign.
Then Eockinghajn took.'up the game.
Till death did on him ca', man;
When Shelburne meek held up his
cheek,
Conform to gospel law, man;
Saint Stephen's boys wj' jarring noise,
They did his measures thraw, man,
For North and Fox united stocks,
And bdre him to the wa', man. 1
Then clubs and hearts were Cliarlie's
cartes.
He swept the gtaltes awa', man, .
Till the diamond's ace, of Indian race.
Led him 3,'%a.u faux pas, man;§§.\
The Saxon lads, wi' loud placards,'
On Chatham's boy did ca', man;
And Scotland drew her pipe, and blew,
' ' Up, Willie, waur'" theni a', man !"
Behind the throne then. Grenville's
gone,
A secret word or twa, man;
While slee Dundas aroused the class
Be-north the Roman wa', man:
And Chatham's wraith," in heavenly
graith,
(Inspired Bardies saw, man;)
Wi' kindling eyes cried, "Willie, rise !'
' ' Would I hae f ear'd them a' , m:au V
But, word and blow. North, Fox, and
Co.,
GowfE'd'- Willie like a ba', man.
Till Suthrons raise, and coost'^ their
claes
Behind him in a raw, man;
And Caledon threw by the drone.
And did her whittle" draw, man;
And swoor f u' rude, through dirt,. and
bluid.
To make it guid in law, man.
THE BIRKS OP ABERFELDT.
Tune—" The Birks of Aberfeldy."
The poet tells' us he composed this song on a
visit which he paid to the beautiful falls of
' Cheers. , '» Beat. " Ghost.
^2 Knocked him about. The phrase properly
refers to the game of frolf. i* Doffed.
" Knife.
§§ An allusion to Mr. Fox's India Bill, which
threw him out of office in December, 1783.
SONGS.
205
Moness,,,at Abgiff eldy,., in Perthshire, while'
on his way to InvefnesW. The air is old 'and
sprightly.
BoNNT lassie, -will ye go,
Will ye go, will ye go;
Bonny lassie, will ye go
' "^ " ' To tiie birks' of Aberf eldy?
Now simmer blinks'^ on flowery braes,
Andd'er tlie crystal streamlet plays;
,Come, let ns spend the lightsome days
In the birks of Aberfeldy.
While o'er their heads the hazels liing
The little birdies blithely sing.
Or lightly flit on wanton wing
In the birks of Aberfeldy.
The braes ascend, like lofty wa's, '
The foaming stream deep-roaring fa's,
O' erhung wi' fragrant spreading
shaws,* . • ■
The birks of Aberfeldy. •
The hoary cliffs are crown'd wi' flow-
;. ~^ers,
Whit? o'er the linns the burnie pdurs,
And rising, weets wi' misty showers
The birks of Aberfeldy.
Let Fortune's gifts at random flee,
They ne'er shall draw a wish frae me,
Silpremely blest wi' love and thee.
In the birks of Aberfeldy.
THE BONNY LASS OF ALBANY.
Tune — " Mary's Dream.''
** The , following song,.", says Chambers, "is
^-^'%rmted from a manuscript book in Burns'
naBd-writiHg in the- -possession- of -Mr. B.
Nightingale of London." The heroirifc 'was
the natural daughter of Prince Charles Ed-
Ward, ^y Clementina Walkinshaw, -with
whom, it is well known, he lived for many
years.. The Prince afterwards caused her
to be legitimated by a deed of the parlia-
ment of Paris in 1787, and styled hef the
Duchess of Albany.
My heart is wae,. and unco wae,'
• To think upon the raging sea
That roars.between her gardens green
And the bonny lass of Albany. *
^ Birches — Birchwood.
3 Woods.
--Glances.
This lovely maid's of royal blood
That rulfed Albion's kingdoms three,
But oh, alas! for her bonny face,
They've wrang d the Lass of Albany.
In the rolling tide of spreading Clyde
There sits an isle of high degree.
And a town of fame whose princely
namo
Should grace the Lass of Albany.
But there's a youth, a witless youth,
That fills the place where she should
be; ■
We'll send him o'er to his native shore.
And bring our ain sweet Albany.
Alas the day, and wo the day,
A false usurper won the gree^
Who now commands the towers and
lands —
The'royal right of Albany.
We'll daily pray, we'll nightly pray,
On bended knees most fervently,
The time may come, with pipe and
drum.
We'll welcome hame fair Albany.
LADY ONLIE.
Tune— "Ruffian's Rant.",
A' the lads o' Thomiebank, [Buoky,'
When they gae to_ the shore .0'
They'll step in and talc a pint
Wi' La;dy Onlie, honest Lucky!'' ,
Lady Onlie, honest Lucky,
Brews guid ale at shore o' Bucky;
I wish her sale for her guid ale.
The best on a' the shore o' Bucky.
Her house sae bien,^ her curch* sae
clean,
I wat she is a dainty chucky;'
And clieerlie blinks the ingle-gleed*
Of Lady Onlie, honest? Lucky!
Lady Onlie, honest Lucky,
Brews guid ale at shore o' Bucky;
I wish her sale for her guid ale.
The best on a' the shore o' Bucky.
" Superiority.
^ Buckhaven. ^ Goodwife. ^ Well-filled.
* -Kerchief — a covering for the head. ^ Dear,
^ Blazing fire.
BURNS' WORKS.
BLITHE WAS SHE.
Tune — '* Andrew and his Cutty Gun."
Blithe, blithe, and merry was she,
Blithe was she butt and ben :'
Blithe by the banks of Earn,
And blithe in Glenturit glen.
By Auchtertyre grows the aik,'
On Yarrow banks the birken shaw;'
But Phemie was a bonnier lass
Than braes o' Yarrow ever saw.
Her looks were like a flower in May,
Her smile was like a simmer morn;
She tripped by the banks of Earn,
As right's a bird upon a thorn.
Her bonny face it was as meek
- As ony lamb upon a lea;
The evening sun was ne'er sae sweet.
As was the blink o' Phemie's ee.
The Highland hills I've wander'd wide.
And o'er the Lowlands I hae been;
But Phemie was the blithest lass
That ever trod the dewy green.
BONNY DUNDEE.
Tune — " Bonny Dundee^"
Thissong appeared in the first volume of the
Museum, The second verse alone is Burns',
' the first having, been taken from a very old
homely ditty. -.
Oh, whare ^d ye get that hauver'
meal bannock? . [see?
Oh, silly blind body, oh, dinna ye
I gat it frae a brisk young sodger lad-
die, [Dundee.
Between Saint Johnston and bonny
Oh gin I saw the laddie that gae me't!
Aft has he doudled''' me upon his
knee; [laddie.
May Heaven protect my bonny Scots
And send him safe hame to his baby
and me!
My blessin's upon thy sweet wee lippie.
My blessin's upon tliy bonny eebree!
Thy smiles are sae like my blithe
sodger laddie, [me!
Tliou's aye be dearer and dearer to
' In kitchen and parlour. = Oak. ^ Birch-
woods.
' Oat. a Dandled.
But I'll big a bower on yon bonny
banks, [clear;
Where Tay rins wimplin' by sae
And I'll dead thee in the tartan sae
fine, [dear.
And mak the a man like thy daddie
THE JOYFUL WIDOWER.
Tune — '' Maggy Lauder."
1 MAKKIBD with a scolding wife,
The fourteenth of November;
She made me weary of my life
By one unruly member.
Long did I bear the heavy yoke.
And many griefs attended;
But, to my comfort be it spoke.
Now, now her lite is ended.
We lived full one-and-twenty years
As man and wife together;
At length from me her course
steer'd,
And's gone I know not whither:
Would I could guess, I do profess,
I speak, and do not flatter.
Of all the women in the world,
I never could come at her.
Her body is bestowed well,
A handsome grave does hide her;
But sure her soul is not in hell,
The deil could ne'er abide her.
I rather think she is aloft.
And imitating thunder;
For why, methinks I hear her voice
Tearing the clouds asunder.
she
A ROSEBUD BY MY EARLY
WALK.'
Tune—" The Rosebud."
This song was composed in honour of the
young lady to whom the poet addressed the
lines beginning, *' Beauteous rosebud,
young and gay." She was Miss Jenny
Cruikshank, daughter of Mr. William
Cruikshank, one of the masters of the High
School of Edinburgh.
A ROSEBUD by my early walk,
Adown a corn-enclosed bawk,'
Sae gently bent its tlicray stalk,
All on a dewy morning.
' An open space in a cornfield.
SONGS.
307
Ere twice the shades o' dawn are lied,
In a' its crimson glory spread
And drooping rich the dewy head.
It scents the early morning.
Within the bush, her covert nest
A little linnet fondly prest,
The dew sat chilly on her breast
Sae early in the morning.
She soon shall sec her tender brood.
The pride, the pleasure o' the wood,
Amang the fresh green leaves bedew'd,
Awalce the early morning.
So thou, dear bird, young Jenny fair !
On trembling string, or vocal air.
Shall sweetly pay the tender care
That tends thy early morning.
So thou, sweet rosebud, young and gay,
Shalt beauteous blaze upon the day.
And bless the parent's evening ray
That watch'd thy early morning.
BRAVING ANGRY WINTER'S
STORMS.
Tune — " Neil Gow's ' Lamentation for Aber-
cairny."
The two following son^s were written in
praise of iVliss Margaret Chalmers, a relative
of the poet's friend, Mr. Gavin Hamilton.
Where, braving angry Winter's
storms.
The lofty Ochils rise.
Far in their shade my Peggy's charms
First blest my wondering eyes;
As one wh9 by some savage stream,
A lonely gem surveys,
Astonish'd, doubly marks its beam.
With art's most poUsh'd blaze.
Blest be the wild sequester'd shade.
And blest the day and hour.
Where Peggy's charms I first survey'd,
When first I felt their power!
The tyrant Death, with grim control.
May seize my fleeting" breath ;
But tearing Peggy from my soul
Must be a stronger death.
My Peggy's worth, ray Peggy's mind,
Might charm the first of humankind.
I love my Peggy's angel air,
Her face so truly, heavenly fair,
Her native grace so void of art.
But I adore my Peggy's heart.
The lily's hue, the rose's dye.
The kindling lustre of an eye;
Who but owns their magic sway !
Who but knows they all decay I
The tender thrill, the pitying tear.
The generous purpose, nobly dear.
The gentle look, that rage disarms—
These are all immortal charms.
MY PEGGY'S FACE.
Tune—" My Peggy's Face."
My Peggy's face, my Peggy's fonn.
The frost of hermit age might v/arm ;
THE BANKS OF THE DEVON.
Tune — " Bhanarach dhonn a chruidh."
'* These verses," says Burns, in his notes in
the Musical Museum^ " were composed on
a charming girl, Miss Charlotte Hamilton,
who is now married to James M. Adair,
physician. She is sister to my worthy friend
Gavin Hamilton of Mauchline, and vyas
born on the banks of the Ayr ; but was, at
the time 1 wrote these lines, residing at
Harvieston, in Clackmannanshire, on, the
romantic banks of the little river Devon."
The poet, it has been said, wished to be
something more than a mere admirer of
this young lady ; but
" Meg was -eaf as Ailsa Craig ;"
for the music of his lyre appears to have
fallen on ears that would not charm.
How pleasant the banks of the dear-
winding Devon,
With green-spreading bi,ishes, and
flowers blooming fair!
But the bonniest flower on the banks of
the Devon [of the Ayr.
Was once a sweet bud on the braes
Mild be the sun on this sweet-blushing
flower, [in the dew !
In the gay ro.sy morn, as it bathes
And gentle the fall of the soft vernal
shower, [to renew.
That steals on the evening each leaf
Oh, spare the dear blossom, ye orient
breezes, [the dawn!
With chill hoary wing, as ye usher
And far be thou distant, thou reptile,
that seizes [and lawn!
The verdure and pride of the garden
BURNS' WORKS.
I^et Bourbou exult iu his gay gilded
lilies, [her proud rose!
And Eijgland, triumphant, display
A fairer than either adqrns. the green
yalleys ,[dering flows.
Where Devon, sweet IJevon, mean-
MACPHERSON'S FAREWELL.
' Tune — " M'Pherson's Rant.'
This (ine . ^one, which Lockhart terms " a
grand lyric,' and Carlyle " a wild, stormful
song', that dwells in ear and mind with
strange tenacity," was designed by the poet
as an improvement of a well-known old
ditty trttirled,^ " Macphenson^s Lament,"
and which is said to have been written by a
Highland freebooter a-night or two before
his execution. As this hero's history con-
tains^OQte elemests-of interest, we borrow
tiie'foliowinj^ account of himfrora Mr, Rob-
ert Chambers' recent edition of the poei's
works : — " James Macpherson was a noted
Highland, freebooter of uncommon .per-
sonal stren^h, and an excellent performer
on the violin. After holding the counties of
Aberdeen, Banff, arid Moray m fear for
some years, he was seized by Duff of Braco,
ancestor of the Earl of Fife, and tried before
the sheriff of Banffshire, (November 7, 17CX))
along with certain gipsies who had been
take^.injijs company. In the.prison, while
he lay under sentence of death, he com-
posed a song and an appropriate air, the
former commencing thus . —
' I've spentmy time in rioting,
, Debaiich'd my health and strength ;
I squander'd fast as pillage came,
And-fell to sh&me at length.
But dantonly, and wantonly.
And rantingly I'll gae ;
-I'll play a tune, and dance it roun'
Beneath the gallows-tree.-
When brought to the place of execution, on
the Gallows-hiU of Banff, (Nov. 16) he
played' the tune on his violin, and then
asked if any friend was present who would
accept the instrument as a gift at his hands.
No' one coming 'forward, :he indigri^htly
broke the violin on his knee, and threw
away the fragments; after which he sub-
mitted to his Kite. The traditionary accounts
of Macpherson's immense prowess are justi-
fied ;by:his sword, which IS still preserved
iri^Duff Hou§e, at Banff, and is -in imple-
ment of great -length and weight— as- well
as his holies, which were found a few years
ago, and were allowed by all who saw them '
to be much stronger than the bones of or-
dinary men."
Farewell, ye dungepns dark and
strong;
The wretch's destinie!
Macpherson's time will not be long
On yonder gallows-tree.
Sae ratitingly, sao wantonly,
Sae dauntingly gaed he;
He play'd a .spring, and danced ii
round,
Below the gallows-tree.
Oh! what is death but parting breath? —
On mony a bloody plain
I've dared his face, and in this place
r scorn him yet again! " ''
Untie these bands from off my hands>
~ And bring to me my sword !
And there's no a man in all Scotland
Biit I'll brave him at a word. '
I've lived a Hfe of sturt and strife;
I die by treacherie .
It burns my heart I must depart
And not avenged bt',
Kow farewell light — thou sunshine
bright,
And all beneath the sky !
May coward-shame distain Iris name.
The wretch that dares rmt die !
- -.■."ii£*^:_
WHISTLE, AXD I'LL COME TO
rOU, MY LAD.
This version of an old fragment ihe poet
composed - for the second - volume of the^
Muse7tm ; .but he afterwards altered and
exteod'ed it for Thomson's collection.
On, whistle, and I'll come to you, my
lad-; ■ [lad-
Oh, whistle, and I'll come to you, my
Though father and mother should baith
gae mad, [lad.
Oh, whistle, and I'll come 10 you, «iy
Come down the bade stairs vyhen ye
come to court me;
Come down the back stairs when ye
come to court me; [naebody see.
Come down the bade siaii-s and, let
And come as ye werena coming to nre.
STAY, 51Y CHARMER.
Tu.NE— " An GiUe dubh ciar dhubh.'
Stay, my cliavm<?r, can you leave me?
Cruel, cruel to deceive me ? [me;
Well you know how much you grieve
Cruel channer, can you go ?
Cruel charmer, can you go K, • ■
SONGS.
2W-
By my love so ill requited;
By the faith you fondly pliffhted;
By the pangs of lovers slighted;
Do not, do ilot leave me so !
Do not, do not leave me«o !
STBATIIALLAN'S LAMENT.
William, fourth Viscount of Strathallon, whom
the poet celebrates in these lines, fell on the
rebel side'at;=.Culloden m i;746. _ The ^o^t,
perhaps ignorant of this fact, speaks of him
as having survived the baltle, and fled for
safety to some niountain fastness.
Thickest niglit, o'erhang my dwelling!
Howling tenijjests, o'er me rave ! ,.
Turbid torrents, wintry swelling.
Still surround my lonely cave !
Crystal streainlets gently flowing.
Busy haunts of base mankind,
Western breezes softly blowing,
' Suit not my distracted mind.
In the cause of right engaged,
Wrongs injurious to redress,
Honour's war we strongly waged.
But the heavens denied success.
Earewell, fleeting, fickle treasure,
'T ween Misfortune and FoHy shared!
Earewell Peace, and farewell Pleasure!
Farewell flattering man's regard !
Ruin's wheel has driven o'er us.
Not a hope tliat dare attend.
The wide^orld is all before us —
But a w^rld without a friend !
THE YOUNG HIGHLAND ROVER.
Tune—" Morag."
Lotm blaw the frosty breezes.
The snaw the mountains cover;
Like winter on mc seizes,
Since my young Highland rover
Far wanders nations over.
Where'er he go, where'er he stray,
.May Heaven be his warden;
lieturn him safe to fair Strathspey
And bonny Castle-Gordon !
The trees now naked groaning,
■=Sliall soon wi' leaves be hinging,
Th« birdies do wie' moaning,'
• Shall a' be blithely singing,
I Sidly.
And every flower be springing. '
Sae I'll rejoice the lee-lang day,
When by his mighty warden '
My youth's return'd to fair StrSrthspey,
Aid bonny Castle-Gordon.
RAVING WINDS AROUND HER
BLOWING.
Tune—" Macgregor of Ruara's Lament."
" I cpmposed these verses," says Burns, " on
Miss Isabella M'Leod of RaiEi5ay,alIud ibg to
her feelings on the death of her ."iister, and
the still more melancholy death of her
sister's husband, the late Earlr of I^oiidon,
who shot himself -our of sheer heartbreak at
some morti^cation he suffered from the
deranged' state of -his finances."
Raving winds around- her blowing,
Yellow leaves the woodlands strowing, .
By a river hoarsely roaring,
Isabella stray'd deploring: —
" Farewell hours that late did measure
Sunshine days of joy and pleasure;
Hail thou gloomy night of sorrow,
Cheedess night that knows no morrow!
" O'er the past too fondly wandering,
On the hopeless future pdhdering;
Chilly Grief my life-blood freezes.
Fell Despair my fancy seizes.
Life, thou soul of every blessing.
Load to Misery most distressing,
Oh, how gladly I'd ifesign thee,
And to dark oblivion join thee ! "
MUSING ON THE ROARING
OCEAN.
Tu.\E — "Druimion Dubh."
" I composed these verses," says the poet,
" out of compliment to a Mrs. Maclacnlan,
whose husband was an officer in the East
Indies."
Musing on the roaring ocean,
Wliich divides my love and me;
Wearying Heaven in warm devotion, .
-For his weal where'er he be.
Hope and Fear's alternate billow
Yielding late to Nature's law;
Whispering spirits round my pillow ~
Talk of him that's far awa'. '
Ye whofai sorrow never wounded.
Ye who never shed u, tear,
Care-untroubled, joy-surrounded.
Gaudy Day to you is dear.
210
BURNS' WORKS.
Gentle Night, do thou befriend me;
Downy Sleep, the curtain draw;
Spirits kind, again attend me, —
Talk of him that's far awa' 1
BONNY PEGGY ALISON.
Tune — " Braes o' Balquhidder."
' I'LL kiss thee yet, yet,
And I'll kiss thee o'er again;
And I'll kiss the yet, yet.
My bonny Peggy Alison I
nk care and fear, when thou art near,
. I ever mair defy them, 0;
Young kings upon their hansel' throne
Areunae sae blest as I am, 0 I
When in my arras, wi' a' thy charms,
I clasp my countless treasure O,
I seek nae mair o' Heaven to share.
Than sic a moment's pleasure, 0 !
And by thy een, sae bonny blue,
I swear I'm thine for ever, 0 ! —
And on thy lips I seal my vow.
And break it shall I never, O I
THE CHEVALIER'S LAMENT.
Tune—" Captain O'Kean."
" Yesterclay,*' wrote Bums to his friend Cleg-
horn, "as I -was riding through a tract of
melancholy, joyless moors, between Gallo-
way and, Ayrshire, it being Sunday, I
lurried ray thoughts to psalms, and hymns
and spiritual songs ; and your favourite air,
^ Captain O'Kean,' coming at length into my
heao, I tried these words to it. I am toler-
ably pleased with the verses ; but as I have
'only a sketch of the tune, I leave it with you
.to try if they suit the measure of the music' '
Cleglibrn answered that the words
delighted him, and fitted the tune exactly.
"I wish," added he, "that you would send
me a verse or two more ; and, if you have
no objection, I would have it in the Jacobite
style. Suppose it should be sung after the
fatal field of CuUoden, by the unfortunate
Charles." The poet took his friend's advice,
and infused -a Jacobite spirit into the first
verse as well as the second.
The small birds rejoice in the green
leaves returning.
The murmuring streamlet winds
' through the vale;
1 New-won.
The ha-wthom trees blow, in the dew
of the morning,
And wild scatter'd cowslips bedeck
the green dale;
But what can give pleasure, or what
can seem fair.
While the lingering moments are
.' numher'd by care ?
No flowers gayly springing, nor birds
sweetly singing, [despair.
Can soothe the sad bosom of joyless
The deed that I dared, could it merit
their malice, pus throne ?
A king, and a father, to place on
His right are these hills, and his right
are these valleys,
Where the wild beasts find shelter,
but I can find none :
But 'tis not my sufferings thus wretch-
ed,— forlorn,
My brave gallant friends ! 'tis your
ruin I mourn;
Your deeds proved so loyal in hot
bloody trial —
Alas! can I make you no sweeter return?
OF A' THE AIRTS THE WIND CAN
BLAW.
Tune—" Mi^ Admiral Gordon's Strathspey.' ■
" I composed this song," says the poet, "out
of compliment to Mrs. Burns, during our
honeymoon.''
Of a' the airts the wind can blaw,
I dearly like the west,
For there the bonny lassie lives.
The lassie I lo'e best : [row,'
There wild woods grow, and rivers
And mony a hill between;
But day and night, my fancy's flight
Is ever wi' my Jean.
I see her in the dewy flowers,
I see her sweet and fair : '
I hear her in the tunefu' birds,
I hear her charm the air :
There's not a bonny flower that springs
By fountain, shaw,' or green.
There's not a bonny bird that sings,
Butj minds me o' my Jean.*
1 Roll. 2 Wood.
='' The two ifollowing stanzas were "Written
some years afterwards, by Mr. John Hamilton,
music-seller, -liaihburgh, and ffofri their sim-
SONGS.
nn
■OH, WERE J ON PARNASSUS'
HILL.
Tune— "My love is lost to me.*'
This song was also produced in honour of
Mrs. Burns; shortly before she took up her
residence at EUisland as the poet's wife. It
is thought to have-been composed while he
was one day gazing towards the hill of
Corsincon, at the head of Nithsd^e, s^tid
'. beyond which, though, at some distance,
was the quiet vale where lived his " bonny
Jean." '
Oh, were I on Parnassus' hill !
Or had of Helicon my fill;
That I might catch poetic skill
To sing how deap:I love thee.
But Nith maun be my Muse's well,
My Muse maun be thy^ bonny sel;
On Corsincon I gloweir^ and spell,
And write how dear I love thee.
Tlien come, sweet Muse, inspire my lay I
: ^or a' the lee-Iang simmer's day
r couldna sing, I couldna say.
How much, how dear, I love thee.
I see thee dancing o'er the green,
Thy waist see jimp,^ thy limbs sae
clean, ^
Thy tempting lips, thy roguish een —
By heaven and earth I love thee !
By night, by day, a-field, at hame,
The thoughts o' thee my breast inflame;
- And aye I muse and sing thy name —
I only live to love thee.
Though I were doom'd to wander on
Beyond the sea, beyond the sun,
TiU my last weary sand was run ;
Till then — and then I'd love th^e.
5 Stare. 2 Small. ^ Well-Shaped.
plicity and beauty are really worthy of form-
jng,the corollary to this fine son^ : —
" Oh, blaw, ye westlin' winds, blaw saft
Amang the leafy trees,
Wi' balmy gale, frae hill and dale, ^
Brin^ hame the laden bees ;
And bring the lassie back to me
That's aye sae neat and clean ;
Ae smile o' her wad banish care,
Sae charming is my Jean.
"'What sighs and vows amang th&knowes
Hae pass'd atween us twa !
'^ow fond to meet, how wae to part,
That night she gaed awa* !
, The. powers abbon can only ken.
To whom the heart is seen.
That nane can be sae dear to me
r^ As tny sweet lovely Jean ! "
"- - The two" following, were also written as an
'^addition to this song by Mr. William Reid, of
THE FETE CHAMPETRE.
Tune—" Killiecrankie."
The poet's brother, Gilbert Burn^, give^ the
following account of the origin 'oiE this
ballad :—" When Mr. Cunninghame of
Enterkin came to his estate, two mansion-
houses on it, Enterkin and Annbank, were
both in a ruinous state. Wishing to intro-
duce himself with some e'c/ai to me county,
he got temporary erections made on the
banks of the Ayr, tastefully decorated with
shrubs and flowers, for a supper and ball, to
which most of the respectable families in the "
county were invited. It Was a novelty in the
county, and attracted much notice. A dis-
solution of parliament was soon expected,
and this festivity was thought to b6 an
introduction to a canvass for representing
the county. Several other camlidates were
' spoken of, particularly -Sir John Whitef oord,
then residing at Cloncaird, comirjonfo" pro-
nounced Glencaird, and Mr. BosVeU, the
well-known biographer of Dr. Johnson.
The political views of this festive assem-
blage, which are alluded to in the ballad,.if
they ever existed, were, however, laid aside
as Mr. Cunninghame did not canvass the
county."
Oh, wha will to Saint Stephen's house,
To do our errands there, man?
Oh, wha will to Saint Stephen's house,
0' th' merry lads of Ayr,' man?
Or will we send a man-o'-law ?
Or will we send a sodger ?
Or him wha led o'er Scotland a'
Themeikle^ Ursa-Major?
Come, will yo cotrrt a noble lord,
' Or buy a score o' lairds, man ?
For worthand honour p'awnitheirwrord,.
Their vote shall be Glencaird's man ?
1 Great.
the firm of Brash & Reid , booksiEllers,GJi^gow,
and have sometimes ^een printed as the
poet's : —
" Upon the banks o' flowing Clyde
The lassies busk^ them braw . '
But wjien their best they hae put on,
My Jennie dings^ them a' :
In hamely weeds she far exceeds
i The fairest o'- the town !
Balth sage and gay confess it sae.
Though drest in russet gowft.
" The gamesome lamb, that sucks its dam,
Mair harjnless canna be ;
She has nae faut, (if sic ye ca't,)
Except. her love for me :
The sparkling dew, o' clearest- hue.
Is like her shining een :
In shape and air nane can pompare
Wi' my sweet lovely Jeaft."
> Dress.
2 Excels.
212
BURNS' WORKS.
Ane giss them coin, ane gies them wine,
Anither gies them clatter ■■'
Annbank, wha guess'd the ladies' taste,
He gives a Fete Ohampetre.
When Love and Beauty heard the news,
The gay greenwoods amang, man;
Where gathering flowers and busking'
bowers, [man;
They heard the blackbird's sang,
A vow, they seal'd it with a kiss.
Sir Politics to fetter,
As-theirs alone, the patent-bliss,
To hold a Fete Ohampetre.
Then mounted Mirth,ongleesome wing,
O'er hill and dale she flew, man;
nk wimpling burn, ilk crystal spring.
Ilk glen and shaw^she knew, man;
She summon'd every social sprite.
That sports by wood or water,
On the bonny banks of Ayr to meet.
And keep this Fete Champetre.
Cauld Boreas, wi' liis boisterous crew.
Were bound to stakes like kye.'man,
And Cynthia's ear, o' silver fu',
Clamb up the starry sky, man;
Reflected beams dwell in the streams.
Or down the current shatter;
The western, breeze steals through the
trees
To view this Fete Champetre.
How many a robe sae gayly floats!
What sparkling jewels glance, man!
To Harmony's enchanting notes.
As moves the mazy dance, man.
The echoing wood, the winding flood.
Like paradise di9 glitter.
When angels met, at Adam's yett,^
To hold their Fete Champetre.
When Politics came there, to mix
And make his ether-stano, man!
He circled round the magic ground.
But entrance found he nane, rffan :*
= Talk. 3 Dressing. *Wood. = Cattle.
« Gate.
* " Alluding^ to a superstition," says Cham-
bers, " which represents adders as forming
annually from their slough certain little an-
nular stones of streaked colouring, which
are occasionally found, and the real origin
of which is supposed by antiquaries to be
Druidical." ■
He blush'd for shame, he quat his
name.
Foreswore it. every letter,
Wi' humble prayer to join and share
This festive Fete Champetre.
THE DAY RETURNS.
Tune— " Seventh of November."
In a letter to Miss Chalmers, an intimate fe-
male friend of the poet's, he says regarding
this song :— " One of the most tolerable
thmgsl have done for some time is these
two stanzas I made to an air a musical gen-
tleman of my acquaintance [Captain Riddel
of Glenriddell composed Jor the anniver-
sary of his wedding day.'*'
Thb day returns, my bosom bums.
The blissful day we twa did meet.
Though Winter wild in tempest toil'd.
Ne'er Summer sun was half sae
sweet.
Than a' the pride that loads the tide.
And crosses o'er the sultry line ;
Than kingly robes, than crowns and
globes, [mine !
Heaven gave me more — it made tjiee
While day and night can bring delight.
Or nature aught of pleasure give,
Wliile joys above my mind can move.
For thee, and thee alone, I live !
M'hen that grim foe of life below
Comes in between to make us part.
The iron hand that breaks our band
It breaks my bliss — it breaks my
heart.
THE DISCREET HINT.
' ' Lass when your mither is f rae hame,
May I but be sae bauld
As come to your bower window.
And creep in f rae the cauld 1
As come to your bower window.
And when it 's cauld and wat.
Warm me in thy fair bosom —
Sweet lass, may I do that ? "
' ' Young man, gin yc should be sae
kind.
When our gudewife's frae hame.
As come to my bower window,
Whare I am laid my lane.
SONGS.
21S
To warm thee in my boSom —
Take tent,' I'll tell thee what,
The way to me lies through the kirk —
Young man, do ye hear that ? "
THE LAZY MIST.
Tune — " Here's a health to my true love."
The lazy mist hangs from the brow
of the hill, [winding rill !
Concealing the course of the dark-
How languid the scenes, late so
sprightly, appear, [year.
As AutumB to Winter resigns the pale
The forests are leafless, the meadows
are brown, [flown :
And all the gay foppery of Summer is
Apart let me wander, apart let me
muse, [Fate pursues I
How quick Time is flying, how keen
How long I have lived — but how much
lived in vain, [remain !
How little of life's scanty span may
What aspects old Time, in his pro-
gress, has worn, [torn !
What ties, cruel Fate in my bosom has
How foolish, or worse, till our summit
is gain'd !
And do wnwardj how weaken'd, how
darken'd, how pain'd !
This life's not worth having with all
it can give — [sure must live.
For something beyond it poor man
I HAE A WIFE 0' MY AIN.
Tune — " Naebody."
The following sprightly lines were written
shortly after the poet had welcomed home
his wife to his new house on the farm of
ElUsland — the first winter he spent in which
he has described as the happiest ot his life.
I HAE a wife o' my ain —
I'll partake wi' naebody
I'll tak cuckold frae nane,
I'll gie cuckold to naebody.
I hae a penny to spend.
There — thanks to naebody ;
I hae naething to lend —
I'll borrow frae naebody.
1 Heed.
I am naebody's lord —
I'll be slave to naebody :
I hae a guid braid sword,
I'll tak dunts ' frae naebody ;
I'll be merry and free,
I'll be sad for naebody ;
If naebody care for me,
I'll care for naebody.
AULD LANG SYNE.
Burns has described this as an old sonfr and
tune which had often thrilled through his
soul : and in communicating it to his friend,
George Thomson, he professed to have re>
covered it from an old man's singing ; and
exclaimed regarding it : — '* Light be fhe
turf on the breast of the Heaven-inspired
poet who composed this glorious frag-
ment !" The probability is, however, that
the poet was indulging in a little mystifica-
tion on the subject, and that the entire song
was his own composition. The second and
third verses — describing the happy days of
youth—are his beyond a doubt.
Shotjld auld acquaintance be forgot, .
And never brought to min' ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot;
And days o' lang syne ?
For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For auld lang syne !
We twa hae run about the braes.
And pu'd the gowans fine ;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin' auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl't i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine :
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.
And here's a hand my trusty fiere,'
And gies a hand o' thine ;
And we'll tak a right guid willie-
waught,'
For auld lang syne !
And surely ye'll be your pint-stoup.
And surely I'll be mine ;
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness ye{.
For auld lang syne.
1 Blows.
» Friend. " Draught,
'2U
BURNS' WORKS.
MY BONNY MART.
Tune — " Go fetch to me a pint o* wine."
The first four lines of this son^ are from an
old ballad composed in i636,by Alexander
Lesly of Edin, on Doveran side, grand-
father to the celebrated Archbishop Sharpe
— the rest are Burns'.
Go fetch to me a pint o' wine.
And fill it in a silver tassie,'
That I may drink, before I go,
A service to my bonny lassie;
The boat rocks at the pier o' Leith;
Fu' loud the wind blaWs frae the
ferry ;
The ship rides by the Berwick-law,
And 1 maun leave my bonny Mary.
The trumpets sound, the banners fly,
The glittering spears are ranked
ready;
The shouts o' war are heard afar,
The battle closes thick and bloody.
But it's not the roar o' sea or shore
Wad make me langer wish to tarry;
Nor shout o' war that's heard afar —
It's leaving thee, my bonny Mary.
MY HEART WAS ANCE AS
BLITHE AND FREE.
Tune — " To the weaver's gin ye go."
The chorus of this song is taken from a very
old ditty— the rest is the production of the
poet.
My heart was ance as blithe and free
As simmer days were lang.
But a bonny westlin' weaver lad
Has gart me change my sang.
To the weavers gin ye go, fair
maids.
To the weavers gin ye go;
I rede' you right, gang ne'er at
night,
To the weavers gin ye go.
My mither sent me to the town.
To warp' a plaiden wab;
But the weary, weary warpin' o't
Has gart^ me sigh and sab.
A bonny westlin' weaver lad
Sat working at his loom;
He took my heart as wi' a net.
In every knot and thrum.*
I sat beside my warpin'-wheel.
And aye Ica'd it roun';
But every shot and every knock.
My heart it gae a stoun.'
The moon was sinking in the west
Wi' visage pale and wan.
As my bonny westlin' weaver lad
Convey'd me through the glen.
But what was said, or what was done.
Shame fa' me gin I tell;
But, oh ! I fear the kintra^ soon
■Will ken as weel's mysel.
'Cup.
> Warn* ^ Prepare for the loom, ^ Made.
BRAW LADS OF GALA WATER.
Tune — " Gala Water."
The air and chorus of this song are both very
old. This version Burns wrote for the
Scots Musical Museum ; but he was so en-
amoured with the air, that he afterwards
wrote another set of words to it for his
friend Thomson, which will be found at p.
- 250.
Braw, braw lads of Gaja Water;
Oh, braw ladsxS'tiala Water;
I'll kilt' my coats aboon my knee.
And follow my love through
the water. •
Sae fair her hair, sae brent* her brow,
Sae bonny blue her een, my dearie;
Sae white her teeth, sae sweet her
mou'.
The mair I kiss she's aye my dearie.
O'er yon bank and o'er yon brae.
O'er yon moss amang the heather;
I'll kilt my coats aboon my knee.
And follow my love through the
water.
Down amang the broom, the broom,
Down amang the broom, my dearie.
The lassie lost her silken snood,*
That cost her mony a blirt and
bleary. '
« Thread.
1 Start.
« Country.
' Tuck up and fix. ^ High and smooth.
3 Sigh and tear.
* The snood or ribband with which a Scot-
tish lass braided her hair had an emblematical
"signification, and applied to her maiden char-
acter. It was exchanged for the curch, toy^ or
mif, when she passed by marriage into the
SONGS.
215
HER DADDIE FORBAD.
Tune — " Junipi"' John."
&EK daddie forbad, her minnie forbad;
Forbidden she wouldna be: [brew'd'
She wadna trow't the browst she
Wad taste sae bitterlie
The lang lad they ca' Jumpiu' John
Beguiled the bonny lassie.
The lang lad they ca' Jumpln' Jolin
Beguiled the bonny lassie.
A cow and a calf, a ewe and a hauf,
And thretty guid shillin's and three;
A very guid tdcher,^ a cotter-man's
dochter,
The lass with the bonny black ee.
HEY, THE DUSTY MILLER.
Tune—" The Dusty Miller."
Hey the dusty miller.
And his dusty coat;
He will win a shilling
Or he spend a groat.
Dusty was the coat.
Dusty was the colour.
Dusty was the kiss
I got frae the miller.
Hey, the dusty miller;
And his dusty sack;
Leeze me on the calling
Fills the dusty peck.
Fills the dusty peck.
Brings the dusty siller;
I wad gie my coatie
For the dusty miller.
THENIEL MENZIE'S BONNY
MARY.
Tune— "The Ruffian's Rant."
In coming by the brig o' Dye,
At Darlet we a blink did tarry;
As day was dawin in the sky.
We drank a health to bonny Mary.
^ She wouldn't believe the drink she brew'd.
2 Dower.
matron state. But if the damsel was so unfor-
tunate as to loose pretensions to the name bf
maiden without gaining a right to that of
matron, she was neither permitted to use the
inood nor advance to the graver dignity of
the curch.— ScDTT.
Theniel Menzie's bonny Mary,
Theniel Menzie's bonny Mary,
Charlie Gregor tint' his pladie,
Kissin' Theniel's bonny Mary.,
Her een sae bright, her brow sae white.
Her haffet^ locks as brown's a berry;
And aye they dimpl't wi' a smile.
The rosy cheeks o' bonny Mary.
We lap and danced the lee-lang day.
Till piper lads were wae and weary;
But Charlie gat the spring to pay,
For kissin' Theniel's bonny Majj.
WEARY FA' YOU, DUNCAN
GRAY.
Tune — " Duncan Gray."
This 'first version of an old song was written
for the Museum. The poet afterwards com-
posed another and better version for the
collection of his friend Thomson, which will
be found at p. 243.
Wbaet fa' yon, Duncan Gray —
Ha, ha, the girdin'' o't !
Wae gae by you, Duncan Gray —
Ha, ha; the girdin' o't !
When a' the lave^ gae to their play.
Then I maun sit the lee-lang day.
And jog the cradle wi' my tae.
And a' for the girdin' o't.
Bonny was the Lammas moon —
Ha, ha, the girdin' o't !
Glowerin' a' the hills aboon —
Ha, ha, the girdin o't !
The girdin' brak, the beast cam down,
I tint' my curch* and baith my shoon —
Ah ! Duncan, ye're an unco loon —
Wae on the bad girdin' o't !
But, Duncan, gin ye'll keep your aith,
Ha, ha, the girdin' o't ! [breath — ;
I'se bless you wi' my hindmost
Ha, ha, the girdin' o't !
Duncan, gin ye'll keep your aith —
The beast again can bear us baith.
And auld Mess John will mend the
skaith,"
And clout" the bad girdin' o't.
> Lost, 2 Temple.
■ Binding. * Others. ' Lost. * Cap. » Harm.'
* Patch up.
213
BTJKNS' WOKKS.
THE PLOUGHMAN.
* Tune— "Up -with the ploughman."
The fourth and fifth verses only of this piece
are by Burns, the remainder by some older
writer.
The ploughman he's a bonny lad,
His mind is ever true, jo;
His garters knit below his knee.
His bonnet it is blue, jo.
Then up v.i' my ploughman lad.
And hey my merry ploughman !
Of a' the trades that I do ken.
Commend me to the ploughman !
My ploua;hman he coraes hame at e'en.
He's aften wat and weary;
Cast aff the wat, put on the dry.
And gae to bed, my dearie !
I will wash my ploughman's hose.
And I will dress his o'erlay;'
I will mak my ploughman's bed.
And cheer him late and early.
I hae been east, I hae been west,
I hae been at Saint Johnston;
The bonniest sight that e'er I saw
Was the ploughman laddie dancin'.
Snaw-white stoekin's on his legs.
And siller buckles, glancin' ;
A guid blue lx)nnet on his head —
And oh, but he was handsome !
Pommend me to the bam-yard.
And the corn-mou,* man;
I never gat my coggie fou.
Till I met wi' the ploughman.
LANDLADY, COUNT THE LA WIN.
Tune—" Hey Tutti, Taiti."
The first two verses of this song were sup-
plied by Burns; the others belongs to a polit-
ical ditty of earlier date.
Landlady, count the lawin,'
The day is near the dawin ;
1 Cravat.
^ Reckoning.
* The recess left in the stack of com in the
barn as the sheaves are removed to the thrash-
ing floor.
Ye're a' blind drunk, boys;-
And I'm but jolly fou.^
Hey tatti, taiti.
How tutti, taiti—
Wha's fou now?
Cog and ye were aye fou.
Cog and ye were aye fou,
I wad sit and sing to you
If ye were aye fou.
Weel may ye a' bo !
Ill may we never see !
God bless the king, boys, ■
And the companie i
Hey tutti, taiti.
How tutti, taiti —
Wha's fou now ?
TO DAUNTON ME.
Tune — " To daunton me."
The blude-red rose at Yule may blaw.
The simmer lUies bloom in snaw.
The frost may freeze the deepest sea;
But an auld man shall never daunton'
To daunton me, and me so young,
Wi' his fause heart and flatt'ring
tongue.
That is the thing you ne'er shall see;
For an auld man shall never daunton
For a' his meal and a' his maut,
For a' his fresh beef and his saut.
For a' his gold and white monie.
An auld man shall never daunton me.~
His gear' may buy him kye.and yowes.
His gear may buy him glens and
knowea;
But me he shall not buy nor fee, [me.
For an auld man shall never daunton
He hirples' twa-fauld as he dow,* ,
Wi' his teethless gab° and liis auld held
pow," [bleer'd ef.
And the rain dreeps down f rae his red
That auld man shall never daunton me.
« Full.
' Rule— intimidate. > Wealth,
* Can. « Mouth. « Head.
5 Limps.
SONGS.
317
COME BOAT MB O'ER TO
CHARLIE.
Tune — " O'er the Water to Charlie.''
Come boat me o'er, come row me o'er,
Come boat me o'er to Charlie;
I'll gie John Ross another bawbee,
To boat me o'er to Charlie,
We'll o'er the water and o'er the sea.
We'll o^er the water to Charlie;
Come weel, come woe, we'll gath
er and go.
And live or die wl' Charlie.
I lo'e weel my Charlie's name,
Though some there be abhor him:
But oh, to see auld Nick gaun hame.
And Charlie's faes before him !
I swear and vow by moon and stars.
And sun that shines so early,
If I had twenty thousand lives,
I'd die as aft for Charlie.
BATTLIN', ROARIN' WILLIE.
Tune—" Rattlin", roarin' Willie."
*' The hero of this chant," says Bums, " was
> fpnC'Of the worthiest fellows in the world —
^ William Dunbar, Esq., writer to the Signet^
Edinburgh, and colonel of the Crochallan
-corps — a club of wits, who took that title at
I the tune of raising the fencible regiments."
The last stanza only was the work of the
poet.
O rattlin', roarin' Willie,
Oh, he held to the fair,
Aud for to sell liis fiddle.
And buy some other ware;
But parting wi' his iiddle,
" The saut tear blin't his ee;
And rattlin', roarin' Willie,
Ye're welcome hame to me !
O Willie, come sell your fiddle,
Oh, sell your fiddle so fine;
O Willie come sell your fiddle.
And buy a pint o' vrine !
If I should sell my fiddle.
The warl' would think I was mad ;
For mony a rantin' day
- My fiddle and I hae had.
As I cam by Crochallan,
r cannily keekit ben-^
Rattlin', roarin'. Willie
Was sitting at yon board en';
Sitting at yon board en'.
And amang guidcompanie;
Rattlin', roarin' Willie,
Ye're welcome hame to me I
MY HOGGIE.*
Tune—" What will I do gin my hoggie die ?"
What will I do gin my hoggie die ?
My joy, my pride, my hoggie!
My only beast, I had nae mae.
And vow but I was vogie!'
The lee lang ni^ht we watch'd the
fauld,
Me and my faithfii' doggie;
We heard nought but the roaring linn,
Amang the bra,es sae scroggie;'-*
But the houlet cried f rae the castle wa'.
The blutter^ f rae the boggie.
The tod* replied upon the liill,
I trembled for my haggle.
When day did daw, and cocks did craw.
The morning it was foggie;
An unco tyke' lap o'er the dike.
And maisl has kill'd my hoggie.
UP IN THE MORNING EARLY.
The chorus of this song is old ; but the two
stanzas are Burns'.
CHORUS.
Up in the morning's no for me.
Up in the morning early;
When a' the hills are cover'd wi '
snaw,
I'm sure it's winter fairly.
Cauld blaws the wind frae east to
west.
The drift is driving sairly;
Sae loud and shrill I hear the blast,
I'm sure it's vnnter fairly.
■ Vain. "^ Full of stunted bushes. = Mire-
snipe. * Fox. » A strange dog.
* -Hoggie — a young sheep after it is smeared,
and before it is rfrst shorn.
318
BURSTS' WORKS.
The birds sit chitteTing' in tlie thorn,
A' day they fare but sparely;
And lang's the night f rae e'en to morn,
I'm sure it's winter fairly.
I'M O'ER YOUNa TO MARRY YET.
Tune — " I'm o'er youngs to marry yet."
1 AM my mammy's ae bairn,
Wi' unco' folk I weary, sir;
And lying in a man's bed,
I'm fley'd- wad mak me eerie,' sir.
I'm o'er young to marry yet;
I'mo'er young to marry yet;
I'm o'er young — 'twad be a sin
To tak me f rae my mammy yet.
My mammy coft^ me a new gown,
The kirk maun hae the gracing o't ;
Were I to lie wi' you, kind sir,
I'm fear'd ye'd spoil the lacing o't.
Hallowmas is come and gane,
The nights are lang in winter, sir;
And you and I in ae bed,
In trouth 1 dare uae venture, sir.
Fu' loud and shrill the frosty wind
Blaws through the leafless timmer,'
sir ;
But if ye come this gate' again,
I'll aulder be gin simmer, sir.
THE WINTER IS PAST.
The winter it is past, and the sum-
mer's come at last.
And the little birds sing on every tree ;
Now everything is glad, while I am
very sad.
Since my true love is parted from me.
The rose upon the brier, by the waters
running clear, [the bee;
May have charms for the linnet or
Their little loves are blest, and their
little hearts at rest.
But my true love is parted from me.
^ Shivering.
' Strange. = Afraid. ' Timorous.
' Trees. « Way,
' Bought.
My love is like the sun, in the firma-
ment does run.
For ever is constant and true;
But his is like the moon, that wanders
up and down.
And is every month changing anew.
All you that are in love, and cannot it
remove,
I pity the pains you endure .
For experience makes me know that
you hearts are full o' woe,
A woe that no mortal can cure.
OH, WILLIE BREW'D A PECK 0'
MAUT.
Tl'ne — " Willie brew'd a peck o* maut."
The poet's account of the origin of this song
IS as follows . — " The air is Allan Master.-
ton's, the song mine. The occasion of it
was this — Mr. William Nicol of the High
School, Edinburgh, being at MoflEat during
the autumn vacation, honest Allan — who
was at that time on a visit to Dalswinton —
and I went to pay Nicol a visit. We had
such a joyous meeting that Masterton and I
agreed, each in ourown way, that we should
celebrate the business."
Oh, Willie brsw'd a peck of maut, .
And Rob and Allan came to pree;'
Three blither hearts, that lee-lang
night.
Ye wadna find in Christendie.
We are na fou, we're na that fou.
But just a drappie in our ee;
The cock may craw, the day may daw.
And aye we'll taste the barley bree.
Here are we met, three merry boys.
Three merry boys, I trow, are we;
And mony a night we've merry been.
And mony mae we hope to be !
It is the moon — I ken her horn.
That's blinkin' in the lift sae hie;
She shines sae bright to wile us hame.
But, by my sooth, she'll wait a wee!
Wha first shall rise to gang awa',
A cuckold, coward loon is he !
Wlia last beside his chair shall fa'.
He is the king amang us three !
' Taste.
SOiNGS.
21i3
TO MARY IN HEAVEN.
Tune—" Death of Captain Cook."
The story of Mary Campbell has been briefly
alluded to in the memoir of the poet; and m
the notes to the Correspondence, She be-
long-ed to the neighbourhood of Dunoon, a
beautiful watering-place on the Clyde, and
was^in the service of Colonel Monteomery
'of Coilsfield when the poet made ner ac-
quaintance, and afterwards in that of Gavin
Hamilton. They would appear to have been
seriously attached to each other. When
Jean Armour's father had ordered her to
relinquish all claims on the poet, his
thoughts naturally turned to Mary Camp-
bell. It was arranged that Mary should
give up her place with the view of making
preparations for their union ; but before
she went home they met in a sequestered
spot on the banks of the Ayr, Standing on
either side of a purling brook, and holding
aBible between them, they exchanged vows
of eternal fidelity. Mary presented him with
her Bible, the poet giving his own in ex-
change. This Bible has been preserved,
and on a blank leaf, in the poet's hand--
writing, is -inscribed, ^'And ye shall not
swear by my name falsely ; I am the I-ord,"
(Lev. XIX. la.) On the second volume,
*' Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt
perform unto the Lord thine oath." (Matt.
V. ^3.) And on another blank leaf his name
and mark as a Royal Arch mason. The
lovers never met again, Mary Campbell
havmg died suddenly at Greenock. Over
her grave a monument has been erected by
the admirers of the poet. On the third an-
niversary of her death, Jean Armour, then
his wife, noticed that, towards the evening,
"he grew sad about something, went into
the barn-yard, where he strode restlessly up
and down for some time, although repeat-
edly asked to come m. Immediately on
etjtering the house, he sat down and wrote
'To Mary in Heaven,'" which Xockhart
characterizes " as the noblest of all his bal-
lads."
Thotj lingering star, witli less'ning ray,
That lovest to greet the early mom,
Again thou usher'st in the day
My Mary from my soul was torn.
O Mary I dear departed shade !
Where is thy place of blissful rest ?
See'st thou thy lover lowly laid ?
' Hear'st thou the groans that rend
his breast?
That sacred hour can I forget,
Can I forget the hallow'd grove,
Where by the winding Ayr we met,
To live o=ne day of parting love !
'Eternity will not efface ' [past;
Those records dear of transports
Thy image at our last embrace,
Ah ! little thought we 'tway our last!
Ayr, gurgling, kiss'd his pebbled shore,
O'erhung with wild woods, thick*n-
ing green.
The fragrant birch, and hawthorn hoar.
Twined amorous round the raptured
scene ;
The flowers sprang wanton to be prest.
The birds sang love on every spray — ■
Till too, foo soon, the glowing west
Proclaim 'd the speed of winged day.
Still o'er these scenes my memory
wakes,
And fondly broods with miser care !
Time but the impression stronger
makes.
As streams their channels deeper
wear,
My Mary! dear departed shade!
Where is thy palace of blissful rest !
See'st thou thy lover lowly laid 1
Hear'st thou the groans that rend
his breast ?
THE LADDIES BY THE BANKS
0' NITH.
Tune—*' Up and waur them a'."
The following ballad originated in a contest
for the representation of the Dumfries
burghs, which took place in September,
1789, between the former member, Sir James
Johnston of Westerhall, who was supported
by the court and the Tories, and Captain
Miller of Dalswinton, the eldest son of the
poet's landlord, who had the interest of the
Duke of Queensberry and the Whigs. As
Burns had the warmest veneration for in-
dividuals of both parties, he wished to
avoid taking any active part on either side,
and contented himself therefore with pen-
ning this piece chiefly against the Duke of
Pueensberry, the largest landed proprietor
in Nithsdale, and for whose character he
seeems to have entertained the utmost de-
testation. The allusion in the first verse is
to the vote his Grace gave on the regency
question, when he deserted the king, his
master, in whose household he held office,
and supported the right of the Prince of
Wales to assume the government without
the consent of Parliament.
The laddies by the banks o' Nith
Wad trust his (jrace wi' a', Jamie;
But he'll sair^ them as he sair'd the
king,
Turn tail and rin awa', Jamie.
1 Serve.
■230
BURNS' WOKKS.
Fpi and waur^ them a' Jamie,
Up and waur them a'; [o't.
The Johnstons hae the gnidin'
Ye turncoat Whigs, awa'.
The day he stood his counti-y's friend.
Or gaed her faes a claw, Jamie,
Or frae piiir man a blessin' wan,
That day the duke ne'er saw, Jamie.
But wha is he, the country's boast,
' Like him tlierejs na twa, Jamie;
There's no a callant'* tents'* the kye,=
But kens o' Westerlia', Jamie.
To end the wark here's Wliistlebirek,*
Lang may his whistle blaw, Jamie;
And Maxwell true o' sterling blue,
And we'll be Johnstons a'; Jamie,
Up and waur them a', Jamie,'
Up and waur them a'; [o't.
The Johnstons hae the guidin'
Te turncoat Whigs, awa'.
THE FIVE CAELINES.
Tune — " Chevy-chace."
This is another ballad which the poet penned
on theconlesled election mentioned alaove. '
It represents the five burghs in cleverly-
drawn figurative characters — Dumfries,
as Maggy on the banks of Nith : An-
nan, as Bhnkinff Bess of Annandale • Kirk-
cudbright, as Whisky Jean of - Galloway ;
Sanquhar, as Black Joan frae Crichton
Peel ; and Lochniaben, as Marjory of the
Many Lochs — each of which is more or less
locally appropriate.
Theke were five carlines' in the south.
They fell upon a scheme.
To send a lad to Lon'on town.
To bring them tidings liame.
Not only bring them tidings hame,
But do their errands there;
And aiblins" gowd and honour baith
Might be that laddie's share.
There was Maggy by the banlcs o'
Nith,
A dame wi' pride enough;
= Beat. = Boy. * Tends. 5 Cows.
^ Old women. - Perhaps.
* Alexander Birtwhistle, Esq., merchant in
Kirlvcudbright, and provost of the burgh.
And Marjory o' the Mony Lochs, '>
A carline auld and teugh; ' ^
And Blinkin Bess of Annandale,
That dwelt near Solway-side,
And Whisky Jean, that took her gitl
In Galloway sae wide.
.ife
And Black Joan, frae Crichton, -Peel,
O' gipsy kith and kin;—
Five wighter" carlines werena f ooh? '
The south countrie within. ' •',
To send a lad to Lon'on town;"' , -'
They met upon a day;
And mony a knight, and moBy a lalrd.
Their errand fain wad gae.
Oh, mony a knight, and mony a laiwi.
This errand fain wad gae: ' "
But nac ane could their fancy please.
Oh, ne'er ane but twae.
The first he was a belted knight, *t
Bred o' n, Border clan; '
And he wad gae to Lon'on town.
Might nae man him withstan';
And he wad do their errands weel.
And raeikle he wad say;
And ilka ane at Lon'on court
Wad bid to him guid day.
Then nelst cam in a sodger youth,:)-
And spak wi' modest grace.
And he wad gae to Lon'on town.
If sae their pleasure was.
He wadna hechf them courtly gifts.
Nor meikle speech pretend;
But he wad hecht an honest heart
Wad ne'er desert his friend.
Now, wham to choose, and wham re-
fuse.
At strife thir carlines fell;
For some had gentlefolks to pleasfe.
And some wad please themsel.'
Then out spak mim-mou'd= Mesf o'
Nith,
And she spak up wi' pride,
And she wad send the sodger youtii.
Whatever might betide. ri-
3 More powerful. * Promise. ^ Prim-
mouthed.
* Sir J. Johnston.
+ Captain Miller.
SONGS.
221
For tlie auld guidman| o' Lou'on court
Slie didna care a pin;
But she wad send a sodger youtli
To greet Ms eldest son.g
Then up sprstng Bess of Anntodale,
And swore a deadly altli,
Says, " I will send the Border knight
Spite o' you carlines balth.
" For far-off fowls hae feathers fair,
And fools o' change are fain;
But 1 hae tried this Border knight,
And I'll try him yet again. "
-Then Whisliy Jean spak owre her
drinlt,
'.' Ye weel ken, kimmers a',
The auld guidman o' Lon'on. court.
His back's been at the wa'.
"' And mony a friend that Mss'd his
- cup
Is now a fremit' wight,
But it's ne'er be said o' WJiisky Jean,
I'll send the Border knight."
Says Black Joan f rae Crichton Peel,
A carline stoor ■■ and grim, —
" The auld guidman, and the young
guidman.
For me may sink or swim ;
" For fools will prate o' right and
wrang,
While knaves laugh in their sleeve ;
But wha blows best the horn shall
win, ,
I'll spier nae courtier's leave."
Then slow raise Marjory o' the Lochs,
And wrinkled was her brow ;
Her ancient weed was russet gray.
Her auld Scots bluid was true.
" The Lon'on court set light by me —
I set as light by them ;
And I will send the sodger lad
" To shaw that court the same."
Sae how this weighty plea may end,
Nae mortal wight can tell :
God grant tlie king, and ilka man,
- May look weel to himsel !
» Estranged. ' Austere.
t George in.
§The Prince of Wales.
THri BLUE-EYED LASSIE.
Air—" The Blue-eyed Lass."
The " Btue-Eyed Lassie" was Miss Jean Jef-
frey, daughter of the Rev. Mr. Jeffrey of
Lochmaben, in Dumfriesshire, at whose
house the poet was a frequent visitor. On
the occasion of his first visit, the young
lady, then a charming, blue-eyed creature
of eighteen, did the honours of- the table,
and so pleased the poet, that next morning
at breafcfast he presented her with the fol-
lowing passport to fame, in the form "of one
of his finest songs. Miss Jeffrey afterwards
went out to New York, where she married
an American gentleman of the name of
Renwick, to wtibm she bore a numerous
family. One of her daughters became the
wife of Captain Wilks, of the United States
Nayy.
I GAED a waefu' gate ' yestreen,
A gate, I fear, I'll dearly rue ;
I gat my death frae twa sweet een,
Twa lovely een o' bonny blue.
'Twas not her golden ringlets bright ;
Her lips like roses wat wi' dew ;
Her heaving bosom, lily-white —
It was her een sae bonny blue.
She talk'd, she smiled, my heart she
wiled ; [how ;
She charm'd my soul — I wist na'
And aye the stound,' the deadly
wound,
Cam frae her een sae bonny blue.
But spare to speak, and spare-to speed,*
She'll aibliris '' listen to my vow :
Should she refuse, I'll lay my dead *
To her twa een sae bonny blue.
WHEN PIKST I SAW FAIR
JEANIE^S FACE.
Air—" Maggie Lauder,"
This song first appeared in the Nem York
Mirror in 1846, with the following notice of
the heroine, Mrs. Renwick {nee Miss Jean
Jeffrey) mentioned above:— "The lady to
whom the following verses— never before
published— were addressed, known to the
readers of Burns as the ' Blue-eyed L.fssie,'
is one of a race whose beauties and virtues
iormed for several generations, the inspira-
1 Road. - Pang. ^ Perhaps. < Death.
^= A proverbial expression — Give me the
chance of speaking and the opportunity of
gaining her favour.
BURN'S' WORKS.
Take aTuay these rosy lips, [•'
Rich with balmy treasure ;
Turn away thine eyes of love.
Lest I die with pleasure.
Wliat is life when wanting- love?
Night without a morning: ':
Love's the cloudless summer sun.
Nature gay adorning.
tion of the masters of Scottish song._ Her
mother was Agnes Armstrong, in whose
honour the touching words and beautiful
air of ' Rosiin Castle^ were composed.
When first I saw fair Jeani e's face,
I couldna tell what ail'd me.
My heart went fluttering pit-a-pat.
My een they almost fail'd me.
She's aye sae neat, sac trim, sae tight,
All grace does round her hover,
Ae look deprived me o' my heart.
And I became a lover.
She's aye, aye sae blithe, sae gay.
She's aye so'blithe and cheerie ;
She's aye sae bonny ,blithe,and gay,
Oh, gin I were her dearie !
Had I Dundas' whole estate.
Or Hopetoun's wealth to shine in ;
Did warlike laurels crown my brow.
Or humbler bays entwining —
I'd laid them a' at Jeanie's feet.
Could I but hope to move her,
And prouder than a belted knight,
I'd be my Jeanie's lover.
She's aye, aye sae blithe, &c.
But sair I fear some happier swain
Has gained sweet J eanie's favour :
If so, may every bliss be hers.
Though I maun never have her ;
But gang she east, or gang she west,
'Twist Forth and Tweed all over,
While men have eyes, or ears or taste.
She'll always find a lover.
She's aye, aye sae blithe, &c.
MY LOVELY NANCY.
Tune—" The Quaker's Wife."
' The following song," says the poet, in a
letter to Clarinda, to whose charms, prob-
ably, we owe the lines, " is one of my latest
productions ; and I send it to you as I
would do anything else, because it pleases
myself :" —
Thine am I, my faithful fair,
Thine, my lovely Nancy ;
Every pulse along my veins,
Every roving fancy.
To thy bosom lay my heart.
There to throb and languish ;
Though despair had wrung its core.
That would heal its anguish.
TIBBIE DUNBAR.
Tune—" Johnny M'Gill." , ^ ';' ''
Oh, wilt thou go wi' me, sweet Tibbie
Dunbar? [Dunbar?
Oh, wilt thou go wi' me, sweet Tibbie
Wilt thou ride on a horse, or be drawn
in a car, [Dunlmr?
Or walk by my side, oh, sweet Tibbie
I care na thy daddie, his lands and his
money, , [lordly:
I care ua thy kin, sae high and sae
But say thou wilt hae me for better f oi-
- waur — [Dunbar I
And come in thy coatie, sweet Tibbie
WHEN ROSY MAY COMES IN
Wr FLOWERS.
Tune—" The gardener wi' his paidle."
The poet afterwards produced' a newversinn
of this song, with a change in the burden at
the end of the stanzas.
When rosy May comes in wi' flowers,
To deck her gay green-spreading bow-
ers,
Then busy, busy, are his hours —
The gardener wi' his paidle. '
The crystal waters gently fa'
The merry birds are lovers a';
The scented breezes round hini bl^iw —
The gardener wi' his paidle.
When, purple morning starts the hare
To steal upon her early fare, [pair^
Then through the dews he maun fe-
The gardener wi' his "paidle.
When day, expiring in the west.
The curtain draws of nature's rest,'!!^
He flies to her arms he lo'es the besjt —
The gardener wi' his paidle.
»Hoe.
SONOS.
323
MY HAERY WAS A OALLANT
GAY.
Tune — " Highlander's Lament."
The chorus of this song, the poet tells us, he
picked up from an old woman in Dunblane,
the rest being his own. The old song was
composed on a Highland love affair: but
this version was evidently intended lor a
Jacobite melody.
li^Y Harry was a gallant gay,
' Fil' stately strode he on the plaui;
But now he's banish'd far away,
I'll never see liim back again.
Oh, for him back again !
Oh, for him back again!
1 ~ I wadgie'a' KnocMiaspie's land
t • Tor Highland Harry back againl
WTiea;;^' the lave' gae to their bed,
': iSvander dowie'^ up the glen ;
Itsefene down and greet^ my fill.
And aye 'I wish him back again.
Oh, were some villains hangit high,
And ilka body had their ain !
Then I might see the joyfu' sight.
My Highland Harry back again. •
BEWARE 0' BONXY A^'N.
Tune — ^?' Ye gallants bright."
'■ I composed this somj," says the poet, " out
of compliment to Miss Ann Masterton, the
; ,-^,d?uighter of my friend, Mr. Allan Master-
ton, com^ser of the air, * Strathallan's La-
inenti' "'
Yb gallants bright, I rede' ye right,
Beware o' bomiy Ann ;
Her comely face sae f u' o' grace,
Your heart she will trepan.''
Her een sae bright, like stars by night,
Her skin is like the swan;
Sae jimply^ laced her genty waist,
• That sweetly ye might span.
Youth, Grace, and Love, attendant
move.
And Pleasure leads the v^an: [arms.
In a' their charms, and conquering
They wait on bonny Ann.
1 Rest. 2 Sad.
1 Warn. ^ Ensnare.
'Cry.
3 Tightly.
The captive bands may chain theJiands,
But love enslaves the man;
Ye gallants braw, I rede you a',
Beware o' bonny Ann !
JOHN ANDERSON, MY JO.
Tune—" John Anderson, my Jo."
John Anderson, my jo'' John,
When we were first acquent;
Your locks were like the raven,
Your bonny brow was brent. '^
But now your brow is held, John,
Your locks are like the snaw;
But blessings on your frosty pow,'
John Anderson, my jo.
John Anderson, my jo, John,
We clamb the hill thegither;
And mony a canty* day, John,
We've had wi' ane anither:
Now we maun totter down, John,
But hand in hand we'll go;
And sleep thegither at the foot,
John Anderson, my jo.
THE BATTLE OF SHERIFF-MUIR.
Tune — " Cameronian Rant."
"Oh- cam ye here the fight to shun.
Or herd the sheep wi' me, man ?
Or were ye at the Sherra-muir,
And did the battle see man ?"
'■■ I saw the battle sair and tough.
And reekin' red ran mony a sheugh;'
My heart, for fear, gaed' sough- for
sough.
To hear the thuds,^ and see thecluds,
0' clans frae woods, in tartan duds,-*
Wha glauni'd* at kingdoms three,
man.
" The red-coat lads, wi' black cockades.
To meet them werna slaw, man ;
They rush'd and push'd, and bluid out-
gush'd.
And mony a bouk" did fa', man:
The great Argyle led, on his files,
I wat they glanced for twenty miles.
1 Love— dear. ^ Smooth. ' Head. ■" Happy.
1 Ditch. 2 Sigh, = Knocks. » Clothes,
s Grasped. ' Trunk, body.
324'
BURNS' WORKS.
Tliey hack'd and liasli'd wliile broad-
swords clasli'd, [and smash'd
And through they dash'd, and hew'd
'Till fey' men died awa', man.
' ' But had ye seen the philabegs.
And skyrin' tartan trews, man ;
When in the teeth they dared our
Wliigs
And covenant true-blues, man ;
In lines extended lang and large.
When bayonets o'erpower'd the targe.
And thousands hasten'd to the charge,
Wi' Highland wrath they frae the
sheath
Drew blades o' death, till out o' breath,
They fled like frightened doos,'
man."
" Oh, how deil, Tam, can that be true?
The chase gaed frae the north, man;
I saw mysel they did pursue
The horeemen back to Forth, man:
And at Dunblane, in my ain sight.
They took the brig wi' a' their might.
And straught to Stirling wing'd their
flight;
But, cursed lot! the gates were shut;
And monya huutit, poor red-coat,
For fear amaist did swarf,''" man!
' ' My sister Kate cam up the gate
Wi' crowdie unto me, man;
She swore she saw some rebels run
Frae Perth unto Dundee, man:
Their left-hand general had nae skill.
The Angus lads had nae good will
That day their neibors' bluid to spill;
For fear by foes that they should lose
Their cogs o' brose, they scared at
blows.
And hameward fast did flee, man.
" They've lost some gallant gentlemen
Amang the Highland clans, man;
I fear my Lord Panmure is slain.
Or fallen in Whiggish hands, man;
Now wad ye sing this double fight.
Some fell for wrang, and some for
right;
And mony bade the world guid-night;
Then ye may tell how pell and mell.
By -red claymores, and muskets' knell,
Wi' dying yell, the Tories fell.
And Whigs to hell did flee, man.
-■^ Predestined. ^ Shining. *" Pigeons.
Swoon.
BLOOMING NELLT.
Tune—" On a Bank of Flowers."
On a bank of flowers, in a summer day.
For summer lightly drest.
The youthful blooming Nelly lay.
With love and sleep opprest;
AVhen Willie, wandering through the
wood.
Who for her favour oft had sued.
He gazed, he wish'd, he fear'd, he
blush'd.
And trembled where he stood.
Her closed eyes, like weapons sheath-
ed.
Were seal'd in soft repose;
Her lips, still as she fragrant breathed,
It richer dyed the rose.
The springing lilies sweetly prest.
Wild- wanton, kiss'dher rival breast;
He gazed, he wish'd, he fear'd, he
blush'd —
His bosom ill at rest.
Her robes, light waving in the breeze.
Her tender limbs embrace!
Her lovely form, her native ease,
All harmony and grace !
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll.
A faltering, ardent kiss he- stole;
He gazed, he wish'd, he fear'd, he
blush'd.
And sigh'd his very soul.
As flies the partridge from the brake.
On fear-inspired.wings,
So Nelly, starting, half-awake.
Away affrighted springs:
But Willie follow'd — as he should;
He overtook her in the wood;
He vow'd, he pray'd, he found the
maid
Forgiving all and good.
MY HEART'S IN THE HIGH-
LANDS.
Tune — " Faille na Miosg."
"The first half stanza of this song," says
Burns, "is old ; the rest is mine."
My heart's, in the Highlands, my heart
is not here; [the deer;
My heart's in the Highlands, a-chasing
SONGS.
235
A-chasing the wild deer, and following
the roe — [1 go.
My heart's in-the Highlands wherever
Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to
the North, [of worth:
The birthplace of valour, the country
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove.
The hills of the Highlands forever I
love.
Farewell, to the mountains high cover'd
with snow; [leys below;
Farewell to the straths and green val-
Farewell to the forests^nd wild-hang-
ing woods; [ing floods.
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pour-
My heart's in the Highlands, my heart
is not here; [the deer;
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing
A~chasing the wild deer, and following
the roe — [I go.
My heart's in the Highlands wherever
THE BANKS OF KITH.
Tune — " Robte donna Gorach."
The Thames flows proudly to the seay
Where royal cities stately stand;
But sweeter flows the Nith, to me, ■•*
Where Cummins* ance had high
command:
When shall I see that honour'd land,
That winding stream 1 love so dear !
Must wayjvard Fortune's adverse hand
Forev^ ever keep me here?
How lovely, Nith, thy fruitful valeSj
Where spreading hawthorns gayly
bloom !
How sweetly wind thy sloping dales.
Where lambkins wanton through
the broom ! [doom,
"Though wandering, now, must be my
Far from thy bonny banks and braes.
May there my Jatest hours consume,
Amang the friends of early days 1
TAM GLEN.
Tune—" Tarn Glen."
My heart is breaking, dear tittle !'
Some counsel unto me come len' ;
1 Sister.
* The well-known Comyns of Scottish his-
tory.
To anger them a' is a pify.
But what will I do wi' Tam Glen !
I'm thinking, wi' sic a braw fallow.
In poortith I might mak a fen;''
What care I in riches to wallow.
If I mauna marry Tam Glen ?
There's Lowrie the Laird o' Drumeller,
" Guid day to you brute !" he comes
ben.
He brags and blaws o' his siller.
But when will he dance like Tam
Glen?
My minnie' does constantly deave me.
And bids me beware o' young men;
They flatter, she says, to deceive me.
But wha can think sae o' Tam Glen?
My daddie says, gin I'll forsake him.
He'll gie me guid hunder marks ten;
But if it's ordain'd I maun ta;ke hini.
Oh, wha will I get but Tam Glen ?
Yestreen at the valentines' dealing.
My heart to my mou' gieij a sten ;*
For thrice I drew ane without failing,
And thrice it was written — ^Tam
Glen ! ■
The last Halloween I lay waukin'*
My droukit* sark-sleeve, as ye ken;*
His likeness came up the house staukin'.
And the very gray breeks o' Tam
(ileu !
Come counsel, dear tittle ! dont tarry —
I'll gie ye my bonny black hen,
Gif ye will advise me to marry
The lad I lo'e dearly — Tam Glen.
TUNE-
THE TAILOE.
' The tailor fell through the bed,
thimbles and a'."
The taUor fell through the bed, thim-
bles and a' ; [bles and a' ;
The tailor fell through the bed, thim-
Tlie blankets were thin, and the sheets
they were sma', ' [bles and a'.
The tailor fell through the bed, thim-
" Shift. ' Mother. « Bound.
» Watching. " Wet.
* For an cxplcination of this old usage, see,
under the bead " Poeps," Note t, page
236
BURlSrS' WORKS.
The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae
iU; . [ill;
The sleepy bit lassie, she dreaded nae
The weather was cauld, and the lassie
lay still, [nae ill.
She thought that a tailor could do her
Ctie me the groat again, canny young
man; [man;
Gie me the groat again, canny young
The day it is short, and the night it is
lang,
The dearest siller that ever I wan !
There's somebody weary wi' lying her
lane: [lane;
Tliere's somebody weary wi' lying her
There's some that are dowie," I trow
wad be fain''' [again.
To see the bit tailor come skippin'
YE HAE LIEN WRANG, LASSIE.
CHORUS.
Te hae lien a' wrang, lassie,
Te've lien a' wrang;
Ye've lien in an unco' bed.
And wi' a fremit- man.
Tour rosy cheelcs are turn'd sae wan.
Ye're greener than the grass, lassie;
Your coatie's shorter by a span.
Yet ne'er an inch the less, lassie.
0 lassie, ye hae play'd the fool.
And we will feel the scorn, lassie ;
For aye the brose ye sup at e'en,
Ye bock' them ere the morn, lassie.
Oh, ance ye danced upon the knowes,''
And through the wood ye sang,
lassie;
But in the berrying o' a bee byke,
I fear ye've got a stang, lassie.
THERE'S A YOUTH IN THIS CITY.
TuNE^" Nerl Gow's Lament."
The first half stanza ol this song is old : the
rest by Burns.
Theke's a youth in this city.
It were a great pity [awa';
That he frae our lasses should wander
^ Melancholy. ^ Glad.
^Strange. -Stranger. ^- Vomit.
I Hills.
For he's Jbonny an' braw,
Weel favour'd witha', [a'.
And' his . hair has a natural buckle and
His coat is the hue
Of his bonnet sae blue; [snawf
His fecket* is white as the new-drivea
His hose they are blae.
And his shoon like the slae, [uS'a.
And liis clear siller buckles they dazzle
For beauty and fortune
The laddie's been courtin';
Weel-featured, weel-tocher'd, weel-
mounted,^and braw;
But chiefly the siller.
That gars him gang till her.
The penny's the jewel that beautifies 'a.
There's Meg wi' tlie mailen,f
That fain wad a liaeu him;
And Susie, whose daddy was laird o'
the ha';
There's lang-tocher'd Nancy
Maist fetters his fancy —
But the laddie's dear sel he lo'es dear-
est of a'.
OUR THRISSLES FLOURISHED •
FRESH AND FAIR.
Tune — " Awa', Whigs, awa*."
The second and fourth stanzas only of this
song are from the pen of the poet ; the
others belong to an old Jacobite. ditty.
OuK thrissles flourish'd fresh and fair.
And bonny bloom'd our roses;
But Whigs cam like a frost in J une,
And wither'd a' our posies.
Awa', Whigs, awa'!
Awa', Whigs, awa'!
Y'e're but a pack o' traitor louns,
Ye'll do nae guid at a'.
Our ancient crown's fa'n in the dust —
Deil blin' them wi' the stoure o't;
And write their names in his black
beuk
Wha gie the Whigs the power o't;
Our sad depay in Church and State
Surpasses my descriving;" '
The Whigs cam o'er us for a cursed
And we hae done wi' thriving.
* An under waistcoat.w.i th sleeyeg,
t A well-stocked farm.
S0N9S.
233
Grim Vengeance lang has ta'en a nap,
But we may see him wauken;
Gude help the day when royaL Ixeads
Are liuntedUke a maukin!'
COME EEDE ME, DAME.
Comb rede* me, dame, come tell me,
dame.
And nane can tell mair truly,
What colour maun the man be of
To love a woman duly.
The cafline' flew baith up and down.
And leugh and answer'd ready,
I learn'd a sang in Annandaie,
^ A, dark man for my lady.
- But for a country quesin like thee,
Toung lass, I tell thee fairly,
That wi'- the white I've made a shift.
And brown will d» f u' rarely.
There's mickle love in raven loclis,
1;he Jlaxen ne'er grows yonden,'
There's kiss and hause'' me in the
brown.
And glory in the gowden.
THE CAPTAIN'S LADY.
Tune — '* Oh, mount and go."
CHORUS.
Oh, mount and go.
Mount and make you ready;
Oh, mount and go.
And be the captain's lady.
When the drums do beat.
And the cannons rattle.
Thou sljalt sit in state,
And see thy love in battle.
When the vanquish'd foe
Sues for peace and quiet
To the shades we'll go.
And in love enjoy it.
OH MERRY HAE I BEEN TEETH-
IN' A HECKLE.
Tune—" Lord Breadalbane's March."
Oh, merry hael been teethin' a heckle,
And merry hae I been shapin' a
spoon;
iHare.
1 Counsel. " Old woman. 3 Gray. * Hug
or embrace.
And merry hae I been clou tin'' a ket-
tle.
And kissin' my Katie when a' was
done. [mer,
Oh, a' the lang day I ca' at my ham-
And a'tlie lang day I wliLstle and sing,
A' the lang night I cuddle' my kim-
mer,^ [a king.
And a' the lang night am as happy's
Bitter in dool I lickit my winnin's„
0' marrying Bess, to ^e her a slave:
Blest be the hour she cool'd in her
linens, [lier gravel
And blithe be the bird that sings on
Come to my arms, my Katie, my Katie,
And come to my arms and kiss me
again!-
Drunken or sober, here's to thee, Katiel
And blest be the day I did it again.
EPPIE ADAIR.
Tune—" My Eppie."
And oh ! my Eppie,
My jewel, my Eppie!
Wha wadna be happy
Wi' Eppie Adair ? .
By love, and by beauty.
By law, and by duty,
I swear to be true to
My Eppie Adair!
And oh! my Eppie,
Hy jewel, my Eppie!
Wha wadna be happy
Wi' Eppie Adair?
A' pleasure exile me.
Dishonour defile me.
If e'er I beguile thee.
My Eppie Adair!
YOUNG JOCKEY.
Tune — " Young Jockey."
YouKG Jockey was the blithest lad
In a' our town or here awa',
Fu' blithe he whistled at the gaud,'
Fu' lightly danced lie in the ha'.
He roosed^* my een, sae bonny blue,
He roosed my waist sae genty sma'.
1 Patching up. 2 Fondle. ^ Dearie.
1 Plough. 2 Praised.
228
BURNS' WORKS.
And aye my heart came to my mou'
When ne'er a body heard or Saw.
My Jockey toils upon the plain,
Through wind and weet, through
frost and snaw;
And o'er the lea I leuk f u' fain
When Jockey's owsen hameward ca'.
And aye the night comes round again,
When in his arms he takers me a';
And aye he vows he'll he my aln.
As lang's he has a breath to draw.
WEE WILLIE GRAY.
Wbb Willie Gray, and his leather
wallet; [and jacket:
Peel a willow- wand to be him boots
Tiie rose upon the brier will be him
tfouse and doublet, .
The rose upon the brier will be him
trouse and doublet. [wallet.
Wee Willie Gray, and his leather
Twice a lily flower will be him sark
and cravat, [bonnet.
Feathers of a flee wad feather up his
Feathers of a flee wad feather up his
bonnet.
JAMIE, COME TRY ME.
Tune — "Jamie, come try me."
CHORDS,
Jamie, come try me,
■ Jamie, come try me,
If thou wad win my love,
Jamie, come try me.
If thou should ask my love.
Could I deny thee ?
If thou would win my love,
Jamie, come try me.
If thou should kiss me, iove,
Wha could espy thee '(
If thou wad be my love,
Jamie, come try me.
THE BATTLE OP KILLIE-
CRANKIE.
Tune — " Killiecrankie."
The chorus of this song, which celebrates the
battle where Viscount Dundee fell in the
moment of victory, is old ; -the rest is from
the pen of Burns^
Wharb hae ye been sae braw, lad?
Whare hae ye been sae brankie,' O?
Oh, whare hae ye been sae braw, lad'
Cam ye by Killiecrankie, 0 1
An' ye hae been whare I hae been.
Ye wadna been sae cantie,'^ O;
An' ye ha' seen what I hae seen.
On the braes of Killiecrankie, O.
I fought at land, I fought at sea;
At hame I fought my auntie, 0;
But I met the devil and Dundee,
On the braes o' Killiecrankie, O.
The bauld Pitcur fell in a fur,*
And Clavers got a clankie, 0;
Or I had fed on Athole gled,*
On the braes o' Killiecrankie, O.
GTJIDWIFE, COUNT THE LAWIN.
Tune — " Guidwtfe,count the lawin."
Gane is the day, and mirk's the night.
But we'll ne'er stray for fau't' o' light.
For ale and brandy's stars and moon.
And blude-red wine's the rising sun.
Then, guidwife, count the lawin,
The lawin, the lawin;
Then, guidwife, count the lawin,
And bring a coggie' mair. ' ' '
There's wealth and ease for gentlemen.
And simple folk maun fecht and fen';
But here we're a' in ae accord.
For ilka man that's drunk's a lord.
My coggie is a haly pool.
That heals the wounds o' care and dool;'
And pleasure is a wanton trout,
An' ye drink but deep ye'llfind him out.
WHISTLE O'ER THE LAVE O'T.
Tune — " Whistle o'fir the lave o't."
FmST when Maggy was my care,
Heaven, I thought, was in her air;
Now we're married — spier' nae mair-"
Whistle o'er the lave o't. —
Meg was meek, and Meg was mild.
Bonny Meg was nature's child;
Wiser men than me's beguiled —
Whistle o'er the lave o't.
t Gaudy. ^ Merry. 3 Furrow. * Kite.
1 Want. 2 Bumper. ' Grief.
1 Ask.
SONGS.
229
How -we live, my Meg and me, - •'
How we love, and how we 'gree,
I care na by liow few may see —
Whistleo'er tlie lave o't.
Wlia I wish were maggots' meat,
Dish'd up in her winding sheet,
1 could write — but Meg maun see't —
Whistle o'er the lave o't.
OH, CAN YE LABOUR LEA.
Oh, can ye labour lea, young man.
And dan ye labour lea;
Gae back the gate ye cam again;
Te'se never scom Hie.
I fee'd a man at Martinmas,
Wi' airl-pennies three;
And a' the faut I fan' wi' him.
He couldna labour lea.
The stibble-rig is easy plough'd,
; The fallow land is free;
But wha wad keep the handless coof.
That couldna labour lea?
WOMEN'S MINDS.
,TuNE— " For s.' thdt."
Though women's minds, like winter
winds,
May shift and turn and a' that.
The noblest breast adores them maist,
A consequence I draw that.-
For a' that, and a' that.
And twice as muckle's a' that.
The bonny lass that I lo'e best
She'll be my ain for a' that.
Great love I bear to all the fair,
Their liumble slave, and a' that;
Bftt lordly will, I hold it still,
A mortal sin to tliraiv that.
But there is ane aboon the lave,'
Has wit, and sense, and a' that;
A bonny lass, I like her best.
And wha a crime dare ca' that ?
IT IS NA, JEAN, THY BONNY
FACE.
Tune—" The Maid's Complaint."
liFis na, Jean, thy bonny face,
Nor sliape, that I admire,
' ilest.
Altliougji thy beauty and thy grace!
Might weel awake desire.
Something, in ilka part o' thee.
To praise, to love, I find;
But, dear as is thy form to me.
Still dearer is thy mind.
Nae mair migenerous -wish I hae,
No stronger in my breast,
Than if I canna mak thee sae,
At least to see thee blest.
Content am I, if Heaven shall give
But happiness to thee:
And, as wi' thee I'd wish to live.
For thee I'd bear to die.
MY LOVE SHE'S BUT A LASSIE
YET.
Tune—" Lady Badinscoth's Reel."
Mt love she's but a lassie yet, .
My love she's but a lassie yet;
We'll let her stand a year or twa.
She'll no be half sae saucy yet.
I rue the day I sought her, 0,
I i-ue the day I sought her, 0;
Wha gets her needna say she's woo'd.
But he may say he's' bought her, 0 !
Cqme, draw a drap o' the best o't yet;
Come draw a drap o' the best o't yet;
Gae seek for pleasure where ye wijl, '
But here I never miss'd it yet.
We're a' dry wi' drinking o't;
We're a' dry wi' drinking o't:
The minister kiss'd the fiddler's wife.
And couldna preach for thinkin' o't.
CA' THE EWES.
Tune — " Ca' the Ewes to the Knowes."
The fourth and fifth stanzas of this sone-,
which wai" written for the Museum^ are old,
with a few touches of improvement by
Burns. He afterwards wrote a much bettfer
version for Thomson's collection, which wii;
be found at p. 263.
As I gaed down .thg water-side.
There I met my shepherd lad,
He row'd' me sweetly in his plaid,
And ca'd me his dearie.
' Wrapt.
2S0
BURNS' WORKS.
Ca' the ewes to the knowes,
Ca' them whare the heather grows,
Ca' them whare the burnie rowes.
My bonny dearie 1
Will ye gang down the water-side,
And see the waves sae sweetly glide ?
Beneath the hazels spreading wide
The moon it shines f u' clearly.
I was bred up at nae sic school,
My shepherd lad, to play the fool,
And a' the day to sit in dool,^
And uaebody to see me.
Ye sail get gowns and ribbons meet,
Cauf-leather shoon upon your feet,
And in my arms ye'se lie and sleep.
And ye sail be my dearie.
If ye'll but stand to what ye've said,
I'se gang wi' you, my shepherd lad.
And ye may rowe me in your plaid.
And I sail be your dearie.
Wliile waters wimple' to the sea:
While day blinks in the lift^ sae hie;
Til] clay-cauld death sail blin' my ee.
Ye saU be my dearie.
SIMMER'S A PLEASANT TIME.
Tune — " Aye Waukin, O."
This is an old song, on which the poet appears
to have made only a few alterations.
Simmer's a pleasant time.
Flowers of every colour;
The water rins o'er the heugh,'
And I long for my true lover.
A waukin, 0,
Waukin still and wearie:
Sleep I can get nane
For thinking on my dearie.
When I sleep I dream,
When I wauk I'm eerie;'
Sleep I can get nane
For thinking on my dearie.
Lanely night comes on,
A' the lave^ are sleepin';
I think <m my bonny lad.
And I bleer my een with greetin'.*
2 Grief. 3 Wander. * Heavens.
^ Steep. 2 Timorous. ^ Rest. * Weeping.
THERE'LL NEVER BE PEACE
TILL JAMIE COMES HAME.
Tune — " There are few guid fellows when
Willie's awa'."
" When political combustion,'* sdys ih& poet,
in a letter to Thomson, enclosing Ihis^ong,
which had evidently been composed whife
in a Jacobitical mood, " ceasfes to-' be the.
object of princes, and patriots, itthen, y6u
know, becomes the lawful prey of historians
and poets." * -.,1
By yon castle wa', at the close of the
day, [was gray:
I hearda man sing, though his head it
And as he was singing, the tears fast
down came, [comes hame;
There'll never be peace till Jamie
The Church is in ruins, the State is in
jars; [ouswars;
Delusions, oppressions, and murdeis
We darena weel say't, though we kein
wha's to blame — [hame !
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes
My seven braw sons for Jamie drew
sword, [beds in the yerd.'
And now I greet' round their green
It'Jorak the sweet heart of my faithfd'
auld dame — [hame.
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes
Now life is a burthen that bows me
down, [crow^;
Since I tint' my bairns, and he tint his
But till my last moments my words are
the same — [hame.
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes
LOVELY DAVIES.
Tune—" Miss Muir."
The heroine of this song was Miss Deborah
Davies, a beautiful young Englishwoman,
connected by ties of blood with the family
of Captain Riddel of Glenriddel,,at whose
house the poet probably first met her. Her
beauty and accomplishments appear to have
made a deep impression upon the poet, for
he lias celebrated tliem m a number of e!i^
sions in both prose and verse. In a letter to
her enclosing this song, he says, in. a strain
of enthusiastic gallantry: — "When-r^'iny
theme is youth and beauty — a young. Ia4y
whose personal charms, wit, and sentimeht,
are equally striking and unaffectedr.^by
Heavens ! though I had lived threescore
years a married man, and threescore
years before T was" a married man, my
1 Weep. 2 Churchyard. ' Lost.
SONGS.
281
imagination would hallow the very idea ;
and I am truly sorry that tlie enclosed
stanzas have done such poor justice to such
a subject."
Oh, liow shall I unskilfu' try
The poet's occupation,
The tunefu' povrers, in happy hours,
That vphispsr inspiration ?
Even they mavm dare an effort mair
Than aught they ever gave us,
Or they rehearse, in eSjual verse.
The charms o' lovely Davies.
Each eye it cheers, when she appears,
. like Phoebus in the moniing, [er
When past the shower and ;e very flow-
, The garden is adorning- . [shore,
As the wretch looks o'er Siberia's
"When winter-bound the wave is;
Sae droops our heart when we maun
part '
Frae charming, lovely Davies.
Per smile's a gift, frae 'boon the lift,
That maks us mair than princes;
A sceptred hand, a, king's command,
Is in her darting glances: [charms.
The man in arms, 'gainst female
Even he her mlling slave is;
He hugs his chain, and owns the reign
Of conquering, lovely Davies.
My Muse, to dream of such a theme.
Her feeble powers surrender;
The eagle's gaze alone surveys
The sun's meridian splendour:
I w£id- in vain essay the strain.
The deed too daring brave is;
I'll drap the lyre, and mute admire
The charms o' lovely Davies.
THE BONNY WEE THING.
Tune—" Bonny wee Thing."
This is another, though briefer and more sen-
timental, song- in celebration of the lady
mentioned above—" The charming, lovely
"Davies."
BOnny wee thing, cannie wee thing.
Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine,
I wad wear thee in my bosom,
: Lest my jewel I should tine.'
Wishfully I look and languish
In that bonny face o' thine; ,
And my heart it stounds'^ wi' anguish,
Lest my wee thing be na mine.
Wit, and grace, and love, and beauty.
In ae constellation shiue;
To adore thee is my duty.
Goddess o' this soul o' mine !
Bonny wee thing, cannie wee thing,
Lovely wee thing, wert thou mine,
I wad wear thee in my bosom ,■
Lest my jewel I should tine !
WAR SONG.
Air—" Oran an Doig ;" or, " The Song of
Death."
"I have just finished," says the poet, in a
letter to Mrs. Dunlbp. enclosing this noble
lyric, " the following song, which, to a lady,
the descendant of Wallace, and herself the
mother of several soldiers, needs neither
preface nor apology.^' The subject, the
poet tells us, was suggested to him by an
Isle-of-Skye tune entitled, "Oran an
Doig ;" or, " The Song of Death," which he
found in a collection of Highland airs, and
to the measure of which -he- adapted his
stanzas.
Scene— A. field of battle— Time of the day,
Evening — The wounded and dj^ing of the
victorious army are supposed to join in the
following-Sojig:— .
Fakewbli,, thou fair day, thou green
earth, and ye skies, i.
Now gay with the broad setting sun !
Farewell loves and friendships, ye dear
tender ties !
Our race of existence is run !
Thou grim King of Terrors, thou life's
gloomy foe !
Go, frighten the coward and slave !
Go teach them to tremble, fell tyrant !
but know.
No terrors hast thou to the brave !
Thou strik'st the dull peasant,— he
sinks in the dark, [name; —
Nor saves e'en the wreck of a
Thou strik'st the young hero— a glori-
ous mark !
He falls in the blaze of his fame !
1 Lose.
2 Aches..
233
BURJfS' WORKS.
In tlie fields of proud honour — our
swords in our hands
< Our king and our country to save —
While victory shines on life's last ebb-
ing sands — [brave !
' Oh ! who would not die with the
AE FOND KISS.
Tune—" Rory Call's Port."
This exquisitely beautiful song sprang from
the depth of the poet's passion for Clarinda ;
and is one of the most vehement and im-
pressive outbursts of intense feeling ever
written.
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, and then, forever!
Deep in heart- wrung tears I'll pledge
thee, [thee.
Warring sighs and groans I'U wage
Who shall say that Fortune grieves
him.
While the stai of hope she leaves him?
Me, nae cheerfu' twinkle lights me;
Dark despair around benights me.
I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy,
Naething could resist my Nancy;
But to see her was to love her;
Love but her, and love forever.
Had we never loved sae kindly,
Had we never loved sae blindly,
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 I
Aefond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae fareweel, alas! forever!
Deep in heart- wrung tears I'll pledge
thee, [thee !
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage
GLOOMY DECEMBER.
Tune—" Wandering Willie."
The last interview of the poet with Clarinda
took place in Edinburgh on the 6th of De-
cember, 1791, and appears to have been
deeply affecting on both sides. In remem
brance of this meeting, and while stiU under
the influence of the feelings evoked by it,
the poet coihposed these beautiful lines i—
Akce mair I hail thee, thou glooiny
December! [care;
Ance mair I hail the, wi' sorrow and
Sad was the parting thou makesme re-
member, t™^*''-
Parting wi' Nancy, oh! ne'er to meet
Fond lovers' parting is sweet painful
pleasure, [ing hour;
Hope beaming mild on the soft part-
But the dire feeling, oh, farewell for-
ever! [pure.
Is anguish unmingled, and agony
Wild as the winter now tearing the
forest, [flown ;
Till the last leaf o' the sanmner is
Such is the tempest has shaken my
bosom, [is gone !
Since my last hope gjid last comfort
Still as I hail thee, thou gloomy Decem-
ber, [care ;
Still shall I hail thee wi' sorrow and
For sad was the parting thou makes me
remember, , [mair.
Parting wi' Nancy, oh! ne'er to meet
BEHOLD THE HOUR.
Tune — " Oran Gaoil."
A month after the interview mentBned in the
introduction to the preceding song — on the
25th of January, 1792 — Clarinda, in antici-
pa<:ion of her iinmediate departure for Ja-
maica to join her husband, wrote to the poet
bidding him farewell. " Seek God's favour,"
she says ; " keep His commandments — be
solicitous to prepare for a happy eternity.
There, I trust, we will meet in never-eriding
bliss!' She sailed a month afterwards j and
the pofet-poured his feelings on thejoccasion
■ into tlie following fine song -.-^
Behold the hour, the boat arrive.
Thou goest, thou darling of my
heart !
Sever'd from thee can I surviv« ?
' But Fate has will'd, and we must
part>
I'll often greet this surging swell.
You di.st:ant isle will often hail:
SONGS.
333
I! " E'en liere I took the. last farewell;
• There latest majrk'd her vanish'd
sail!"*
Along the solitary shore,
While flitting sea-fowl round me cry,
Across the lolling dashing roar,
■ I'll; westward turn my wistful eye.
Happy, thou Indian grove, I'll say,
Where now my Na;n'cy's path may be!
While through thy sweets she loves to
'.\ stray.
Oh, tell me, does she muse on me '?
THE MIRK NIGHT 0' DECEMBER.
TunEt-" O May, thy morn."
The following song, the production of a
lighter mood, is also said to have been writ-
ten in commemoration of the final meeting
with Clarinda ; —
O May, thy mom was ne'er sae sweet,
As the mirk night o' December;
For sparkling was the rosy wine.
And private was the chamber:"
And dear was she I darena name,
• But I will aye remember.
And dear was she I dareua name.
But I will aye remember.
And here's to them that, like oursel.
Can push about the jorum ;
And here's to them that wish us weel,
May a' that's guid watch o'er them!
And here's to them we darena tell.
The dearest o' the quorum.
And here's to them we darena tell,
The dearest o' the quorum !
MY NANNIE'S AW A'.
Tune — '' There'll never be peace."
■ Some months after the departure of Clarinda,
when time had'mellowed the poet's passion,
* The above two stanzas of this song are
given by Chambers as follows :—
Behold the hour, the boat arrive !
• My dearest Nancy, oh, fareweel !
Sev^r'd frae thee, can I survive,'
', •. Frae thee , whom I hae loved sae weel ?
Endless and deep shall be my grief ;
Nae ray o' comfort shall I see ;
But this most^precious, dear belief !
That thou wilt still remember me.
and absence calmed the tumult of his feel-
ings, he wrote the following touching pas-
toral : —
Now in her green mantle blithe nature
arrays, [o'er the brkes.
And listens the lambkins that bleat
While birds warble welcome in ilka
green shaw;' [Nannie's awa' !
But to me it's delightless— my
The snaw-drap and primrose our wood-
lauds adorn, [morn;
And violets bathe in the weet' o' the
They pain my sad bosom, sae sweetly
they blaw, [Nannie's awa' !
They mind me o' Nannie— and
Thou laverock that springs frae the
dews of the lawn.
The shepherd to warn o' the gray
breaking dawn, [night fa'.
And thou mellow mavis that hails the
Give over for pity — my Nannie's awa' !
Come, Autumn sae pensive, in yellow
and gray, [decay:
And soothe me with tidings o' Nature's
The dark dreary winter, and wild driv-
ing snaw, [awa' !
Alane can delight me — now Nannie's
WANDERING WILLIE.
In composing this song, Burns is thought to
have thrown himself sympathetically- into
the circumstances of his mistress^Clarinda
— and.to ha^ given expression to the feel-
ings with which he supposed her to bfc ani-
mated in seeking, after a separation of
' many years, a reunion with -her wayward,
wandering husband. The, idea-of this song
appears to ,have been taken from an old
one.df ifrhich the two following verses have
been preserved ; — 1
" Here awa', there awa', here awa', Willie,
Here awa', there awa', here awa' hame ;
Long have I sought thee, dear have I bought
thee.
Now I hae gotten my Willie again,
"Through the lang muir I have follow'd my
Willie.
Through the lang muir I have follow'd
him hame ;
Whatever betide us, nought shall divide us,
Love now rewards all my sorrow and
pain."
..'Wood.,
=;Dew.
234
BURNS' WORKS.
Here awa', there awa', wandering
Willie, jhame;
Here awa', there awa', haud awa'
Come to my bosom, my ain only dearie.
Tell me thou bring'st me my Willie
the same.
Winter winds blew loud and cauld at
our parting, [in my ee;
Fears for my. Willie brought tears
"Welcome now simmer, and welcome
my Willie-r [to me.
The simmer to nature, my Willie
Rest, ye wild storms, in the cave of
your slumljers, [alarms !
How your dread howling a lover
Wauken, ye breezes ! row gently, ye
billows ! [to my arms !
And waft my dear laddie ance mair
But oh, if he's faithless, and minds na
his Nannie, [roaring main !
Flow still between us thou wide
May I never see it, may I never trow it.
But, dying, believe that my Willie's
my ain.
THE DEIL'S AWA' WI' THE
EXCISEMAN.
Tune — "The dei! cam fiddling^ through the
town."
The deil cam fiddling through the
town, ;
And danced awa' wi' the Exciseman,
And ilka wife cries — " Auld Mahoun,
I wish you luck o' the jirize, man !"
The deil's awa', the deil's awa'.
The deil's awa' wi' the Exciseman;
He's danced awa', he's danced awa'.
He's danced awa' wi' the Excise-
man !
We'll mak our maut, we'll brew our
drink, [man;
We'll dance and sing, and rejoice.
And mony braw thanks to the meiklo
black deil
Tliat danced awa' wi' the Exciseman.
The deil's awa', the deil's awa'.
The deil's awa' wi' the Exciseman;
He's danced awa', he's danced awa'.
He's danced awa' wi' the Excise-
man!
There's threesome reels, there's four-
some reels, [man ;
There's hornpipes and strathspeys.
But the ae best dance e'er cam to the
land, [man.
Was — the deil's awa' wi' the Excise-
The deil's awa', the deil's awa'.
The deil's awa' wi' the Exciseman ;
He's danced awa', he's danced awa'.
He's danced awa' wi' the Excise-
man !
BONNY LESLEY.
The poet in a letter to Mrs. Dunlop, gives the
following account of the origin of this song :
— " Apropos !^-do you know that I am
almost in love with an acquaintance of
yours? Know, then," said he, "that thfe
heart-struck awe, the distant humble
approach, the delight we should have in
gazing upon and listening to a messenger Qf
Heaven, appearing in all the unspotted pur-
ity of his celestial home, amon^ the coarse,
polluted, far inferior sons of men, to deliver
to them tiaings that should make their
hearts swim in joy, and their imaginations
soar in transport, — such, so delighting and
and so pure, were the emotions of my soul
on meeting the other day with Miss Lesley
Baillie, your neighbour at Mayfield. Mr.
Baillie, with his two daughters, accompanied
by Mr. H. of G., passing through Dumfries
a few days ago, on their way to England,
■ did_ me the honour of calling on me, on
which I took my horse, (though God knows
I could ill spare the time,) and accompanied
them fourteen or fifteen miles, and dined
and spent the day with them. 'Twas about
nine, I think, when I left them ; and riding
home, I composed the following ballad.
You must know that there is an old one
beginning with —
'My bonny Lizzie Baillie,
I U rowe thee in my plaidic, &c.
So I parodied it as follows." Miss BailUe
ultimately became Mrs. Gumming of Logic
and died in Edinburg in 1S43.
On, saw ye bonny Lesley
As she gaed o'er the Border ?
She's gane lilcc Alexander,
To spread her conquests farther.
To see her is to love her.
And love but her forever;
For Nature made her what she is
And never made anither !
SONGS.
238
Thou art a queen, fair Lesley,
Tliy subjects we, before thee;
Thou art divine, fair Lesley,
The hearts o' men adore thee.
The deil lie couldna skaitli' thee.
Nor auglit that wad belang tliee;
He'd look into thy bonny face,
And say, " I canna wrang thee."
The powers aboon will tent^ thee;
Misfortune sha' na steer thee;
Thou'rt like themselves sae lovely,
That ill they'll ne'er let near thee.
Return again, fair Lesley,
Keturn to Caledonie !
That we may brag we hae a lass
There's nane again sae bonny.
CEAIGIE-BURN WOOD.
The poet composed the f ollowinff son^ to aid
the eloquence of a Mr. Gillespie, a friend of
his, who was paying his addresses to a Miss
Lorimer, a young lady who resided at a
beautiful place on the banks of the Moffat,
called Craigie-burn Wood.
SwBET closes the evening on Cragie-
burn Wood,
And blithely awaukens the morrow;
But the pride of the spring in the
Craigie-burn Wood
Can yield to me nothing but sorrow.
Beyond thee, dearie, beyond thee,
dearie,
And oh ! to be lying beyond thee ;
Oh, sweetly, soundly, weel may he
sleep
That's laid in the bed beyond
thee!
I see the spreading leaves and flowers,
I hear the wild birds singing;
But pleasure they hae nane for me.
While care my heart is wringing.
I canna tell, I maunna tell,
I darena for your anger;
But secret love will breaJt my heart.
If I conceal it langer.
^ Harm. ^ Guard.
I see thee gracefu', straight, and tall;
I see thee sweet and bonny;
But oh, what will ray torments be.
If thou refuse thy Johnnie I
To see thee in anither's arms.
In love to lie and languish,
'Twad be my dead,' that will bo seen,
My heart wad burst wi' anguish.
But, Jeanio, say thou wilt be mine.
Say thou lo'es nane before me; '
And a' my days o' life to come
I'll gratefully adore thee.
SECOND VERSION.
Sweet fa's the eve on Craigie-burn,'
And blithe awakes the morrow;
But a' the pride o' spring's return
Can yield me nought but sorrow.
I see the flowers and spreading trees,
I hear the wild birds singing;
But what a weary wight can please,
And care his bosom wringing ?
Fain, fain would I my griefs impart.
Yet darena for your anger;
But secret love will break my heart.
If 1 conceal it langer.
If thou refuse to pity me.
If thou shalt love anither.
When yon green leaves fade f rae the
tree.
Around my grave they'll wither.
FRAE THE FRIENDS AND LAND
I LOVE.
Am — ""Carron Side."
In his notes to the Museum, the poet says of
this song :— " I added the last four lines by
way of giving a turn to the theme of th^
Eoem — such as it is.'' The entire song,
owever, was in his own handwriting, and
is generally thought to be his own composi-
tion, as the other twelve lines have not oeen
found in any collection.
Fkae the friends and land I love,.
Driven by Fortune's felly' spite.
' Death.
2 Relentless.
236
BURNS' WORKS.
Frae my best-beloved I rove.
Never mair to taste delight;
Never mair maun liope to fijad
Base ffae toil, relief frae care:
Wlien remembrance wracks the mind,
Pleasures, but unveil despair.
Brightest climes shall mirk appear,
Elesert ilka blooming shore.
Till the Fates, nae mair severe,
Friendship, Love, arid Peace restore;
Till Revenge, wi' laurell'd head,
Bring our banish'd name again;
And ilka loyal bonny lad
Cross the seas and win his ain. ,
MY TOCHER'S THE JEWEL.
Tune --" My Tocher's the Jewel."
Oh meikle thinks my luve o' my
beauty, P^^in;
And meikle thinks my luve o' my
But little thinks my luve I ken brawlie'
My tocher's'^ the jewel has charms
for him. [tree;
It's a' for the apple he'll nourish the
It's a' for the hiney he'll cherish the
bee; [siller
My laddie's sae meUde in luve wi' the
He canna hae luve to spare for me.
Your proffer o' luve's an airl-penny,'
My tocher's the bargain ye wad buy;
But an ye be crafty 1 am cunnin', [try.
Sae ye wi' anitlier your fortune maun
Ye're like to the timmer' o' yon rotten
wood, [tree,
Ye're like to the bark o' yon rotten
Ye'll slip frae me like a knotless thread.
And ye'll crack^ your credit wi' niae'
nor me.
WHAT CAN A YOUNG LASSIE DO ?
Tune — " What can a young lassie do wi' an
auld man? '
What can a young lassie, what shall
a young lassie, [auld man ?
What can a young lassie do wi' an
. ^ Know well.- ^ Dov/rv. ^ Money mveii' as
earn<ist of a bargain. ^ Timber. "^Injure.
" More.
Bad luck on the penny that tempted
my minnie' [and Ian !'
To sell her poor Jenny for siller
Bad luck on the penny, &c.
He's always compleenin' frae mornin'
to e'enin', [day lang;
lie boasts'' and he hirples^ the weary-
He's doyl'f and he's dozen* his bluid it
is frozen, . [maff'!
Oh, dreary's the night wi' a cra^ir auld
He'sdoyl't and he's dozen, &c.
He hums and he hankers, hef rets and
he cankers, . , [I caa;
I never can please him dp a' that
He's peevisii and jealous of a' the
yonng fellows; [auld man !
Oh, dool" on the day I met wi' an
He's peevish and jealous, ^5.
My auld Auntie Katie upon me taks
pity, [plan !
I'll do my endeavour to follow her
I'll cross him, and wrack" him , until I
heart-break him.
And then his auld brass will buy
me a new pan. [&c.
I'll cross him, and wrack hiii.
OH, HOW CAN I BE BLITHE AND
GLAD?
Tone—" Owre the hills and far awa'.'j .
Oh, how can I be blithe and glad,
Or how can I gang brisk and braw,.
When the bonny lad that I lo'e best
Is o'er the hills and far awa'?
When the bonny lad that I lo'e best
Is o'er the hills and far awa'?
It's no the frosty winter wind.
It's no the driving drift and snaw;
But aye the tear comes in my ee.
To think on him that's far awa'.
But aye the tear comes in my ee.
To think on him that's far awa'. •
My father pat me frae his door.
My friends they hae disown'd me a'.
But I hae ane will tak my part.
The bonny lad that's far awa'.
' Mother. 2 Coughs. ^ Limps. < Crazed.
' Benumbed. » Woe.
SONGS.
237'
But I hae ano will tak iny part,
Tlie bbiiiiy lad tliat's far awa'.
A pair o* gloves lie bouglit for me,
And silken snoods* he gae me twa;
And I will wear them for his sake, —
The honriy lad that's far awa".
And I will wear them for his sake, —
The bonny lad that's far awa'.
Oh, weary winter soon. will pass,
And spring wiU. deed the birken-
shaw;'
And my young baby will be born,
" ^ And he'll be hame that's far awa'.
And my young baby will be born,-
And he'll be hame that's far awa'.
I DO CONFESS THOU AET SAE
FAIR.
Tone — " I do confess thou art sae fair."^
This song was altered by the poet intcScotch,
from a poem by Sir Robert Ayton, private
secretary to Anne, consort of James VI.
^ " I think," says Bums, " that I have im-
proved the simplicity of the sentiments by
giving them a Scots dress." *
1 Birch-wood.
* See p. — note.
* The following are the old words ; —
" I do confess thou'rt smooth and fair,
And I might have gone near to love thee;
Had I not found the slightest prayer
That lips could speak had power to move
But_I. can let thee now alone, , [thee.
As worthy to be loyed by none.
''I dojcpnfess thou'rt sweet ■ yet iind
Thee such an unthrif tpf thy sweets,
Thy- favours are but like' the wind,
That kisseth everything it meets ;
And since thou canst with more than one,
Thoy'rt worthy to-be kissed by none.
" The morning: rose, that untouch'd stands,
Arm'd with her briers, how sweetly
smells! [hands.
But, pluck'd and strain'd through ruder
Her sweet no longer with her dwells.
But scent and beauty both are gone.
And leaves fall from her, one by one.
•* Such fate, ere long, will thee betide.
When thou bast handled been a while.
Like sun-flowers to be thrown aside.
And I shall -sigh while some will smile,
- To see thy love for more than one
Jiath brought thee to be loved by none."
I DO confess thou art sae fair.
I wud been owre the lugs' in luve,
Had I na found the slightest prayfer
That lips could speak thy heart could
move.
I do confess thee sweet, but find
Thou art sae thriftless o' thy sweets,
Thy favours are the silly wind.
That kisses ilka thing it meets.
See yonder rosebud, rich in dew,
Amang its native briers sae coy;
How sune it tines^ its scent and hue
Whenpu'd and worn a common toy!
Sic fate, ere lang, shall thee betide,
Though thou may gayly blOom a
while;
Yet sune thou shalt be thrown aside
Like ony common weed and vile.-
YON WILD MOSSY MOUNTAINS.
Tune — " Yon wild mossy mountains."
" This song," says the poet, ^' alludes " to a
part of my private history which it is of no-
consequence to the world to know."
Yon wild mossy mountains sae lofty
and wide, [the Clyde;
That nurse in their bosom the youth o''
Where the grouse lead their coveys
through the heather to feed.
And the shepherd tends his flock as he
pipes on his reed.
Where the grouse lead their coveys
through the heather to" feed.
And the shepherd tends his flock as
he pipes on his reed.
Not Gowrie's rich valleys, nor Forth's
sunny shores, [moors;
To me hajs the charms o' yon wild mossy
For there, by a lanely,, sequester'd
clear stream, [my dreamt
Resides a sweet lassie, my tliought and
For there, by a lanely, sequester'd
clear stream, [and my dream. -
Resides a sweet lassie, my thought
Amang thae wild mountains shall still
be my path, [narrow strath;
Ilk stream foainitig down its ain green
For there, wi' my lassie, the dayrlang
I rove, piours o' love.
While o'er us unheeded, flee the swift
■Ears.
' Loses.
338
BURNS' WORKS.
For tJiere, -wi' my lassie, the day-lang
I rove,
WMle o'er us, iinlieeded, flee tlie
swift hours o" love.
She is not thff fairest, although she is
fair;
0' nice education but sma' is her share ;
Her parentage humble as humble can
be; [lo'esme.
But I lo'e the dear lassie because she
Her parentage humble as humble
can be, [she lo'es me.
' But I lo'e the dear lassie, because
To beauty what man but maun yield
him a prize, [and sighs ?
In her armour of glances, and blushes,
And. when wit and reiinement hae pol-
ish'd her darts, [hearts.
They dazzle our een as tliey fly to our
And wlien wit and refinement hae
polish'd her darts, [our hearts.
They dazzle our een as they fly to
But kindness, sweet kindness, in the
fond sparkling ee, [me;
Has lustre outshining the diamond to
And the heart-beating love, as I'm
clasp'd in her arms, [charms !
Gh, these are my lassie's all-conquering
And the heart-beating love, as I'm
clasped in her arms.
Oh, these are my lassie's all-coinquer-
iug charms !
OH FOR ANE-AND-TWENTY,
TAM!
Tune — " The Moudiewort."
And oh for ane-and-twenty, Tam !
And hey, sweet ane-and-twenty,
Tam !
I'll learn my kin a rattlin' sang.
An I saw ane-and-twenty, Tam.
They snool' me sair, and hand me
down,
And gar me look like bluntie,' Tam;
But three short years will soon wheel
roun' — [Tam.
And then comes ane-and-twenty.
1 Curb.
^ A simpleton.
A gleib o' Ian' a claut o' gear,*
Wag left me by my auntie, Tam;
At kith or kin I needna spier,"
An I saw ane-and-twenty, T^m.
The'll hae me wed a wealthy coof.'
Though I mysel hae plenty, J'am;
But hear'st thou, laddie — there's my
loofi—
I'm thine at ane-and-twenty, Tam.
BESS AND HER SPINNING-
WHEEL. .„
Tune — " The sweet lass that lo'es me.":r
Oh, leeze me on my spinning-wheel.
And leeze me on my Tock and reel'; "^T
Frae tap to tae that deeds me bien,'
And haps^ me fieP and warm at e'en !
I'll set me downand sing and spin,-
Wliile laigh descends the simmer suri,^
Blest wi' content; and milk and meal —
Oh; leeze me on my spinning-wheel !
On ilka hand the burnies trot,*
And meet below my theekit cot;
The scented birk and hawthorn white.
Across the pool their arms unite,
Alilce to screen the hirdies' nest.
And little fishes' caller" rest;
The sun blinks kindly in the beil,'
Where blithe I turn my spinning-,
wheel'.
On lofty aiks the cushats' wail,
And echo cons the doolfu'' tale;
The lintwhites in the hazel braes.
Delighted, rival ithel's lays;
The cralk' amang the clover hay.
The paitrick whirrin' o'er the ley.
The swallow jinkin' round my shiel,'"-
AmuSe me at my spinning-wheel.
Wi' sma' to sell and less to buy,
Aboon distress, below envy.
Oh, wha wad leave this humble state,
For a' the pride of a' the great ?
Amid their flaring, idle toys.
Amid their cumbrous, dinsotae joys.
Can they the peace and pleasure feel
Of Bessy at her spinning wheel ?
3 A portion of ground. * A sum of money.
» Ask. « Fool. ' Hand.
■ Comfortably. ' Wraps. = Soft. ' Run.
5 Cool. » Sheltered place. ' Woods-pieeon.
8 Woeful. -» Landrail. " Cottage, ■» .
SONGS.
839
NITHSDALE'S WELCOME HAME.
This sonff was written to celebrate the .return
to Scotland of Lady- Winifred Maxwell, a
descendant of the attainted Earl of Nitlis-
daie. The music to which the poet com-
EDsed the verses was by Captain Riddel of
rlenriddel.
The noble Maxwells and their powers
Are coming o'er the Border,
And they'll gae big Terregle's towers.
And set them a' in order.
And they declare Terregle's fair,
Epr their abode they ehoose it;
There's no a heart in a' the laud
But's lighter at the news o't.
Though stars in sides may disappear.
And angry tempests gather;
The happy hour may soon be near
That brings us pleasant weather
The weary night o' care and grief •
May haea joyfu' morrow;
.So'-dawniQg day has brought relief —
Eareweel our night o' sorrow 1
COUNTRIE LASSIE.
Tune — " The Country Lass."
In simmer, when the hay was mawn.
And corn waved green in' ilka field.
While clover blooms white o'er the lea.
And roses blawin ilka bield;'
Blithe Bessie in the milking shiel,*
Says, "I'll be wed, come o't what
will:"
Out spak a dame*in wrinkled eild' — •
' ' O' guid advisement comes na ill.
*' It's ye hae wooers mony ane,
And, lassie, ye're but young, ye ken;
Then wait a wee, and canaie wale,"*
A routhie butt, a routine ben :*
There's Johnnie o' the Buskie GHen,
Fu' is his barn, f u' is his byre;
Tak this f rae me, my bonny lien.
It's plenty beats the laver's fire."
"For Johnnie o' the Buskie Glen,
I dinna care a single flie;
He lo'es sae weel his craps and kye.
He has uae luve to spare for me:
> Sheltered place. = Shed. ' Age.
choose. * A home- with plenty in it.
' Wisely
But blithe's the blink o' Bobbie's ee.
And weel I wat he lo'es me dear:
Ae blink o' him I wadna gie
For Buskie Glen and a' his gear."
"Oh, thoughtless- -lassie, life's a
faught;"
The canniest gate,' the strife-is.sair:
But ay f u'lhant is fechtin' best,
A hungry care's an unco care:
But some" will spend, and some will
spare.
And wilfu' folk maun hae their will;
Syne* as ye brew, my maiden fair.
Keep mind that ye maun drink the
yill."
" Oh, gear will "buy me rigs o' land.
And gear will buy me sheep and kye;
But the tender heart o' leesome' luve
The gowd and siller canna buy;
We may be poor-^Robbie and I,
Light is the burden luve lays on;
Content and luve bring peace and joy —
What mair hae queens upon ai
throne f
FAIR ELIZA.
TuKN again, thou fair Eliza,
Ati Jiind blink before we part.
Rue on thx despairing lover!
Canst thoa break his f aithfn' heart ?
Turn again', thou fair Eliza;
If to love thy heart denies.
For pity hide the cruel sentence
Under friendship's kind disguise!
Thee, dear maid, hae I offended ?
The offence is loving thee:
Canst thou wreck his peace forever
Wha for thine wad gladly die ?
Wliile the life beats in my bosom.
Thou shalt mix in ilka throe; '
Turn again, thou lovely maiden,
Ae sweet smile on me bestow.
Not the bee upon the blossom.
In, the pride o' sunny noon;
Not tlie little sporting fairy.
All beneath the simmer moon :
' Struggle,
some.
'Easiest way. 'And. "^Glad-
BTJRNS'.WQKKS.
Not.tlie;pq,et, in the moment
Fancy lightens in his ee,
Kens the pleasure, fsels the rapture,
That thy.presence gies to me. ..
OH, LUVE WILL VENTURE IN.
Tune— " The Posie."
Oh, luve will venture in
Where it daurnaweel be seen;
Oh, love-will venture in
Where wisdom ance Kas been;
But I will down yon river rove,
" Amang the ^oods sae green^
And a' to pu' a posie
To my- ain dear May.
The primrose I will pu',
The''firstling of the year;
Arid Twin pu' the pimt, .
The emblem 6* my dear;
For she's the pink o' womtmkind,.
And blooms without a peer —
And a' to be a posie
To my ain dear May.
I'll pu' the budding rose,
When Phoebus peeps in view.
For it's Jike a baumyj:kiss
0' her sweet, bonny mou' ;
The hyacinth's for constancy,
Wi' its unchanging blue —
And a'.toTje a posie .
To my ain dear May.
■The lily it is puj-e.
And the lily It is fair.
And in her lovely bosom
I'll place the lily there;
The dairy's for simplicity.
And unaffected air —
And a' to be a posie
To my ain dear May.
Tlxe hawthorn I will pu',
Wi' its locks o.', siller gray,
WJiere, like an agedjnan.
It stands at break of da.y. [bnsli
But ilie songster's nest within the
I winna talc away — ,
And a' to be a posie
To my ain dear May.
The, W!Opdbine .1 will pu'.
When the everiia* star is near, .
And the diamond diaps o'.dew
Shall be her een sae clear ;
The violet's for modesty,"
Wliich weel she fa's to wear —
And a' to be a posie
To my ain dear May.
I'll tie the posie round
Wi' the silkeri band of love.
And I'll place it in her breast.
And I'll swear by a' above.
That to my latest draught o' life
The band shall ne'er remove —
And this will be a posie
' To my aiu dear May.
THE BANKS 0' DOON.
Tune— ''.Caledonian Hunt's Delight." ■
This'is a second version of the song wbieh-*
the poet composed, in 1787; and aitbpu^
greatly inferior in many respects to ~the iirst.
It has almost entirely superseded it. For
the subject of the song, see the first version,
P.203-.
Ye banks and braes o' bonny Doon,
How can ye -bloom sae fresh and
fair ;
How can ye chant, ye little biMs,
And -I sae weary, f u' o' care !-
Thou'll break my heart, thou warbling
bird, [thorn :
That wantons through the flowering
Thou minds me o' departed joys.
Departed — never to return !
Oft hae I roved by bonny^ Doon,
To see the rose and woodbine twine;
And ilka bird sang o'«its luve. ■
And fondly sae did I o' mine.
Wi' lightsome heart I pu'd a rose,
Fu' sweet upon its thorny tree ; ' '
And my fause luver stole my rose.
But, ah !. he left the thorn wi' me. .
SIC A WIFE AS WILLIE HAD.
.Tune—" The Eight Men of Moidart."
Willie Wastle dwalt on Tweed,
The spot they ca'd it Linkum-doddie^
Willie was a wabster' guid.
Could stown- a clue wi' ony bodie; .
He }iad a wife was dour and din.
Oh, Tinkler Madgie was her mither;
^ Weaver. 2 Stolen.
SDNGS.'
2ftl-
Sic a. wife as Willie llad,
I wadna gie a button for her.
She has an ee — shahas but ane,
The cat has twa the very colour;
Five rusty teeth 'forbye' a stump,
A clapper-tongue wad deave a ffiiller;
A whiskin' beard about her mou',
Her nose and chin they threaten
ither —
Sic a wife as Willie had,
1 wadna gie a button for her.
She's bovr-hough'd, she's hein-shinn'd,
Ae limpin' leg, a hand-breed shorter;
She's twisted right, she's twisted left.
To balanoe fair in ilka quarter :
She has a Jjnmp upon her breast.
The twin o' that upon her shouther —
Sic a wife as Willie had,
i' wadna gie a butlon for her.
Auld- baudrons* by the ingle* sits,
And wi' her loof her face a-washin';
But Willie's wife is nae sae trig,^-
She dights her-grunzie" wi, a husli-
ion;"
fier walie nieves'" like midden-creels,
He5 face wad fyle the Logan Water —
Si« a wife as Willie had, » -
I wadna gie. a button for her.
SMILING SPRING COMES IN
REJOICING.
Tune—" The Bonny Bell.'
The smiling Spring comes in rejoicing,
An<i surly Winter grimly flies;
]^w crystal clear are the falling wa-
ters, ,
And bonny blue are the sunny skies;
Fresh o'er the mountains breaks forth
the morning,
'the evening gilds the ocean's swell;
4^11 creatures joy in the sun's returning.
And I rejoice in my bonny Bell. ~ .
The flowery Spring leads sunny Sum-
mer,
And yellow Autumn presses near,
Then in Ms turn cbnies'glbomy Winter,
Till smiling Spring again appear.
" = Besides. * The C*t.'' Eire. .• P^lm. ' Clean.
' Mouth. " An old Mocking. >" Ample fists.
Thus seasons dancing, life advancing,
Old Time andTNature their changes
tell, ' '
Bufnever ranging, still unchanging,
I adore my bonny Bell.
THE GALLANT WEAVER.
Tune—" The Weavers' March."
Where Cart* rins jowin' to the sea.
By moiya flower and spreading tree,
Their lives a lad, the lad for »ie,
, . He is a gallant -^yeaver.
Oh, I l\ad wooers aught or nine,
They.|!ied me rings ^nd ribbons fine;
And I was fear'd my heart would tine,'
And I gied it to the weaver.
My daddje sign'd my tocher-band,*
To gie the lad that has the land.
But to. my heart I'll add my hand,
, And .gie it to the weaver.
While.birda rejoice in leafy bowers;
While bees delight in.openingflowevs;
While corn grow^ green in summer
showers,
I'll love my gallant weaver.
SHE'S FAIR AND PAUSE.
Tune — " She's Fair and Fause."
She's fair and fause-that causes my
_ sniart',
I lo-ed Jier meikle and' lang;
She's broken her vow, she's broken my
•heart.
And I may e'en gae hang.
A coof ' cam wi' routh o' gear,-
And I hae tint^ my dearest dear;
But woman is but warld's gear,
Sae let the bonny lassie gfing.
Whae'er ye be that woman love.
To this be never blind,
Nae ferlie-* 'tis, .though fickle she prove,
A woman has't by kind,
O woman, lovely woman fair!
An angel form's fa'n to thy share:
'Twad been o'er meikle to gien* thee
Viair —
I mean an angel mind.
1 Lose. i Marriage-deed.
'Fool. 2 Abundance of wlalth. »Lost.
* Wonder. ' Have given.
♦ The Cart is a river in Renfrewshire,
which runs through the town of Pkisle^, cele-
bratedTfor the labouh of Ihd loom.
243
BUENS' WORKS.
MY AIN KIND DEARIE, O;
Tune—" The Lea-Riff."
When o'er the hill the eastern star
Tells bughtin-tinie' is near, my jo;
And owsen frae the furrow'd field
Return sae dowf^ and weary, 0;
Down by the burn, where scented
birks'
Wi' dew are hanging clear, my jo,
I'll meet thee on the lea-rig,*
My ain kind dearie, 0 !
In mirkest'' glen, at midnight hour,
I'd rove, and ne'er be eerie," 0;
If through that glen I gaed to thee.
My ain kind dearie, 0!
Although the night were ne'er sae wild.
And I were ne'er sae wearie, 0,
I'd meet thee on the lea- rig,
My ain kind dearie, 01
The hunter lo'es the morning sun.
To rouse the mountain deer, ray jo;
At noon the fisher seeks the glen.
Along the barn to steer, my jo;
Gie me the hour o' gloaniin' gray.
It maks my heart sae cheery, O,
To meet thee on the lea-rig.
My ain kind dearie, 0 I
MY WIFE'S A WINSOME WEE
THING.
The following lively lines, the poet tells us,
were written extempore to the old air of
" My Wife's a Wanton Wee Thing ;—
She is a winsome wee thing.
She is a handsome wee thing.
She is a bonny wee thing,
This sweet wee wife o' mine.
I never saw a fairer,
I never lo'ed a dearer:
And neist my heart I'U wear her.
For fear my jewel tine.'
She is a winsome wee thing,
She is a handsome wee thing,
She is a bonny wee thing.
This sweet wee wife o'%iine.
1 Folding-time. - Dull. ' Birches.
* Grassy ridge. ^ Darkest. •* Frightened.
1 Be lost.
The warld's wrack ^e share o't.
The warstle and the care o't;
Wi' her I'll blithely bear it.
And think my lot divine.
HIGHLAND MARY.
Tune— " Kathrine Ogie."
This is another of those 'glorious lyrics inspir-
ed by the poet's passion for Highland Mary ■
and which celebrates, in strains worthy of
the occasion, their last interview, and her'
untimely and'lamented death. "The follow-
ing song," he says, in a letter to Thomson,
enclosing the verses, *' please? me : I think
it is in my happiest manner. The subject of
the song'is one of the most imeresting pas-
sages of my youthful days ; and I own that
I should be much flattered to see the verses
set to an air which would insure celebrity.
Perhaps, after all, it is the still glowing'
prejudice of my heart that throws a borrow-
ed lustre over the merits of the composi-.
tion." See p. 219. for an account of Mary.
Ye banks, and braes, and streams
around
The castle o' Montgomery, [flowers.
Green be your woods, and fair your-
Your waters never drumlie I'
There simmer first unfaulds her robes.
And there the langest tarry;
For there I took the last fareweel
0' my sweet Highland Mary.
How svfeetly bloom' d the gay green
birk !■'
How rich the hawthorn's blossom !
As underneath their fragrant shade,
I clasped her to my bosom !
The golden hours, on angel wings.
Flew o'er me and my dearie;
For dear to me, as light and life.
Was my sweet Highland Mary !
Wi' mony a vow, and lock'd embrace,
Our parting was fu' tender;
And, pledging aft to meet again.
We tore oursels asunder;
But, oh ! fell Death's untimely frost,
That nipt my flower sae early ! —
Now green's the sod, and cauld's the-
clay,
That wraps my Highland Mary !
Oh, pale, pale now, those rosy lips,
I aft hae kiss'd sae fondly 1
And closed for aye the sparkling
glance
That dwelt on me sae kindly !
1 Muddy. 2 Birch,
SONGS.
343;
And mouldering now in silent dust.
That heart that lo'ed me dearly —
But still within my bosom's core
Shall live my Highland Mary 1
AULD BOB MORRIS.
The two first lines of the following song were
taken from an old ballad — the rest is the
poet's :—
Thkre'iS auld Rob Morris that wous^
in yon gleii,
He's tlio king o' guid fellows and
wale'^ of auld men;
He has gowd in his cofEers, he has
owseu and kine, [mine.
And ae bonny lassie, his darling and
ShVs fresh as the -moruiBg the fairest
in May; [new hay;
She's sweet as the evening amang the
As blitlio and as artless as lambs on
the lea, [my ee.
And dear to my heart as the light to
B.ut oh ! she's an heiress — auld Robin's
a laird, [house and yard;
And my daddie has nought but a cot-
A wooer like me mauuna hope to come
speed; [be my dead. ^
The wounds I must hide that will soon
The day comes to me, but delight
brings me nane; [itisgane;
The night comes to me, but my rest
I wander my lane like a night-troubled
ghaist, [my breast.
And I sigli as my heart it wad buret in
Oh, had she but been of a lower degree,
I then might hae hoped she'd hae
smiled upon me ! [my bliss,
Oh. how past descriving^ had then been
As now my distraction no words can
express !
DUNCAN GRAY.
This song was written on the model and to
the tune of a coarse old ditty in Johnson's
Museum^ the name of the hero, and a line or
two, being all that was retained.
Duncan Gray cam here to woo.
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
' Dwells. 2 Choice. ' Death. * Describing.
On blithe yule night when we were fou.
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
Maggie coost her head fu' high,
Look'd asklent and unco skeigli,'
Gart poor Duncan stand abei^i;'^
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
Duncan fleech'd," and Duncan pray'd.
Ha, ha, the wooing o't:
Meg was deaf as Ailsa Craig,*
Ha, ha, the wooing o't,
Duncan sigh'd baith out and in,
Grat-* his een baith bleert and blrn',
Spak o' lowpin' o'er a linn ;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
Time and chance are but a tide;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't;
Slighted love is sair to bide;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
Shall I, like a fool, quoth he.
For a haughty liizzie die ?
She may gae to — Prance for me I
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
How it comes let doctors tell;
Ha, ha, tlie wooing o't;
Meg grew sick as he grew heal;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
Something in her bosom wrings.
For relief a sigh she brings;
And oh, her een, they spals sic things!
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
Duncan was a lad o' grace;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't;
Maggie's was a piteous case ;
Ha, haj the wooing o't.
Duncan couldna be her death,
Swelling^ jnty smoor'd" his wrath;
Now they're crouse and canty" baith,;
Ha, ha, the wooing o't.
COCK UP YOUR BEAVER.
Tune-*-*' Cock up your beaver."
The second stanza only of this song is Burns'
— the first is old.
When first my brave Johnnie lad
Came to this town,
He had a blue bonnet
■ That wanted the crown;
1 Disdainful. ^ Aloof. ' Flattered. * Wept.
^ Smothered. •> Cheerful and happy.
* A well-known rocky islet in the Frith of
Clyde.
S44
BURXS' WORKS.
But now lie lias gotten
A hat and a f eather,-T- ,
Hey, brave Jolinnio lad,
Cock up your beaver !
Cock up your beaver.
And cock it f ii' 3prusli,
We'll over the Border
And gio tliem a brush;
There's somebody there
We'll teach them behaviour-
Hey, brave Johnnie lad.
Cock up your beaver !
BONNY PEG.
As I catae in by our gate end.
As day was waxin' weary.
Oil, wlia calne tripping down tlie street.
But bonny Peg, my dearie !
Her air sae sweet, and shape complete,
Wi'.nae proportion wanting.
The Queen of Love did never move
Wi' a motion mair enchanting.
Wi' linlied hands, we took the sands
Adown yon winding river;
And, oh ! tliat hour and broomy bower,
Can 1 forget it ever ? "
THE TITHER MORN.
To a Highland Air.
The tither mom,
Wlien I forlorn,
Aneatli an aik sat moaning,
I did na trow'
I'd see my jo^
Beside me gin the gloaming.
But lie sae trig'
Lap o'er the rig.
And dawtiiigly' did cheer me,
Wlien I, what reck,
. ■ Did least expec'
To see my lad sae near me.
His bonnet he,
A thought ajee,
Cock'd sprush when first lie clasp'd me;
And I, I wat,»
Wi' fainness grat,°
While in his grips he press'd me.
Deil tak the war!
I late and air
> Think. ' Dear. ^ Ugat. * Lovingly.
' Know. ' Aycpt.
Hae wish'd since Jock departed;
But now as glad
I'm wi' my lad
As short syne broken-hearted.
Pu' aft at e'en
Wi' dancing keen.
When a'' were lilithe and inerry,
I cared naTjy,
Sae sad was I
In absence o' my dearie.
But, praise be blest, ^^ . ^
My mind's at rest,
I'm happy wi' my Johnny ;
At kiiji and fair,
I'se aye be there.
And be as canty's' ony.
THE DEUK'S DANG O'ER MTf •
DADDIE, O.
TuwE— " The deuk's dang o'er my daddie."
The bairns gat out wi' an unco shout,
The deuk's' cdang o'er my daddie^^ O!
The. fient may care, quo' the f^j^
auld wife, •■ a^ .
He was but a paidlin' body, 0!
He paidles out, and he paidlesin,
And he paidles late and early, 0!
Thae seven lang years I hae lien by
his side,
And he is but a fusionless^ carlie,.0!
Oh, hand your tongue, my feirie auld
wife; ■ ^ [O!
Oh, hand your tongue now, Nnnsie,
I've seen the day, and sae hae ye, _ ;
Ye wadna been sae donsJe,° O!
I've seen the day ye butter'd my brose.
And cuddled" me late and early ,iO;
But downa do's' come o'er me now.
And, oh! I feel it sairly, 0!
HAPPY FRIENDSHIP. "
Herb around the ingle' bleezing,
Wha sae happy and sae free;
Though the northern wind blavvs
freezing,
Frien'ship warms baitli you and me.
' Happy. ^, .„%
' Duck. - Sturdy. ' Wandering aimlessly
about. ■■ Sapless. ■> Pettish. » Fonaled.
' A phrase 5ig.nitying the exhaustion of ages
^ Fireside.
SONGS.
24S
CHQEtJS. ..
Happy we aro a' tliegitUer,
Hiippy we'll be yin and a' ;
Time shall see us a' the blither,
Ere we rise to gang awa'.
See the-inlser o'er his treasure
Gloating wi' a greedy ee !
Can he feel the glow o' pleasure
That aloand us here wc see 1
Can the peer, in silk and ermine,
Ca' his conscience half his own;
His claes* are spun and edged wi' ver-
min,
Though he stau' afore a throne!
Thus, then, let us a' be tassing^
Aff our stoups o' gen'rous flame;
And, while round th& board 'tis pass-
ing,
Raise a sang in frien'ship's name.
Prien'ship maks us a' mair happy,
, Frien'ship gies us a' delight;
Frien'ship consecrates the drappie,
Frien'ship brings us here to-night.
OH, SAW TE MY DEARIE.
Tune—" Eppie M'Nab."
Oh,- saw ye my dearie, my Eppie
M'Nab? XM'J'fab?
Oh, iSavy ye my dearie, my Eppie
She's down in the yard, she's kissin"
"the laird, [Rab,
She winna come hame to her ain Jock
Ob,; come thy ways to me, my. Eppie
'"M'N'ab! [M'Nab!
Oh,* come thy ways to me, my Eppie
Whate'er thou hast done, be it late, bo
it soon, [Rab.
Thou's welcome again to thy ain Jock
What, says she, my dearie, my Eppie
M'Nab? . , . [M'Nab?
i'^^Ji^t says she, my dearie, my Eppie
She lets thee to wit,' that she hias thee
i, -forgot, . [Rab.
And_forever disowns thee, her ain Jock
Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Eppie
--■-'"M'-Nab ! ■ ■
» Clothes. ' Tossing.
^ Know.
Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Eppie
M'Nab! • - r .
As light as the air, as faiise as thou's
. fair, [Rab.
Thou's broken the heart o'thy ain Jack
THE CARLE OF KELLYBURN
BRAES".
Tune — " Kellyburn Braes."
There lived a carle' in Kellyburn
braes, [thyme;)
(Hey, and the rue grows bomiy wi'
And he had a wife was the plague o'
■ his days; [is in prime.'
And the thyme it is withei-'d and rue
Ae day as the carle gaed* up the lang
glen, ' ' [thyme;)
. (Hey, and the rue grows boniiy wi'
He met wi' the devil, says, " How do
you fen ?* [is in. prime*
And the thyme it is wither'd and rue
" I've got a bad wife, sir: fiat's a' my
complaint;' [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
For, saving your presence, to her ye're
a saint; • . [is in prime."
And the thyme it is wither'd.and rue
" It's neither . your stof nor your
staig* I shall crave, [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
But gie me your wife, man, for her I
must have, [rue is in prime."
And the th%ne it is wither'd, and
"Oh! welcome, most kindly," thq
blithe" carle'said, [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
" But if ye can match her, ye're waur
than ye're ca'd, [is in prime."
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue
The devil has got the auld wife on his
back; [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny, wi'
And, like a poor pedlar, he's carried
his pack. [is in prime.
And the thyme.it is wither'd, and rue
• Man. 2 Went. » Live. * Bullock. ' Colt,
546
BURNS' WORKS.
He's carried lier Uame to liis ain hallan-
door, [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
Syne hade her gae in, for a bitch and
a whore, [is in prime.
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue
Then straight he makes fifty, the pick
o' his band, [thyme.)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
Turn out on her guard in the clap of a
hand; [is in prime.
And the thyme it is witlier'd, and rue
The carlin' gaed through them like
ony wud' bear, [thyme)
(Hey, and tlie rue grows bonny wi'
Whae'er she gat hands on cam near
hernamair; [is in prime.
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue
A reekit? wee devil looks over the wa' ;
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'.
thyme,) [us a',
"Oh, help, master, help! orshe'Uruin
And the thyme it is wither'd, and
rue is in prime."
The devil he swore by the edge o' his
knife; [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
He pitied the man that was tied to a
wife; [is in prime.
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue
The devil he swore by the kirk and the
bell, [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
He was not in wedlock, thank Heaven,
but in hell; 0 [is in prime.
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue
Then Satan has travell'd again with
his pack; [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
And to her auld husband he's carried
her back; [is in prime,
And the thyme it is wither'd, and rue
" I hae been a devil the feck o' my
life; [thyme,)
(Hey, and the rue grows bonny wi'
But ne'er was in Kell, till I met wi' a
wife; [is in prime."
Andthe thyme it is wither'd, and rue
* Woman. ' Wild. « Smoked. « Most. ',
YE JACOBITES BY NAME.
Tune — " Ye Jacobites by Name."
Ye Jacobites by name, give an ear,
give an ear ;
Ye Jacobites by name, give, an ear ;
Ye Jacobites by name, >i .
Your fauts I will proclaim.
Your doctrines I maun blame-^
You shall hear.
What is right, and what is wraiig, by
the law, by the law.
What is right, and what is wrang,
by the law !
Wliat is right, and what is wrang?
A short sword, and a lang, - ; -
A weak arm and a Strang
For to draw. - -■
What makes heroic strife famed afar,
famed afar ? [afiir ?
What makes heroic strife famed
What makes heroic strife 1
To whet th' assassin's knife.
Or hunt a parent's life
Wi' bluidie war.
Then let your schemes- alone, in the
state, in the state; [state;
Then let your schemes alone in the
Theii let your schemes alone.
Adore the rising sun.
And leave a "man undone
To his fate.
AS I WAS A- WANDERING.
Tune — "■ Rinn Meudial mo Mhealladh.'
As I was a- wandering ae midsummer
e'enin': [Idng their game.
The pipers and youngsters were ma-
Amang them I spied my faithless fause
lover, [dolour again.
Which bled a' the wound o' my
Weel, since he has left me, may
pleasure gae wi' him;
I may be distress'd, but I winna
complain ;
I'll flatter my fancy I may get
anither,
My heart it shall never be broken
for ane.
.SONGS.
247
1 couldna get sleeping till da win' for
' " greeting,'^ ' [and the rain :
The tears tfiGltled down like the hail
Had I na got greeiting, my heart wad a
"broken, [Ingpain!
For, oh! luve forsaken's a torment-
Although he has left me for greed o'
the siller, [win;
I'dinna envy him the gains he can
I rather wad bear a' the lade o' my
sorrow [to him.
Than ever hae acted sae faithless
THE SLAVE'S LAMENT.
It was in sweet Senegal that my foes
did me enthraJi
. For the laiias of Virginia, O;
Torn from that lovely shore, and must
never see it more,
■ And alas I am weary, weary, 0 !
All on that charming coast is no bitter
snow or frost.
Like the lands of Virginia, 0;
There streams forever flow, and there
flowers forever blow,
• And alas I am weary, weary, O!
The burden I must bear, while the
cruel scourge I fjsar,
In the lands of Virginia, 0;
And I think on friends most dear, with
the bitter, bitter tear.
And alas I am weary, weary, 0!
, THE WEARY FUND O' TOW.
Tune—" The Weary Fund o' Tow."
I BOUGHT my wife a stane o' lint'
As guid as e'er did grow:
And a' that she has made o' that
Is ae poor pund o' tow.^
The weary pund, the weary pund,
The weary pundo' tow;
I think my wife will end her life
Before she spin her tow.
There sat a bottle in a bole,
Beyont the ingle low,'
1 Dawn. 'Wee-ping,
lipiax. " Hemp or flax in a prepared state.
' Flame of the fire.
And aye she took the tither souk,''.
To drouk^ the stourie" tow.
Quoth I, "For shame, ye dirty daine,
Gae spin your tap o' tow ! "
She toolc the rock, and wi' a Jinock
She brak it o'er my pow.
At last her feet-=-I sang to see 't —
Gaed foremost o'er the knowe; '
AJjd or I wad anither jad,
I'll wallop in a tow.^
LADY MARY ANN.
Tune — " Craigton's Growing."
Oh, Lady Mary Ann
Looks o'er the castle waV
She saw tliree bonny boys
Playing at the ba';
The youngest he was
The flower amang them a' —
My bonny laddie's young,
But he's growm' yet.'
O father ! 0 father !
An ye think it fit.
We'll send him a year
To the college yet :
We'll sew a green ribbon
Round about his hat.
And that will let them kea
He's to marry yet.
Lady Mary Ann
Was a flower i' the dew.
Sweet was its smell.
And bonny was its hue;
And the langer it blossom'd
The sweeter it grew;
For the lily in the bud
Will be bonnier yet.
Young Charlie Cochrane
Was the sprout of an aik;
Bonny and bloomin'
And straught was its make;
The sun took delight
To shine for its sake.
And it will be the brag
0' the forest yet.
. Tlie simmer isgane
When the leaves they were green.
♦Swig. ' Drench.
6 Swing in a rope.
« Dusty. ' HiU:
248
BURNS' WORKS.
And the days are awa'
That we hae seen;
But far better days
I trust will come again.
For my bonny laddie's young.
But lie's growin' yet.
OH, KENMURE'S ON AND AWA'.
Tune — " Oh, Kenmure's on and awa% Willie."
" This sonff," says Cunningham, " refers to
■ the fortunes of the gallant Gordons of Keh-
mure in, the fatal ' Fifteen.' The Viscount .
left Galloway with two hundred horsemen
well armed ; he joined the other lowland
Jacobites — penetrated to Preston— repulsed,
and at last yielded to, the attack of General
Carpenter^-and perished on the scalffold.
He was a good as well as a brave man, and
his fate was deeply lamented. The title has
since been restored to the Gordon's line."
Bums was, once at least, an invited guest
at Kenmure Castle, near New Galloway.
Oh, Kenmure's on and awa', Willie !
Oh, Kenmure's on and awa' !
And Kenmure's lord's the bravest lord
That ever Galloway saw.
Success to Kenmure's band, Willie !
Success to Kenmure's band ;
There's' no a heart that fears a Whig
That rides by Kermiure's hand.
Here's Kenmure's health in wine,
Willie !
Here's. Kenmure's health in wine;
There ne'er was a coward o' Kenmure's
blude,
Nor yet o' Gordon's line.
Oh, Kenmnre's lads are men, Willie !
Oh, Kenmure's lads are men;
Their hearts and swords are metal
true —
And that their faes shall ken.
They'll live or die wi' fame, Willie !
They'll live or die wi* fame;
But soon wi' sounding victorie
May Kenmure's lord come hame !
Here's him that's far awa', Willie !
Here's him that's far awa'!
And here's the flower that I lo'e best —
"Tlie iaae that's like the snaw !
MY COLLIER LADDIE.
TuME— " The Collier Laddie."
" I do not know," says Bums, " a blither old-
song than this ;" which he modified and
altered, and then sent to the Museum. _ _. ^ -
Oh,- whare live ye, my bonny laas 1 '■
And tell me what they ca,' feV
My name, she says, is Mistress Jean,
And 1 follow the Collier Laddie.
My name, she says, is MistrdgS
Jean, "
And I follow the Collier Laddie;
Oh, see you not yon hills and dales,
"The sun shines on sae brawlie 1
They a' are mine, and they shall be
thine, ~i
Gin ye'll leave your Collier Laddie.
They a' are mine, and they shall-
be thine.
Gin ye'll leave your Collier Laddie,;
And ye shall gang in gay attire, ,.
Weel buskit' up sae gaudy;
And ane to wait at every hand.
Gin ye'll leave your Collier Laddie.
And ane to wait at every hand.
Gin ye'll leave your Collier Laddie.
Though ye had a' the sun shines on.
And the earth, conceals sae lowly,
I wad turn my bade on you and it a'.
And embrace my Collier Laddie, [a',
I wad turn my back on you and it
And embrace my Collier Laddie,
I can win my five pennies a day,
And spen't at night fu' brawlie; ■•
And mak my bed in the Collier's nefuk'
And lie down wi' my Collier Laddie.
And mak my bed in the Collier's
neuk, [die.
And lie dovim wi' my Collier had-
Luve forluve is the bargain for me, J
Though the wee cot-house should
hand me; [bread,.
And the warld before me to win my
And fair fa' my Collier Laddie.
And the warld before me to win
my bread.
And fair fa' my Collier Laddie.
• Dressed.
«Hut.
songs;
349
FAREWELL TOA' OUR SCOTTISH
FAME,
> . Tune — *' Such a Parcel of Rogues in a
^{j. ,, -Nation;"
"Bums,'' says Cunningham, " has expressed
sentimenta ii^.this song .which were once
popular in the' north." The poet himself,
mdee^^Elppeafs to have been in the habit ot
expressing his feelings pretty freely regard-
ing the Union.— " What," he exclaimed, on
' ^n^ occasion, " are all the advantages which
^my country reaps from the Union that can
counterbalance the annihilation of her inde-
pendence, and eyen her very name ? Noth-
ing can reconcile me to the terms, ' Englisli
Ambassador,' ^Englisli Court,' " &c.
Pareweel to a' our Scottish fame,
' Fareweel our ancient glory !
Fareweel even to the Scottish name,
Sae famed in martial story !
Now Sark rins o'er the Solway sajids,
Aji.d Tweed rins to the ocean,
TO' mark where England's province
stands —
Sach a parcel of rogues in a nation !
Wliat force or guile could not subdue.
Through many warlike ages.
Is wroaght now by a "coward few.
For hireling traitors' wages.
The English steel we could disdain,
Secure in valour's station;
But English gold has been our bane —
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation !
Oh, yvould, ere I had seen the day
•That treason thus could sell us,
My auld gray head had lien in clay,
Wi' Bruce and loyal Wallace !
But pith and power, till my last hour,
I'll mak. this declaration: [gold —
We're bought and scld for English
Such a parcel of rogues in a nation.
HERE'S A HEALTH TO THEM
-^ ■ THAT'S AWA'.
Time—" Here's a health to them that's awa'."
The poet^ political predilectic ns at this peribd
of his life being somewhat marlced, and of
an ultiu-liberal tendency, he is sui)posed to
have thrown them into the following song,
composed in honour of the leaders of the
liberal party in the House of Commons : —
Heke's a health to them that^ awa'.
Here's a health to them that's awa';
And wha winna wish giiid luck to our
cause.
May never guid luck be their fa' I
It's guid to DB merry and wise.
It's guid to be honest and true.
It's guid to support Caledonia's cause.
And bide by the buff and the blue.
Here's a health to thera that's awa'.
Here's a health to them that's awa'.
Here's a health to Charlie* the chief
of the clan.
Although that his band be but sma*.
May Liberty meet wi' success !
May Prudence protect her frae evil [
May tyrants and tyranny tine in the
' mist.
And wander their way to the devil !
Here's a health to then\ that's awa'.
Here's a liealth to them that's awa'.
Here's a health to Tammie,-)- the Nor-
land laddie,
That lives at the lug o' the law !
Here's freedom to him that wad read, .
Here's freedom to him that wad write!
There's nane ever fear'd thai the truth
should be heard
But they wham the truth wad indite."
Here's a health to them that's awa'.
Here's a health to them that's awa'.
Here's Cliieftain M'Leod,J a chieftain
worth gowd.
Though bred amang mountains o' snaw !
Here's a health to them that's awa'.
Here's a health to them that's awa',
And wha winna wish guid luck to our
cause,
May never guid luck be their fa' !
. SONG.
Tune—" I had a horse, I had nae mair."
Oh, poortith' eauld and restless love.
Ye wrecli my peace between ye;
' Indict— impeach.
2 Poverty.
♦ The Right Hon. Charles JamesFox; Bufl
and blue formed the livery of Fox during the
celebrated Westminster elections, and thus
came to be adopted as the colours of the.
Whig party generally.
. fThomas, afterwards Lord, Erskine.
X M'Leod of Dunvegan.Jsle of Skye^ and
then M. P. for Inverness.
BURNS^ WORKS.
Yet poortitk a' I could forgive,
An 'twere na for my Jeanie.
Oh, why should Fate sic pleasure
have.
Life's dearest bauds untwining ?
Or why sae sweet a flower as love
Depend on Fortune's shining ?
This warld's wealth when I think on,
: Its pride and a' the lave o't —
Fie, fie on silly coward man.
That he should be the slave o't.
Her een sae bonny blue betray
How she repays my passion;
But prudence is her o'erword* aye,
She talks of rank and fashion.
Oh, wha can prudence think upon.
And sic a lassie by him ?
Oh, wha can prudence think upon,
And sae in love as I am ?
How blest the humble cotter's fate *
He wooes his simple dearie;
The silly bogles, wealth and state.
Can never make them eerie.*
GALA WATER.
There's braw, braw lads on Yarrow
braies, [heather.
That wander through the blooming
But Yarrow braes' nor Ettrick shaws''
Can match the lads o' Gala Water.
But there is ane, a secret ane,
Aboon them ai' I lo'e him better;
And I'll be his, and he'll be mine.
The bonny lad o' Gala Water.
Although his daddie was nae laird.
And though I liaena meikle tocher;'
Yet rich in kindest, truest love.
We'll tent our flocks by Gala Water.
It ne'er was wealth, it ne'er was wealth.
That eoft* contentment, peace, or
pleasure;
3 Refrain. * Afraid.
' Hills. ■ Woods. ' Much money. * Bought.
The bands and bliss o' mutua,l love,,,^
Oh, that's the chiefest warld's treas-
ure!
LORD GREGORY.
This sonff was written in imitation ■ofi)r.
Wolcot's (Peter Pindar) ballad onthisame
subject,* of which Bums says, in a letter to
Thomson, "Pindar's 'Lord Gregory' is
beautiful. I have tried to give you a Scots
version, which is at your service. Not ^at I
intend to enter the lists with Petei-— that
would be presumption indeed ! My song
though much mfenor in pdetic merit, has, I
think, more of the ballad simplicity in it."
The idea of both songs,, however, is takeu
from an old strain.
Oh, mirk,' mirk is this midnight Lour,
And loud the tempest's roar;
A waefu' wanderer seeks thy tower —
Lord Gregory, ope thy door!
An exile Irae-her father's ha',
And a' for loving thee;
At least some pity on me shaw.
If love it may na be.
Lord Gregory, miud'st thou not the
grove.
By bonny Irwiu-side, , 7
Where first I own'd that virgia love
I lang, lang had denied ?
How aften didst thou pledge and vow
Thou wad for aye be mine;
And my fond heart, itsel sae true,
It ne'er mistrusted thine.
1 Dark.
* The following is Wolcot's version : —
"Ah, ope, Lord Gregory, thy door !
A midnight wanderer sighs.
Hard rush the rains", the tempests roar.
And hghtnings cleave the skies.-.' j ; ^
" Who comes with woe at this drear night
A pilgrim of the gloom ?
If she whose love did once delight,
My cot shall yield her room.
" Alas ! thou heard 'st a pilgrim mourn.
That once was prized by thee ;
Thmk of the ring by yonder bum
Thou gav'st to love and me.
" But shouldst thou not poor Marian know
I'll turn my feet and part ; ■ i
And tnink the storms that round me blow
Far kinder than thy heart.'
SONGS.
^5J
Hard is thy lieart, tord Gregory,
And flinty is thy breast —
Thou dart of heaven that flasliest by,
Oh, wilt thou give me rest?
Ye mustering thunders ftom above,
Your ■willing victim See!
But spare, and pardon my fause love
; - His. wrangs to Heaven and me !
OPEN THE DOOR TO ME, OH !
" Oh, open the door, some pity to show,
Oh, open the door to me, oh!
Though thou hast been false, I'll ever
prove true,
, Oh, open the door to me, oh!
"Cauld is the blast upon my pale
cheek.
But caulder thy love fof me, oh!
The frost that freezes the life at my
heart
Is nought to my pains frae thee, oh!
" The wan moon is setting behind the
white wave,
And time is setting with me, oh!
JFalse friends, false love, farewell! for
mair ^
I'll ne'er trouble them nor thee, oh!"
She has open'd the door, she has open'd
it wide; [oh!
She sees his pale- corse on the plain,
"My true love!" she cried, and samk
down by his side,
Never to rise again, oh !
YOUNG JESSIE.
Tune — " Bonny Dundee.'*
TRUE-hearted was he, the sad swain o'
tr, , the Yarrow, [o' the Ayr,
Aid fair are the maids on the banlcs
But by the sweet side o' the Nith's
winding river [fair:
Are lovers as faithful and maidens as
To equal young Jessie seek Scotland
all over; [in vain;
„^o equal young Jessie you seek it
Grace, beauty, and elegance fetter her
lover, f chain.
And., maidenly modesty fixes the
Oh, freph is the rose in the gay, dewy
morning, [close;
An^d sweet is the lily at evjsning
But in the fair presence o' lovely young
, Jfessie, [rose.
Unseen is the lily, unheeded the
Love sits in her smile, a wizard en-
, snaring; [his law:
Enthroned in her een he delivers
And still to her charms she alone is a
stranger-^. [of a' I
Her modest demeanour's the jewel
THE POOR AND HONEST
SODGER.
Air—" The Mill, Mill O !"
When wild War's deadly blast waS
blawn.
And gentle peace returning,
Wi' mony a sweet babe fatherless.
And mony a widow mourning;
I left the lines and tented field.
Where Jang I'd been a lodger.
My humble knapsack a' my wealth,
A poor and honest sodger.
A leal light heart was in my breast.
My liand Tinstain'd wi' plunder.
And for fair Scotia, hame again,
I cheery on did wander.
I thought upon the banks o' Coil, "
I thought upon my Nancy,
I thought upon the witching smile
•That caught my youthful fancy. '
At length I reach'd the bonny glen
Where early life I sported;
I pass'd the mill, and trysting thorn,
WhereNancy aft I courted:
Wlia spied' I but my ain dear maid,
Down by her mother's dwelling!
And turn'd me round to hide the flood
That in my een was swelling.
Wi' alter'd voice, quoth I, " Sweet
lass.
Sweet as yon hawthorn's blossom.
Oh ! happy, happy may he be,
That's dearest to thy bosom!
My purse is light, I've far to gang.
And fain wad be thy lodger;
I've served my king and country lang-^
Take pity on a sodger." —
" ' Saw. ^ '
Ss'S
BURNS' WORKS.
Sae wistfully she gazed on me,
And lovelier was than ever;
Quo' she, ' ' A sodger ance I lo'ed,
Forget him shall I never:
Our humWe cot, and hamely fare,
Te freely shall partake it,
That gallant badge — the dear cockade —
Te're welcome for the sakQ o't."
She gazed-T^he redden'd like a rose —
Syne' pale like ony lily;
She sank within my arms, and, cried,
' ' Art thou my ain dear Willie f
" By Him who made yon sun and sky.
By whom true love's regarded,
I am the man ; and thus may still
True lovers be rewarded!
" The wars are o'er, and I'm cotne
hame.
And find thee still true-hearted; '
Tho,ugh poor in gear, we're rich in
love.
And piair, we'se ne'er be parted."
Quo' she, " My grandsire left me gowd,
A mailen^ plenish'd fairly.
And come, my faithful sodger lad,
Thou'rt welcome to it dearly!"
For gold the merchant ploughs the
main,
Tlie farmer ploughs the manor;
But glory is the sodger's prize,
The sodger's wealth is honour:
The brave poor sodger ne'er despise.
Nor count him as a stranger;
Remember, he's his country's stay
In day and hour of danger.
MEG 0' THE MILL.
Air — " Hey ! bonny lass, will you lie in a
barrack ?"
Oh, ken ye what Meg o' the Mill has
gotten ? [gotten ?
And ken ye what Meg o' the Mill hfl,s
She has gotten a coof' wi' a claut o'
.siller,' [miller.
And broken the heart o' the barley
The miller was strappin', the miller
was ruddy; [lady;
A heart like a lord, and a hue like a
The laird was a widdiefu', bleerit
knurl ;3 [churl.
SJie's left the guid-fellow and ta'entlj^
Tlie miller he hecht^ her a heart leal
and loving; ' [mair moving.
The laird did address her wi' matter
A fine-pacing horse, wi' a'clear-cliijs'd
bridle, ' (sadS^-
A whip by her side, and a bonny side-
Oh, wae on the siller, it is sae prevail-
ing; [maiFenr
And. wae on the love that is fixed Qn,.a
A tocher's' nae word in a true lover s
parle, [warl'!
But, gie me my lovej and a fig for the
a Then. = Farm.
* Lout. 2 Plenty of money.
WELCOME TO GENERAL"
DUMOURIER.
Some one, in the presence at the poet, having
expressed joy at the desertion of^General
Duraourier from the army of the' French
Republic, in i/cj^, after having gained some
splendid victories with it, in a Jew moments
he chanted, almost, extempore, th& follow^
ing verses to the tune of " R.obin Adair .: '^-
You'KR welcome to despots, Dumou-
rier; [rier;
You're welcome to despots, Dumou-
How does Dampiere*'do ?
Ay, and Beumonvillef too 1
Why did thejr not come along with
you, Dumourier?
I will fight France with you, DumW-
rier; [rial;
I will fight France with you, Dunaou-
1 will fight France with you,
I will take my chance with you;
By my soul I'll dance a dance with you,
Dumourier.
Then let us fight about, Dumourier; -
Then let us fight about, Dunionrier;
Then let us fight about.
Till Freedoin's spark is ont;:^^-
Then we'll be damn'd, no doubt, -iJu-
mourier. ^-'- '-o'^
' Ill-tempered, bleared dwarf. .*, Offered.
* Farm. ^ Dowry.
* One of Dumourier's generals. _
+ An emissary of the Convention's.'
SONGS.
253
i'ffE LAST TIME I CAMK O'ER
THE MOOR.
Ill this song 'the poet is supposed 'to have
given expression to certain teelings of illicit
'love which it .is known he entertained ■ for
■ '"the beautifal and fascinating' Mrs, Riddel
. eo.f Woodley Paris. It is but just to remem-
_;-'Jjej:, however, and charitable to believe,
that the poet, with an eye to artistic effect,
- may have purposely heightened his colours
-in order to increase the general effect of his
picture.
The last time I came o'er the moor.
And left Mariii's dwelling,
\Vliat throes, what tortures passing
/. cure,
If^Were in my Ijosom swelling:
Condemned to see my rival's reign.
While 1 in secret languish;
To feel a fire in every vein,
Yet dare not speak my anguish.
Love's veriest wretch, despairing, I
Fain, fain- my crime would cover:
Tlie unweeting groan, the bursting
. Betray the guilty lover.
Ilfnow my doom must be despair,
Tliou wilt nor canst relieve me;
Buty 0 Maria, hear my prayer,
' For pity's sake, forgive me !
The music of thy tongue I heard,
Nor wist while it enslaved me;
I saw thine eyes; yet nothing fear'd.
Till fears no more had saved me.
The unwary sailor thus aghast
• The wheeling torrent viewing.
In circling horrors yields at last
■ In overwhelming ruin !
BLITHE HAE I BEEN.
Tune — " Liggeram Cosh,"
Blithe hae I been on yon hill.
As the lambs before me;
Careless ilka thought and free,
J. "As;the breeze flew o'er me.
Now nae langer sport and play.
Mirth or sang can please me;
Lesley Is sae fair and coy,
- Care and- anguish seize me.
Jleavy, heavy, is. the. task.
Hopeless love .declaring;
Trembling, I dow iiocht but glower,'
Sighing, dumb, despairing !
If she winha ease the thraws"
In my bosom swelling;
Underneath the grass-green sod.
Soon maun be my dwelling.
LOGAN BRAES.
Tune — " Logan Water."
The poet, in a letter to Thomson, enclosing
this song, says, regarding its origin :—
" Have you ever, my dear sir, felt your
bosom ready to -burst with indignation on
reading of those mighty villains who divide
kingdom against kmgdbm, desolate prov-
inces, and lay nations waste, out of the
wantonness' of ambition", or often from still
more igno,ble passions? In a meod of this
kind to-day, I recollected the air of ' Lo{;an
Water,* and it occurred to me that its quer-
ulous melody probably had its origin from
the plaintive indignation. of some swelling,
suffering heart, fired at the tyrannic strides
of some pubhc destroyer ; and overwhellned
with private distress, the consequence of a
country's rain. ■- If I have done anything at
all like justice to my feelings, the fdUowing
song, composed, in threie-quarters of an
hour's meditation in my elbow-chaiir, ought
to have some merit." The two last lines of
the first stanza the poet took from a very
pretty song to the same air, written by Mr.
J-ohn Mayne, author of a poem entitled,
'■ The Siller Gun,"
0 Lo&a:n, sweetly didst thou glide
That day I was my Willie's bride !
And years sinsyne hae o'er us run.
Like Logan to the simmer sun.
But now thy liowery banks appear
Like drumlie^ Winter, dark and drear.
While my dear lad maun face his f aes,
Far, far frae me and Logan braes !
Again the merry month o' May
Has made our hills and valleys gay;
The birds rejoice in leafy bowers,
The bees hum round the breathing
flowers:
Blithe morning lifts his rosy eye.
And evening's tears are tears of joy:
My soul delightless, a' surveys,
While Willie's far frae Logan braes.
Within yon milk-white hawthorn
bush,
Amang her nestlings sits the thrush;
* Dare nought but stare. ^ Throes.
}_ Clouded ^nd rainy.
254
BURNS' WORKS.
Hbr faitlif u' mate will share her toll,
Or wV his song her cares beguile:
But 1, wi' my sweet nurslings here,
Nae mate to help, nae mate to cheer,
Pass widow'd nights and joyless days
While Willie's far frae Logan braes.
Oh, wae upon you, men o' state,
That brethren rouse to deadly hate !
As ye make mony a fond heart mourn,
Sae may if on your heads return !
How can your flinty hearts enjoy
The widow's tears, the orphan's cry ?
But soon may peace bring happy days
And Willie hame to Logan braes !
THERE WAS A LASS, AND SHE
WAS FAIR.
Tune — " Bonny Jean."
'^ I have just finished the following ballad,"
says the poet to Thomson, " and as I do
thinlc it is in my best style, I send it to
you."
Thebb was a lass, and she was fair,
At kirk and market to be seen,
Wlien a' the fairest maids were met.
The fairest maid was bonny Jean.
And aye she wrought her mammie's
wark,
And aye sang sae merrilie:
Tlie blitliest bird upon the bush
Had ne'er a lighter heart than she.
But hav/ks will rob the tender joys
That bless the little lint white's nest:
And frost will blight the fairest flowers.
And love will break the soundest
rest.
Young Robie was the brawest lad,
The flower and pride of a' the glen:
And lie had owsen, sheep and kye.
And wanton naigies' nine or ten.
He gaed wi' Jeanie to the tryste,''
He danced wi' Jeanie on the down;
And, lang ere witless Jeanie wist.
Her Iieart was tint,'' her, peace was
stown.-*
As in the bosom o' the stream.
The moonbeam dwells at dewy e'en;
'Horses. = Fair. 'Lost. ^ Stolen.'
So trembling, pure, was tender love
Within the breast o' bonny Jean,
And now she works her mammie's
wark,
And aye she sighs wi' care and pain,
Yet wist na what her ail might be,
Or what wad make her weel again.
But did na Jeanie's heart loap light,
And did na joy blink in her ee.
As Robie tauld a tale o' love
Ae e'enin on the lily lea ?
The sun was sinking in the west,
The birds sang sweet in ilka grove;
His cheek to hers he fondly prest,
And whisper'd thus his tale o' love; —
" O Jeanie fair, I lo'e thee dear;
Oh, tanst thou think to fancy me ?
Or wilt thou leave thy mammie's cot.
And learn to -tent' the farms wi' me H
" At bam or byre thou shalt na drudge,
Or naething else to trouble thee;
But stray amang the heather-bells.
And tent the waving com wi' me. "
Now what could artless Jeanie do ?
She had nae will to say him na :
At length she blush'd a sweet consent.
And love was aye between them twa.
PHILLIS THE FAIR.
Tune—" Robin Adair."
Whu,b larks with little wing
Fattn'd the pure air.
Tasting the breathing spring.
Forth I did fare;
Gay the sun's golden eye
Peep'd o'er the mountains high;
Siich thy morn ! did I cry,
Phillis the fair.
In each bird's careless song
Glad did I share:
While yon wild flowers among.
Chance led me there;
Sweet to the opening day
Rosebuds bent the dewy spray;
Such thy bloom ! did I say
Phillis the fair.
*Mind.
SONGS.
255
Down in a shady walk
D<^ves eooing were:
I mark'd the cruel hawk
Caught In a snare ;
So kind may Fortune be,
Such make his destiny !
He who would injure thee,
Phillis the fair.
HAD I A GAVE.
TuKE — " Robia Adair."
Mr. "Alexander Cunningham, a writer to the
Signet in Edinburgh, and a warm friend of
the poet's, had wooed and, as he thought,
won, a young lady of great beauty and ac-
complishments; but another lover having
E resented hiinself ^ with 'weightier claims to
er regard tbaB poor Cunningham pos-
" The fickle, faithless queen,
■ Took the -carl, ^d left her Johnnie ;''
and appears to'liave cast him off with as
little ceremony as she. would a .piece .of
faded frippery. The poet, in" the following
lines, has endeavoured to express the feel-
ings of his friend on the occasion . —
Has I a cave on some wild, distant
shore, [dashing roar;
Where the winds howl to the waves'
There would I weep my woes,
There seek my last repose,
Till grief my eyes should
close.
Ne'er T;o wake more.
Falsest of womankind, canst tliou de-
clare [as air!
All thy fond plighted vows fleeting
To thy new lover hie.
Laugh o'er thy perjury,
Then in thy bosoni try
What peace is there 1
BY ALLAN STREAJI I CHANCED
TO ROVE.
Tune—" Allan Water."
In a -letter to Thomson, dated August, 1793,
enclosing this sono-, the poet says : — " I
walked out yesterday evening with a vol-
ume of the Museum in my hand, when,
turning up * Allan Water,' as the words ap-
peared to me rather unworthy of so line an
air, I sat and raved under the shade of an
old thorn, till I wrote one to suit the meas-
ure. I may be wrong, but I think it not in
my worst style. . Bravo ! say I ; it is a good
song. Autumn is my propitious season. 1
make more verses in it tiian all the year
else."
By Allan stream I chanced to rove,
While Phcebus sank beyond Benledi ;
The winds were whispering through
the grove,
The yellow corn was waving ready:
1 listen'd to a lover's sang,
And thought on youthfu' pleasures
many;
Aad aye the wild wood echoes rang —
Oh, dearly do I love thee, Aanie !
Oh, happy be the woodbine bower,
Nae nightly bogle make it eerie;'
Nor ever sorrow stain the hour,
The place and time I met iny dearie 1
Her head upon my. throbbing breast.
She,- sinking, said, "I'm thine for
ever I"
While mony a kiss the seal imprest,
Thfr sacred vow, — we ne'er should
sever.
The haunt o' Spring's the primrose
brae, [low-
. The Simmer joys the flocks to fol-
How cheery, through her shortening
day,
Is Autumn in her weeds o' yellow !
But can they melt the glowing heart,
Or chain the soul in speechless
pleasure, [dart.
Or through each nerve the rapture
Like meeting her, our bosom's treas-
ure ?
OH, WHISTLE, AND I'LL COME
TO YOU, MY LAD.
Tune—" Whistle,
and I'll come to you, ray
lad."
" The old air of ' Whistle, and I'll come to you,
my Lad,' " says the poet to Thomson, " I
admire very much, and yesterday I set the
following verses to it :"—
On, whistle and I'll come to you. my
lad, [ladr
Oh, whistle and I'll come to you, my
Though father and mither and a' should
gae mad, [lad.
Oh, whistle, and I'll come to you, my
' Frightsomc.
256
BURNS' WORKS.
But warily tent' when you come ^lO
court me, [a-jee;
And come na unless tlie back yett'-' be
Syne up the back stile, and let naebody
see,
And come as ye were na comin' to me.
At kirk, or at market, whene'er ye
meet me, [na a flie;
Gang by me as though that ye cared
But steal me a blink o' yoar bonny
black ee.
Yet look as ye were na looking at me.
Aye vow and protest that ye care na
forme, [a wee;
And whiles ye may lightly' my Deauty
But court na anither, though jokiu' ye
be, [me.
For fear that she wile your fancy frae
ADOWN WINDING KITH.
Tune—'' The Mucking o' Geordie's Byre.*'
Adown winding Nith did I wander,
To mark the sweet flowers as they
spring;
Adown Avinding Nith I did wander.
Of Phillis to muse and to sing.
Awa' wi' your belles and your beau-
ties.
They never wi' her can compare:
Whaever has met wi' my Phillis,
Has met wi' the queen o' the fair.
The daisy amused my fond fancy.
So artless, so simple, so wild;
Thou emblem, said I, o' my Phillis,
For she is Simplicity's child.
The rosebud's the blush o' my charmer.
Her sweet balmy lip when 'tisprest:
How fair and how pure is the lily,
But fairer and purer her breast !
Yon knot of gay flowers iu the arbour,
They ne'er wi' my Phillis can vie :
Her breath is the breath o' the wood-
bine,
Its dew-drop o' diamond her eye.
Her voice is the song of the morning.
That wakes through the green
spreading grove, [tains.
When Phoebus peeps over the moun-
On music, and pleasure, and love.
But beauty how frail and how fleeting,
"The bloom of a fine summer's day!
While worth in the mind o' my Pliillis
Will flourish without a decay.
COME, LET ME TAKE THEE
Air—" Cauld Kail."
Comb, let me take thee to my breast.
And pledge we ne'er shall sunder;:-;
And I shall spurn as vilest dust
The warld's wealth and grandeur:
And do I hear my Jeanie own
That equal transports move her ? .
I ask for dearest life alone.
That I may live to love her.
Thus in my arms, wi' all thy charms,
I clasp my countless treasure ;
I'll seek nae mair o' heaven to share
Than sic a moment's pleasure :
And by thy een, sae bonny blue,
I swear I'm thine forever!
And on thy lips I seal my vow.
And break it shall I never!
' Carefully heecl. ' Gate. ^ Disparage.
DAINTY DAVIE.
This is an improved version of a song which
the poet wrote" some years before for the
Museutn^ and which will be found at p. zaa.
The old song which furnished the air is said
to have been composed on a somewhat
indelicate incident that occurred in
the life of the Rev. David Williamson,
during the times of the Perseciition in Scot-
land. This worthy, it is aMrmed^ after
having married se'ven wtves, died min ister
of St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh.
Now rosy May comes in wi' flowers.
To deck her gay green-spreading bow.
ers;
And now comes in my happy hours
To wander wi' my Davie.
Meet me on the warlock knowe.
Dainty Davie, dainty Davie;
There I'll spend the day wi' you.
My aiu dear dainty Davie.
SONGS.
ssr
The orystai waters round us fa',
TUe merry birds are lovers a',
Tha soeiited breezes round us blaw,
A- wandering wi' my Davie.
When purple morning starts tlie bare,
Tq steal upon lier early fare.
Then through the dews I will repair,
To meet my faithfu' Davie.
When day, expiring in the west,
The curtain draws o' nature's rest,
I flee to his arms I lo'e best,
And that's my ain dear Davie.
BRUCS'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY
AT^ BANNOCKBURN.
Tune—" Hey, tuttie taitie."
" There is a tradition," says the poet, in a
lett^er to Thomson, enclosing- this g^lorious
ode, " that the old air, ' Hey, tuttie taitie,'
was Robert Bruce's march at the battle of
Bannockburn.- This thought, in my solitary
wanderings, has warmed me to a pitch of
enthusiasm on the theme of liberty and in-
dependence which I have thrown into a
kind of Scottish ode, fitted to the air, that
one might suppose to be the gallant Scot's
address to his heroic followers on that event-
ful morning." This ode, says Professor
Wilson — the grandest out of the Bible — ^is
sublime !
Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,
Scots, wham Bruce has often led;
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to Victory!
Now's the, day, and now's the hour.
See the front o' battle lour;
See appjoach proud Edward's power —
Chains and slavery!
Wha will be a traitor knave ?
Wlia can fill a. coward's grave ?
Wha sae base as be a slave ?
Let him. turn and flee !
Wha; fo^ Scotland's king and law,
Fkbedom's sword will strongly draw;
Freeman stand, or freeman fa',
Let him follow me!
By, Oppression's woes and pains!
By your sons in servile chains!
We will dr-ain our dearest veins,
But they shall be free!
Lay the proud usurpers low !
Tyrants fall in every foe!
LibBrty's in every blow! —
Let us do or die I
THOU HAST LEFT ME EVER.
Tune — " Fee him, father."
The poet, in sending these verses to Thomson, ,
says.:^' 1 do not give them for any merit,
they have. I composed them about the
' back o' midnight,' and by the leeside of a
bowl of putich, which had oyerset every
mortal in company except the Muse."
Thou hast left me ever, Jamie!
Th6ii hast left me ever; '
Thou hast left m« everT Jamie !
Thou hast left meever.
Aften; hast tljou vow'd that death
Only should us sever;
Now thou'st left thy lass for aye —
I maun see the never, Jamie,
I'll see the never!
Thou hast me forsaken, Jamie 1
TJiou hast me forsaken.;
'Thou hast me forsaken, Jamfe!
; Thou hast me forsalien.
Thpu canst love anither jo.
While- my heart is breaking:
Soon my weary een I'll close —
Never mair to waken, Jamie,
Ne'er mair to waken!
FAIR JENNY.
Tune — " Saw ye my father."
Where are the joys I have met in the
morning,
That danced to the lark's early song?
Where is the peace that awaited my
wandering.
At evening the wild woods among?
No more a- winding the course of yon^
river, [fair;
And marking sweet flowerets so.
No more I trace the light footsteps of
pleasure,
But sorrow and sad sighing care.
Is it that Summer's fbrsaken our val-
leys, '^
And grim, surly Winter is near ?
358
BURNS' WORKS.
No, no I the tees humming round the
gay roses
Proclaim it the pride of the. year.
Fain would I hide what I fear to dis-
cover, [known;
Yet long, long too well have I
All that has caused this wreck in my
hosom
Is Jenny, fair Jenny alone.
Time cannot aid me, my griefs are im-
mortal,
Nor hope dare a comfort bestow:
Come then, enamour'd and fond of my
anguish.
Enjoyment I'll seek in my woe.
DELUDED SWAIN, THE
PLEASURE.
Ti'NE — " The Collier's Bonny Lassie."
Deluded swain, the pleasure
The fickle fair can give thee
la but a fairy treasure —
Thy hopes will soon deceive thee.
The billows on the ocean.
The breezes idly roaming,
The clouds uncertain motion —
They are but types of woman.
Oh ! art thou not ashamed
To doat upon a feature ?
If man thou wouldst be named,
Despise the silly creature.
Go, find an honest fellow;
Good claret set before thee:
Hold on till thou art mellow.
And then to bed in glory.
MY SPOUSE, NANCY.
Tune—" My Jo, Janet."
•' HusBAKD, husband, cease your strife.
Nor longer idly rave, sir;
Though I am your wedded wife.
Yet I am not your slave, sir."
"One of two must still obey,
Nancy, Nancy;
Is it man, or woman, say,
My spouse, Nancy?"
" If 'tis still the lordly word.
Service and obedience;
I'll desert my sovereign lord,
And so, good-by allegiance 1"
" Sad will I be so, bereft,
Nancy, Nancy;
Yet I'll try to make a shift.
My spouse, Nancy."
" My poor heart then break it must.
My last hour I'm near it;
W^len you lay me in the dust.
Think, think how you will bear it.'
" I will hope and trust in Heaven,
Nancy, Nancy;
Strength to bear it will be given.
My spouse, Nancy."
' ' Well, sir, from the silent dead.
Still I'll try to daunt you;
Ever round your midnight bed
Horrid sprites shall haunt you."
" I'll wed another, like my dear
Nancy, Nancy;
Then all hell will fly for fear.
My spouse, Nancy."
OH, WERE MY LOVE YON LILAC
FAIR.
Tune — " Hughie Graham."
The first two stanzas only of this song are by
Burns ; the other two are old.
Oh, were my love yon lilac fair,
Wi' purple blossoms to the spring^; .
And I a bird to shelter there.
When wearied on my little wing;
How I wad mourn, when it was torn.
By autumn wild, and winter rude I
But I wad sing, on wanton wing.
When youthfu' May its bloom
renew'd.
Oh, gin my love were yon red rose.
That grows upon the castle wa'.
And I mysel a drap o' dew,
Into her bonny breast to fa' !
Oh ! there, beyond expression blest,
I'd feast on beauty a' the night;
Seal'd on her silk-saft faulds to rest/
Till fley'd' awa' by Phoebus' light !
1 Frightened.
SONGS.
259
THE LOVELT LASS OF INVER-
NESS.
Tune—" The Lass of Inverness."
The lovely lass of Iverness
Nae joy nor pleasure can she see;
For e'en and morn she cries, alas !
And aye the saut tear blin's her ee:
Drumpssie Moor — Drumossie day —
A'waefu' day it was to me !
For there I lost my father dear.
My father dear, and brethren three.
Their winding-sheet the bluidy clay.
Their graves are growing green to
see;
And by them lies the dearest lad
That ever blest a woman's ee !
Now waeto thee, thou cruel lord,
A bluidy man I trow thou be;
For mony a heart thou hast made sair
That ne'er did wrang to thine or thee.
A RED, RED ROSE.
Tune — '' Graham's Strathspey,''
Oh, my luve's like a red, red rose.
That's newly sprung in June:
Oh, my luve's like the melodic
That's sweetly play'd in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonny lass.
So deep in luve am I;
And i will luve thee still,my dear.
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will luve thee still my dear.
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel a while !
And I will come again, my luve.
Though it were ten thousand mile.
A VISION.
The following lines were written amid the
ruins of Linqluden Abbey, a favourite haunt
of the poet's. He contributed a version
somewhat different to the Scot's Musical
Museum : —
As I stood by yon roofless tower.
Where the wa' - flower scents the
dewy air,
Where the howlet' mourns in her ivy
bower.
And tells the midnight moon her
care;
The winds were laid, the air was still,
The stars they shot along tlie sky;
The fox was howling on the hill.
And the distant-echoing glens reply.
The stream adown its hazelly path.
Was rushing by thei ruin'd wa's,
Hastening to join the weeping Nith,
Whose distant roaring swells and
fa's.
The cauld blue North was streaming
forth
Her lights, wi' hissin', eerie din:
Athort the lift they start and shift.
Like Fortune's favours, tint'' as win.
By heedless chance I turn'd mine eyes.
And by the moonbeam, shook to
see
A stem and stalwart ghaist arise.
Attired as minstrels wont to be.
Had I a statue been o' stane.
His daring look had daunted me;
And on his bonnet graved was plain,
The sacred posy — " Liberty!"
And f rae his harp sic strains did flow.
Might roused the slumbering dead to
hear;
But, oh ! it was a tale of woe,
As ever met a Briton's ear!
He sang wi' joy the former day.
He, weeping, wail'd his latter times;
But what he said it was nae play, —
I winna veuture't in my rhymes.
OUT OVER THE FORTH.
Tune — " Charlie Gordon's Welcome Hame."
Out over the Forth I look to the north.
But what is the north and its High-
lands to me ? [breast.
The south nor the east gie ease to my
The far foreign land, or the wild-
rolling sea.
iQwl.
s Lost.
360
BURNS' WORKS.
But I look to the west, when I gae to
rest, [slumbers may be;
That hkppy my dreams and liiy
For far in the west lives he I lo'e best.
The lad that is dear to my baby and
me.
JEANIE'S BOSOM.
Tune—" Louis, what reck I by thee ?"
LOUIS, what reck I by thee,
Or Geordie on his ocean V
Dyvor,' beggar loons to me —
I reign in Jeanie's bosom.
Let her crown my love her law,
And in her breast enthrone me:
King and nations — swith, awa'!
Beif -randies,' I disown ye!
FOB THE SAKE OF SOMEBODY.
Tune—" For the Sake of Somebody."
My heart is sair — I dare na tell —
My heart is sair for Somebody;
I could wake a winter night
For the sake o' Somebody.
Oh 'lion! for Somebody!
Oh-hey! for Somebody!
I could range the world around.
For the sake o' Somebody!
Ye Powers that smile on virtuous love.
Oh, sweetly smile on Somebody!
Frae ilka- dapger keep him free,
And send iiie safe my Somebody.
Oh-hon! for Somebody!
Oh-hey! for Somebody!
I wad do — what wad I not 1
For the sake o' Somebody !
WILT THOU BE MY DEARIE.
AiE— " The Sutor's Dochter."
Wilt thou be my dearie 1
When sorrow wrings thy gentle heart,
Wilt thou let me cheer thee 1
By the treasure of my soul.
That's the love I bear thee!
I swear and vow that only thou
Shall ever be iny dearie.
1 Bankrupt. ^ Thieving beggais.
Only thou, I swear and vow.
Shall ever be my dearie.
Lassie, say thou lo'es me;
Or, if thou wilt na be my ain,
Say.na thou'lt refuse me;
If it winna, canna be,
Thou, tor thine may choose me.
Let me, lassie, quickly die.
Trusting that thou lo'est me.
Lassie, let me quickly die.
Trusting that thou lo'es me.
LOVELY POLLY STEWART.
Tune — " Ye're welcome,. Charlie Stewart."
0 Lovely Polly Stewart I
0 charming Polly Stewart ! [May
There's ne'er a flower that blooms in
That's half so fair as thou art.
The flower it blaws, it fades and fa's,
And art can ne'er renew it;
But worth and truth eternal youth
Will gie to Polly Stewart.
May he whose arms shall fauld thy
charms
Possess a leal and true heart;
To him be given to ken the heaven
He grasps in Polly Stewart !
0 lovely Polly Stewart !
O charming Polly Stewart ! [May
There's ne'er a flower that blooms in
That's half so sweet as thou art.
TO MARY.
Tune—" At Setting Day."
CottLd aught of song declare my pains.
Could artful numbers move thee.
The Muse should tell, in labour'd
strains,
0 Mary, how I love thee !
They who but feign a wounded heart
May teach the lyre to languish;
But what avails the pride of art.
When wastes the soul with anguish ?
Then let the sudden bursting sigh
The heart-felf pang discover;
And in the keen, yet tender eye.
Oh, read th' imploring lover.
SONGS.
261
For well I know thy gentle mind
Disdains art's gay disguising;
Beyond what fancy e'er refined,
The voice of nature prizing.
WAE IS MY HEART.
Tune — " Wae is my heart."
Wae is my heart, and the tear's in my
ee;
Lang, lang, joy's been a stranger to me:
Forsaken and friendless, my burden I
bear, [sounds in my ear.
And tlie sweet voice of pity ne'er
Love, thou hast pleasures, and deep
hae I loved. [I proved;
Love, thou hast sorrows, and sair hae
But this bruised heart that now bleeds
in my breast, [at rest.
I can feel by its throbbings will soon be
Oh, if I were, where happy I hae been,
Down by yon stream and yon bonny
castle-green; [on me,
'For there he is wandering, and musing
Wlia wad soon dry the tear frae his
Pliillis' ee.
HERE'S TO THY HEALTH, MY
BONNY LASS.
TuNE^" Laggan Burn."
Here's to thy health, my bonny lass,
Gfjfcift night and joy be wi' thee;
I'll come nae mair to thy bower-door,
"To tell thee that I lo'e thee.
Oh, dinna think, my pretty pink.
But I can live without thee:
I vow and swear I dinna care.
How lang ye look about ye.
Thou'rt aye sae free informing me
Thou hast nae mind to marry;
I'll be as free informing thee
Nae time hae I to tarry.
I ken thy friends try ilka means
Frae wedlock to delay thee;
Depending on some higher chance —
But Fortune may betray thee.
I ken they scorn my low estate,
But that does never grieve me;
But I'm as free as any he,
Sma' siller will relieve me.
I'll count my health my greatest wealth
Sae lang as I'D enjoy it:
I'll fear nae scant, I'll bode nae want.
As lang's I get employment.
But far-off fowls hae feathers fair.
And aye until ye try them: [care.
Though they seem fair, still have a
They may prove waur than I am.
But at twal at night, when the moon
shines bright.
My dear, I'll come and see thee;
For the man that lo'es his mistress
weel,
Nae travel makes him weary.
ANNA, THY CHARMS.
Tune — '' Bonny Mary."
AmsA, thy charms my bosom fire.
And waste my soul with care;
But ah ! how bootless to admire,
When fated to despair 1
Yet in thy presence, lovely fair.
To hope may be forgiven ;
For sure 'twere impious to despair.
So much in sight of heaven.
MY LADY'S GOWN, THERE'S
GAIRS UPON'T.
Tune—" Gregg's Pipes."
Mt lady's gown, there's gairs' upon't.
And gowden flowers sae rare upon't;
But Jenny's jimps* and jirkinet,^
My lord thinks meikle mair upon't.
My lord a-hunting he is gane,
But hounds or hawks wi'liimarenane;
By Colin's cottage lies his game,
If Colin's Jenny be at hame.
My lady's white, my lady's red.
And kith and kin o' Cassillis' blude;
But her ten-pund lands o' tocher guid
Were a' the charms his lordship lo'ed.
Out o'er yon muir, out o'er yon moss,
Whare gor-cocka through the heather
There wous auld Colin's bonny lass,
A lily in a wildemesSi
* A triangular piece of cloth inserted at the
bottom of a robe, ' A kind of stays. ' Bodice,
BUKNS' WORKS.
Sae sweetly move her gentle limbs,
Like music-notes o' lovers' hymns:
The diamond dew in her een sae blue,
Where laughing love sae wanton
swims.
My lady's dink,* my lady's drest.
The flower and fapcy o' the west;
But the lassie that a man lo'es best.
Oh, that's the lass to mak him blest.
JOCKEY'S TA'EJf THE PARTING
KISS.
Tune — " Bonny Lassie, tak a Man.''
Jockey's ta'en the parting kiss.
O'er the mountains he is gane;
And with him is a' my bMss,
Nought but griefs with me remain.
Spare my luve, ye winds that blaw,
Plashy sleets and beating rain!
Spare my luve, thou feathery snaw.
Drifting o'er the frozen plain !
Wlien the shades of evening creep
O'er the day's fair gladsome ee,
Sound and safely may he sleep,
Sweetly blithe his waukening be!
He will think on her he loves.
Fondly he'll repeat her name;
For where'er he distant roves.
Jockey's heart is still at hame.
OH, LAY THY LOOF IN MINE,
LASS.
Tune — " Cordwainers' March."
Oh, lay thy loot ' in mine, lass.
In mine, lass, in mine, lass;
And swear on thy white hand, lass.
That thou wUt be my ain.
A slave to love's unbounded sway.
He aft has wrought me meikle wae;
But now he is my deadly fae.
Unless thou be my ain.
There's mony a lass has broke my rest,
That for a blink'' I hae lo'ed best;
But thou art queen within my breast,
Forever to remain.
> Palm,
* Neat, trim.
" Short space.
Oh, lay thy loof in mine, lass, '- ^-
In mine, lass, in mine, lass;
And swear on thy white hand, lass.
That thou wilt be my ain,.
OH, MALLY'S MEEK, MALLY'S
SWEET. . -^
As I was walking up the street, -
A barefit maid I chanced to meet-
But oh, the road was very hard
For thai fair maiden's tender feet;
Oh, Mally's meek, MaUy's sweet,-
Mally's modest and (fiscreet,
Mally's rare, Mally's fair,
Mally's every way complete.
It were mair meet that those fine feet
Were weel laced up in silken shoon.
And 'twere more fit that she should sit
Within yon chariot gilt aboon.
Her yellow hair, beyond compare, ■/ /
Comes trinkling down her swau-likS'
neck;
And her two eyes, like stars in skies.
Would keep a sinking ship frae
wreck.
THE BANKS OF CREE.
Tune—" The Banks of Cree."
Lady Elizabeth Heron havine composed an
air entitled '' The Banks of Cree," in re-
membrance of a beautiful and romantic
stream of that name, " I have "written,'' "
says the poet, " the following song to it^as
her ladyship is a. particular friend of mine."
Herb is the glen, and here the bower.
All underneath the birchen shade; .
The village-bell has told the hour —
Oh, what can stay my lovely maid?
'Tis not Maria's whispering call;
'Tis not the balmy-breathing gal^,"
Mixt with some warbler's dying fall, '
The dewy star of eve to hail.
It is Maria's voice I hear!
So calls the woodlark in the grove.
His little faithful mate to cheer-^
At once 'tis music, and 'tis love.
soNas.
263:
And art thou come 1 and art thou true?
Oh, welcome, dear, to love and me!
And let us all our vows renew
Along the flowery banks of Cree.
ON THE SEAS AND FAR AWAY.
Tune — " O'er the hills and far away.''
How can my poor heart he glad.
When absent f rom*my sailor lad 1
How can I the thought forego.
He's on the seas to meet the foe 1
Let me wander, let me rove,
Still my heart is with my love:
Nightly dreams, and thoughts by day,
Are with him that's far away.
On the seas and far away.
On stormy seas and far away;
-5 Nightly dreams, and thoughts by
: • day,
• ■ Are aye with him that's far away.
Wlien in summer noon I faint.
As weary flocks around me pant.
Haply in the scorching sun
My sailor's thundering at his gun:
Bullets, spare my only joy !
Bullets, spare my darling boy I
Fate, do with me what you may —
Spare but him that's far aw^ayl
At the starless midnight hour, [power.
When winter rules with boundless
As the storms the forests tear.
And thunders rend the howling air,
listening to the doubling roar.
Surging on the rocky shore.
All 1 can — I weep and pray, '
For his weal that's far away.
Peace, thy olive wand extend,
Aifd bid wild War his ravage end,
Man with brother man to meet,
A^d as a brother kindly greet : [gales
Then may Heaven with prosperous
Fill my sailor's welcome sails,
To my arms their charge convey —
My. dear lad that's far away.
CA' THE YOWES.
This is an improved version, which the poet
■ prepared, , for his friend Thomson, of a sohgf
already given at p. 229.
Ca' the yowea to the knowes
Ca' tliem whare the heather grows,-
Ca" them whare the burnie rowes.
My bonny dearie I
Hark the mavis' evening sang
Sounding Cluden's woods amang I
Then a faulding let us gang.
My bonny dearie.
We'll gae down by Cluden side,
Through the hazels spreading wide,
O'er the waves that sweetly glide.
To the moon sae clearly.
Yonder Cluden's silent towers.
Where at moonshine midnight hours,
O'er the dewy bending flowers.
Fairies dance sae cheery.
Ghaist nor bogle shalt thou fear,
Thou'rt to love and heaven sae dear,
Nocht of ill may come thee near.
My bonny dearie.
Fair and lovely as thou art.
Thou hast stown my very heart;
I can die — but canna part —
My bonny dearie 1
SHE SAYS SHE LO'ES ME BEST-
OP A'.
Tune—" Onagh's Waterfall."
Sae flaxen were her ringlets.
Her eyebrows of a darker hue,
Bewitchingly o'er-arching
Twa laughing een o' bonny blue.
Her smiling sae wiling.
Wad malce a wretch forget his woe;
What pleasure, what treasure.
Unto these rosy lips to grow !
Such was my Cliloris' bonny face, /
When first her bonny face I saw;
And aye my Chloris' dearest charm,
She says she lo'es me best of a'.
Like harmony her motion;
Her pretty ankle is a spy.
Betraying fair proportion.
Wad mak a saint forget the sky.
Sae wanning, sae channing.
Her faultless form and gracefu' air;
Ilk feature — auld Nature
Declared that she could do nae mair.
26*^
BURNS' WORKS.
Hers are the willing chains o' love.
By conquering beauty's sovereign
law;
And aye my Chloris' dearest charm.
She says she lo'es me best o' a'.
Let others love the city,
And gaudy show at sunny noon;
Gie me the lonely valley.
The dewy eve, and rising moon;
Fair beaming and streaming,
Her silver light the boughs amang;
While falling, recalling, [sang;
The amourous thrush concludes his
There, dearest Ohloris, wilt thou rove
By wimpling burn and leafy shaw.
And hear my vows o' truth and love.
And say thou lo'est me best of a'?
THE LOVER'S MORNING SALUTE
TO HIS MISTRESS.
Tune — *' Deil tak the wars."
" Having been out in the country dininff with
a friend,*' (Mr. Lorimer of Kemmis Hail,)
says the poet in a letter to Thomson, " I
met with a lady, (Mrs. Whelpdale — ' Chlo-
ris,') and as usual got into song , and on re-
turning home composed the following : —
Slbep'st thou or wakest thou, fairest
creature ?
Rosy mom now lifts his eye.
Numbering ilka bud which nature
Waters wi' the tears o' joy :
Now through the leafy woods.
And by the reeking floods, [stray.
Wild nature's tenants, freely; gladly.
The lintwhite in his bower
Cliants o'er the breathing flower;*
The laverock to the sljy
Ascends wi' sangs o'joy.
While the sun and thou arise to bless
the day.
Phcebus, gilding the brow o' morning,
Banishes ilk darksome shade.
* VaH!ATI0N. —
'' Now -to the streaming f onntain.
Or up the healthy mountain.
The hart, hin4, and roe, freely, wUdly-
wanton stray ;
In twining hazel bowers
His lay the linnet pours :
The laverock to the sky, &c.
Nature gladdening and adorning;
Such to me my lovely maid.
When absent f rae my fair.
The murky shades o' care
With startless gloom o'ercast my sul-
len sky;
But when, in beauty's light.
She meets my ravish'd sight.
When through my very heart
Her beaming glories .dart — [joy.f
'Tis then I wake to, life, to light, aad
CHLORIS.
Regarding the following lines, the poet says :
— " Having been on a visit the other day lo
my fair Chloris — that is the poetic name of
the lovely goddess of my inspiration— she"
suggested an idea, which, on iny retufe
home, I wrought into the following
song:"—
My Chloris, mark how green ^e
groves, ' i
The primrose banks how fair;
The balmy gales awake the flowers.
And wave thy flaxen hair.
The laverock shuns the palace gay.
And o'er the cottage sings;
For nature smiles as sweet, I ween.
To shepherds as to kings.
Let minstrels sweep the skilfu' string
In. lordly lighted ha':
Tlie shepherd stops his simple reed.
Blithe, in the birken shaw. '
Tlie princely revel may survey
Our rustic dance wi' scorn;
But are their hearts as light as ours.
Beneath the millc- white thorn ?
The shepherd in the flowery glen, .
In shepherd's phrase will woo;
The courtier tells a finer tale —
But is his heart as true ?
^ Birch-wood.
t Var.—
" When frae my Chloris parted.
Sad, cheerless, broken-hearted.
Then night's gloomy shades, cloudy, dark,
o'ercast my sky;
But when she charms my sight,
In pride of beauty's light :
When through my very heart
Her beaming glories dart,
'Tis then, 'tis then I wake to life and
joy-
SONGS.
These wild-wood flowers I've pu'd,
to deck
That spotless breast o' thine;
The courtier's gems may witness love —
But 'tisna love like mine.
TO CHLORIS
;The foUowing lines, says the poet, were
1 " wrinen on the blank leaf of a copy of the
last edition of my po«ms, and presented to
the lady whom, witff the most ardent senti-
ments of real friendship, I have so often
sung under the name of Chloris ;" —
'Trs Friendship's pledge, my young,
fair friend, ■
Nor thou the gift refuse.
Nor with unwilling ear attend
■The moralising Muse.
Since thou, in all thy youth and
charms.
Must bid the world adieu, [arms,)
(A world 'gainst peace in constant
To join the friendly few;
Since thy gay morn of life o'ercast.
Chill came the tempests lower;
(And ne'er misfortune's eastern blast
Did nip a fairer flower;)
Since life's gay scenes must charm no
more.
Still much is left belxind;
Still nobler wealth hast thou in store —
The comforts of the mind !
Thine is the self -approving glow
Oh concious honour's part;
And — dearest gift of Heaven below^
Thine friendship's truest heart.
The joys refined of sense and taste.
With every Muse to rove:
And doubly were the poet blest.
These joys could he improve.
' AH, CHLORIS!
Tune — '^ Major Graham."
Ah, Chloris ! since, it mayna be
That thou of love wilt hear;
If from the lover thou maun flee.
Yet let the friend be dear.
Although I love ray Chloris mair
Than ever tongue could tell;
My passion I will ne'er declare,
l'li.say, I wish thee well.
Though a' my daily care thou art.
And a' my nightly dream,
I'll hide the struggle in my heart,
And say it is esteem.
SAW YE MY PHELY?
Tune — " When she cam ben she bobbit."
Oh, saw ye my dear, my Phely ?
Oh, saw ye my dear, my Phely?
She's down i' the grove, she's wi' a
new love.
She winna come hame to her Willy.
What says, she, my dearest, my Phely ?
What says she, my dearest, my Phely ?
She lets thee to wit that she has thee
forgot.
And for ever disowns thee, her Willy.
Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Phely !
Oh, had I ne'er seen thee, my Phely !
As light as the air, and fause as thou's
fair— [Willy.
Thou's broken the heart o' thy
HOW LONG AND DREARY IS
THE NIGHT !
To a Gaelic Air.
How long and dreary is the night.
When I am frae my dearie !
I sleepless lie frae e'en to morn,
Though I were ne'er sae weary.
I sleepless lie frae e'en to mom.
Though I were ne'er sae weary.
When I think on the happy days
I spent wi' you, my dearie.
And now what lands between us lie.
How can I be but eerie V
And now what lands between us lie.
How can I be but eerie ?
How slow ye move, ye heavy hours.
As ye were wae and weary !
It wasna sae ye glinted'' by
When I was wi' my dearie.
It wasna sae ye glinted by
When I was wi' my dearie.
' Lonely.
« Glided.
BURNS' WORKS.
IMPROVED VERSION.
Tone—" Cauld Kail in Aberdeen."
" How long and dreary is the night.
When 1 am frae my dearie !
I restless lie frae e'en to morn.
Though I were ne'er sae weary.
For oh ! her lanely nights are lang;
And oh, her dreams are eerie;
And oh, her widow'd heart is sair,
That's absent frae her dearie.
When I think on the lightsome days
I spent wi' thee, my dearie;
And now what seas between us roar —
How can 1 be but eerie ?
How slow ye move, ye heavy hours 1
The joyless day how dreary !
It wasna sae ye glinted by.
Where I was wi' my dearie.
LET NOT WOMAN E'ER COM-
PLAIN.
Tune — " Duncan Gray."
* I liave been at ' Duncan Gray,' says the poet
to Thomson, '* to dress it into English ; but
all 1 can do is deplorably stupid. For in-
stance :"^
Let not woman e'er complain
Of inconstancy in love; -
Let not woman e'er complain
Fickle man is apt to rove:
Look abroad through nature's range.
Nature's mighty law is change;
Ladies, would it not be strange,
Man should then a monster prove ?
Mark the winds, and mark the skies;
Ocean's ebb, and ocean's flow:
Sun and moon but set to rise.
Round and round the seasons go:
Wliy then ask of silly man
To oppose greatNature's plan?
We'll be constant while we can —
You can be no more, you know.
THE CHARMING MONTH OF MAY.
The poet having given the following English
dress to an old Scotch ditty, says, in trans-
mitting it to Thomson : — " You may think
meanly of this ; but if you saw the bombast
of the original you" would be surprise that
I had made so much of it." "
It was the charming month of May,
When all the flowers were fresh and
gay,
One morning by the break of day,
The youthful, charming Chloe;
From peaceful slumber she arose.
Girt on her mantle and her hose.
And o'er the flowery mead she goes, -
The youthful, charming Chloe.
Lovely was she by the dawn.
Youthful Chloe, charming Chloe;
Tripping o'er the pearly lawn.
The youthful, charming Chloe.
The f eather'd people you might see
Perch'd all around, on every tree,.^u,:,-
In notes of sweetest melody.
They hail the charming Chloe;
Till painting gay the eastern skies,
The glorious sun began to rise,
Out-rivall'd by the radiant eyes
Of youthful, charming Chloe.
LASSIE Wr THE LINT-WHITE
LOCKS.
Tune—" Rothemurche's Rant."
" This piece," says the poet, " has at least the
merit of being a regular pastoral: the veri
nal morn, the summer noon, the autumnal
evening, and the winter night, are regular-
ly rounded." "^
Now nature deeds' the flowery, lea.
And a' is young and sweet like thee;
Oh, wilt thou share its joy wi; me,
And say thou'lt be my dearie, 0 ?
Lassie wi' the lint-white locks.
Bonny lassie, artless lassie.
Wilt thou wi' me tent-" the flocj^st
Wilt thou be my dearie, O ?
And when the welcome simmer-
shower '
Has cheer'd ilk drooping little flower.
We'll to the breathing woodHlne bowec
At sultry noon, my dearie, 0.
When Cynthia lights wi' silver rayj
The weary shearer's^ hameward way:
Through yellow waving fields we'll
stray,
And talk o' love, my dearie, O.
'Clothes. STeiii ,s Reapers. .' ■
SONGS.
267
And when tlie howling wintry blast
D^turbs my lassie's midnight rest;
Enclasped to my faithf u' breast,
I'll comfort thee, my dearie, O.
FAREWELL. THOU STREAM.
TuN^— ^"l^anc/s to the greenwood gane."
This song appears to be an improved version
of the one entitled, " The last time 1 came
o'er the moor," (p. 253. ) with the substitu-
tion «f the name Eliza for that of Maria,
This change probably arose from the poet's
quarrel with Mrs, Riddel having rendered
her name distasteful to him. See the intro-
duction to the song entitled, " Canst thou
leave me thus, my Katy?" in the following
page.
FAKEWELli, tiiou stream that winding
. flows
Around Eliza's dwelling!
0 Memory! spare the cruel throes
Within my bosom swelling:
Condemned to drag a hopeless chain.
And yet in secret languish;
To feel a fire in every vein,
Nor dare disclose my anguish.
Love's veriest wretch, unseen, un-
known,
I. fain my griefs would cover;
The bursting sigh, th' unweeting
' groan.
Betray the hapless lover.
1 know thou doom'st me to despair.
Nor wilt, nor canst, relieve me;
But oh, Eliza, hear one prayer —
For pity's sake,forgive me!
The music of thy voice I heard.
Nor wist while it enslaved me ;
I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd,
'Till fears no more had saved me:
The unwary sailor thus aghast.
The wheeling torrent viewing;
'Mid circling horrors sinks at last
Jnpxerwhelming ruin.
OH PHILLY, HAPPY BE THAT
DAY.
Tune—" The Sow's Tail."
HE.
O PHlliLT, happy be that day.
When roving through the gather'd hay.
My youthf u' heart was stown away,
And by thy charms, my Philly.
0 Willy, aye I bless the grove
Where I first own'd my maiden love.
Whilst thou didst pledge the Powers
above
To be my ain dear Willy.
HE.
As songsters of the early year
Are ilka day mair sweet to hear,
So ilka day to me mair dear.
And charming is my Philly.
SHE.
As on the brier the budding rose
Still richei" breathes and fairer blows.
So in my tender bosom grows
The love I bear my Willy.
HE.
The milder sun and bluer sky
That crown my harvest cares wi' joy.
Were ne'er so welcome to my eye
As is a sight o' Philly.
SHE.
The little swallow's wanton wing; ,
Though wafting o'er the flowery
spring.
Did ne'er to me sic tidings bring
As meeting o' my Willy.
HE.
The bee that through' the sunny hour
Sips nectar in the opening flower.
Compared wi' my delight is poor.
Upon the lips o' Philly.
SHE.
The woodbine in the dewy weet
When evening shades in silence meet.
Is nocht sae "fragrant or sae sweet
As is a kiss o' Willy.
HE.
Let Fortune's wheel at random rin.
And fools may tyne, and knaves may
win;
My thoughts are a' bound up in ane.
And that's my ain dear Philly.
SHE.
Wliat's a' the joys that gowd can gie,
1 careria wealth a single flie;
The lad I love's the lad for me.
And that's my ain dear Willy.
268
BURNS* WORKS.
CONTENTED Wl' LITTLE.
Tune— "Lamps o' Pudding."
This song is entitled to more than ordinary
attentioiD, as it ajppears ihe poet- meant it
for a personal . sketch : for, in a letter to
Thomson, thankii^ him for the present of a
Eicture of ^ ' The Cotter's Saturday Nighty"
y David Allan, the leading painter of the ■
day, he says : — " Ten thousand thanks for
your elegant present. ... I have some
' thoughts of suggesting to you to prefix a
vignette of me to my song, ' Contented wi'
little, and cantie wi' mair, in order that the
portrait of my face, and the picture of my
viindy may go down the stream of time to-
gether."
Contented wi' little, and cantie^ wi'
mair, [care,
Whene'er I forgather^ wi' Borrow and
I gie them a skelp,^ as they're creeping
alang, [Scottish sang.
Wi' a cog o' guid swats/ and an auld
I whiles claw the elbow o' troublesome
thought ; [f aught ;
But man is a sodger, and life is a
My mirth and guid humour are coin in
my pouch,
And my freedom's my lairdship nae
monarch dare touch.
A towmond^ o' trouble, should that'
be my fa', [it a':
A night o* guid-fellowship sowthers^
When at the blithe end o' our journey
at last, [lie has past?
Wha the deil ever thinks o' the road
Blind Chance, let her snapper and
stoyte'' on her way; [ja-de gae;"^
Be't to me, be't frae me, e'en let the
Come ease or come travail; come pleas-
ure or pain; [welcome again !"
My warst ward is — "Welcome and
CANST THOU LEAVE ME THUS,
MY KATY?
Tune—" Roy's Wife."
This song, which the poet says he composed
in two or three turns across his Jittle room,
was meant as a representation of the kindly
feelings which he now once more began to
entertain for his former beautiful and fas-
cinating friend, Mrs. Riddel of Woodley
1 Happy. 2 Meet. ^ Whack. * Flagon of
ale. 6 Twelvemonth. ° Solders. ^ Stagger
and stumble. " Slut go. ^
Park. She replied to his song in a similar
strain of poetic licence.* The poet, it will
b6 observed, with the usual freedom of the
sons of Apollo, addresses her as a mlsjeress,
and in that character she replies to him.
Is this thy plighted, fond reward.
Thus cruelly to part, my Katy ?
Is this thy faithful swain's regard^ '
An aching, broken heart, nay Katy ?
Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy?
Canst thou leave me thus, my Katy?
* The following are the pieces which Mrs
Riddel sent to the poet in reply to his song :—
Tune—" Roy's Wife. '
"Tell me that thou yet art true.
And a' my wrongs shall be forgiven ;
Arid when this heart proves f ause to thee.
Yon sun shall cease its course in heaven.
" Stay, my Willie— yet believe me,
Stay, my Willie — yet believe me.
For, ah ! thou know'st na every pang (me.
Wad wring my bosom, shouldst thou leave
" But to think I was betray'd, [sunder !
That falsehood e'er our loves should
To take the floweret to my breast.
And find the guilefu' serpent under.
" Could I hope thou'dst ne'er deceive.
Celestial pleasures might I choose 'em,
I'd slight, nor seek in other spheres
That heaven I'd find within thy bosom, .
" Stay, my Willie— yet believe me,
Stay, my Willie— yet believe me,
For ah ! thou know'st na every pang
Wad wring my bosom, should'st thou
leave me."
" To thee, loved Nith, thy gladsome plains,
Where late with careless thought I ranged,"
Though prest with care, and sunk in woe,
To thee I bring a heart unchanged.
I love thee, Nith, thy banks and braes.
Though Memory there my bosom tear.
For there he roved that broke my heart,
Yet to that heart, ah, still how dear !
" And now your banks and bonny braes
But waken sad remembrance' smart ;
The very shades I held most dear
Now strike fresh anguish to my heart ;
Deserted bower ! where are they now —
Ah ! where the garlands that I wove
With faithful care, each morn to deck
The altars of ungrateful love ?
" The flowers of spring, how gay they bloom'd, '
When last with him I wander'd here !
The flowers of spring are pass'd away
For wintry horrors, dark and drear.
Yon osier'd stream, by whose lone banks
My song;s have lull'd him oft to rest
Is now in icy fetters lock'd — '
Cold as my false love's frozen breast." -.^
SONGS.
Well thou knowest my
heart — r
And canst thou
siching
[pity !
leave me thus for
Farewell ! and ne'er such sorrows tear
That fickle heart of thine, my Katy 1
Thou mayst find those will love thee,
dear —
[ Btit not a love like mine, Katy !
WHA IS THAT AT MY BOWER-
DOOR?
Tone — **.Lass, an I come near thee."
Wha is that at my hower-door?
Oh, wha is it but Kndlay ?
Thengae yeregate,' ye'se na be here! —
Indeed, maun I, quo' Findlay.
What maji ye sae like a thief '?
Oh, come and see, quo' Findlay;
Before the morn ye'U work mischief —
Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.
Gif^ I rise and let you in, —
Let me in, quo' Findlay,
Ife'U keep me waukin wi' your din —
Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.
In my bower if ye should stay, —
Let me stay, quo' Findlay;
I fear ye'U bide* till break o' day —
Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.
Here this night if ye remain, —
I'll remain, quo' Findla}';
I dread ye'U ken the gate again; —
Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.
What may pass within this bower, —
Let it pass, quo' Findlay;
Ye maun conceal till your last hour; —
Indeed will I, quo' Findlay.
i
THE CARDIN' O'T.
Tune — " Salt-fish and Dumplings."
I coft' a stane o' haslock'-' woo.
To mak a coat to Johnny o't;
For Johnny is my only jo,
I lo'e him best of ony yet.
The cardin'o't, the spinnin' o't;
'The warpin' o't, the winnin' o't;
'Way.
'If.
■^ Remain.
'Bought. - Hause-Ibck— the wool from the
throat— the finest-of the flock.
When ilka ell cost me a groat.
The tailor staw'' the linin' o't.
For though his locks be lyart gray,
And thbugh his brow be held aboon;
Yet 1 hae seen him on a day
The pride of a' the parishen.
THE PIPER.
A FRAGMENT.
Thebe came a piper out o' Fife^
I watna what they ca'd him;
He play'd ouy cousin Kate a spring
When fient a body bade him;
And aye the mair he hotcli'd and blew,
The mair that she forbade him.
JENNY M'CRAW.
A FRAGMENT.
Jenny M'Craw, she has ta'en to the
heather, . [her thither;
Say, was it the Covenant carried
Jenny M'Craw to the mountains is
gane, [a' she has ta'en;
^heir leagues and their covenants
My head and my heart now, quo' she,
are at rest, [best.
And as for the lave, let the deil do his
THE LAST. BRAW BRIDAL.
A FRAGMENT.
The last braw bridal that I was at,
'Twas on a Hallowmas day.
And there was routh' o' drink and fun,
And mickle mirth and play, [sang.
The bells they rang, and the carlines*
And the dames danced in the ha';
The bride went to bed wi' the silly
bridegroom.
In the midst o' her kimmers* a'.
LINES ON A MERRY
PLOUGHMAN.
As I was a wandering ae morning in
spring. [sweetly to sing;
I heard a merry ploughman sae
1 Plenty.
' Stole.
- Old women.
2 Women.
270
BURNS' WORKS.
And as lie was singin' tUae words he
did say.
There's nae life like the ploughman's
in the month o' sweet May.
The laverock in the morning she'll rise
frae her nest, [her breast;
And mount in the air wi' the dew on
And wi' the merry ploughman she'll
whistle arid sing; [back again.
And at night she'll return to her nest
THE WINTER OF LIFE.
Tune — "Gil Morice."
But lately seen in gladsome green.
The woods rejoiced the day;
Through gentle showers the laughing
flowers
In double pride were gay:
But now our joys are fled
On winter blasts awa' !
Yet maiden May in rich array,
Again shall bring then a'.
But my white pow,' nae kindly thowe,'^
Shall mi^lt the snaws of age;
My trunk of eild,^ but^ buss or bield''
Sinks in Time's wintry rage.
Oh ! age has weary days.
And nights o' sleepless pain !
Thou golden time o' youtlifu' prime,
Why comest thou not again ! "
I'LL AYE CA' IN BY YON TOWN.
Tune — " I'll gae nae mair to yon town."
I'lI; aye ca' in by yon town.
And by yon garden green, again:
I'll aye ca' in by yon town.
And see my bonny Jean again.
There's nane sail ken, there's nane sail
guess.
What brings me back the gate again;
But she, my fairest, faithfu' lass,
And stowlins' we sail meet again.
She'll wander by the aiken tree,
When trystin'-time draws near again;
And when her lovely form I see.
Oh, haith, she's doubly dear again !
I'll aye ca' in by yon town.
And by yon garden green, again;
I'll aye ca' in by yon town.
And see my bonny Jean again. ' ' '
1 Head: ' Thaw. ' Aged trunk. * Without.
' Shelter.
1 Secretly.
THE GOWDEN LOCKS OF ANNA.
Tune — " Banks of Baana.'' • -i,^
"A Dumfries maiden," says Cunninghatm,
" with a light foot and a merry eye, was the
heorine of this clever song. Bi)nu; thougfei
so well of it himself that he recommenced
it to Thomson; but the lattpr — aWai^^ pfec-
haps, of the free character oT her of the
gowden locks, excluded it, though pressed
to publish it by the poet. Irritated, p^u
haps, at Thomson's refusal, he wrote the
additional stanza, by way of postscript; in
defiance of his colder-blooded critic." l-<-J
Yestbj;en I had a pint o' wing,
A place where body saw na;
Yestreen lay on this breast o' mine
The gowden locks of Anna.
The hungry Jew in wilderness,
Rejoicing o'er his manna.
Was naething to my hinny bliss
Upon the lips of Anna.
Ye monarchs tali the east and west,
Frae Indus to Savannah 1
Gie me within my straining grasp
The melting form of Anna.
There I'll despise imperial charms.
An empress or sultana.
While dying raptures in her arms
I give and take with Anna !
Awa',thou flaunting god o' day !
Awa', thou pale Diana !
Ilk star gae hide tliy twinkling ray,
When I'm to meet my Anna.
Como, in thy raven plumage. Night!
Sun. moon, and stars withdrawn a';
And bring an angel pen to write
My transports wi' my Anna !
POSTSCRIPT.
The kirk and state may join, and tell
To do such things I maunna:
The kirk and state may gae to hell, -
And I'll gae to my Anna. ' ,
She is the sunshine o' my ee, —
To live but' her I canna;
Had I on earth but wishes three, ' '^^
The first should be my Anna.
I Without. ~'
SONGS.
271-
HAD I THE WYTE.
Tune—" Had I the wyte ?— sha bade me."
Had I the "wyte," had I the wyte,
Had I the wyte ? — she bade me;
She watch'd nie-by the hie-gate side.
And up the loan she shaw'd me;
And- when I wadna venture in,'
A' coward loon she ca'd me;
Had kirk and state been in the gate,
-I Kghted when she bade me.
Sae craftilie shetoofkme hen,-
And bade me makenae clatter; [man
' ' For our ramgunsliocli, glum^ guid-
Is o'er ayont the water;"
Whae'er shall say I w^anted grace,
Wlieu I did kiss aiid dawt* her,
Let him be planted in my place.
Syne say I was a fautor.
Could I for shame, could I for shame.
Could I for shame refused her ?
And wadna manhood been to blame
Had I unkindly used her?
He claw'd her wi' the rippliu-kame.
And blae and bluidy bruised her;
When sic a husband was f rae hame.
What wife but wad excused her?
I dighted" aye her eeu sae blue.
And bann'd the cruel randy;'
And weel I wat her willing mou'
Was e'en like sugar candy.
At gloamin'-shot it was, I trow,
I lighted on the Monday ;
But I cam through the Tysday's dew.
To wanton WUlie's brandy.
CALEDONIA.
Tune — " Caledonian Hunt's Delight."
There was once a day— but old Time
then was young — [lier line,
That brave Caledonia, the chief of
From some of your northern deities
sprung, [donia's divine V)
(Who knows not that brave Cale-
From Tweed to the Orcades was her
domain, [she would:
To hunt, or to pasture, or do what
Her heavenly relations there fixed her
reign. [warrant it good.
And pledged her their godheads to
• Blame. - In. ' Rugged, «oarse. * Fondle.
'Wiped. « Scold.
A lambkin In peace, but a lion in war.
The pride of hgr kindred the heroine
grew; [swore.
Her grandsire, old Odin, triumphantly
"Who e'er shall provoke thee th'
encounter shall rue!"
With tillage or pasture at times she
would sport, [rustling corn;
To feed her fair flocks by her green
But chiefly the woods were her favour-
ite resort, [and the horn.
Her darling amusement the hounds
Long quiet she reign'd; till thither-
ward steers [strand,
A flight of bold eagles from Adria's
Repeated, successive, for many long
They darken'd the air, and they
plunder'd the land:
Their pounces were murder, and terror
their cry, [beside;
They'd conquer'd and ruin'd a world
She took to her hills, and her arrows
let fly— [died.
The daring invaders they fled or they
The fell harpy-raven took wing from
the north.
The scourge of the seas, and the
dread of the shore!
The wild Scandinavian boar issued
forth [in gore;
To wanton in carnage, and wallow
O'er countries and kingdoms their fury
prevail'd, [could repel ;
No arts could appease them, no arms
But brave Caledonia in vain they as-
sail'd, [cartie tell.
As Largs well can witness, and Lon-
The Cameleon - savage disturb'd her
repose, [strife;
With tumult, disquiet, rebellion and
Provoked beyond bearing, at last she
arose, [and his life:
And robb'd him at once of his hopes
The Anglian lion, the terror of France,
Oft prowling, ensanguined the
Tweed's silver flood: [lance,
But, taught by the bright Caledonian
He leam'd to fear in his own native
wood.
Thus bold, independent, unconquer'd,
aind free, [shall rua ; .
Her bright course of glory forever'
273
BURNS' WORKS.
For brave Caledonia immortal must be;
I'll prove it from Eaclid as clear as
the sun:
Rectangle-triangle, the figure we'll
choose,
The upright is Chance, and old
Time is the base;
But brave Caledonia's thehypothenuse:
Then, ergo, she'll match them, and
match them always.
THE FAREWELL.
Tune—'' It was a' for our rightfu' king.''
It vfas a' for our rightfu' king
We left fair Scotland's strand;
It was a' for our rightfu' king
We e'er saw Irish land, my dear,
We e'er saw Irish land.
Now a' is done that men can do.
And a' is done in vain;
My love and native land farewell.
For I maun cross the main, my dear.
For I maua cross the main.
He turn'd him right and round about.
Upon the Irish shore:
And gae his bridle-reins a shake.
With adieu for evermore, my dear.
With adieu for evermore.
The sodger frae the wars returns,
The sailor frae the main ;
But I hae parted frae my love.
Never to meet again, my dear.
Never to meet again.
Wlien day is gane, and night is come.
And a' folk bound to sleep;
I think on him that's far awa', [dear,
The lee-lang night, and weep, my
The lee-lang night, and weep.
OH, STEER HER UP.
Tune — " Oh, steer her up and baud her
gaun."
Oh, steer' her up and hand her gaun —
Her mither's at the mill, jo;
And gin she winna tak a man.
E'en let her tak her will, jo:
1 Stir.
First shore'' her wi' a kindly kiss,
And ca' anither gill, jo; ' :■ •'■■.
And gin she tak the thing amiss, ^ I'
E'en let her flyte' her fill, jo.
Oh, steer her up, and be na blate,^
And ^a she tak it ill, jo.
Then lea'e the lassie till her fate, ;
And time na langer spill, jo:
Ne'er break your heart for ae rebnte,'^
But think upon it still, jo;
That gin the lassie wiima do't,
Ye'U fin' anither will, jo.
BONNY PEG-A-RAMSAT.
Tune — "Cauldis the e'enin' blast."
Catji-d is the e'enin' blast
0' Boreas o'er the pool;
And dawin' it is dreary
When bii-ks are bare at Yule.
Oh, cauld blaws the e'enin' blast
When bitter bites the frost.
And in the mirk and dreary drift
The hills arid glens are lost.
Ne'er sae murky blew the night
That drifted o'er the hill.
But bonny Peg-a-Ramsay
Gat grist to her mill.
HEE BALOUl
Tone— "The Highland Balou."
Concerning this song, Cromek says; — "The
time when the moss-troopers and ca^le-
drivers on the Borders begarT their nigbtfy
depredations was the nrst Michael|^as
mobn. Cattle-stealing formerly was amere
foraging expedition ; and it has been re-
marked that many of the best fainilies in
the north can trace their descent from' the
daring sons of the mountains. The pro^ce
(by way of dowry to a lord's daughter) of a
Michaelmas moon is proverbial ; and by the
aid of Lochiel's lanthorn (the moon) these
exploits were the most desirable things im-
agmable. In the ' Hee Balou' we see one
of those heroes in the cradle."
Hee balou !' my sweet wee Donald, ;
Picture o' the great Clanronald;
Brawlie kens our wanton chief
Wha got my young Highland thi«f.
" ''"f''- " ?'^°''^- * Bashful. 6 Rebuke.'
1 A cradle-lullaby phrase used by nurses.
SONGS.
273
Leezei me on thy bonny craigie,
An thou live, thow'lt steal a naigie:
Travel the country through and
through, ■
And bring hame a Carlisle cow.
Through the Lavrlands, o'er the Bor-
der,
,Weel, my baby, may thou furder:"
Herry' the louns o' the laigh countrie,
Syne to the Highlands, hame to me.
HERE'S HIS HEALTH IN WATER.
Tune — " The Job of Tourneywork."
Although my back be at the wa',
And though he be the fautor;
Although my back be at the wa'.
Yet, here's his health in water !
Oh ! wae gae by his wanton sides,
Sae brawlie's he could flatter;
Till forhis sake I'm slighted sair,
And^dree' the kintra clatter.''
But though my back be at the wa'.
And though he be the fautor;
But though my back be at the wa'.
Yet, here's his health in water !
AMANG THE TREES, WHERE
HUMMING BEES.
Tune — " The kin^ of France, he rode a race."
Amang the trees, where humming
bees [0,
■ At buds and flowers were hinging,
>4uld Caledon drew out her drone.
And to her pipe was singing, O;
'Twas pibroch, sang, strathspey, or
reels.
She dirl'd them afE f u' clearly, O,
When there cam a yell o' foreign
squeels.
That dang her tapsalteerie,'0.
Their capon craws, and quee^jha ha's,
They madeonr lugs' grow eerie,' 0;
The hungry bike'' did scrape and pike, '
Till we were wae and weary, O;
^ Prosper. ' Plunder.
1 Bear. = Country talk.
- ^ Topsy-turvey. " Ears. * Weary. * 3and.
0 Pick.
But a royal ghaist," wha ance was cased
A prisoner aughteen year awa',
He fired a fiddler in the north
That dang them tapsalteerie, O,
CASSILLIS' BANKS.
Tune — Unknown.
Now bank and brae are claithed in
green,
And scatter'd cowslips sweetly spring;
By Girvan's fairy-haunted stream
The birdies flit on wanton wing.
To Cassillis' banks, when e'ening fa's;
There, wi' my Mary, let me flee, '
There catch her ilka glance of love.
The bonny blink o' Mary's ee!
The chield wha boasts o' warld's Walth
Is aften laird o' meikle care;
But Mary, she is a' mine ain —
Ah! Fortune cauna gie me mair!
Then let me range by Cassillis' banks, .
Wi' her, the lassie dear to me,
And catch her ilka glance o' love.
The bonny blink o' Mary's fee!
BANNOCKS 0' BARLEY.
Tune—" The Killogie."
Bannocks o' bear-meal,
Bannocks o' barley; "
Here's to the Highlandman's
Bannocks o' barley!
Wha in a bmlzie,'
Will first cry a parley ?
Never the lads wi'
The bannocks o' barley!
Bannocks o' bear-meal,
Bannoclcs o' barley;
Here's to the Highlandman's
Bannocks o' barley!
Wlia, in his wae-days,
Were loyal to Charlie 1
Wha but the lads wi'
The bannocks o' barley 1
SAE FAR AWA'.
Tune — " Dalkeith Maiden Bridge."
Oh, sad and heavy should I part.
But for her sake sae far awa';
« Ghost,
' Broil.
274
BURNS'-^WORKS.
-Unknowing wliatmy way may tliwart,
My native land, -sae far awa'. ^
Thou that of a' things Maker ^t.
That form'd this fair sae far awa',
Gie body.strength, tlien I'll ne'er start
At this, my way, sae far awa'.
How true is love to pure desert,
So love to' her sae far awa' :
And noclit can heal my bosom's smart
While, oh ! she is sae far awa'.
Nane other love, nane other dart, ■
I feel but hers, sae far awa';
But fairer never touch'd a heart
Than hers, the fair, sae far awa'.
HER FLOWING LOCKS.
Tune — Unknown.
Her flowing locks, the raven's wing,
Adown her neck and bosom hing;
How sweet unto that breast to cling,
And round that neck entwine her !
Her lips are roses wat wi' dew.
Oh what a feast her bonny mou' !
Her cheeks a mair celestial hue,
A cyimson still diviner.
THE HieHLAND LADDIE.
Tune—" If thou'lt play me fair play."
The bonniest lad that e'er I saw.
Bonny laddie, Highland laddie.
Wore a plaid, and was fu' braw.
Bonny Highland laddie.
On his head a bonnet blue,
Bonny laddie. Highland laddie;
His royal heart was firm and true,
Boimy Highland laddie.
Trumpets sound, and cannons roar.
Bonny lassie, Lowland lassie;
And a' the liills wi' echoes roar,
Bonnyliowland lassie.
Gloiy, honour, now invite,
Bonny lassie, Lowland lassie.
For freedom and my king to fight.
Bonny Lowland lassie.
The sun a backward course shall take,
Bonnie laddie. Highland laddie.
Ere aught thy manly courage shalre,
Bonuy Highland laddie. - '
Go ! for yoursel procure renown, ; : yn
Bonny laddie. Highland laddie; ;
And for your lawful king hi? crpwBjH
Bonny Highland Laddie.
THE LASS THAT MADE THE BED
TO ME. _ ^
Tune — "The lass that made the bed tome."
The poet, in his notes to the Museitm^s&y^
regarding this song : — " ' The bonny lass
that made the bed to jije* was composed on
an amour of Charles II., when skullcing ini
the north about Aberdeen, in the time of
the usurpation. He formed une petUe
aj^aire with a daughter of the housed of
Port Letham, who was the iass that made
the bed to him!" -. ,cr
When Januar' wind was blawing
cauld.
As to the north I took my way.
The mirksome' night did me enfauld,
I knew na where to lodge till day.
By my good luck a maid I met.
Just in the middle o' my care;
And kindly she did me invite
To walk into a chamber fair.
I bow'd fu' low unto this maid.
And thank'd her for her courtesie;
I bow'd fu' low Unto this maid.
And bade her make a bed for me.
She madethe bed baith large and wide|
Wi' twa white hands she spread it
down.
She put the cup to her rosy lips,
And-drank, ' ' Young man, now sleep
yesoun'."
She snatch'd the candle in her hand,
And f rae my chamber went wi' speed;
But I call'd her quickly back again.
To lay some mair below my head.
A cod she laid below my head,.
And served me wi' due respect;
And, to salute her wi' a kiss,
I put my arms about her neck.
" Hand oif your hands, young man,l'
she says,
"And dinnasao uncivil be:
Gif ye hae ony love for me.
Oh, wrangna my virgini'tie !"
' Barksome.
songs;
S75
Her hair was like the links o' gowd;
Her teeth were like the ivorie;
Her cheeks like lilies dipt in wine,
The lass that made the bed to me.
Her bosom was the driven snaw,
iiJTwa drifted heaps sae fair to see;
Her limbs the polish'd marble stane,
The lass that made the bed to me.
I kissed her owre and owre again,
And aye she wist na what to say;
I laid'her between me apd the wa' —
The lassie thought na laiig till day.
Upon the morrow, -when we rose,
. Hihank'd her for her courtesie;
But aye she blush'd, and aye she sigli'd,
And said, "Alas! ye've ruin'dme."
I clasp'd her waist, and Mss'd her
syne,
Whjie the tear stood twinkling in
' her ee ;
I said, " My lassie, dinna cry.
For ye ayershall mak the bed tome."
She took her mither's Holland sheets.
And made them a' in sarks to me:
Blithe and merry may she be.
The lass that made the bed to me.
The bonny lass made the bed to me.
The braw lass niade the bed to ine;
I'll ne'er forget, till the day I die,
TJie lass that made the bed to me !
THE LASS OF ECCLEFECHAN.
Tune — " Jacky Latin."
Gat ye me, oh^ gat ye mp.
Oh, gat ye ine wi' naething ?
Eoclc arid reel, aridsplnnin' wheel,
A:mickle quarter basin.
Bye attour, ' my gutcher'' has
A Iwighhouseand a Jaigh ane, , i
A' forbye my bonny sel.
The toss of Ecclefechan. !
Oh, iaud your tongue now, Luckie'
Laing, '
Oh, baud your tongue and jauner;'
I held the gate till you I met,
Syne I began to wander;
•1 Besides. ^ Grandsire. ' Complainihg. '
I tint*-tny whistle and my sang,
I tint my peace and pleasure;
But your green graff' now; Luckie
Laing,
Wad airt" me to my treasure.
THE COOPER 0' CUDDIE. •
Tune—" Bob at the Bowster."
The cooper o' Cuddle cam liete awa';
He ca'd the girrs' out owre us a'—
And our guidwife has gotten a ca'
That anger'd the silly guidman, O.
We'll hide the cooper behind the
door,
Behind the door, behind the door.
We'll hide the coojjer behind the
door, [0.
And cover him under a mawn,'^
He sought them out, he sought theiji
in,
Wi', Deil hae her! and, Deil hae him !
But the body he was sae doited* and
biiu'.
He wistnst where he was gaun; O.'
They cooper'd at e'en, they cooper'd at
morn.
Till our guidman has gotten the scorn.
On ilka brow she's planted a horn.
And swears that there they shall
Stan', O. . . ,
THE HIGHLAND. WIDOW'S LA-
MENT.
Oh ! I am come to the low countrie
Och-on, och-on, ocli-rie !
Without a penny in my purse
To buy a meal to me. '
It wasna sae in the Highland hills,
Oeh-bn, och-on, och-rie ! '
Nae woman in the country wide
Sae happy was as me. >
For then I had a score o' kye,
Och-on, och-pn, och-rie !
Feeding on yon hills so high.
And giving milk to me.
* Lost.
' Hoops.
'Grave.
^ Basket.
• Direct
'Stupid. -
S7ff
BURNS' WORKS.
And tliere I had threescore o' yowes,
Och-on, ocli-ou, ocli-rie 1
Skipping on yon bonny knowes,
And casting woo' to me.
I was tlie happiest of a' the clan,
Sair, sair may I repine;
For Donald was the hrawest man,
And Donald he was mine.
Till Cliarlie Stuart cam at last, -
■ Sae far to set us free ;
My Donald's arm was wanted. then
For Scotland and for me.
Their waef a' fate what need I tell t
■ Right to the wrang did yield;
My Donald and his country fell
Upon CuUoden field.
bch-on, O Donald, oh !
Och-on, och-on, och-rie !
Nae woman in the warld wide
Sae wretched now as me.
THERE WAS A BONNY LASS.
These was a bonny lass.
And a bonny, bonny lass,
And she lo'ed her bonny laddie dear;
Till war's loud alarms
Tore her laddie f rae her arms,
Wi' mony a sigh and a tear.
Over sea, over shore,
Where the cannons Joudly roar.
He still was a stranger to fear;
And noclit could him quail.
Or his bosom assail,
But the bonny lass he lo'ed sae dear.
OH WAT YE WHAT MY MINNIE
DID?
Oh, wat ye what my minnie did.
My minnie did, my minnie did;
Oh, wat ye what my minnie did.
On Tysday 'teen to me, jo ?
She laid mo in a saft bed,
A saft bed, a saft bed.
She laid me in a saft bed.
And bade guid e'en to me, jo.
And Wat ye what the parson did,
The parson djd, the pargon did.
And wat ye what the parson did, ,^ Y
A' for a penny fee, jo ?
He loosed on me a lang man,
A mickle man, a Strang man,
He loosed on me a lang man,
That might hae worried me, jo.
And I was but a young thing, , - ,»; .
A young thing, a young thing, ,
And I was but a young thing,
Wi' nane to pity me, jo.
I wat the kirk was in the wyte,'
In the wyte, in the wyte.
To pit a young thing in a fright,, _
Ajid loose a man on me, jo. -' "
OH, GUID ALE COMES.
CHORUS.
T
Oh, gnid ale comes, and guid ale goes,
Guid ale gars' me sell my hose.
Sell my hose, and pawn my shoon,
Guid ale keeps my Jbpart aboon. , '-
I had sax owsen in a plengh,
They drew a' weeleneugh;
I sell'd them a' just ane by ane;
Guid ale keeps my heart aboon;
Guid ale liaiids me bare and busy.
Gars me moop'^ wi' the servant hizzie,'
Stand i' the stool when I hae done;
Guid ale keeps my heart aboon.
COMING THROUGH THE BRAES
O' CUPAR.
DoNALB Brodie met a lass
Coming o'er the braes o' Cupar;
Donald, wi' his Highland hand.
Rifled ilka charm about her. ,
CHORUS.
Coming o'er the braes o' Cupar,
Coming o'ertlie braes o' Cupar,
Highland Donald met a lass.
And row'd his Highland plaid
about her.
> Makes.
> Blame.
^ Romp.
3 Wench*
SONGS.
■S77
Weel I wat she was a quean, '
Wad made a body's mouti to water;
Our Mess John, wi' his auld gray pow,'
His h&ly lips wad licket at her.
Off she started in a friglit, [bicker;''
And through the braes as she could
But souple Donald quicker flew,
And in his arms be lock'd her sicker.'
QUID E'EN TO TOU, KIMMEK.
Tune — "' We're a* noddin."
Gdid e'en to you, kimmer,'
And how do ye do?
Hiccup,' quo' kimmer.
The better that I'^n fou. [din.
We're a' noddin, nid, nid, nod-
We're a' noddin at our house at
hame.
Kate sits i' the neuk,*
Suppin';heu broo;''
Deil tak Kate,
Au she be n"a noddin tool
, How's a' wi" you, kimmer,
And how do ye fare ?
A. pint o' the best o't, '
And twa pints mair.
How's a' wi' yon, kimmer.
And how do ye thrive ?
How mony bairns hae ye?
Quo' kimmer, I has iive.
Are they a' Johnny's ?
Eh! at weel, na:
Twa o' them were gotten
When Johnny was awa'.
Cats like milk.
And dogs like broo,
L^ds like lasses
weel,
And lasses lads too.
[din.
We're a'
noddin.
nid. nid.
nod-
We're a'
noddin at our house at
hame.
I Head.
2 Run.
£
Sure.
» Lass.
^ Corner.
' Broth.
MEG O'THE MILL.
Tune — " Jackie Hume's Lament."
This second version of" Meff o' the Mill," (p.
253.) prepared by the poet for the Museum^
was founded on. an old ditty, -which he al-
tered and amended.
Oh, ken ye what Meg o' the Mill bus
gotten, ■ [gotten ?
And ken ye wliat Meg o' the Mill has
A braw new naig' wi' the tail o' a rot-
tan, [gotten !
And that's what Meg o' the Mill has
Oh, ken ye what Meg o' the Mill lo'es
dearly? [dearly?
And ken ye what Mfeg o' the Mill lo'es
A dram o' guid striint'^ in a morning
early, [dearly.
And that's what Meg o' the Mill lo'es
Oh, ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was
married, - [married ?
And ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was
The priest he was oxjer'd, the clerk he
was carried, [married.
And that's ' how Meg o' the Mill wag
Oh, ken ye bow Meg o' the Mill was'
bedded, ..... [bedded?
And ken ye how Meg o' the Mill was
The groom gat sae fou,' he felltwa-
fauld .beside it, [bedded.
And that's how Meg o' the Mill was
YOUNG JAMIE PRIDE OP A' THE
PLAIN.
Tune—" The Carlin o' the Glen."
YOTJNG Jamie, pride of a' the plain,
Sae gallant and sae gay a swain;
Through a' our lasses he did rove.
And reign'd resistless king of love:
But now, wi' sighs and starting tears.
He strays among the woods and briers;
Or in the glens and rocky caves,
His sad complaining dowie' raves: ,
' ' I wha sae late did range and rove,
And changed with every moon ray love,
I little thought the time was near •
Repentance I should buy sae dear:
>
» A riding-horse. ■ ^ Whisky. ^ Drunk.
' Sadly.
srs'
BURNS' WORKS.
The slighted maids my torments see,
And laugh at a' the ^angs I dree;'
While she, my cruel, scornfu' fair,
Forhids me e'er to see her mair 1"
COMING THROUGH THE RYE.
Tune — " Coming through the rye.''
Coming through the rye, poor body.
Coming through the rye.
She draiglet' a' her petticoatie.
Coming through the rye.
O Jenny's a' wat, poor body,
Jenny's seldom dry;
She draiglet a' her petticoatie.
Coming through the rye.
Gin' a body meet a body
Coming throiigh the rye;
Gin a body kiss a body —
Need a body cry ?
Gin a body meet a body
Coming through the glen;
Gin a body kiss a body —
Need the warld ken ?
THE CARLES OF DYSART.
Tune — " Hey, ca' through."
Up wi' the carles' o' Dysart
And the lads o' Buckhaven,
And the kimmers' o' Largo,
And the lasses o' Leven.
Hey, ca' through, ca'' through.
For we hae mickle ado;
Hey, ca' through, ca' through.
For we hae mickle ado.
We hae tales to tell.
And we hae sangs to sing;
We hae pennies to spend,
And we hae pints to bring.
We'll live a' our days.
And them that come behin',
Let them do the like,
And spend the gear they win.
* Suffer.
' Soiled, bespattered. ^li.
J Men. 2 Women. = Push.
IS' THERE, FOR HONEST •'
POVERTY.
Tune — " For a' that and a' that.''
Of the following song — one of the most sja-ik-
ing and characteristic effusions of his Muse
— ^he says, evidently in a strain of affected ,
depreciation : — " A great critic on songs
■ says that love and wine are the exclusive
themes for son^-writing. The following is
on neither subject, and is consequently no
song ; but will be allowed, I think, to be
two or three pretty good prose thoughts, ^
inverted into rhyme.' '-**
Is there, for honest poverty.
That hangs his head, and a' that ?
The coward slave, we pass him by,
We dare be poor for a' that !
For a' that,' and a' that;
Our toils obscure, and a' that; ,
The rank is but the guinea-stamp.
The man's the gowd for a' that.
What though onhamely fare we dine.
Wear hodden gray and a' that;
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their
wine,
A man's a man for a' that 1
For a' that, and a' that.
Their tinsel show, and a' that;
The honest man, though e'er sae poor,
Is king o' men for a' that !
Ye see yon birkie,* ca'd a lord,
Wha struts, and stares, and a' that;
Though hundreds worship at his word.
He's but a coof for a' that:
For a' that, and a' that.
His riband, star, and a' that;
The man of independent mind,
He looks and laughs at a' that !
A king can mak a belted knight,
A marquis, duke, and a' that;
But an honest man's aboou his might,
Guid faith he maunna' fa' that!
For a' that, and a' that,
Their dignities, and a' that.
The pith o' sense, and pride o' worth.
Are higher ranks tlmn a' that.
1 Fool. 2 " He maunna fa' that"— he must
not try that.
* Primarily, the word signifies a livelR
mettlesome young fellow ; but here the poet'j
meaning wouki be better rendered by the
words— a proud, affected person.
SONGS
279
Then let us pray tliat come it may —
As come it will for a' that —
That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth,
May bear the gree; and a' that;
For a' that, and a' that;
It's Cpmin' yet for a' that,
Tliaf man to man, the warld o'er,
Shall brothers be for a' that.
O LASSIE, ART THOU SLEEPING
YET?
■ Tune — "Let me in this ae night."
0 LASSIE, art thou sleeping yet,
Or art thon waking, I would wit?
For love has bound me hand and foot,
And I Would fain be in, jo.
Oh, let me In this ae night,
"This ae, ae, ae night.
Far pity's sake this ae night,
Oh, rise and let me in, jo!
Thou hear?Bt the winter wind and weet,
Nae star blinks through the driving
sleet:
Tak pity on my weary feet.
And shield me f rae the rain, jo.
The bitter blast that round me blaws.
Unheeded howls, unheeded fa's:
The caulduess o' thy heart's the cause
Of a' my grief and pain, jo.
HEE ANSWER.
Oh, tellna me o' wind and rain,
Upbraid na me wi' cauld disdain!
Gae back the gate ye cam again,
I winna let ye in, jo.
I tell you now this ae night.
This ae, ae, ae night;
And ance for a', this ae night,
I winna let you in, jo.
The snellest,' blast at rairkest hours.
That round the pathless wanderer
pours.
Is nocht to what poor she endures
That's trusted faithless man, jo.
The sweetest flower that deck'd the
mead.
Now trodden like the vilest weed;
'■ Sharpest.
Let simple maid tlie lesson read.
The weird may be her ain, jo.
The bird that charm'd his summer
day
Is now the cruel fowler's prey;
Let witless, trusting woman say
How aft her fate's the same, jo.
THE HERON ELECTION BAL-
LADS.
BAT,LAD r.
Whom will you send to London town,
To Parliament, and a' thait-?
Or wha in a' the country round
The best deserves to fa' that?
For a' that, and a' that.
Through Galloway and a' that;
Where is the laird or belted knight
That best deserves to fa' that ?
Wha sees Kerroughtree's open yett,'
And wha is't never saw that ?
Wha ever wi' Kerroughtree met^
And has a doubt of a' that ?
For a' that, and a' that.
Here's Heron yet for a' that!
The independent patriot.
The honest man, and a' that.
Though wit and worth in either sex,
St. Mary's Isle can shaw that;
Wi' dukes and lojds let Selkirk mix.
And weel does Selkirk fa' that.
For a' that, and a' that!
Here's Heron yet for a' that!
The independent commoner
Shall be the man for a' that.
But why should we to nobles jouk ?*
And it's against the law that;
For why, a lord may be a gouk'
Wi' ribbon, star, and a' that.
For a' that, and a' that, -
Here's Heron yet for a' that !
A lord may be a lousy loun
Wi' ribbon, star, and a' that.
A beardless boy comes o'er the hills
Wi' uncle's purse and a' that;
But we'll hae ane frae 'mang oursels,
A man we ken, and a' that.
For a' that, and a' that,
I Gate. 2 Bend. ' Fool,
BUENS' WORKS.
Here's Heron yet for a' tlxat!
For we're not to be bought and
sold
Like naigs, and nowt,' and a' that.
Then let us di-iuli the Stewartry,
Kerrxjughtree's laird, and a' that,
Our representative to be.
For weel he's worthy a' that.
For a' that, and a' that.
Here's Heron yet for a' thatl
A House of Commons such as he.
They would be blest that saw that.
BALLAD II.
Tune — " Fy, let us a' to the bridal."
Fy, let us a' to Kirkcudbright,
For there will be bickering there;
For Murray's light horse are to muster.
And oh, how the heroes will swear !
And there will be Murray,' comman-
der.
And Gordon,' the battle to win;
Like brothers they'll stand by each
other,
Sae knit in alliance and kin.
And there will be black-nebbit John-
nie,'
The tongue o' the trump to thorn a';
An he gets na hell for his haddin'
I'he deil gets na justice ava' ;
And there will be Kempleton's birlde,''
A boy na sae blaclc at the bane,
But, as for his fine nabob fortune,
We'll e'en let the subject alanc.
And there will be Wigton's new sher-
ifE,»
t)ame Justice fu' brawlie has sped.
She's gotten the heai-t of a Bushby,
But, Lord ! what's become o' the
head ?
< Cattle.
1 Murray of Broughton.
^ Gordon of Balmaghie.
s Mr. John Bushby, a sharp-witted lawyer,
for -whom the poet had no little aversion.
^ William Bushby of Kempleton,, brother
of the above, who had made a fortune in In-
dia, but which was popularly thought to have
originated m some questionable transactions
.connected with the ruinous affair of the Ayr
Bank before he went abroad.
' ^ Mr. Bushby Maitland, son of John, and
recently appointed Sheriff of Wigtonshire.
And there will be Cardoness,* Esqnire,
Sae mighty in Cardoness' eyes,
A wight that will weather damnation,
For the devil the prey will despise.
And there will be Kenmnre,' sae gen-
erous !
Whose honour is proof to the storm;
To save them from stark reprobation.
He lent them his name to the firm.
But we winna mention Redcastle,*, ,, ^
The body, e'en let him escape !
He'd venture the gallows for siller.
An 'twere na the cost o' the rape.
And where is our king's lord-lieuten-
ant, h
Sae famed for his gratefu' retu.m'?
The billieis getting his questions^ ;,.»
To say in St. Stephen's the mom.
And there will be Douglases' dou^i^,
New-christenii^ towns far and
near;
Abjuring their democrat doings, ■.'-:
By kissing the of a peer.
And there will be lads o' the gospel,
Muirhead,'" wha's as goo^ as he's
true;
And there will be Buittle's apostle,"
Wha's mair o' the black than the
blue;
And there will be folk frae St.Mary's,
A house o' great merit and note,
The deil aue but honours them high-
ly,-
The deil ane will gie them his vote !
And there will be wealthy young
Richard,'^ [neck;
Dame Fortune should hing by the
For prodigal, thriftless, bestowing.
His merit had won him respect.
And there will be rich brother nabobs.
Though nabobs, yet men of the first,"
" David Maxwell of Cardoness.
' Mr. Gordon^ Kenmure.
8 Mr. LawrieiSf Redcastle.
» Messrs. Douglas of Carlinwark gave the
name of Castle ' Douglas to a village which
rose in their neighbourhood — now a populous
town. .--•.- .
'° Rev. Mr. Muirhead, minister of Urf.
"Rev. George Maxwell, minister of Buit-
tle. , :,
^'^ Richard Oswald of Auchincruivc
^^ The Messrs. Hannay.
SONOS.
sai
And tliere will be ColUeston's" wliiak-
ers.
And Quintin,"' o' lads not the warst.
And there will be stamp-office John-
' me,"
Tak tent liow ye purchase a dram ;
And there will be gay Cassencarrie,
. And there will be gleg Colonel
Tam;"
And there will be trusty Kerrough-
tree,'*
Wliase honour was ever his law,
If the virtues were pack'd iu a parcel,
_His worth might be sample for a'.
And strong and respectf u's his backing,
The maist o' the lairds wi' him stand,
Nae gipsy-like nominal barons,
Wliase property's paper, but lands.
And can we forget the auld Major,"
' Wha'll ne'er be forgot in the Greys,
Our flattery we'll keep for some ither.
Him only it's justice to praise.
And there will be maiden Kilkerran,''''
And also Barkskimming's guid
knight,si
And there will be roaring Birtwhistle,''-
Wha luckily roars in the right.
•And there, f rae the Niddisdale border.
Will mingle the Maxwells iu droves ;
Teiigh Johnnie,?' stanch Geordie,-''
and Walie,»5
That griens for the fishes and loaves.
And there will be Logan M'Dowall,'*
Sculduddery and he will be there;
And also the wild Scot o' Galloway,
Sodgering, gunpowder Blair."
^* Mr. Copland of ColUeston.
'5 Qiiintin M'Adam of Craigengillan.
- ^*_-Mr. John Syme, distributor of stamps,
Dumfries.
^^ Colonel Goldie of Goldielea.
^ "* Mr. Heron of Kerroughtree, the Whig
candidate.
*" Major Heron, brother of the above,
*> Sir Adam Ferguson of Kilkerran. -
^' Sir William Miller of Barkskimminff, af-
terwards a judge, with the title of Lord Glen-
.lee. ■ .
-- Mr. Birtwhistle of Kirkcudbright.
'' Mr. Maxwell of Terraughty.
24 Georee' Maxwell of Carruchan.
"s Mr. Wellwood Maxwell.
2<* Captain. M'Dowall of Logan.
i""Mr. Blair of Dunsky. -
Then hey the chaste interest o' Brough-
ton, [bring I
And hey for the blessings 'twill
It may send Balmaghie to tlie Com-
mons,
In Sodom 'twould make him a king;
And hey for the sanctified Murray,^*
Our land wha wi' chapels has stored;
He founder'd his horse amang harlots,
But gied the auld niig to the Lord.
JOHN BUSHBY'S LAMENTATION.
BALLAD III.
'TWAS in the seventeen hundred year.
O' Christ, and ninety-five.
That year I was the wae'st man
0' ony man alive.
In March, the three-and-twentieth day,
The sun raise clear and bright;
But oh, I was a waefu' man
Ere to-fa' o' the night.
Yerl Galloway lang did rule this land
Wi' equal right and fairie.
And thereto was his kinsman jain'dy
The Murray's noble name!
Yerl Galloway lang did rule the land.
Made me the judge o' strife;
But now Yerl Galloway's sceptre's
broke, , .
And eke my hangman's knife.
'Twas by the hanks o' bonny Dee,
Beside Kirkcudbright towers
The Stewart and the Murray there
Did muster a' their powers.
The Murray, on the auld gray yaud,'
Wi' winged spurs did,ride.
That auld gray yaud, yea, Nid'sdale
rade.
He staw- upon Nidside.
And there had been the yerl himsel.
Oh, there had been nae play;
But Garlies was to London gane.
And- sae the kye might stray.
'' Mr. MulTay of BroUghton, who had aban-
doned his wife, and eloped with a lady of
rank.
1 Mare,
2 Stole.
BURNS' WORKS.
And there was Balmaghie, I ween,
In the front rank he wad shine;
But Balmaghie had better been
Drinliing Madeira wine.
Fraethe Glenkens came to oiir aid
A chief o' doughty deed;
In case that worth should wanted be,
O' Kenmure we had need.
And there, sae grave. Squire Car-
doness
Look'd on till a' was done;
Sae in the tower o' Cardoness,
A liowlet sits at noon.
And there led I the Bushbys a';
-My gamesome Billy Will,
And my sjn Maitland, wise as brave.
My footsteps foUow'd still.
The Douglas and the Heron's name.
We set nought to their score;
The' Douglas and the Heron's name
Had fd[t our weight before.
But Douglases o' weight had we,
A pair o' trusty lairds,
For building cot-houses sae famed.
And chiistening kail-yards.
And by our banners march'd Muirhead,
And Buittle wasna slack ;
Whose haly priesthood nane can stain.
For wha can dve the black ?
THE DUMFRIES VOLUNTEERS.
"Tune — " Push about the jorum.''
Burns having joined the Dumfries Volunteers
when they were formed early in 1795, sig-
nalised that patriotic event by the composi-
tion of the following ballad, which after-
wards became very popular throughout the
district.
Does haughty Gaul invasion threat?
Then let the louns beware.sir;
There's wooden walls upon our seas.
And volunteers on shore, sir.
The Nith shall rin to Corsincon,
The CrifEel sink in Solway,
Ere we permit a foreign foe
On British ground to rally !
We'll ne'er permit a foreign foe
On British ground 1,0 rally.
Oh, let us not, like snarling curs, ''J
In wrangling be divided; ' ii'
Till, slap ! come in an unco loun.
And wi' a rung' decide it.
Be Britain still to Britain true, ''
Amang oursels united; ' ■'
For never but by British hands '^ •-
Maun British wrangs be righted i- -1
For never, iStc'V. '.'' ' '
The kettle o' the kirk and state, ;
Perhaps a clout may fail in't,-
But deil a foreign tinkler loun
Shall ever ca' a nail in't.
Our father's bluid the kettle bought.
And wha wad dare to spoil it ? '
By heavens ! the sacrilegious dog
Shall fuel be to boil it,!
By heavens, &c. ,,|r-_
The wretch that wad a tyrant own/ '
And the wretch, his true-sworn
brother, [throne,
Wha would set the inob aboon the
May they be damn'd together !
Wha will not sing ' ' God save the
King"
Shall hang as high's the steeple;
But while we sing "God save the
King,"
We'll ne'er forget the People.
But while we sing, &c.
OH, WAT YE WHA'S IN YON
TOWN?
Tune — " I'll aye ca' in by yon town."
Now haply down yon gay green shaw
She wanders by yon spreading tree;
How blest ye flowers that round her
blaw.
Ye catcli the glances o' her ee ! '
CHOKUS.
Oh, wat ye wha's in yon town, ■^' •
Ye see the e'enin' sun upon ?
The fairest dame's in yon town.
That e'enin' sun is fining' on.
How blest ye birds that round her
sing.
And welcome in the blooming year! '
' Cudgel.
SONGS.
And doubly welcome be tbe spring.
The season to my Lucy dear.
The sun blmlcs blitlie on ypn town.
And on yon bonny braes of Ayr;
But my delight in, yon town,
And dearest bliss is Lucy fair.
Without my love, not af the charms
O' Paradise could yield me joy;
But gie me Lucy in my arms,
And welcome Lapland's dreary sky!
My cave wad be a lover's bower,
Though raging winter rent the air;
And slie a lovely little flower.
That I wad tent and shelter there. ,
Oh, sweet is she in yon town
The sinking sun's gane down upon;
A fairer than's m yon town
His setting beam ne'er shone upon.
If angry fete is sworn my foe,
And suffering I am doom'd to bear,
I paf eless quit aught else below,
But spare me — spare me, Lucy,
dear !
For while life's dearest blood is warm
Ae thought f rae her shall ne'er de-
part.
And she — as fairest is her form !
She has the truest, kindest heart!
; Oh, wat ye wha's in yon town.
Ye see the e'enin' sun upon !
The fairest dame's in yon town
That e'enin' sun is shining on.
ADDRESS TO THE WOODLARK.
TUNE-
' Where'U bonny Ann lie :"
" Loch-Eroch Side."
On, stay, sweet warbling woodlark,
stay,
Noi; quit for me the trembling spray;
A hapless lover courts thy lay.
Thy soothing, fond complaining.
Again, again that tender part.
That I may catch thy melting art;
For. surely that wad touch her heart
Wha kills me wi' disdaining.
Say, was thy little mate unkind.
And heard thee as the careless wind?
Oh, nocht but love and sorrow join'd,
Sic notes o' woe could wauken.
Thou tells o' never-ending care,
O' speechless grief and dark despair:
For pity's sake, sweet bird, nae mair!
Or my poor heart is -broken!
ON CHLORIS BEING ILL.
Tune—" Aye wakin', O."
Can I cease to care ?
Can I cease to languish.
While my darling fair
Is on the couch of anguish ?
Long, long the night,
; Heavy comes the morrow.
While my soul's delight
Is on her bed of sorrow.
Every hope is fled,
Every fear is terror;
Slumber even I dread.
Every dream is horror.
Hear me. Powers divine !
Oh, in pity hear me !
Take aught else of mine.
But my Chloris spare me !
FORLORN, MY LOVE, NO COM-
FORT NEAR.
Tune — " Let me in this ae night."
FOBLOBN, my love, no comfort near.
Far, far from thee, I wander here;
Far, far from thee, the fate severe
At'which I most repine, love.
Oh, wert thou, love, but near me;
But near, near, near me ;
How kindly thou wouldst cheer me, ,
And mingle sighs with mine,
love !
Around me scowls a wintry sky,
That blasts each bud of hope and joy ;
And shelter, shade, nor home have I,
Save in those arms of thine, love.
Cold,, alter'd Friendship's cruel part.
To poison Fortune's ruthJesSidart —
884
BURNS' WORKS.
Let me not break thy faithful heart.
And say that fate is mine, love.
Blit dreary though the moments fleet.
Oh, let me think we yet shall meet I
That only ray of solace sweet
Can on thy Chloris shine, love.
FRAGMENT— CHLORIS.
m Tune — '* Caledonian Hunt's Delight."
Why, why tell thy lover,
Bliss he never must enjoy !
Why, why undeceive him.
Aid give all his hopes the lie ?
Oh why, while Fancy, raptured, slum-
bers, '
Chloris, Chloris all the theme ;
Why, why wouldst thou, cruel,
Walte thy lover from his dream ?
MARK YONDER POMP.
Tu.NE-" Deil tak the Wars."
Mark yonder pomp of costly fashion.
Round the wealtliy, titled bride:
But when compared with real passion.
Poor is all that princely pride.
What are the showy treasures ?
What are the noisy pleasures t
The gay gaudy glare of vanity and art:
The polish'd jewel's blaze
May draw the wondering gaze,
And courtly grandeur bright
The fancy may delight. [lieart.
But never, never can come near the
But did you see my dearest Chloris
In simplicity's array, [is,
Lovely as yonder sweet opening flower
Shrinking from the gaze of day;
Oh then, the heart alarming.
And all resistless charming,
In Love's delightful fetters she chains
the willing soul !
Ambition would disown
The world's imperial crown,
Even Avarice would deny
His worshipp'd deity.
And feel through every vein Love's
raptures roll.
OH, BONNY WAS YON ROSY
BRIER.
Oh, bonny was yon rosy brier, [man;
'That blooms sae far frae haunt o'
And bonny she, and ah, how dear !
It shaded frae the e'euin' sun.
Yon rosebuds in the morning dew.
How pure amang the leaves sae
green ;
But purer was the lover's vow [treen.
They witness'd in their shade yes-
All in its rude and prickly bower.
That crimson rose, how sweet and
fair !
But love is far a sweeter flower
Amid life's thorny path o' care.
The pathless wild and wimpling burn,
Wi' Chloris in my 9,rms, be mine;
And I the world, nor wish, nor scorn.
Its joys and griefs alike resign.
CALEDONIA.
Tune—" Humours of Glen."
"The heroine of this song," says Cunning-
ham, "was Mrs. Burns, who so charmed
the poet by singing it with taste and feel-
ing, that he declared it to be one of his
luckiest lyrics."
Theib groves o' sweet myrtle let
foreign lands reckon.
Where brig-ht-beaming summers
exalt their perfume; [breckan,'
Far dearer to me yon lone glen o' green
Wi' the bum stealing under the lang
yellow broom:
Far dearer tome are yon humble broom
bowers, [lowly unseen;
Where the blue-bell and gowan lurk
For there, lightly tripping amang the
wild flowers, [my Jean.
A-listening the linnet, aft wanders
Though rich Is the breeze in their gay
sunny valleys, [wave;
And cauld Caledonia's blast on the
Their sweet-scented woodlands that
skirt the proud palace.
What are they ?— The haunt o' the
tyrant and slave!
' Fern.
SONGS.
285
The slave's spicy forests, and gold-
bubbling fountains, [dalu;
The brave Caledonian views wi' dis-
He wanders as free as the winds of his
mountains.
Save Love's willing fetters — the
chains o' his Jean.
'TWAS NA HEH BONNY BLUE EE.
Tune — " Laddie, lie near me."
'TwAS na her bonny blue ee was my
ruin; [undoing:
Fair though she be, tha1,was ne'er ray
'Twas the dear smile when naebody
did mind us,
'Twas the bewitching, sweet, stown
glance o' kindness.
Sair do I fear that to hope is denied me,
Sair do 1 fear that despair maun abide
me! [to sever.
But though fell Fortune should fate us
Queen shall she be in my bosom for-
ever.
Mary, I'm thine wi' a passion sincerest.
And thou hast plighted me love o' the
dearest! [alter —
And thou'rt the angel that never can
Sooner the sun in his motion would
falter
HOW CRUEL ARE THE
PARENTS!
ALTEKED FKO.M AN OLD ENGLISH
SONG.
Tune — " John Anderson, my Jo."
How cruel are the parents
Who riches only prize.
And to the wealthy booby
' Poor woman sacrifice I
Meanwhile the hapless daughter
Has but a choice of strife —
To shun a tyrant father's hate.
Become a wretched wife.
The ravening hawk pursuing.
The trembling dove thus flies,
• To shun impelling ruin
A while her pinion tries;
Till of escape despairing,
No shelter or retreat.
She trusts the ruthless falconer.
And drops beneath his feet!
LAST MAY A BRAW WOOER.
Tune—" The Lothian Lassie."
Last May a braw wooer cam down the
lang glen, [me;
And sair wi' his love he did deave
I said there was naething I hated like
men, [lieve me.
The deuce gae wi'm, to believe, be-
The deuce gae wi'm, to believe me !
He spak o' the darts in my bonny black
een.
And vow'd for my love he was dying,
I said he might die when he liked for
Jean, [lying.
The Lord forgie me for lying, for
The Lord forgie me for lying !
A weel-stocked mailen' — himsel for
the laird — [proffers:
And marriage aft-hand, were his
I never loot on that I kenn'd it, or
cared, [waur offers.
But thought I might hae waur offers.
But thought I might hae waur offers.
But what wad ye think ? in a fortnight
or less — [her !
The deil tak his taste to gae near
He up the lang loan to my black cousin-
Guess ye how, the jad i I could bear
her, could bear her, [her.
Guess ye how, the jad ! I could bear
But a' the neist week, as I fretted wi'
care,
I gaed to the tryst o' Dalgamock,
And wha but my fine fickle lover was
there ! [warlock,
I glower'd- as I'd seen a warlock, a
I glower'd as I'd seen a warlock.
But owre my left shouther I gae him.
a blink.
Lest neebors might say I was saucy;
My wooer he caper'd as he'd been in
drink, [dear lassie,;
And vow'd I wafe his dear lassie.
And vow'd I was his dear lassie.
I spier'd^ for my cousin f u' couthy and
sweet.
Gin she had recover'd her hearin'.
And how her new shoon fitherauld'
shachl't* feet,
'Farm. ^ Stared. = Inquired. ■'Distorted.
286
BUKNS" WeEKS.
But, heavens ! how he fell a swear-
an', a svvearin', [in' !
But, lieavens ! how lie fell a swear-
He begg'd, for guidsalce, 1 wad be' Ms
wife.
Or else I wad kill him wi' sorrow;
Sae e'en to preserve the poor body Lis
life, ■ [to-inorrow,
I think I maun wed him to-morrow,
I think I maun wed him to-morrow.
THIS IS NO MY AIN- LASSIE.
Tune — *' This is no my ain house."
I SEE a form, I see a face.
Ye weel may wi' the fairest place;
It wants to me the witching grace.
The kind love that's in her ee.
Oh, this is no my ain lassie.
Fair though the lassie be;
Oh, weel ken I my ain lassie.
Kind love is in her ee.
She's bonny, blooming, straight, and
tall,
And lang has had my heart in tlirall;
And aye it charms my very saul.
The kind love that's in her ee.
A thief sae pawkie' is my Jean,
To steal a blink, by a' unseen;
But gleg- as light are lovers' een.
When kind love is in the ee.
It may escape the courtly sparljs.
It may escape the learned clerks;
But weel the watching lover marks
The kind love that's in her ee.
NOW SPRING HAS CLAD THE
GROVE IN GREEN.
A SCOTTISH SONS.
Now spring has clad the grove in green,
And strew'd the lea wi' flowers:
The furrow'd, waving corn is seen
Rejoice in fostering showers;
While ilka thing in nature join
Their sorrows to forego.
Oh, why thus all alone are mine
The weary steps of woe 1
'Sfy.
"-Quick.
The trout vrithin yon wimpling-buru <'
Glides swift, a silver dart, .
And, safe beneath the shady thjonj, -.ff
Defies the angler's art: :,3
My life was aucc that careless stream^
That wanton trout was I; , -
But love, wi' unrelenting beam, j ■ i' •'
Has scorch'd my fountains Aiy^ i
The little floweret's -peaceful lot, ^- i-
In yonder cliff that grows, ■'
Which, save the linnet's flight, I w-ot?
Nae ruder visit knows, ----
Was mine; till love has o'er me paSt, -5
And blighted, a' my bloom.
And now, beneatli tlie withering blast.
My youth and joy consume;
The
laverock.
warbling.
waken'd
springs.
And climbs the early sky,
Winnowing blithe her dewy -wings '"'
In morning's rosy eye; ~ .
As little reckt I sorrow's power.
Until the flowery snare • ■
0' witching love, in luckless hodr',i;r'^
Made me the thrall o' care. ' ^
Oh, had my fate been Greenland snows.
Or Afric's burning zone,
Wi' man and nature leagued my foes^'
So Peggy ne'er I'd known !
The wretch whase doom is, "Hope
nae mair,"
What tongue his woes can tell ! ^
Within whase bosom, save despair,"
Nae kinder spirits dwell.
THE DEAN OF FACULTY.
A BALLAD.
Tune — " The Dragon of Wantley."
DiEB Tvas fke hate at old Harlaw, r,"
That Scot to Scot did carry;
And dire the discord Langside saw
For beauteous, hapless Mary:
But Scot with Scot ne'er met so hot.
Or were more in fury seen, sir.
Than 'twixt Hal* and Bobf for the
famous job —
Who should be Faculty's Dean, sir._
* The Hon. Henry Erskine.
+ Robert Dundas, Esq., of Arniston,
SONGS.
S87
This Hal for genius, wit, and lore.
Among the first was uumber'd;
But pious Bob, 'mid learning's store,
Commandment tenth remember'd.
Y-et simple Bob the victory got.
And won his heart's desire; [pot,
Which shows that Heaven can boil the
Though the devil in the fire.
Squire Hal, besides, had in this case
Pretentions rather brassy.
For talents to deserve a place
Are qualifications saucy;
So their worships of the Faculty,
Quite sick of'merit's rudeness.
Chose one who should owe it all, d'ye
see.
To their gratis grace and goodness.
As once on Pisgah purged was the sight
Of a son of Circumcision,
So may be, on this Pisgah height,
Bob's purblind, mental vision:
Nay, Bobby's mouth may be opeu'd yet
Till for eloquence you hail him.
And swear he has the Angel met
That met the Ass of Balaam.
In your heretic sins may ye live and
die.
Ye heretic eight-and-thirty!
But accept, ye sublime Majority,
My congratulations hearty.
With your Honours and a certain King,
In your servants this is striking —
The more incapacity they bring.
The more they're to your liking.
HEY.FOR A LASS WI' A TOCHEK.
Tune — '* Balinamona Ora."
Aw a' wi' your witchcraft o' beauty's
alarms, [your arms;
The slender bit beauty you grasp in
Oh, gie me the lass that has acres o'
charms, [farms.
Oh, gie me the lass wi' the weel-stockit
Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher.
Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher;
Then hey for a lass wi' a tocher;
The nice yellow guineas for me.
Your "beauty's a flower in the morning
that blows, . [grows ;
And withers, the. faster the faster it
But the rapturous charm o' the bonhy
green knowes, [white ,yowes.
Ilk 'spring they're new deckit wi' bonny
And e'en when this beauty your bosom
has blest; [possest;
The brightest o' beauty may cloy when
But the sweet yellow darlings wi'
Gteordie imprest, [they're carest.
The langer ye hae them the mair
JESSY.
Tune — " Here's a health to them that's
awa'."
The heroine of this song was Miss Jessy ,Lew-
ars, a kind-hearted, amiable young crea-
ture. Her tender and assiduous attentions
to the poet during his last illness, it is well -
known, greatly soothed his fretted spirit
and eased his shattered frame.
Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear !
Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear !
Thou art sweet as the smile when fond
lovers meet,
And soft as their parting tear — Jessy!
Although thou maun never be mine.
Although even hope is denied;
'Tis sweeter for thee despairing
Than aught in the world beside —
Jessy !
I mourn through the gay, gaudy day.
As, hopeless, I muse on thy charms;'
But welcome the dream o' sweet slum-
ber, [Jessy !
For then I am lockt in thy arms —
I guess by the dear angel smile,
I guess by the love-rolling ee;
But why urge the tender confession.
'Gainst Fortune's fell cruel decree !
— Jessy !
Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear !
Here's a health to ane I lo'e dear!
Thou art sweet as the smile when fond
lovers meet.
And soft as their parting tear — Jessy!
OH, WERT THOU IN THE CAULD
BLAST.
Tune — "The Lass o' Livingstone."
This fine sonq- is another tribute of the poet's
Muse to his. miaisteringangel, Miss Jessy
BURNS' -WORKS.
Lewars. According to the lady's statement,
as related^ by Mr. Chambers, the poethay-
ing called upon her one morning, said, if
she would play -him any favourite air -for
which she might wish new words, he would
endeavour to ' produce something that
should please her. She accordingly sat
down to the piano, and played once or twice
the air of an old ditty beginning with the
words —
" The robin cam to the wren's nest,
And keekit in, and keekit in ;
Oh, weel's me on your auld pow.
Wad ye be in, wad ye be in," &c.
And, after a few minutes' abstraction, the
fioet produced " the following beautiful
i|ies : — -
Oh, wert tliou in tlie cauld blast
On yonder lea, on yonder lea,
My plaidie to the angry airt,
I'd slielter thee, I'd shelter thee:
Or did Misfoftijnp's bitter storms
Around tliee blaw, around thee blafir,
Thy bield' should be my bosom,
■10 share it a', to share it a'.
Or were I in the wildest waste,
Sae bleak and bare, sae bleak and
bare,
The desert were a paradise,
If thou wertM^here, if thou wert there •
Or were I monarch o' the globe,
Wi' thee to reign, wi' thee to reign,
The brightest jewel in my crown
Wad be my queen, wad be my queen.
AN EXCELLENT NEW SONG.
Tune — " Buy Broom Besoms."
A dissolution of Parliament having taken
place in May of this year, a fresh contest
took place for the Stewartry ot Kirkcud-
bright, Mr. Heron being on this occasion
opposed by the Hon. Montgomery Stewart,
a younger son of the Earl of Galloway's.
And the poet, although prostrate from sick-
ness and confined to his chamber, once more
took up the pen in the cause of his friend
Mr. Heron, and produced the following
satirical ballad against his opponents. A
great many years ago, a set of vagrant
dealers called Troggers^ used to travel aliout
the country districts of Scotland, disposing
of various kinds of -wares, which were
known by the general name of Troggin. In
the ballad, the poet has imagined a "Trogger
to be perambulating the country, offering
the characters of the Tory or Galloway
party for sale as Troggin. Mr, Heron again
> Shelter.
succeeded in beating his dpponents,'but not
till death had placed the poor poet beyond
the reach of all earthly joy or sonfow.
Wha will buy my troggin,
Fine election ware;
Broken trade o' Broughton,
A' in high repair. • '
Buy braw troggin,
Frae the banks o' Dee;
Wha wants troggin
Let him come to me.
There's a noble earl's
Fame and high renown,'*
For an auld sang — [gtown.
It's thought the guids were
Buy braw troggin, &c.
Here's the worth o' Broughtonf
In a needle'aee;
Here's a reputation
Tint' by Balmaghie.:|:
Buy braw troggin, &c.
Here's an honest conscience
Might a prince adorn; "' "
Frae the downs o' Tinwald-
Sae was never bom.§
Buy braw troggin^ &c.
Here's the stuff and lining
0' Cardoness' head ;|
Fine for a sodger,
A' the wale^ o' lead.
Buy braw troggin, &c.
Here's a little wadset,^
, Buittle'sscrap a' truth,^
Pawn'd in a gin-shop.
Quenching holy drouth.
Buy braw troggin, &c.
Here's armorial bearings
Frae the manse o' Urr;
The crest, and auld crab^applci* •
Rotten at the "core.
Buy braw troggin, &c.
' Lost. ^ Choice. ^ Mortgage.
* The Earl of Galloway.
+ Mr. Murray of Broughton.
X Gordon of Balmaghie,
§ A sneering allusion to Mr. Bushby. ^ .
1! Maxwell of Cardoness.
'i Rev. George Maxwell, minister of Buit;
tie.
'** An allusion to the Rev. Dr. Muirhead^
minister of Urr, in Galloway.
SONGS.
§89
Hero is Satan's picture,
Like a bizzam gled/'
Paund'na; poor Kudcastle,f f
SprawTin' like a taed.'
Buy braw troggin, &c
Here's the font where Douglas
Stane and mortar names;
Lately used at Caily
Christening Murray's crimes.
Buy braw troggin, &c.
Here's the worth and wisdom
Calliestbiit J can boast;
By a thievish niidge*
They had been nearly lost.
Buy braw troggin, &c.
Here is Murray's fragments
O' the ten commands;
Gifted by black Jock,
To get them aff his hands.
Buy braw troggin, &c.
Saw ye e'er sic troggin ?
if to buy ye're slack,
Homie's' tumin' chapman — •
He'll buy a' the pack.
Buy braw troggin
Frae the banks o' Dee,
Wha wants troggin
Let him come to me.
FAIREST MAID ON DEVON
BANKS.
Tl'ne— " Rothemurche,"
In this song — composed during the last months
. of his life, when prostrate with illness and
oppressed with poverty— his niin^ wandered
to the banks of the "Devon, where he had
^ent some hsppy days, when in the full
mish of fame, in the company of the lovely
Charlotte Hamilton.
Fairest maid on Devon banks,
; Crystal Devon, winding Devon
WSt thou lay that frown aside.
And smile as thou were wont to
do? . :
Full , well thou know'st I love thee,
dear!, ,
Couldgt thou to malice lend an ear ?
Oh, did not love exclaim, " Forbear,
Nor use a faithful lover so."
Then come, thou fairest of the fair,
■Those wonted smiles, oh, let me share;
And by thybeauteousself I swear
No love but thine my heart shall
know.
« Kite. » Toad, « Gnat. ' Satan.
+t W. S. Lawrie of Redcastle.
$J Copland of Cc^licstpn,
OH, THAT i HAD NE'ER BEEN
MARRIED.
The last verse only of this song is Bums'—
the first is old.
Oh, .that I had ne'er been married,
I wad never had nae care;
Now I've gotten' wife and bairns,
And they cry crowdie' ever mair.
Ance crowdie, twice crowdie.
Three times crowdie in a day.
Gin ye crowdie ony mair,
• Ye'll crowdie a' my meal away."
Waefu' want and hunger fley^ me,.
Glowering by the Italian en';
Sair I f echt. them at the door,
But aye I'm eerie' they come ben.
THE RUINED MAID'S LAMENT.
Oh, meikle do I rue. fause love,
Oh, 'sairly do I rue, [tongue^
That e'er I Jieard your flattering
That e'er your face I knew.
Oh, I hae tint' my rosy cheeks.
Likewise my waist sae sma';
And I hae lost my lightsome heart
That little Wist a fa'.
Now I maun thole' the scornfu' sneer
0' mony a saucy quean;
Wlien, gin the'trutli were a' but kent,
Her life's been waur than mine. '
Wlieue'er iny father thinks on me,
He stares into the Wa';
My mithe'r; she has ta'en the bed
Wi' thinkin' on my fa'.
' Gruel. 2 Fright. " Afraid.
' Lost. 2 Bear.
burjSts' works.
Whene'er I hear my father's foot,
My heart wad burst \vi' pain;
Whene'er I meet my mither's ee,
Jkly tears rin down like rain.
Alas ! sae sweet a tree as love
Sic bitter fruit should bear I
Alas ! that e'er a bonny face
■ Should draw a sauty tear !
But Heaven's curse will blast the man
Denies the bairn he got;
Or leaves the painf u' lass he loved
• To wear a ragged coat.
KATHERINE JAFFRAY.
Theke lived a lass in yonder dale,
And down in yonder glen, 0 !
And Katherine JafEray was her name,
Weel known to many men, O !
Out came the Lord of Lauderdale,
Out frae the south countrie, O !
All for to court this pretty maid,
' Her bridegroom for to be. 0 !
He 's tell'd her father and mother
baith.
As I hear sundry say, 0 !
Biit he hasna tell'd the lass hersel,
Till on her wedding day, 0 !
Then came the Laird o' Lochinton,
Out frae the English Border,
All for to court this pretty maid.
All mounted in good order.
ROBIN SHURE IN HAIRST.
CHORUS.
Robin sliure in hairst,'
I shure wi' him;
■ Fient a heuk' had I,
Ifet I stack by him.
I gaed up to Dunse,
To warp a wab o' plaiden ;
At his daddie's yett,"
Wha met me but Robin?
Was na Robin bauld.
Though I was a cotter ;
Play'd me sic a trick.
And me the eller's dochter?*
Robin promised me
A' my winter vittle ;
Fient haet= had he but three
Goose feathers and a whittle.
SWEETEST MAT.
Sweetest May, let love inspire thee ;
Take a heart which he desires thee ;
As thy constant slave regard it ;
For its faith and truth reward it.
Proof o' shot to birth or money.
Not the wealthy, but the bonny ;
Not high-born, but noble-minded.
In love's silken band can bind it !
WHEN I THINK ON THE HAPPY
DAYS.
When I thinlc on the happy days
I spent wi' you, my dearie ;
And now what lands between us He,
How can I be but eerie !
How slow ye move, ye heavy hours,
As ye were wae and weary !
It was na sae ye glinted by-
When I was wi' my dearie.
^ Reaped in harvest. ^ Sickle. ^ Gate.
HUNTING SONG.
Tune—" I rede you beware at the hunting."
The heather was blooming, the mea-
dows were mawn, [dawn.
Our lads gaed a-hunting ae day at the
O'er moors and o'er mosses, and mony
a glen, [moor-hen.
At length they discover'd a bonny
I rede you beware at tiie hunting,
j-oung men ; ' |joung men ;
I rede you beware at the hunting,
Tak some on the wing, and some
as they spring: [hen.
But caunily steal on a bonny moor-
Sweet brushing the dew from the
brawn heather bells, [fells;
Her colours betray'd her on yon mossy
* Elder's daughter. = Nothing. '
SONGS.
«9t
Her plumage outlustered the pride o'
the spring, [wing.
And oh, as she wanton'd gay on the
Auld- Phoebus himsel, as he peeped
o'er the hill, [skill.
In spite, at her plumage he tried his
He levell'd his rays, where she hask'd
on the brae —
His rays were outshone, and but
mark'd where she lay.
They hunted the valley, they hunted
the hill, [skill.
The best of our lads wi' the best o' their
But still as the fairest she sat in their
sight, [flight.
Then, whirr ! she was over a mile at a
OH, AYE MY WIFE SHE DANG
ME.
Tune — -'* My wife she dang me.'"
Oh, aye my wife she dang me,
And aft my wife did bang me;
if ye gie a woman a' her will,
Guid faith, she'll soon o'ergang ye.
On peace and rest my mind was bent.
And fool I was I mari-ied:
But never honest man's intent
As cursedly naiscarried.
Some sairie comfort still at last.
When a' their days are done, man;
My pains o' hell on earth are past,
I'm sure o' bliss aboon, man.
Oh, aye my wife she dang me.
And aft my wife did bang me;
If ye gie a woman a' her will,
Guid faith, she'll soon o'ergang ye.
BROSE AND BUTTER.
Oh, gie my love brose, brose,
Gie my love brose and butter;
For nana in Carriek or Kyle
Can please a lassie better.
The laverock lo'ea the grass.
The moor-hen loe's the heather;
But gie me a braw moonlight,
Me and my love together.
OH, WHA IS SHE THAT LO'ES
ME?
Tune—" Morag."
Oh, wha is she that lo'es me.
And has my heart a-keeping ?
Oh, sweet is she that lo'es me.
As dews o' simmer weeping.
In tears the rosebuds steeping I
CHOKUS.
Oh, that's the lassie o' my heart.
My lassie ever dearer;
Oh, that's the queen of womankind.
And ne'er a ane to peer her.
If thou shalt meet a lassie.
In grace and beauty charming.
That e'en thy chosen lassie,
Erewhile thy breast sae warming,
Had ne'er sic powers alarming;
If thou hadst heard her talking.
And thy attentions plighted.
That ilka body talking.
But her by thee is slighted.
And thou art all delighted;
If thou hadst met this fair one ;
When frae her thou hast parted.
If every other fair one.
But her thou hast deserted,
And thou art broken-hearted.
DAMON AND SYLVIA.
Tune — ^The tither morn, as I forlorn."
Yon wandering rill that marks the hill.
And glances o'er the brae, sir.
Slides by u. bower, where mony a
flower
Sheds fragrance on the day, sir.
There Damon lay, with Sylvia gay.
To love they thought nae crime, sir;
The wild-birds sang, the echoes rang,
While Damon's heart beat time, sir.
SHELAH O'NEIL.
When first I began for to sigh and to
woo her, [deal.
Of many fine things I did say a great
S93
BURNS' WORKS.
But, above all the rest, that wliich
pleased lier the best
Was, Oh, will you marry me, Shelah
O'Neil ?
My point I soon carried, for straight
we were married.
Then the weight of my burden I
soon 'gan to feel, —
For she scolded, she fisted, oh, then
I enlisted.
Left Ireland, and whisky, and
Shelah O'NeU.
Then, tired and dull-hearted, oh, then
I deserted.
And fled into regions far distant
from home ;
To Frederick's army, where none e'er
could harm me.
Save Shelah herself, in the shape of
a bomb.
I fought every battle, where cannons
did rattle,
Felt sharp shot, alas ! atrd the sharp-
pointed steel ;
But in aU my wars round, thank my
stars, I ne'er found -^
Aught so sharp, is the tongue of
cursed Shelah [TNeil.
THERE'S NEWS, LASSES, NEWS.
There's news, lasses, news,
Gttid news I have to tell ;
There's a boatfu' o' -lads
■ Come to our town to sell.
The wean' wants a cradle.
And the cradle wants a cod,'
And I'll no gang to my bed
Until I get a nod.
Father, quo' she, Mither, quo' she,
Do what you can ;
1 11 no gang to my bed
Till 1 get a man.
I hae as guid a craft rig
As made o' yird and stane ;
And waly fa' the ley-crap,
For I maun tUl'd again.
THERE WAS A WlFE.
There was a wife wonn'd in Cockpea,
Scroggafiif ;
She brew'd guid ale for geritlemen.
Sing, auld Cowl, lay you down by me,
Scroggam, my dearie, rufium.
The guidwife's dochter fell in a fever,
Scroggam ;
The priest o' the parish fell in anither.
Sing, auld Cowl, lay you down by me,
Scroggam, my dearie, rufEum.
They laid the twa i' the bed thegither,
Scroggam ;
That the heat o' the tane might cool
the tither.
Sing, auld Caul, lay you down by me,
Scroggam, my dearie, rufEum.
1 Child.
' Pillow.
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONGS
AND BALLADS,
ANCIENT AND MODERN ;
WITH ANECDOTES OF THEIR AUTHORS.
ROBERT BURNS.
" There needs na be so great a phrase,
Wi' dringing: dull Italian lays,
I wadna gie our ain Strathspeys
For half a hundred score o' *em;
They're douff and dowie, at the best,
Douff and dowie, douff and dowie ;
Thej^'re douff and dowie a' the best,
Wr a' their variorum :
They're douff and dowie at the best,
Their allegro^s, and at the rest,
They cannot please a Scottish uste,
Compared wi' TuUochgorum,."
Rev. John Skinner.
"The following Remarks on Scottisli
Song"," says Cunningliam, "exist in
the handwriting of Bums, in an inter-
leaved copy of the first four volumes
of Johnson's Musical Maaeum, which
the poet presented to Captain Riddel,
of Friar's Carse. On the death of
Mrs. Riddel, these precious volumes
passed into the hands of her niece,
Eliza Bayley, of Manchester, who
kindly permitted Mr. Cromek to tran-
scribe and publish them in his volume
of the Reliqiies of Burns. "
THE HIGHLAND QUEEN.
The Highland Queen, music and
poetry, was composed by Mr. M'Vicar,
purser of the Bolebay man-of-war. —
This 1 had from Dr. Blacklock.
The Highland King, intended as a parody
on the former, was^the production of a young
lady, the friend of Charles Wilson, of Edin-
burgh, who edited a collection of songs, en-
titled "Cecilia," which appeared in 1779.
The following are specimens of these
songs : —
THE HIGHLAND QUEEN.
How blest that youth whom gentle fate
Has destined for so fair a mate !
Has all these wond'ring gifts in store,
, And each returning day brings more ;
No youth so happy can be seen,
Possessing thee, my Highland Qu6en.
THE HIGHLAND KING.
Jamie, the pride of a' the green.
Is just my age, e'en gay fifteen :
When first I saw him, 'twas the day
That ushers in the sprightly May ;
Then iirst I felt love's powerful sting.
And sigh'd for my dear Highland King:
294
BURNS' WORKS.
., , THE HIGHLAND QUEEN.
No sordid wish, nor trifling joy,
Her settled ^^alm of , mind destroy ;
Strict honour iQUs her spotless soul,
And adds a lustre to the whole : '
A matchless shape, a g-raceful mien.
All centre in my Highland Queen.
THE HIGHI4AND KING.
Would once the dearest boy but say
'Tis you I love : come, come away
Unto the Kirk, my love,tlet's hie—
Oh me ! in rapture I comply :■
And I should then have cause to sing
The praises of my Highland Kmg.
BESS THE GAWKIE.*
This song shows that the Scottish
Muses did not all leave us when we
lost Ramsay and«Oswald;f as I have
good reason to believe that the verses
and music are both posterior to the
days of these two gentlemen. It is a
beautiful song, and in the genuine
Scots taste. We have few pastoral
compositions, I mean the pastoral of
nature, that are equal to this.
Blithe young Bess to Jean did say.
Will ye gang to yon sunny brae.
Where flocte do feed, and herds do stray.
And sport awhile wi' Jaquie?
Ah, na, lass, I'll no gang there,
Nor about Jamie tak.nae care.
Nor about Jamie tak nae care.
For he's talen up wi' Maggy !
For hark, and I will tell you, lass.
Did I not see your Jamie pass,
Wi* meikle gladness in his face.
Out o'er the muir to^aggy ?
I wat he gae her mony a kiss,
And Magg-y took them ne'er amiss :
'Tween ilka smack, pleased her with this.
That Bess was but a gawkie.
But whist !— nae mair of this- we'll speak.
For yonder Jamie does us meet :
Instead of Meg he kiss'd fae sweet,
I trow he likes the gawkie.
ph, dear Bess, I hardly knew.
When I came by, your gown's sae new,
1 think you've got it wet wi' dew ;
Quoth she, that's hke a gawkie.
* The Rev. James Muirhead, minister of
Urr, in Galloway, and whose name occurs in
the Heron Ballads, and other of the poet's
satirical pieces, was the author of this song.
+ He was a London music-seller, and pub-
lished a collection of Scottish tunes, entitled,
"The Caledonian's Pocket Companion."
The lassies fast frae him they.flew,
And left poor Jamie sSfir to rue
That ever Maggy's face he knew,
Or-yet-ca'd Etess a-gawkie. - "
As'Chey went o'er the muir -they san^.
The h'ills''and dales with echoes rang,
The hills and dales with echoes rang,
Gang o'er the muir to Maggy.
OH, OPEN THE DOOR, LORI>-.-
GREGORY.
It is somewhat singular that in Lan-
;ark, Renfrew, Ayr, Wigton,' Kirkcud-
bright, and Dumfries shires, there' is
scarcely an old song or tune which,
from the title, &c., can be guessed to.
.belong; to, or lie the production of, thes^
counties. This, I conjecture, is one of
these very few; as the ballad, whichis
a long one, is called, both by tradition
and in printed collections, '• The Lass
,of Lochroyan," which I talie to be
Lochroyan in Galloway.
Oh, open the door. Lord Gregory,
Oh, open and let me in ;
The wind blows through my yellow hair.
The dew draps o'er my chin. '
If you are the lass that I loved once,
As I trow you are not she.
Come gie me some of the tokens
That pass'd 'tween you and me.
Ah, wae be to you, Gregory !
An ill death may you die ;
You will not be the death of one.
But you'll be the death of three.
Oh, don't you mind, Lord Gregory?
"Twas down at yonder bum side -■. ■■
We changed the ring off our fingers.
And I put mine on thine.
THE BANKS OF THE TWEED.-
This song is one of the many attempts
that Englisli composers have made to
imitate the Scottish manner, and which
I shall, in these strictures, beg leave to
distinguish by the appellation of Anglo-
Scottish productions; The music i^
pretty good, but the verses are just
above contempt.
For to visit my ewes and to see my lambs playi.
By the banks' of the Tweed and the groves I
did stray, [sigh'.dj
But my Jenny, dear Jenny, how oft^ha5»e4
And hav-e vow'd endless loye if you would be
my bride. — -
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
295
To the £vltar of Hymen, my fair one, repair,
Where ^ knot of affection shall tie the fond
pair, . [will we lead,
To the pipes sprightly notes the gay dance
And will bless the dear grove by the banks of
the Tweed.
THE BEDS OP SWEET ROSES.
This song, as far as I know, for the
first -time appeai-s liere in print. —
When I was a boy, it was a very popular
song- in Ayrshire. I remember to have
h^ayd those fanatics, the Buchanites,
si6g«dme of their nonsensical rhymes,
whieh they dignify with the name of
h)tmns, to this air.
As I was walking one morning;in May, [gay ;
The little birds were singfng' delightful and
The Uttle birds were singing delightful and
gay ; ., [play,
Where I and my true love did often sport and
Down among the beds of sweet roses, [play,
Where I and my true love did often sport and
Down among the beds of sweet roses.
My daddy and my mammy I oft have heani
them say, [and play ;
That I was a naughty boy, and did often sport
But I never liked in all my life a maiden that
was shy,
Down among the beds of sweet roses.
ROSLIN CASTLE.
These beautiful verses were the pro-
duction of a Richard Hewit, a joung
man that Dr. Blacklock (to whom I am
indebted for the anecdote) kept for
some years as an amanuensis.* I do not
know who is the author of the second
song to the £ame tune. Tytler. in his
amusing history of Scottish mus'ic,
gives the air to Oswald; but in Os-
wald's own collection of Scots tunes,
when he affixes an asterisk to those he
himself composed, he does not make
the least claim to the tune.
'TwAS in that season of the year,
' When all things gay and sweet appear.
That Colin, with the morning ray.,'
Arose and sung his rural lay.
'Of Nanny*s charms the shepherd sung,
The hills and dales with Nanny rung ;
While Roslin Castle heard ihe swain,
And echo'd back the cheerful strain.
* This gentleman subsequently became
Secretary to Lord Milton, (then Lord Justice-
Clerk,) but the. fatiguing" nature of his duties
in that position hurt his health, and he died in
1794-
Awake, sweet Muscl' the breathfng spring
With rapture warms ; awake and sing !
Awake and join tlie vocdl throng' -
Who hail the morning with a-song; ■
To Nanny raise the cheerful lay.
Oh, bid her haste and come away ;
In sweetest smiles herself adorn,
And add new graces to the morn I
Oh, hark, my love !. on every spray
Each feather'd warbler tunes his lay ;
'Tis beauty fires the ravish'd throng^-
And love inspires the melting song:
Then let my raptured notes arise, /
For beauty darts from Nanny's eyes j
And love my rising bosom warms, -
And fills my soul with sweet alarms.
SECOND VERSION,
From Roslin Castle's edhoing walls,
. Resound my shepherd's ardent calls ;
My Colin bids mc come away,
. And love demands I should obey.
' His tbelting strain, and tuneful lay,
So much the charms of loye display,
I yield— nor longer can refrain,'
To own nay love, and bless my swain.
No longer can my heart conceal
The pamful-pleasing flame I feel:
My soul retorts the am'.i;ous strain.;
Aad echoes back in love again- [grove
Where lurks my songster ? , from what
Does Colin pour his notes of love ? ^
Oh, bring me to the happy bower.
Where mutual love .may bliss secure !
Ye vocal- hills, .that catch the song,
Repeating as it flies along;
To Colin's ears my strain convey.
And say, I haste to come away.
Ye zephyrs soft, that fan the gale.
Waft to my love the soothing 'tale ; .
In whjspers all my soul express.
And tell I haste his arms to bless !
Oh ! come, my love ! thy Colin's lay
With rapture calls, oh, come away !
Come while the muse this wreath shall
twine
Around that modest brow of thine :
Oh ! hither haste, and with theebring
That beauty blooming like the spring ;
Those graces that divmely shine,
And charm this ravish'd breast of mine I
SAW TE
JOHNNIE
QUO' SHE.
CUMMIN?
This song^, for genuine humour in
the verses, and lively originality in the
air, is unparalleled. I take it to be
very old.
Saw ye Johnnie cummin ? quo' she.
Saw ye Johnnie cummiUj
Oh, saw ye Johnnie cummm, quo'she ;
Saw ye Johnnie cummin,
296
BURNS' WORKS.
Wi' kis blue bonnet on his head,
■ And his cloggie runnin', quo' she;
And his doggie runnin* ?
Fee him. father, fee him, quo' she ;
■ Fee him, father, fee him :
For he is a gallant lad,
And a weel doin' ;
And a* the wark about the house
Gaes wi' me when I see him, quo' she ;
Wi* me when I "see him.
What will I dp wi' him, hussy?
What will I do wi' him ?
He's ne'er a sark upon his back,
■ And I hae nane to g\e him.
I hae twa sarks into "my kist, .
'And ane o' them I'll gie him,
And for a mark of mair fee^
Dinna stand wi' him, quo' she ;
Dinna stand wi' him.
For weel do I lo'e him, quo* she:
Weel do I lo'e him ;
Oh, fee him, father, fee him, quo' she ;
Fee him, father, fee him ;
He'll baud the pleugh. thrash i' the bam,
And lie wi' me at e'en, quo' she ;
Lie wi' me at e'en.
CLOUT THE CALDRON.
A. TRADITION is mentioned in the
Bee, that the second Bishop Chisholm,
of Dunblane, used to say that, if he
were going to be hanged, nothing
would soothe lus mind so much by the
way as to hear *' Clout the Caldron"
played,
I liavc met with another tradition,
that the old song to this tune,
Hae ye ony pots or pans.
Or ony broken chanlers,
was composed^on one of the Kenmure
family in the cavalier times; and al-
luded to an amour he had, while un-
der hiding, in the disguise of an itiner-
ant tinker. The air is also laiown by
the name of
" The Blacksmith and his Apron,"
which, from the rhythm, seems to
have been a lino of some old song to
the tune.
Hae ye ony pots or pans,
Or ony broken chanlers ?
For Fm a tinker to my trade,
And newly come frae Flanders,
As scant o' siller as o' grace.
Disbanded, we've a bad run ;
Gang tell the lady o' the place,
I'm come to clout her caldron,'*
Madam, if ye hae wark for me,
I'll do't to your contentment.
And dinna care a single flie
- For ony man's resentment :
For, lady fair, though I appear
To every ane a tinker.
Yet to yoursei I'm bauld to tell
I am a gentle jinker.
Love, Jupiter into a swan
Turn'd for his lovely Leda ;
He like a bull o'er meadows ran.
To carry ofE Europa.
Then may not I, as well as he,
To cheat your Argus blinker.
And win your love, like mighty Jove,
Thus hide me in a tinker ?
Sir. ye appear a cunning man,
But this fine plot ye'll fsul in.
For there is neither pot nor pan
Of mine ye'll drive a nail in.
Then bind your budget on your back,
And nails up in your apron.
For I've a tinker under tack
That's used to clout my caldron.
SAW TE NAE MY PEGGY?
This charming, song is much older,
and indeed superior to Kamsay's verses,
** The Toast," ^s he caQs them.
There is another- set of the words,
much older still, and which I take to
be the original one; but though it has
" very great deal of merit, it is not
quite ladies' reading.
The original words, for they , can
scarcely be called verses, seem to^heas
follows; a song familiar from the cra-
dle to every Scottish ear: —
Saw ye my Maggie,
Saw ye my Maggie,
Saw ye my Maggie
Linkin o'er the lea ?
High kilted was she.
High kilted was she.
High kilted was she.
Her coat aboon her knee.
What mark has your Maggie,
What mark has your Maggie,
What mark has your Maggie,
That ane jhay ken her be ? (by.)*
* The following veree was added by the
Ettrick Shepherd ;—
Maggie's a lovely woman.
She proves true to no man.
She proves true to no man,
And has proven false to me. ■ '•
EEMABKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
297
Thougli it by no means follows that
the silliest verses to an air must, for
that reason, Ije the original song, yet
I take this ballad, of which 1 have
quoted part, to be the old verses.
The two songs in Ramsay, one of them
evidently his own, are never to be met
with in the fireside circle of our peas-
antry; while that Which I take to be
the old song, is in every shepherd's
mouth. Ramsay, I suppose, had
thought the old "verses unworthy of a
place in his collection.
Saw ye nae my Peggy,
Saw ye nae my Peggy,
Saw ye nae my Peggy,
Coming o'er the lea ?
Sure a finer creature
Ne'er was fonn'd by nature.
So complete each feature,
, So 'divine is she.
Oh ! how Peggy charms me !
Every look still warms me ;
Every thought alarms me ;
Lest she love nae me.
Peggy doth discover
Nought but cliarms all over ;
Nature bids me love her.
That's a law to me.
Who would leave a lover,
To become a rover ?
No, I'll ne'er give over.
Till I happy be !
For since love inspires me,
As her beauty fires me,
And her absence tires me,
Nought can please but she.
When I hope tog^nn her.
Fate seems to detain her.
Could 1 but obtain her,
Happy would I be !
I'll lie down before her,
Bless, sigh, and 'adore her,
'With faint look implore her
Till she pity me !
.THE FLOWERS OP EDINBURGH.
This song is one of the many effu-
sions of Scots Jacobitism. The title
" Flowers of Edinburgh" has no man-
ner of connection with the present
verses; so I suspect there has been an
older set of words, of which the title is
■all that remains.
By the by, it is singular enough that
the Scottish Muses were all Jacobites.
I have paid more attention to every
description of Scots songs than per-
haps any body living has done; and I
do not recollect one single stanza, or
even the title of the most trifling Scots
air, which has the lea.st panegyrical
reference to the families of Nassau or
Brunswick, while there are hundreds
satirising them. This may be thought
no panegyric on the Scots poets, but I
mean it as such. For myself, I would
always take it as a compliment to have
it said that my heart ran before my
head; and surely the gallant though
unfortunate house of Stuart, the kings
of our fathers for so many heroic ages,
is a theme much more interesting than
Mv love was once a bonny lad :
He was the flower of^' his kin ;
The absence of his bonny face
Has rent my tender heart in twain.
I day nor night find no delight —
In silent tears I still complain ;
And exclaim 'gainst those, my rival foes.
That hae ta en fra me my darling swain.
Despair and anguish fill my breast
Since I have lost my blooming rose :
I sigh and moan while others rest ;
His absence yields me no repose.
To seek my love I'll range and rove
Through every grove and distant plain ;
Thus rilnever cease, but spend my days
T' hear tidings from my darling swain.
There's nothing strange in nature's change,
Since parents show such cruelty ;
They caused my love from me to range,
And know not to what destiny.
The pretty kids and tender lambs
May cease to sport upon the plain ;
But I'll mourn and lament, in deep discontent,
For the absence of my darling swain.
JAMIE GAY.
Jamie gay is another and a tolerable
Anglo-Scottish piece.
Of Jamie Gay, it will be enough to quote
the first lines ;—
"As Jamie Gay gang'd blithe his way."
A Scottish bard would have written :—
" As Jamie Gay gaed blithe his way."
The song was originally entitled " The Hap-
py Meeting," and frequently used to be sung
at Ranelagh with great applause..
MY DEAR JOCKEY.
Another Anglo- Scottish produc-
tion.
"We subjoin the first two verses of the lady's
lament ; —
298
BURNS' WORKS.
My laddie is gane far away o'er the plain,
While in sorrow behind lam forced to re-
main ; [adorn,
Though blue bells and violets the hedg-es
Though trees are in blossom aild sweetblqws
the thorn, [gay ;
No.pleasure they give me, in vain they look
There's nothing can please me now Jockey's
away ;
Forlorn I sit singing, and this is my strain,
*' Haste, haste, my dear Jockey, to me back
again."
"When lads and their lasses are on the green
met, [they chat :
They dance and they sing, and they laugh and
Contented and happy, with hearts full ol glee,
I can't, without envy, their merriment see :
Those pleasures oSend me, my shepherd's
not there !
No'pleasiire I relish that Jockey don't sAare ;
It makes me to sigh, I from tears scarce re-
frain,
I wish my dear Jockey return'd back again.
FYE, GAE RUB HER O'ER WI'
STRAE.
It is self-evident that the first four
lines of this sorrg are part of a gong
more ancient than Ramsay's beautiful
A-erses which are annexed to them.
As music is the language of nature,
and poetry, particularly songs, is al-
ways less or more localised ( if I may
be allowed the verb) by some of the
modifications of time and place, this is
the reason why so many of our Scots
airs have outlived their original and
perhaps many subsequent sets of ver-
ses; except a single name or phrase, or
sometimes one or two Hues, simply to
distinguish the tunes by.
To this day, among people who know
nothing of Ramsay's verses, the follow-
ing-is the song, and all the song that
ever I heard:
Gin ye meet a bonny lassie,
Gie her a kiss and let her gae ;
But gin ye meet a dirty hizzie,
Fye, gae rub her o'er wi' strae.
Fye, gae rub her, rub her, rub her,
Fye, gae rub her o'er \vi' strae:
And gin ye meet a dirty hizzie,
Fye, gae rub her o'er wi' strae.
" Ramsay's spirited imitation," says Cromek,
** of the ' yities nt alte stet nive candiduin^
Socrnie ' of Horace, is considered as one of the
happiest efforts of the author's genius." — For
an elegant critique on the poem, and a com-
pariscim of its merfts with those-of tl^e OPigiaal,
the reader is referred to Lord Woodhouseiee's
** Remarks on the Writings o/ liajusay." . "
Look up to Pentland's towering tap, '
Buried beneath great wreaths of snaw,
O'er ilka cleugh, ilK scar, and slap; '
As high as uny Roman wa'.
Driving their baws frae whins ot- tee.
There are hae gowfers to be seen ;
Nor dousser fowk wysing a-jee
The byass-bouls on Tamson's Green,
Then fling on coals, and ripe the ribs.
And beek the.house baith but and b.en ;
That mutchkin stowp it bauds but dribs,
Then let's get in the tappit hen.
Good claret best keeps out the cauld, _- ,.
And drives away the winter soon ;.. '."-
It makes a man baith gash and bauIcT, C
And heaves his soul beyond the moon.
Let next day come as it thinks fit.
The present minute's only ours.
Op pleasure let's employ our wit,'
And laugh at Fortune's fickle powers.
Be sure ye dinna quit the grip
Of ilka joy, when ye are young.
Before auld age your vitals nip,
And lay ye twafald o'er a rung.
Now to her heaving bosom cling,-
And sweetljr tastie for a kiss ;
Frae her fair finger whoop a ring.
As token of a future bliss.
These benisons, I'm very sure.
Are of the gods' indulgent grant :
Then surly carles, whist, for^ar
To plague us wi' your whining cant. '
Sweet youth's a blithe and heartsome time;
Then, lads and lasses, while 'tis May,
Gae pu' the gowan in its prime,
Before it wither and decay.
Watch the saft minutes of delyte,
When Jenny speaks beneatii her breath,
And kisses, laying a' the wyte
On you, if she keptony slcaith. -
" Haith, ye're ill-bred," she'll smiling sa:yj
" Ye'U worry me, ye greedy rook; "
Syne frae yer arms she'll rin away,-
And hide hersel in some dark hook."
Her laugh will lead you to the place
Where lies the happiness you want.
And plainly tells you, to your face.
Nineteen nay-says are half a grarit;^
The song of " Fye, gae rub her o'er wi"
strae" is composed of the first four lines men-
tioned by Burns, and the seven concluding
verses of Ramsay's spirited and el&gant Scot-
tish version of Horace's ninth OaQ\ given
abovci
REMARKS ON -SCOTTISH SONG.
299
THE LASS OF LIVINGSTON.
The old song-, in three "eight-line
stanzas, is well known, and has merit
as tp wit and humour; but it is rather
unntfor insertion. — It begins:
"The bonny loss o^ Livingfston,
Hej: name ye ken, her name ye ken,
Ands^q has written in her contract,
Td he her lane, to lie her lane," &c., &c.
The modern version by Allan Ramsay is as
follows : —
I'Aiif'D with her slighting Janiie's love,
Bell dropt a tear, Bell dropt a tear ;
The gods descended from above,
WelLpleased to hear, well pleased to hear.
They Heard the praises of the youtb [tongue,
Froip. her own tongue, from her own
Who now converted was to tm.th,
And thus she sung, and thus she Sung :
BlessM days, when our ingenuous sex.
More frank and kind,, more frank and kind,
■Did not their loved adorers vex,
Btit^Spoke their mind, but spoke their mind.
Repentmg now, she promised fair.
Would he return, would he return,
She ne'er again would give him care,
Or cause to mourn, or cause to mourn^
Why loved I the deserving swain, [shame.
Vet still thought shame, yet still rtiought
' When he my yi^ding heart did gain.
To own njiy^flame, to own ray flame.
Why took T pleasure to torment.
And seem too coy, and seem too coy, "
Which makes me now, alas ! lament
My slighted joy, my slighted joy.
Ye fair, while beauty's in. its spring.
Own vour desire, oVvn your desire,
While love's young power, with his soft wing,
Fans u.p the fire,, fans up the fire ; ,
Oh,''^0' not with a silly pride.
Or low design, oi" low design,
Refuse to be a happy bride.
But answer plain, but answer plain.
Thus the iair mourner 'waM'd her crime,
'■UTitli flowing eyes, with flowing, eyes ;
Glad Jamiie heard her all- the time
With sweet surprise, with sweet surprise.
Some god had led him to the g'rove,.
I^is m'ind unchanged, his mind unchanged.
Flew to her arms, and cried, my love,
I am, revenged, I am revenged. ' -
THEJ LAST TIME I CAME O'ER
THE MOOR.
Ramsay found the first line of this
song, which had' been preserved as the
title of the charming air, and then com-
posed the rest of tlie verses to suit that
line. This" has always ii finer effect
than_ composing English words; or
words with an idea foreign to tlie spirit
of the old title. Where old titles of
songs convey any idea at all, it will
generally be found. to be quite in the
spirit of the air.
".There are," says Allan Cunningham,
'* some fine verses in this song, though some
fastidious critics pronounce them over
warm :"-7r
The liast time I came o'er the moor,
I left my love behind me :
Ye powers, what pain do I endure.
When soft ideas mind rac.
Soon lis the ruddy morn display *d,
The beaming day ensuing, ■
I met betimes ray lovely maid
In fit retreats for wooing.
Beneath tihe cooling shade we lay,
Gazing and chastly sporting ;
We kiss^ and promised timeLaway,
Till night spread her black curtain.
I pitied all beneath the skies,-
Even kings, when she was nigh me ;
In rapture I beheld her eyes,
Which could but ill deny me.
Should I be call'd where, _cannons roar,
Where mortal steel may wound me ;'
Or cast upon some foreign shoTe,
Where danger may^surround me ;
Yet hopes again to see my love.
And feast on glowing kisses,
Shall raake-my cares at distance move,
In prospect of such-blisses.
In all my soul there's not one place
To let a rival enter ;
Since she excels in every grace,
In her my love shall centre :
Sooner the seas sliall cease to flow,
Their waves the Alps shall cover.
On Greenland ice shall roses grow,
Before I cease to love her.
The next time I go o'er the moor, .
She shall a lover find me.;.
And that my faith is firm and pure,
Though I left her. behind me :
Theri Hymen's sacred bonds shall chain,-
My heart to her fair bosom ;
There, while my being does remain,
My love more fresh shall blossom.
joepn^ie's gray breeks.
Though this has certainly every
evidence of being a. Scottish air, yet
there is a well-known tune and song
in the North of Ireland, called " The
Weaver and his Shuttle, O," which,
though sung much quicker, is every
note the very tune.
300
burns: works.
When I -was in my se'enteenth year,
I was baith blithe and bonny, O ;
The lads lo'ed me baith far and near ;
But I lo'ed none but Johnnie, O.
He grain'd my heart in twa three weeks,
He spEilc sae blithe and kindly, O ;
And I made him new gray breeks,
That fitted him maist finely, O,
He was a handsome fellow ;
His humour was baith frank and free ;
His bonny locks sae yellow,
Like gowd they ghtter'd in my ee ;
His dimpled chin and rosy cheeks'.
And face sae fair and ruddy, O ;
And then a-day his gray ^breeks
Were neither auld nor duddy, O.
But now they are threadbare worn.
They're wider than they wont to be;
They're a' tash'd-like, and unco torn,
And clouted sair on ilka knee.
But gin I had a simmer's day, ■
-^ As I hae had right many, 0»
I'd make a web o' new gray.
To be breeks to my Johnnie, O.
For he's wee! worthy o* them,
And better than I hae to gie ;
But I'll take pains upo' them.
And strive irae fau'ts to keep them free.
To cleedhim weel shall be my care.
And please him a' my study, O.; ,
But he maun wear the auld pair
A wee, though they be duddy. O.
THE HAPPY MARRIAGE.*
■ Another, but very pretty, Anglo-
Scottish piece.
How blest has my time been, what I'oys have
I known, [own :
Since wedlock's soft bondage made Jessy my
So joyful my heart is, so easy my chain,
That freedom is tasteless, and roving a pain.
Through walks grown with w^oodbines, as
often we stray.
Around us our boys and girls frolic and play :
How pleasing their sport is ! the wanton ones
see.
And borrow their looks from my Jessy and me.
To try her sweet temper, ofttimes am I seen.
In revels allday with the nymphs on the green;
Though painful my absence, my doubts she
beguiles, [and smiles.
And. meets me at nig^t with complaisance
What though on her cheeks the ro^ loses its
, hue, [through ;
Her wit and her humour bloom all the year
Time still, as he flies, adds increase to her
truth, [her youth.
And gives to her mind what he steals from
* This song was composed by Edward
Moore.-author of-the well-known ■ tragedy of
the " Gamester," and other works.
Ye. shepherds so gay, who make love to
ensnare, [fair;
And cheat- with false vows the too credulous
In search of true pleasure how vainly you
roam!
To hold it for life, you must find it at home.
THE LASS OF PATIE'S MILL.
Ik Sinclair's Statistical Account of
Scotland, this song is localised (a verb
I must use for want of another to ex-
press my idea) somewhere in the north
of Scotland, and is likewise claimed by
Ayrshire. The following anecdote I
had from the present Sir Williant Cun-
ningham of Robertland, who had: it
from John, the last Earl of Loudon.
The then Earl of Loudon, and fatlier to
Earl John before mentioned, had'Ram-
say at Loudon, and one day walking
together by the banl^s of Irvine :^vater,
near New Mills, at a place called Patie's
Mill, they were struck with the appear-
ance of a beautiful country girl. . His
lordship observed that she would be a
fine theme for a song. Allan lagged
behind in returning to Loudon Castle,
and at dinner produced this identical
song. ,
The lass of Patie's mill,
So bonny, blithe, and gav.
In spite of- all my skill.
Hath stole my heart away».
When tedding of the hay, ''.
Bare-he^ed on the green.
Love midst her locks did play, -
And wantoh'd in her een.
Her arms white, round, and smootii.
Breasts rising in their dawii,
To age it would give youth.
To press them with"his hand :
Through all my spirits ran
An ecstasy of bliss.
When I such sweetness fand.
Wrapt in a balmy kiss.
Without the help of art,
Like flowers which grace the~wild,
She did her sweets impart,
Whene'er she spoke or smiled.
Her looks they were so mild,
Free from affected pndcf . "v
She me to love beguiled:
I wish'd her for my bride.
Oh, had I all that wealth
Hopetoun's high mountains- fill.
Insured long life and health,'
And pleasure at my will, '
REMAHKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
801
I'd promise and fulfil,
. That none but bonny she,.
The lass o' Patie's Mill,
Should share the same wi' me.
THE TURNIMSPIKB.
TiijiRE is a stanza of this excellent
eotig for local humour omitted in this
j^et where I have placed the aster-
i r t They tak te horse then by te head,
^. " And lere tey mak her stan*, man ;
Me tell tem, me hae seen te day
- , Tey no had sic comman', raan.
_' A Highlander laments, in a half-serious and
half-comic way, the privations which the act
of parliament anent ^ilts has made him en-
dure, and the miseries which turnpike roads
and toll-bars - have brought upon his coun-
try :-
Hersell pe Highland shentleman,
'Pe auld as Pothwell Prig, man ;
And mony alterations seen
Afnang te Lawland Whig, man.
Fifst when her to the Lawlands came,
Nainsell was driving cows, man ; -
There was nae laws about hims nerse.
About the preefcs or trews, man.
Nainsell didwes^r the philabeg.
The }}laid pricket on ner shoulder ;
■ The guid claymore hung pe her pelt,
De pistol sharged wi' pouder.
But for "whereas these cursfed preeks
Wherewith her nerse be lockit.
Oh hon ' that e'er she saw the day I
For a' her houghs baprokit.
Every ting.in ds Highlands now
Pe-turn'd to alteration ;
, The sodger dwall at our door-sheek,
, .Ttf*:f^>;.2Vnd tat's te great vexation.
Scotland be turn't a Ningland now,
Aild laws pring on de cadger ;
Nainsell'waa durk him for his deeds,
But oh ! she fear te sodger..
Anither law came after that,
Me never saw te like, man •.
They mak a lang road on te crund,
L: .And ca' him Turninispikey man.
And wow I she pe a iiouny road.
Like louden corn-rigs, man ;
Where twa carts may gang on her.
And no preak ither's legs, man.
They sharge a penny for ilka horse,
In troth she'll no besheaper,
For-nought put gaen upo* the ground,
And they gie me a paper.
Nae doubts, himsel maun tra her purse.
And pay them what hims like, man ;
I'll see a shudgement on his toor ;
That filthy Turnimspike, man.
But I'll awa' to te Highland hills.
Where teil a ahc dare turn her,
And no come near your Tnrnimspike,
Unless it pe to pum her.
HIGHLAND LADDIE.
As this was a favourite theme with
our later Scottish muses, there are
several airs and songs of that name.
That which I take to be the oldest is
to be found in the Mumal Museum,
beginning '' I hae been at Crookieden."
One reason for my thinking so is that
Oswald has it in his collection by the
name of *' The auld Plighland Laddie."
It is also known by the name of ,*'Jing-
lan Johnnie, " which is a welLknown
song of four or five stanzas, and seems
to be an earlier song than Jacobite,
times. As a proof of this, it is little
known, to the peasantry by the name of
** Highland Laddie," while everybody
knows . ' ' Jinglan Johnnie. " The song
begins
Jinglan John, the meikle man.
He met wi'.a laas was blithe and bonny.
Another " Highland Laddie" is also
in the Museum, vol. v., which I take-
to be Ramsay's original, as he has bor-'
rowed the chorus — '*0h, my bonny
Highland lad, " .&c. It consists of three
stanzas, besides the chorus, and has
humour in its composition; it is an ex-
cellent, but somewhat licentious song.
It begins
As I cam o'er Caimey-Mount,
And doyvnamang; the blooming heather-
Kindly stood the milking-shiel.
To shelter frae the stormy weather.
Oh, my tonny Highland lad.
My winsome, weel-fard Highland laddie ;
Wha wad mind the wind and rain,
Sae weel rcw'd in his tartan plaidie ? '
Now Phoebus blinkit on the bent, Tinffi
And o'er the knowes the lambs were bleat-
But he wan my heart's consent
To be his ain at the neist meeting.
Oh, my bonny Highland lad.
, My winsome, weel-fard Highland laddie ;
Wha wad mind the wind and rain,
Sae v/eelrbw'din'his tartan plaidie ?
303
BURNS' WORKS'.
,Tliis air and the common "Highland
Laddie" seem only to be different sets.
Another " Highland Laddie," also in
the Museum, yol. v., is the tune of
several Jacobite fragments. One of
these old songs to it only exists,' as far
as i know, in these four lines; —
Whare haei ye been a' day,
Bonny laddie, Highland laddie?
Down the back o' Bell's brae,
Courtin' Magpfie, coUrtin' Mag-gie."
Another of this name is Br. Ame's
beautiful aii- called the new ' * Highland
Laddie."
THE GENTLE SWAIN.
To sing sucli a beautiful air to such
execrable verses is downriglit prostitu-
tion of common sense! The Scots
verses indeed are tolerable.
The Scottish version, written by Mr.'Majme,
commences thus : —
Jeanie's heart was frank and free,
And wooers she had mony yet.
Her song was aye, Of a' I see.
Commend- me to my Johnny yet.
For air and late he has sic a gate
To make a body cheery, that
I wish to be, before I die.
His ain kind dearie yet.
HE STOLE MY TENDER HEART
AWAY.
This is an Anglo-Scottish production,
but by no means a bad one.
' The following is a specimen : —
The fields were ^reen, the hills were gay,
And birds were singing on each spray^
When Colin met me in the grove, '
And told me tender tales of love.
Was ever swain so blithe as he.
So kind, so faithful and so free V --
In spite of all my friends could say,
Young Colin stole my heart away.
FAIREST OF THE FAIR.
It is too barefaced to take Dr.
Percy''3 charming song, and, by means
of transposing a few English words
into Scots, io offer to pass it for a Scots
song. — I was not acquainted Avitli the
editor until the first volume was nearly
finished, else, had I known in time, I
would have j^revented such an impui^
dent absurdity. _ >
The following is a complete copy of Percjr's ^
beautiful lines : —
O Nancy, wilt thou go with me,
Nor sigh to leave the flaunting town ?
Can silent glens have charms for thee.
The lowly cot and russet gown ? /' "*
No longer drest in silken sheen, ..' '
No longer deck'd with jewels tare, '■"
Say, canst thou quit each courtly scene.
Where thou wert fairest of the fair? :-
O Nancy, when thbu'rt far awa^i^^''' "^-^
Wilt thou not cast a wish behifad*?' ' '^'
Say, canst thou face the parching rayj '-^
Nor shrink before the wintry wind ?' '
Oh, can that soft and gentle mien
Extremes of hardship learn to bear ;
Nor, sad, regret each courtly scene, /^
Where thou wert fairest of the fair i-j.
O Nancy ! canst thou love so true.
Through perils keen with me to go, ~
Or when thy swain mishap shall rue.
To share with him the pang of woe?
Say, should disease or pain befall,
Wilt thou assume the nuree's care.
Nor wistful those gav scenes recall.
Where thou wert fairest of the iaSx ? ^
And when at last thy love shall die.
Wilt thou receive his partingbreath ?
Wilt tiiou repress each stru^Ting-sigh, '
And cheer with smiles the oed of death ?
And wilt thou o'er his breathless clay
Strew flowers and drop the tender tear.
Nop then regret those scenes so gay '
Where thou wert fairest of the fair ?
*' This, writes Burns, " is perhaps the most
beautiful ballad jp the English language."
THE BLAITHRIE O'T.
The following is a set of this song, '
whicli was the earliest song I remeVn- '
ber to have got by heart. When a
child, an old woman sung it to me; and
I picked it up, every word at first^'
hearing. '■-'
O Willy., weel I mind, I lentyou my hand
To sing you a song which you did me com-
mand ;
But my memory's so bad, I had almost forgot
That you call'd it the gear and the blaithrie o't.
I'll not sing about confusion, delusion rior
pride, [tsfifle;
1 11 sing about a laddie was for a: vir'tiious
For virtue is an ornament that time will never
rot.
And preferable to gear and the blaithrie. o't.
EEMARKS^ON SCOTTISH SONG.
SQ3:
T^QUgJt- my , lassie Jiae nae scarlets^nor silks. to
WjJr,9P> [throne;
We envy not the greatest that sits upon the
1 wad rather hae my lassie, though she cam
in her smock, [o't.
That!' a princess wi* tiie gear and the blaithrie
Though we hae, nae horses nor menzie* at
command ; [our hand :
We willvtoil on our foot, and we*ll work wi
And wheiiwearied without rest, we'll find it
sweet in any spot, [o't.
And we'll, value not the gear and the blaithrie
If we hae: ony babies, we'll count them as
lent ; [tent ;
Hae we less, hae we mair, we will aye be con-
Forthey say tliey hae mair pleasure that wins
but a groat- [o't.
Than tl^iriiser wi' his gear and the blaithrie
I'll not meddle wi' the affairs o* the kirk or
the queen ; [sink, let them swim ;
They're nae matters for a sang, let them
On your kirk I'll ne'er encroach, but I'll hold
it still remote,
Sae tak this for the gear and the blaithrie o't.
MAT EVE, OR KATE OF ABER-
DEEN.
, "Kate of Aberdeen'' is, I believe,
tlie work of poor Cunningham the
player; of whom the following anec-
dote,' though told before, deseryes a
recital. A fat dignitary of the church
coming past Cunningham one Sunday,
as the poor poet was busy plying a
fishing-rod in some stream near Dur-
ham, his native county, his reverence
reprimanded Cunningham very severe-
ly for such an occupation on such a
da^„, The poor poet, with that in-
ol§nsive gentleness of manners which
Wjas his peculiar characteristic, replied,
thathe hoped God and his reverence
would forgive his seeming profanity of
that sacred day, " a* Jtehad no dinner
to eat but what lay at the bottom of thai
poolj" This, Mr. Woods, the player,
who knew Cunningham well, and ^-
teemed. Mm much, assured me was
true.
The silver .moon's enamour'd beam
Steals sohljr through the night.
To wanton with the winding stream.
And kiss reflected light.
* Metizie — Retinue, foUowers,
"To beds of staje^o,. balmy Sleep,
Where you've so seldom been.
Whilst I May's wakeful vigils keep
With Kate of Aberdeen!
The nymphs and swains expectant wait,
■ In primrose chaplets gay,
Till.morn unbars her golden gate,
And gives the promise.d. May.
The nymphs and swains shall all declare
The promised May. yirhen seen,-
Not half so fragrant, half so fair.
As Kate of Aberdeen !
I'll tune my pipe to playful notes.
And lOuse yon nodding grove ;
Tillnew-waked birds distend their throats,
And hail the maid I love.
At her approach the lark mistakes,
And quits the new-dress'd green ;
Fond bird ! 'tis not the morning breaks ;
'Tis Kate of Aberdeen !
Now blithesome o'er the dewy mead.
Where elves disportive play ;
The festal dance young shepherds lead.
Or sing: their, love-tuned lay.
Till May in morning robe draws nigh,
And claims a Virgin Queen j -
The nymphs and swains, exulting, cry,
Here's Kate of Aberdeen !-
TWEED-SIDE.
In Ramsay's Tea-table Mtseeliany, he
tells us that about thirty of the songs
in that publication were the works of
some young gentlemen of his acquaint-
ance, which songs are marked with
the letters D. C.,&c.— Old Mr. Tytler
of Woodhouselee, the worthy and able
defender of the beauteous Queen o^
Scots, told me that the songs marked
C. in the Tea-table were the composi-
tion of a Mr. Crawford, of the house of
Achnames, who was afterwards unfor-
tunately drowned coming from France.
As Tytler was most intimately ac-
quainted with Allan Ramsay, I think
the anecdote may be depended on. Of
consequence, the beautiful song of
Tweed-side is Mr. Crawford's, and in-
deed does great honoiir to his poetical
talents. He was a Robert Crawford;
the Mary he celebrates was a Mary
Stuart, of the Castle-Milk family,*
* In a copy of Cromek's Reliques of Burns
there is the following note on this passage-in
Sir Walter Scott's handwriting :— " Miss Mary
Lillias Scott was the eldest daughter of John
Scoti'Of Harden, and v*cll known in- the
30^
BURNS' WOKKS.
afterwards married to a Mr. John Rit-
chie.
I have seen a song, calling itself the
original Tweed-side, and said to have
heen composed by a Lord Tester. It
consisted of two stanzas, of which I
still recollect the first —
When Maggy and I was ac(jualnt,
I carried my noddle fu' high ;
Nae lintwhite on a' the green plain.
Nor gowdspink, sae happy as I ;
But I saw her sae fair, and I lo'd :
I woo'd, but I cam nae great speed ;
So now I maun wander abroad.
And lay my banes far frae the Tweed.t
The following is Crawford's song, which is
still- popular: —
What beauties doth Flora disclose !
How sweet are her smiles upon Tweed !
Yet Mary's, still sweeter than those.
Both nature and fancy exceed,
Nor daisy, nor sweet blushing rose,
Ndr all the gay flowers of me field.
Nor Tweed, Riding gently through those,
Stich beauty; and pleasure do yield.
The warblers are heard in the grove,
The linnet, the lark, aiSd the thrush,
The blackbird and sweet cooing dove
With music enchant every bush.
Come, let us go forth to the mead.
Let us see how the primroses spring.
We'll lodge in some village on Tweed,
And love while the feather'd folks sing.
How does qiy love pass the long day ?
Does Mary not tend a few sheep?
Do they never carelessly stray ?
WhiiC happily she lies asleep?
fashionable world by the nick-name of Cadie
Scott, I believe, because she went to a masked
ball in such a disguise. I remember her, an
old lady, distinguished tor elegant manners
and high spirit, though struggling
under the disadvantages of a narrow income,
as her father's estate, being entailed on heirs
male, went to another branch of the Harden
family, then called the High Chester family.
I have heard a hundred times, from those who
lived at the period, that Tweed-side, and the
song carted Mary Scott, the Flower of Yarrow,
were both written upon this much-admired
lady, and could add much proof on the subject,
did space permit."
t The following is the other stanza:—
To Maggy my love I did tell,
^ut tears did my passion express ;
Alas ! for I lo'ed her o'er well,
And the women lo'e'sic a man less.
Her heart it was frozen and cauld,
Her pride had my ruin decreed ;
Therefore I will wander abroad, '
And lay my banes far frae the Tweed.
Tweed's murmurs should lull her to rest.
Kind nature indulging my bliss, .
To ease the soft' pains of my breast,
I'd steal an ambrosial. kiss.
*Tis she does the virgin excel.
No beauty with her may compare :
Love's graces around her do dwell, b
She's fairest, where thousands are fai|^
Say, charmer, where do thy flock stray ?
Oh ! tell me at noon where they feed ;;
Is it on the sweet wending Tay,
Or pl^fisanter banks of the Tweed"?
THE POSIK.
It appears evident to me that Oswald
composed his "Roslin Castle" on the
modulation of this air.^— In tlie second
part of Oswald's, in the three first hars,
he has either hit on a wonderfi^ simil-
arity to, or else he has entirely borrow-
ed, the three first bars of the old air;
and the close of both tunes is almost
exactly the same. The old verses to
which it was sung, when I took down
the notes from a country girl's voice,
had no great merit. — The following is
a specimen; —
There was a pretty may,^ and a milkin' She
went, [hair ;
Wi' her red rosy cheeks and her coal -black
And she has met a young man a comin*o'er-
the bent,
With a double and adieu to thee, fair may.
Oh, wliere are ye goin', my ain pretty may,
Wi' thy red rosy cheeks and thy coal black
hair ?
Unto the yowes a milkin', kind sir, she says.
With a double and adieu to thee, fair may.
What if I gang alang wi' thee, my ain pretty
may, - [hair ?
Wi' thy red rosy cheeks and thy coal black
Wad I be aught the warse o' that, kind sir,
she says.
With a double and adieu to thee, fair may.
MARY'S DREAM.
The Mary here alluded to is gener-
ally supposed to be Miss Mary M'Ghie,
daughter to the Laird of Airds, in
Galloway. The poet was a Mr. John
1 Maid.
* This is a mistake— Oswald was not the
composer of Roslin Castle,
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
305
Loive,f who likewise wrote another
beautiful song, called Pompey's Ghost.
—I have seen a poetio epistle from him
in North America, where he now m, or
lately was, to a lady in Scotland. ^^By
the strain of th© verses, it appeared
that they allude to some love affair.
The moon had climbed the highest hill
Which -rises o'er the source of Dee,
And frftm the eastern summit shed
Her silver li^ht on tower and tree,
When Mary laid.her down to sleep,
Her thoughts on Sandy far at sea ;
When, soft and low, a voice she heard.
Saying, " Mary, weep no more for me !"
She from her pillow gently raised
Herhead to ask who there might be ;
She saw young Sandy shivering stand.
With visage pale and hollow eci
O Mary dear ! cold is my clay.
It lies beneath a stormy sea ; .
Far, far from tbee.I sleep in death. —
So, Mary, weep no more for me !
Three stormy nights and stormy days
We toss'd- upon the raging main,
And long we- strove ottr bark to save,
But all our striving was in vain.
Even then, when horror chill'd my blood,
My heart was fiU'd with love for thee ;
The storm is past, and I at rest.
So, Mary, Weep no more for me I
O maiden dear, thyself pfCpare,
We soon shall meet upon that shore
Where love is free from doubt and care.
And thou and I shall part no more.
Loud crow'd the cock, the shadow fled,
- Np more of Sandy could she see ;
But soft the passing spirit said,
" Sweet Mary, weep no more for me !"
THE MAID THAT TENDS THE
GOATS.
BY MR. DUDGEON.
This Dudgeon is a respectable farm-
er's son in Berwiolishire.
f He was a native of Kenmore in Galloway,
and was employed as a tutor in the family of
M'Ghie of Arrds, about 1770, when the inci-
dent recorded in the song occurred. Miss
Mary 'M^(5-hie, a daughter of his employer's,
having been betrothed to a young gentleman
of the name of Miller, who was at this time
unfortunately lost at sea, Lowe commemor-
ated the melancholy event in the above beau-
tiful song. Hcafterwards emigrated to the
United States, where he made an unfortunate
ingrr^^ge, ^he grief occasioned by which drove
film mto dissipated habils, that brought him
to an early grave.
Up amang yon cliffy rocks,
Sweetly rings the rising echo,
To the maid that tends the goats.
Lilting o'er her native notes.
Hark, she sings, Young Sandie's kind,
And he's promised aye to lo'e me.
Here's a brooch, I ne'er shall tine.
Till he's fairly married to me.
Drive away, ye drone Time,
And bring about our bridal day.
Sandy herds a flock o' sheep,
Aften does he blaw the whistle,
In a strain sae vastly sweet,
Lam'ies listening dare na bleat ;
He's as fleet's- the mountain roe,
Hardy as the Highland heather,
Wading through tHe winter snow.
Keeping aye his flock together ;
But wi' plaid and bare houghs
He braves the bleakest northern blast.
Brawly he can dance and sing.
Canty glee, or Highland cronach:
Nane can ever match his fling.
At a reel, or round a ring : .
Wightly can he wield a rung.
In a brawl he's aye the baughter;
A' his praise can ne'er be sung
By the langest winded sangster.
Sangs that sing o' Sandy,
Seem short, though they were e'er sae lang.
I WISH MY LOVE WERE IN A
MIRE.
1 NEVER heard more of tlie words of"
this old song than the title.
The old song began with these character-
istic words : —
I wish my love were in a mire.
That I might pu' her out again.
The verses in the Museum are merely a
translation from Sappho by Ambrose Ph'il-
lips : —
Blest as the immortal gods is he,
The youth who fondly sits by thee,
And heats and sees thee all the while,-
So softly speak and sweetly smile.
'Twas this bereaved my soul of rest,
And raised such tumults in ray breast,
For while I gazed, in transport toss'd,
My breath was gone, my voice was lost.
My bosom glow'd, the subtle flame
Ran quick through all my vital frame; .
O'er my dim-cyes a darkness hung.
My ears with hollow murmurs rung.
In dewy-damps my limbs were chill'd.
My blood with gentle horrors thrill'd ;
My. feeble pulse forgot to play ;■
I lamted — sunk— and died away.
S06
BURNS' WORKS.
ALLAN WATER.
This Allan Water, which the com-
poser of the music has honoured with
the name of the air, I have been told is
Allan Water in Strathallan.
What numbers shall the muse repeat.
What verse be found to praise my Annie ;
On her ten thousand graces wait, _
Each swain admires and owns she s bonny.
Since first she strode the happy plain.
She set each youthful heart on fire ;
Each nymph does to her swain complain,
That Annie kindles new desire.
This lovely, darling, dearest care,
This new delight, this charming Annie,
Like summer's dawn she's fresh and fair.
When Flora's fragrant breezes fan ye.
All day the am'rous youths convene,
Joyous they sport and play before her ;
All night, when she no more is seen.
In joyful dreams they still adore "her.
Among the crowd Amyntor came.
He look'd, he lov'd, he bow'd to Annie ;
His riging sighs express his flame.
His words were few, his wishes many.
With smiles the lovely maid replied.
Kind shepherd, why should I deceive ye ?
Alas ! your love m^st be denied.
This destined breast can ne'er relieve ye.
Young Damon came with Cupid's art,
His wiles, his smiles, his charms beguiling ;
He stole away my virgin heart ;
Cease, poor Amyntor ! cease bewailing.
Some brighter beauty you may find ;
On yonder plain the nymphs are many ;
Then choose some heart that's unconfined.
And leave to Damon his own Anaie.
THERE'S NAE LUCK ABOUT
THE HOUSE.*
This is one of the most beautiful
songs in tlie Scots, or any other, lan-
guage.— The two lines.
And will I see his face again ?
And I will hear him speak ?
as well as the" two preceding ones, are
unequalled almost by anything I ever
heard or read; and the lines.
The present moment is our ain,
The neist we never saw.
are worthy of the first poet, It is loDfg-
posterior to Kamsay's days. Ah6uith,Q ■
year 1771, or 1773, it came first on the.
streets as a ballad; and I suppose the
composition of the song was not much
anterior to that period.
There's nae luck about the house,
There's nae luck at a' ;
There's little pleasure in the house,
When our guidman's awa'.
And are you sure the news is true?
And do you say he's weel?
Is this a time to speak of wark?
Ye jades, lay by your wheel !
Is this a time to spin a thread, '
When Cohn's at the door?
Reach- me my cloak, I'll to the quay.
And see him come ashore.
And gie'to me my bigonet,
My bishop's satin gown ;
For I maun tell the bailie's wife .. _ _ _ ?
That Colin's in the town. - -_^ '
My turken slippers maun gae on, ''^ "^
My.stockings pearly blue ; -, , , . ^,-^- ~-
'Tis'a' to pleasure my guidman,
For he's baith leal and true.
Rise, lass, and make a clean fireside, r, -
Put on the muckle pot ;
Gie little Kate her button gown.
And Jock his Sunday coat ;
And-mak their shoon as black as slaes, "
Their hose as white as snaw ;
'Tis a.' to pleasure my guidman,
For he's been lang awa'.
There's twa fat hens upo' the coop,
Been fed this month and mair ; r
Mak haste and thraw their necks abouti
■That Colin weel may fare ;
And mak the table neat and trim ;
Let every thing be braw ;
For who kens how my Colin fared
When he was far awa'.
Sae true his heart, sae smooth his speech, -
His breath like caller air,
Hi's z'ery foot hath music hii^
As he comes up the stair,
A nd shall I see hisjace again ?
And shall I hear hint speak ?
I'm downright giddy w;i' the thought,
In truth rm like to greet.
If Colin's weel. and weel content,
I hae nae mair to crave ;
And gin I live to mak him sae,
I'm blest aboon the lave.
And shall I see his face again ? &c. . ■
* William Julius Mickle, a native of Lang-
holm, on the Borders, and well known as the
translator of CamoensMmmortal poefti, "The
Lusiad," was the author of this song. He
was born in, 1734, and died in 1788.
TARRY WOO.
This is a very pretty song: but I fancy
that the following first, half-stanza, as
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
307
welt as tiie tiine itself, is much older
tliau the rest of the words.
Oh, tarry woo is ill to spin,
Card it weel e'er ye be^in ;
Card it weel and draw it sma'.
Tarry woe's the best of a*.
GRAHACHREE.
The song of Gramachree was com-
posed by Mr. Poe, a counsellor at law
in Dublin. This anecdote I had from
a gentleman wito knew the lady, ' the
"Molly," who is the subject of the
song, and to whom Mr. Poe sent the
first manuscript of these most beauti-
ful verses. I "do not remember any
single line that has more true pathos
than
How can she break the honest heart that
wears her in its core !
But as the song is Irish, it had nothing
to do in this collection.
As down on Banna's banks I stray'd,
One evening' in May,
The-little birds in blithest notes
Made vocal every spray ;
They sang their little notes of love:
They sang them o'er and o'er,
Ah ! gramachree; mo challie nouge,
Mo Molly Astore.
The daisy pied, and all the sweets
Th.e dawn of nature yields ;
The primrose pale, the violet blue,
Lay scatter'd o'er the fields j
Such fragrance in the bosom hes
Of her^vhom I adore.
Ah ! gramachree, mo ch^lie nouge,
■ Mo Molly Astore.
I laid me down upon a bank,
Bewailing' my sad fate.
That doom d me thus the slave of love^
And cruel Molly's hate.
How can she break the honest heart
That wears her in its core I
Ah ! gramachree, mo challie nouge.
Mo Molly Astore.
You said you loved me, Molly dear;
Ah ! why did I believe ?
Yes, who could think such tender words
Were meant but to deceive ?
That love was all I ask'd on^arth,
Nay, heaven could give no more.
Ah ! gramachree, mo challie nouge,
Mo Molly Astore.
Oh ! had I all the flocks that graze,
, On yonder yellow hill :
\ ■■ Or^loyir'd for me the num rous herds,
- 'That fori green pastures fill ;
With her I love-J*d- gladly share
My kine and fleecy store,
Ah !. gramachree, mo challie nouge,
Mo Molly Astore.
Two turtle doves above my head,
Sat courting on a bough ;
I envy'd them their happiness,
To see them bill add fcoo.;
Such fondness once for me she show'd,
But now, alas ! 'tis o'er :
Ah ! gramachree, mo challie nouge, .
Mo Molly Astore.
Then fare thee well, my Molly dear,
Thy loss I still shall moan ;
Whilst life remains ifi Strephon's heart,
'Twill beat for thee alone. . .
Though thou art. false, may Heaven on thee
Its choieest -blessings pour !
Ah ! gramachree, mo challie nouge,
Mo Mollie Astore.
THE COLLIER'S BONNY LAS&IR
The first half stanza is much older
than the days of Ramsay. — The old
"words began thus: —
The collier has a dochter, and,. oh, she's won-
derboriny ; [lands and money.
A laird he was that sought her, rich baith m
She wad nae hae a laird, nor wad she be a
lady;' • [daddie.
But she wad hae a collier, the colour o' her
The verses in the Museum are very pretty ;
but Allan Ramsay's songs have always nature
to recommend them ; —
THECollier has a daughter,
And oh. she's wonder bonny !
A laird he was that sbught her,
Rich baith in land and money.
. The tutors watch'd the motion
Of this young honest lover,
But love is like the ocean ;
Wha can its deeps discover?
He had the heart to please ye,
And was by a' respected,
H!s airs sat round him easy,
Genteel', but unaffected.
The Collier's bonny lassie.
Fair as the new-blown lily,
Aye sweet and never saucy,
Secured the heart of Willie.
He loved beyond expression,
The charms that were about her,
And panted for possession,
His life was dull without her.
After mature resolving,
Close to his breast he held her
Insaftest flames dissolving.
He tenderly thus tell'd her —
" My bonny Collier's daughter
Let naething discompose ye,
'Tis Tio your scanty tocher
Shall ever gar me lose ye ;
3oa
BURKS' WORKS.
For I have gear in plenty,
And love says 'tis my duty
To wear what Heaven has lent me,
Upon your wit and beauty."
MY AIN KIND DEARIE, O.
The old words of this song are omit-
ted here, though much more beautiful
than these inserted: which were mostly
composed by poor Fergusson, in onQ of
his merry humours. The old words
began thus: —
I'll rowe thee o'er the lea-rig,
My ain kind dearie, O,
I'll rowe thee o'er the lea-rig,
My ain kind dearie, O,
Although the night were ne'er sae wat.
And I were ne^er sae weary, O,
I'll rowe thee o'er the lea-rig.
My ain kind dearie, O.
The following are Fergusson's verses ;—
Nae herds wi' kent and collie there
Shall ever come to fear ye, O,
But laverocks whistling in the air.
Shall woo, like me, their deai-ie, O !
While others herd their lambs and ewes.
And toil for world's^gear, my jo.
Upon the lee my pleasure grows,
Wi' you, my kind dearie, O !
Will ye gang o'er the lea-rig,
My ain kind dearie, O ?
And cuddle there, sae kindly wi' me.
My kind dearie, O !
At thorny dike, and birkin tree,
We'll daff, and ne'er be weary, O !
They'll sing 111 e'en frae you and me.
My ain kind dearie, O f
agrees to keep his daughter for some
time after the marriage? for which the
son-in-law binds himself to give him
the profits of the first Michaelmas
Allan Ramsay's version is as fol
lows: —
Happy's the love which meets return,
When iasoft flame souls equal burn ;
But words are wanting to discover
The torments of a hapless lover. -
Ye registers of heaven, relate.
If looking o'er the rolls of fate, . -
Did you there see me mark'd to tnarrovr ;
Mary Scott, the flower of Yarrow.
Ah, no ! her form's too heavenly fair, ^ - -^-^..
Her love the gods alone r^ust share • ' '— '"'
While mortals with despair explore her.
And at a distance due adore her.
O lovely maid ! my doubts beguile, - --,4
Revive and bless me with a smile:
Alas, if not, you'll soon debar a- -,"!-"■
Sighing swain on t^le hanks of Yarrow.
Be hush'd, ye. fears ! I'll not despair.
My Mary's tender as she's fair ;
Then I'll go tell her all mine anguish.
She is too good to let me languish ;
With success crown'd, I'll not envy
The folks who dwell above the sky ;
When Mary Scott's become my marrow.
We'll make a paradise of Yarrow.
MARY SCOTT, THE FLOWER OF
YARROW.
Mr. Robertson, in his statistical
account of the parish of Selkirk, says,
that Mary Scott, the Flower of Yar-
row, was descended from the Dryhope,
and married into the Harden family.
Her daughter was married to a prede-
c5ssor bf the present Sir Francis Elliot
of Stobbs, and of the late Lord tteath-
field.
There is a circumstance in their con-
tract of marriage that merits attention,
and it strongly marks the predatory
Spirit of the times. The fathey-in-law
DOWN THE BURN. DAVIE.
I HATE been informed that the trnt*
of " Down the Burn, Davie/' was the
composition of David Maigh, keeper
of the blood slough -hounds, belonging
to tlie Laird of R,iddel, in Tweeddale.
When trees did bud, and fields were greeo,
And broom bloom'd fair to see ;
When Mary was complete fifteen.
And love laugh '<i in her ee ;
Blithe Davie's blinks her heart did move,
To speak her mind thus free,
" Gang do,wn the burn, Davie, love,
And I shall follow thee."
Now Diavie did each lad surpass
That dwalt on yon burn side, ' }[
And Mary was tlje bonniest lass, , '" *
Just meet to be a bride ; , ^ .
Her cheeks weVe rosy, red and white.
Her een were bonny blue :
Her looks were like Aurora bright.
Her lips like dropping dew.
* The lime when the moss-troopers sujd
cattle-^avefs on the Borders began of ybre
their nightly depredations..
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
As down the burn they took their way,
_ What tender tales they said !
His cheek to hers he aft did lay,
And with her bosom play*d ;
Till baith at length iinpatient grown
■ To be mair fully blest,
In yojider vale they lean'd tliem down —
; Love only saw the rest. '
What pass'd I guess was harmless play,
And naething sure unmeet :
For ganging hame, I heard them say,
They liked a walk sae sweet ;
And that they aften should return
Sic pleasure to renew,
Quoth Mary, ''' Love, I like the bum,
And aye shall follow you."
BLINK 0:ER the BURN/ SWEET
BETTY.
The old words, all that I remember,
are, —
Bunk over the bum, sweet Betty,
It is a cauld winter night ;
It rains, it hails, it thunders,
The moon she gies nae light:
It's a' for the sake o' sweet Betty
That ever I tint my way ;
Sweet, let me lie beyond thee
Until it be break o' day.
Oh, Betty will bake my bread.
And Betty will bre\v my ale^
And Betty will be my love,
When I come over the dale ;
Blink over the burn, sweet Betty^
Blink over the burn to me.
And while I hae life, dear lassie.
My ain sweet Betty thou's be.
THE BLITHESOME BRIDAL.*
I FIND the '' Blithesome Bridal " in
James Watson's colleetiou of Scots
Poems printed at Edinburgh, in 1706.
This collection, the publisher says, is
the first of its nature which lias been
published in our own native Scots dia-
lect— ^it is now extremely scarce.
The entire song is much too long for quota-
tion ; but the following verses, describin^f the
guests who wefe to be present and the dishes
to be provided for them, will convey a very
fair idea of its merit :—
Come, fye, let us a' to the weddings
For there will be lilting there,
* There appears to be some dubiety about
the authorship of this humorous ballad, it
having been assigned to Sir William Scott .of
Thirlestane and Francis Sempill of Beltrees.
For Jock will be married- to Maggie,
The lass wi' the gowden hair.
And there will be lang kail and. castocks,
And bannocks o' barley-meal ;
And there will be guid saut herring,
To relish a cog o guid ale.
And thfere will be. Sandw. the sutor,
And Will wi' the meikle mou,
And there will be Tam the blutter,
■ With Andrew the tinkler, I trow ;
And there will be bo^y-legg'd Robie,
With thumbless Katie's.gudeman,
And there will be blue-cheek'd Dobbie,
And Laurie, the laird of the land.
And there will be sow-libber Patie,
And plookie-faced Wat o' the mill ;
Capper-nosed Francis and Gibbie,
Ihat wons i' the Howe o', the hill ;
And there will be Agister Sibbie,
Wha in wi' black Bessie did mool,
With snivelling Lillie and Tibbie,
The lass that stands aft on the stool.
And there will be fadges and brochan,
Wi' routh o' gude gabbocks o' skate ;
Powsowdie and drammock and crowdie,
And caller howt feet on a plate ;
And there will be partans and buckies,
And whitingsand speldings anew;
With singed sheep heads and a haggis,
And scadlips to sup till ye spew.
And there will be lapper'd milk kebbuck.
And sowens, and carles, and laps ;
Wi' swats and well-scraped paunches,
And brandy in stoups and in caps ;
And there' will be meal-kail and porridge,
Wi' skifk to sup till ye rive,
And roasts'to roast on a brander.
Of flewks that were taken alive.
Scrapt haddocls, wilks, dulse, and tangle,
And a mill o' guid sneeshin to prie.
When weary wi' eating and drinsing.
We'll rise up and dance till we die :
Then fye let's a' to the bridal,,
For there will be lilting there,
For Jock '11 be married to Mag-gie,
The lass wi' the gowden hair.
JOHN HAY'S BONNY LASSIE,
John Hay's **Bonny Lassie" was the
daughter of John Hay, Earl or Mar-
quis of Tweeddale, and the late Count-
ess Dowager of Roxburgh. She died
at Broomlands, near Kelso, some time
between the years 1730 and 1740.
She's fresh as the spring, and sweet as Aurora,
When birds mount and sing, bidding, day a
good morrow ;
The sward o' the mead, enamel'd wi'daisfes,
Look wither'd and dead when twinn'd of her
graces. ' ■ ■ .
But if she appear where verdures invite her,
310
' 3URNS' WORKS.
The fountains run clear, and flowers smell the
sweeter ; .
Ti^'h'eaven to be by when her wit is a-fldw-
Her smiles and bright een set my spirits
a-glowing. . .
THE BONNY BRUCKET LASSIE.
The first two lines of this song are
all of it that is old. The rest of the
song, as well as those songs in the
Museum marked T., are the works of
an obscure, tippling, but extraordinary-
body of the name of Tytler, commonly
known by the name of Balloon Tytler,
from his having projected a balloon:
a mortal, who, tliough, he drudges
about Edinburgh as a common printer,
with leaky shoes, a sky-lighted hat,
and knee-buckles as nnlilce as George-
by-the-grace-of-God, and Solomon-the-
son-of-Davia; yet that same unknown
drunken mortal is author and com-
piler of three- fourths of Elliot's pomp-
ous Encyclopedia Britannica, which
he composed at half-a-guinea a week !
The bonny bracket lassie,
She's blue beneath the een ; ■
' She was the fairest lassie
That danced on the green :
A lad he lo'ed her dearly,
She 'did his love return ;
But he his vows has broken,
And left her for to mourn.
" My shape," says she, " was handsome,
My face was fair and clean ;
But now I'm bonny bracket.
And blue beneath the een ;
My eyes were bright and sparkling,
Before that they turn'd blue ;
But now they're dull with weeping,
And a', my love, for you.
" Oh, could I live in darkness,
Or hide me in the sea.
Since my love is unfaithful.
And has forsaken me.
No other love I sufferj^
Within my breast', to'dwell ;
In nought have I offended,
But loving him too well.''
Her lover heard her mourning,
As by he chanced to pass ;
And press'd unto his bosom
^^ The lovely brucket lass.
*' My dear," said he, " cease grieving ;
Smce that your love Is true.
My bonny brucket lassie,
I'll faithful prove to you," i
SAE MERRY AS WE TWA HAE
BEEN.
This song is beautiful, — Tlie cliorua
in particular is truly pathetic. I never
could learn anything of its author.
Sae merry as we twa hae been,
Sae. merry as we twa hae been ;
My heart it is like for to break.
When I think OQ the days we hae seen.
A lass that was laden with care
Sat heavily under a thorn ;
I listen'd a while for to hear,
Wh^h thus she began for to mourn :
Whene'er my dear shepherd was there,
The birds did melodiously sing", --- '- - -
And cold nipping- winter did wear
A face that resembled the spring.
Our flocks feeding close by his side,
He gently pressing my hand,
I view'd the wide world in its pride,
And laugh'd at the pomp of command.
" My dear," he would oft to me say,
" What makes you hard-hearted to me ?
Oh ! why do you thus turn away
From him who is dying for thee V'^
But now he is far from my sight.
Perhaps adeceiver may prov.e:,;'
Which mafces.me lameat .day aa4 night,
That ever~T'§raot©a my love.
At eve, when the rest of the folk
"W^gte^nerrily seated to spin,
I set-myself under an oak,
And heavily sigh'd for him.
THE BANKS OF FORTH.
This air is Oswald's.
" Here's anither— it*s no a Scots tune, butjt
passes for ane— Oswald made it himsel, I
reckon. He has cheated mony a ane, but he
canna cheat Wandering Willie. — Sir Walter
Scott,
The following is the song as given in the
Museum : —
Ye sylvan powers that rule the plain.
Where sweetly winding Fortha glides.
Conduct me to those banks again,
Since there my charming Mary bides.
Those bank§ that breathe their vernal sweets^
Where every smiling beauty meets ;
Where Mary's charms adorn the plain.
And cheer flie heart of every swain/
Oft in the thick embowering groves.
Where birds their music chirp aloUd, ■ '
Alternately we sung our loves, -- ■ ■ -
And Fortha's fair meandere "view'd^
BEMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
311
The qieadows wore a general smile, ,
Love vwas our banquet all the while ;
The lovely prospect charm^a the eye,
To where" ine ocean met the sky.
Once on the grassy bank reclined
Where Forth ran by in murmurs deep,
It was my happy chance to find
The charming Mary luU'd asleep ;
My heart then leap'd with inward bliss,
I'softly stoop'd, and stole a kiss ;
She waked; she blush'd, and gently blanied,
*'.'Why, Damon ', are you not ashamed ?"
Ye sylvan powers, ye rural gods,_
To whom we swains our cares impart,
Restore me to those blest abodes,
An^ease, oh ! ease my love-sicjc heart !
Those happy days ag'ain restore,
When Mi^y and I shall part no more ;
When she 'shall fill these longing arms,
And crown my bliss with all her charms.
THE BUSH ABOOJf TRAQUAIR.
This Ls another beautiful song of Mr.
Crawford's composition. In the neigh-
bourhood of Traquair, tradition still
shows the old "Bush," which, when I
saw It in the year 1787, was composed
of eight or nine ragged birches. The
Earl of Traquair has planted a clump
of trees near by, which he calls " The
new Bush. "
Hear me, ye nymphs, and every swain,
I I'll tell how Pegg^y grieves me ;
Though thus I languish and complain,
Alas ! she ne'er believes me.
j-My vows %nd sighs, lilce silent air,
V Unheeded never move her ;
The bonny bush- aboon Traquair,
' ' ■ Was where I first did love her.
That day she smiled and made me glad,
No 'maid seem'd ever kinder ;
I though.Umyset the luckiest lad.
So sweetly there to find her.
I tried to soothe my amorous flame
lA words' that I thought tender ;
If more there pass'd, I'm not to blame,
I meant not to offend her.
Yet now she scornful flees the plain,
The fields we then frequented ;
If e'er we meet, she shows disdain,
- - She looks as ne'er acquainted.
^ The bonny bush bloom d fair in May,'
Its sweets I'll aye remember ;
But how her frbWns make it decay ; ,
It fades as in December;
Ye rural powers, who hear my strains.
Why thus should Peggy grieve me ?
Oh ! make her partner in my pains ;
Then let her smiles relieve me.
If not, my love will turn despair,
My passion no more tender ;
I'll leave the bush aboon Traquair,
To lonely wilds I'll wander.
CROMLET'S LILT.
The following interesting account of
this plaintive dirge was colnmunicated
to Mr. Riddel by Alexander Fraser
Tytler, Esq., of Woodhouselee: —
" In the latter end of the 16th cen-
tury, the Chisholms were proprietors
of the estate of Cromleck, (now posses-
sed by the Drummonds.) The eldest
son of that family was very much atr
tached to the daughter of Stirling of
Ardoch, commonly known by the name
of Fair Helen of Ardoch.
" At that time the opportunities of
meeting between the sexes were more
rare, consequently more sought after
than now; and the Scottish ladles, far
from priding themselves on extensive
literature, were thought sufficiently
book-learned if they could malie out
the Scriptures in their mother tongue.
Writing was entirely out of the line of
female education. At that period the
most of our young men of family
sought a, fortune or found a grave in
France. Cromleck, when he went
abroad to flie war, was obliged to leave
the management of his correspondence
with his mistress to a lay -brother of
the monastery of Dunblane in the im-
mediate neighbourhood of Cromleck,
and near Ardoch. This man unfortu-
nately, was deeply sensible of Helen's
charms. He artfully prepossessed her
with stories to the disadvantage of
Cromleck; and, by misinterpreting, or
keeping up the letters and messages in-
trusted to. his care, he entirely irritated
both. All connection was broken ofE
betwixt them: Helen was inconsolable,
and Cromleck has left behind him, in
the ballad called ' Cromlet's Lilt,' a
proof of the elegance of his genius, as
well as the steadiness of liis love. ,
" When the artful monk thought time
313.
BURNS' WORKS.
had sufficiently softened Helen's sor-
row, lie proposed himself as a lover:
Helen was obdurate; hut at last, over-
come by the persuasions of her brother,
with whom she lived, and who, having a
family of thirty-one children, was prob-
ably very well pleased to get her ofE his
hands — she submitted- rather than con-
sented to the ceremony; but there her
compliance ended; and, when forcibly
put into bed, she started quite frantic
from it, screaming out, that after
three gentle raps on the wainscoat, at
the bed-head, she heard Cromleck's
voice, crying, *0 Helen, Helen, mind
me!' Cromleck soon after coming
Jiome, the treachery of the confidant
was discovered — her marriage annulled
— and Helen became Lady Cromleck."
N. B. — Marg! Murray, mother to
these thirty -one children, was daughter
of Murray of Strewn, one of the seven-
teen sons of Tullybardine, and whose
youngest son, commonly called the
Tutor of Ardoch, died in the year 1715,
aged 111 years.
The following- is a copy of this ballad as it
appears in the Museum :^
Since all thy vows, false njaid,
Are blown to air
And my poor heart betray'd
To sad despair.
Into some wilderness,
My grief I will express,
And thy hard-hearted ness,
O cruel fair !
Have I not graven our loves
On every tree
In yonder spreading groves,
Tliough false thou be ?
Was not a solemn oath
Plighted betwixt us both —
Thou thy faith, I my troth-
Constant to be?
Some gloomy place I'll find.
Some doieful shade.
Where neither sun nor wind
E'er entrance had :
Into that hollow cave,
There will I sigh and rave,
Because thou dost behave
So faithlessly.
Wild fruit shall be my meat,
I'll drink the spring,
Cold earth shall be my scat ;
For covering.
I'll have the starry sky
My head to canopy.
Until my soul on high
. Shall spread its wing.
I'll have no funeral fire,
Nor tears for me ;
No grave do I desire
Nor obsequy.
The courteous redbreast he
With leaves will cover me.
And sing my elegy
With doleful voice.
And when a ghost I am
I'll visit thee,
O thou deceitful dame,
Whose cruelty
Has kill'd the fondest heart
That e'er felt Cupid's dart.
And never can desert
From loving thee.
MY DEARIE, IF THOU DIE,
Another beautiful song of Craw-
ford's.
Love never more shall give me pain,
My fancy's fix'd on thee.
Nor ever maid my heart shall gain.
My Peggy, it thou die.
Th^ beauty doth such pleasure give,.
Thy love's so true to me.
Without thee I can never live,
My dearie, if thou die.
If fate shall tear thee from my breast,
How shall I lonely stray ?
In dreary dreams the night I'll waste.
In sighs, the silent day.
I ne'er can so much virtue find.
Nor such perfection see ;
Then I'll renounce all woman-kind.
My Peggy, after thee.
No new-blown beauty fires my heart.
With Cupid's raving rage ;
But thine, vt^hich can such sweets impart,
Must all the world engage.
'Twas this that like the morning sun
Gave joy and life to me ;
And when its destined day is done, .;
With Peggy let me dte.
Ye powers that smile on virtuous love, 'i
And in such pleasure share : ■'''
You who its faithful flames approve.
With pity view the fair ;
Restore my Peggy's wonted charms.
Those charms so dear to me ! -' '
Oh ! never rob them from these arms !
I'm lost if Peggy die.
SHE ROSE AND LET ME IN.
The old set of this song, which is
still to be found in printed collections,
is much prettier than this ; but somfe-r
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
313
body, I believe it was Ramsay,* took
it into his head to clear it of some
seeming indelicacies and made it at
once more chaste and more dull.
The Museum version is as follows : —
The night her silent sables wore
And gloomy were the skies,
Of glittering stars appear'd no more
Than those in Nelly's eves.
When to her father^s door"! came,
Where I had often been,
I begg'd my fair, my lovely dame,
Tq rise and let me in.
But she, with accents- 3II divine,
Did my fond suit reprove.
And while she chid my rash design,
She but inflanied my love.
Her beauty oft had pleased before,
While her brigfot eyes did roll :
But virtue only had the power
To charm my very soul.
Oh, who would cruelly deceive,
Or from such beauty part !
I loved her so, I could not leave
The.charmer of my heart.
My eager fondness 1 obey'd,
Resolved she should be mine.
Till Hymen to my arms convey d
My treasure so divme.
Now happy in my NeUy's love,
Transporting is my joy,
JNo greater blessing can! prove.
So blest a man am I.
For beauty may a while retain.
The conquered flattering- mart.
But virtue only is the cham "
Holds, never to depart.
WILL YE GO TO THE EWE-
BUGHTS/ MARION?
I AM not sure if this old and charm-
ing air be of the South, as is commonly
said, or of the North of Scotland.
There is a song apparently as ancient
as " Evp-e-bughts, Marion," -which sings
to the same time, and is evidently of the
North — ^it begins thus: —
^ Sheep-folds.
* " No, no : it was not Ramsay, The song
still remains in his Tea-Table Miscellany^ and
the Orpheus CaledoniuSy and even in Herd's
Collection, in its primitive state of indelicacy.
The verses in \Xi€ Museum were retouched by
an able and masterly hand, who has thus pre-
sented us with a song at once chaste and ele-
gant, without a single idea to crimson the
cheek of modesty, or cause one pang to the
innocent heart."— Stenhouse.
The Lord o' Gordon had three dochters^
Mary, Marget, and Jean,
They wad na stay at "bonny Castle Gordon,
But awa' to Aberdeen.
The old ballad begins thus : —
Will ye go to the ewe-bughts, Marion,
And wear in the sheep wi' me?
The sun shines sweet, my Marion,
But nae half sae sweet as thee. '
O Marion's a bonny lass,
And the blithe blink's in her ee ;
And fain wad I marry Marion,
Gin Marion wad marry me.
LEWIE GORDON.
This air is a proof how one of our
Scotch tunes comes to be composed out
of another. I have one of the earliest
copies of the song, and it has prefixed
— " Tune — ' Tarry Woo* " — of which
tune a different . set has insensibly
varied into a different air. — To a Scots
critic, tlie pathos of the line,
"Though his back be at the wa','*
must be very striking. It needs not a
Jacobite predjudice to be a&cted with
this song.
The supposed author of "Lewie
Gordon" was a Mr. Geddes, priest at
Shenval in the Ainzie.
Oh ! send Lewie Gordon hame,
And the lad I maunna name ;
Though his back be at the wa',
Here's to him that's far awa* !
Oh hon ! my Highland man !
Oh, my bonny HighUnd man ;
Weel would I my true-love ken,
Amangten thousand Highland men.
Oh, to see his tartan trews,
Bonnet blue, and laigh-heel'd shoes :
Philabeg aboon his knee ;
That's the lad that Til gang wi !
Oh, hon ! &c.
The princely youth that I do mean
Is fitted for to be king ;
On his breast he wears a star.
You'd take him for the god of war.
Oh, hon ! &c.
Oh, to see this princely one
Seated on a royal throne !
Disasters a' would disappear.
Then begins the Jub'lee year \
Oh, hon ! &c.
Lord Lewie Gordon, younger brother to the
Duke of Gordon, commanded a detaChmerit
for the Young Chevalier in the affairof 1745-6,
and acquitted himself with great gallantry
and judgment. He died in 1754.
814;
BURNS' WORKS.
THE WAULKINC^ 0' THE FAULD.
There are two stanzas still sung to
tlais tune, which I take to be the
original song whence Kamsay corn-
posed his beautiful song of that name
in the (xentle Shepherd. It begins
"Oh, will ye speak at our town,
As ye come rrae the fauld," &c.
I regret tliat, as in many of our old
songs, the delicacy of this old frag-
ment is not equal to its wit and hu-
mour.
The following is Ramsay's version ; —
My Pegg-ie is a young thing,
Just enter'd in her teens' ;
Fair as the day, and sweet as May,
Fair as the day, and always gay^
My Peggie is a young thing,
And 1 m not very auld ;
Yet we'll I like to meet her at
The waulkin& o' the fauld.
My Peggie speaks sae sweetly
whene'er we meet alane ;
I wish nae mair to lay my care,
I wish nae mair of a' that's rare.
My Peggie speaks sae sweetly,
To a' me lave I'm cauld ;
But she gars a' my spirits glow
At waulking o' the fauld.
My Peggie smiles sae kindly
Whene'er I whisper love,
That I look down on a' the town,
That I look down upon a crown.
My Peggie smiles sae kindly,
It makes me bhthe and bauld ;
And naething gies me sic delight
As waulking o' the fauld.
Mv Peggie sings sae saftly
- When on my |)ipe I play ;
" By a' the rest it is coniess'd.
By a' the rest that she sings best :
My "^^^Sy sings sae saftly.
And m her sangs are tauld,
With innocence, the wale o' sense,
At waulking o' the fauld.
OH ONO CHRIO.*
Dr. Blacklock informed me that
this song was composed on the infamous
massacre at Qlencoe.
Oh ! was not I a weary wight !
Maid, wife and widow in one night !
When in my soft and yielding arms, [harms.
Oh! when most I thought him free from
* A vitiated pronunciation of " Ockoin ock
■ riVr-a. Gaelic exclamation expressive of deep
"sorrow and affliction. . ,
Kvcn at the dead time of the night - '7/"
They broke my bower, and slew my knight,!
With ae lock of his jet-black hair J
I'll tie my heart for evermair ; : r .' -
Nae sly-tongued youth, nor flattering swam, -
Shall e'er untie this knot again ;
Thine still, dear youth, that heart shall be,-
Nor pant for aught save heaven and thee>_ <
I'LL NEVER LEAVE THEE. .
This is another of Crawford's songs,
but I do not think in his happiest man-
ner. What an absurdity to join such
names as Adonis and Mary, together!
Oke day I heard Mary say.
How shall I leave thee ;
Stay, dearest Adonis, stay.
Why wilt thou grieve me ?
CORN-RIGS ARE BONNY.
All the old words that ever I could:
meet to this air were the following.
which seem
chorus : —
to have been an old
Oh, corn-rigs and rye-rigs.
Oh, corn-rigs are bonny ;
And,, where'er you meet a bonny lass.
Preen up her cockernony.
BIDE YE YET.
There is a "beautiful song to this
tune, beginning,
" Alas I ray son, you little know,"
which is the composition of Miss
Jenny Graham, of Dumfries.
Alas ! my son, you little know
The sorrows that from wedlock flow ;
Farewell to every day of ease >rn-
When you have got a wife to please^, -. r
Sae bide ye yet, and bide ye yet,
Ye little ken what's to betide ye yet;-
The half o'that will gane ye yet, ,
Gif a wayward wife obtain ye yet.
Your hopes are high, your wisdom small.
Woe has not had you in its thrall ;
The black cow on your foot ne'er trod,
Which gars you sing along the road.
Sae bide ye yet, &c.
Sometimes the rock, sometimes the reel.
Or some piece of the spinning-wheel,
She'll drive at you, my bonny chiel, • , , .
And send you headlang to the deil,
Sae bide ye yet,-&G» ■
EEMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
815
When I, like,you,Tvas young^arid free,
I valued not the proudest she ;
Like you, my boast was bold and vain, ■
That men alone were born to reign.
Sae bide ye yet, &c.
Great Hercules, and Samson too.
Were stronger far than I or you ;
Yet they were baffled by their dears.
And felt the distaff and the shears.
Sae bide ye yet, &c.
.Stout gates of brass and well-built walls
Arc proof 'gainst swords and cannon balls ;
But nought is found, by sea or land.
That can a wayward wife withstand.
Sae bide ye yet, &c.
Heke tlie remarks on the first vol-
ume of the Musical Museum conchide:
the second volume has the following'
preface from the pen of Burns : —
" In the first volume of this work,
two or three airs, not of Scots com-
position, have been inadvertently in-
serted; - which, whatever excellence
they may have, was improper, as the
collection is solely to be the music of
our own country. The songs con-
tained ill this volume, both music and
poetry^ are all of them the work of
Scotsmen. Wherever the old words
could be recovered, they had been pre-
ferred : both as suiting better the genius
of; the tunes, and to preserve the pro-
ductions of tliose earlier sons of the
Scottish muses, some of whose names
deserved a better fate than has be-
fallen them, — 'Buried 'midst the wreck
of things which were. ' Of our more
modern songs, the editor has inserted
the author's names as far as he can
ascertain tliem; and as that was
neglected in the first volume, it is an-
nexed .here. If he have made any
mistakes in this affair, which lie possi-
bly may, he will be very grateful at
being set right.
"Ignorance and prejudice may per-
haps affect to sneer at the simplicity of
the poetry or music of some of these
poems; but their having been for ages
the favourites of nature's judges — the
common people— was to the editor a
sufficient test of their merit.
** Edinburgh, March i, 1778.'* *
TRANENT MUIR.
"Tranent Mdik" was composed
by a Mr. Skirving, a very worthy, re-
spectable farmer, near Haddington.*
I have heard the anec(^ote often, that
Lieut. Smith, whom he mentions in the
ninth stanza, came to Haddington after
the publication of the song, and sSnta
challenge to Skirving to meet him at
Haddington, and a,nswer for the un-
worthy manner in which he had noticed
him in his song. " Gang away back,"
said the honest farmer, "and tell Mr.
Smith that I hae nae leisure to come to
Haddington; but tell him to come here,
and I'll tak a look o' him, and if he
think I'm fit to fecht him, I'll fecht
liim; and if no, I'll do as he did — Til
Hn awa'!"
Stanza ninth, as well as tenth, to which the
anecdote refers, shows that the anger of the
lieutenant was anything but unreasonable.
And Major Bowie, that worthy soul.
Was brought down to the ground, man ; "
His horse being shot, it was his lot
For to get many a wound, man ;
Lieutenant Smith, of Irish birth,
Frae whom he called for aid, man.
Being full of dread, lap o'er his head,
And wadna be gainsay'd, man !
He made sic haste, sae spurr'd his baist,
'Twas little there he saw, man •
To Berwick rade, and falsely said
The Scots were rebels a', man :
But let that end, for well 'tis kenrf'd.
His use and wont to lie, man ;
The teague is naught, he never faught
When he had room to flee, man.
POLWARTf ON THE GREEN.
The author of ^'Polwart on the
Green" is Capt. John Drummond
M'Gregor, of the family of Bochaldie. J
At Polwart on the green,
If you'll meet me the morn.
* Mr. Skirving" was tenant of East Garleton,
about a mile and a half to the north of Had-
dington.
t " Polwart is a pleasant village situate
near Dunse, in Berwickshire. In the middle
of the village stand two venerable thprns,
round which the Polwart maidens, when they
became brides, danced with their partners oa
the day of the bridal."— Cunningham.
% The poet is in error here. The best au-
thorities agree in ascribing tlie authorship of
the song tp Allan Ramsay,
316
BURNS' WORKS.
Where lasses do conveen
To dance about the thorn,
A kindly welcome ye shall meet
Frae her wha likes to view . -
A lover and a lad complete^
The lad and lover you.
Let dorty dames say na
As lang- as e'er they please,
Seem caulder than the snaw,
While inwardly they bleeze.
But I will frankly shaw my mind,
And yield my heart to thee ;
Be ever to the captive kind
That langfs na to be free. ^
At Pol wart on the green,
Amang the new-mown hay,
With sangs and dancing keen
We'll pass the heartsome day.
. At night, if beds be o'er thrang laid.
And thou be twined of thine,., ,
Thou shalt be welcome, my dear lad,
To take a part of mine.
STREPHON AND LYDIA.
The following account of this song
I had from Dr. Blacklock: —
The Strephon and Lydia mentioned
in the song were perhaps the loveliest
couple, of their time. The gentleman
was commonly known by the name of
Beau Gibson. The lady was the ' 'Gentle
Jean," celebrated somewhere in
Hamilton of Bangour's poems. — Hav-
ing frequently met at public places, they
had formed a reciprocal attachment,
whicii their friends thought dangerous,
as their resources were by no means
adequate to tlieir tastes and habits of
lifp. To elude the bad consequences
of such a connection, Strephon was sent
abroad with a commission, and perished
in Admiral Vernon's expedition to Car-
thagena.
The author of the song was William
Wallace, Esq., of Cairnhill, in Ayr-
shire.
Ai-L lonely on the sultry beach,
Expiring, Strephon lay ;
No hand the cordial draught to reach,
Nor cheer the gloomy way.
Ill-fated youth ! no parent nigh
. To. .catch thy fleetmg breath,
No bride to fix' thy swimming eye.
Or smooth the face of death !
Far distant from the mournful scene
Thy parents sit at ease ;
.Thy Lydia rifles all the plain.
And all the spring, to please.
Ill-fated youth ! by fault of -friend, ■
Not force of foe, depress'd.
Thou fall'st, alas ! thyself, thy kind.
Thy country, unredress'd I
MY JO, JANET.
OF THE ''MUSEUM."
Johnson, the publisher, with a
foolish delicacy, refused to insert the
last stanza of this humorous ballad. -
Oh, sweet sir, for your courtesie^ -
When ye come by the Bass then.
For the love ye bear to me,
Buy me a keeking-glass then,-
Keek into the draw-well,
Janet, Janet ;
And there ye'll see your bonny sel";
My jo, Janet,
Keeking in the draw-well clear.
What if I should fa' in then ; ,-,
Syne a' my kin will say and swear --
I drown'd mysel' for sin, then.
Haud the better by the brae,
Janet, Janet !
Haud the better by the brae.
My jo, Janet.
Good sir, for your courtesie.
Coming through Aberdeen then,
For the love ye bear to me.
Buy me a pair of sheen then.
Clout the auld, the new are dear,
Janet, Janet ;
A pair may gain ye half a year,
My fo, Janet.
But what, if dancing on the green.
And skipping like a maukin.
If they should see my clouted sheeny
Of me they will be talkin*. : :^
Dance aye laigh, and late at e'en,
Janet, Janet ; ■/
Syne a' their fauts will no be seen.
My jo, Janet.
Kind sir, for your courtesie,
When ye gae to the cross then.
For the love ye bear to me.
Buy me a pacing' horse then,.
Pace upo' your spmning-wheel,
Janet, Janet ;
Pace upo' your spinning-wheel.
My jo, Janet.
My spinning-wheel is auld and stifi^
The rock o't winna stand, sir ;
Tojceep the teraper-pin in tiff
Employs right aft my hand, sir.
Mak the best o' that ye can,
Janet, Janet ; .
But like It never wale a man.
My jo, Janefe— . •'
REMARKS ON, .SCOTTISH SONG.
317
LOVE IS THE CAUSE OF MY
MOURNING.
The words "by a Mr. R. Scott, from
tlie town or neighbourhood of Biggar.
The first stanza of this fine song is as fol-
lows ; —
By a murmuring' stream a fair shepherdess
lay,
Be so kind, O ye nymphs, I oft heard her say,
fell Strephon, I die, if he passes this way,
" And love is the cause of my mourning.
False shepherds, that tell me of beauty and
charms, [warms,
Deceive me, for Strephon's cold heart never
Yet bring me this Strephon, I'll die in his
arms ;
O Strephon ! the cause of my mourning.
But first, said she, let me go
Down to the shades below,
Ere ye let Strephon know
That I have loved him so :
Then on my pale cheek no blushes will show
That love is the cause of my mourning.
FIFE, AND A' THE LANDS ABOUT
IT.
This song is Dr. Blacklock's. He, as
well as I, often gave Johnston verses,
trifling enough, perhaps, but they serv-
ed as a vehicle to the music.
Allan, by his grief excited,
Long the victim Of despair.
Thus deplored his passion slighted.
Thus addressed the scornfuLfair:
" Fife, and all the lands about it,
Undesiring, I can see ;
Joy may crown my days without it.
Not, my charmer, without thee.
** Must I then forever languish,
Still complaining, still endure ?
Can her form create an anguish
Which her soul disdains to cure ?
Why, by hopeless passion fated,
Must-I still those eyes admire.
Whilst unheeded, unregretted,
In her presence I expire ?
"Would thy charms improve their power,
Timely think, relentless maid ;
Beauty is a short-lived flower,
Destined but to bloom and fade !
Let that heaven, whose kind impression
All thy lovely features show.
Melt thy soul to soft compassion
For a suffering lover's woe."
WERBNA MY HEART LIGHT I
WAD DIE.
LoKD Hailes, in the notes to his
Collection of ancient Scots poems, says
that this song vv^as the composition of
Lady Qrisel Baillie, daughter of the first
Earl of Marchmont, and wifie of (George
Baillie of Jerviswood.
There was ance a may, and she lo'd na men.
She biggit her bonny bower down in yon glen ;
But now she cries dool ! and ah, well-a-day !
Come down the green gate, and come here
away.
When bonny young Johnny came o'er the sea,
He said he saw naething^ae lovely as me ;
He hecht me baith rings and - mony braw
things ; '
And warena ifiy heart Ught I wad die.
He had' a wee titty that lo'd na me.
Because I was twice as bonny as she :
She raised such a pother 'twixt him and his
mother,
That werena my heart light I wad die.
The day it was set, and the bridal to be,
The wife took a dwam, and laid down to die j
She main'd and she grain'd, out of dolour and
pain,
Till he vow'd he never wad see me again.
His>kin was for ane of a higher degree,
Said, What had he to do with the like of me ?
Albeit I was bonny, I wasna for Johnny
And werena my heart Ught I wad die.
They said I had neither cow nor caff,
Nor dribbles of drink rins through the draff,
Nor pickles of meal rins through t^e mill-ee ;
And werena my heart light I wad die.
His titty she was baith wily and slee.
She spied me as I came o'er thee lee '■
And then she ran in, and made a loud din.
Believe your ain een, an ye trow na me.
His bonnet stood ance fu' round on his brow,
His auld ane looks aye as weel as some's new ;
But now he lets't wear ony gate it will hing.
And casts himself dowie upon the corn-bing.
And now he gaes drooping about the dykes.
And a' he dow do is to hund the tykes :
The live-lang night he ne'er steeks his ee.
And werena my heart light I wad die.
Were I young for thee, as I an^e hae been.
We should hae been galloping down on yon
green,
And linking it on the lily-white lee ;
And wow gin I were but young for thee !
THE YOUNG MAN'S DREAM.
This song is the composition of Bal-
loon Ty tier, mentioned at p. 310.
One night I dream'd I lay most easy,
By a murmuring river side,
Where lovely banKS were spread with daisies,
And the streams did smoothly glide ; '
S18
BURNS' WOEKS.
While around me, and quite over,
^ .Spreading branches were display'd,
All interwoTjen in due order,
Soon became a pleasant shade.
I saw my lass come in most charming,
■ With a look and air so sweet ;
Every grace, was most alarming,
Every beauty most complete.
Gupid-with his bow attended ;
Lovely Venus too was there :
As his bow young Cupid bended,
' Far away flew carking care.
On a bank of roses seated,
Charming my true-love sung ;
While glad echo still repeated,
And the hills and valleys rung-
At the last. By sleep oppress'd
On the bai^k my love did lie,
By voung Cupid still caress'd.
While the graces round did fly.
The rose's red, the lily's blossom.
With her charms might not compare,
To view her cheeks and heaving bosom,
Down they droop'd as in despair.
On her slumber I encroaching,
Pantingr came to steal a kiss :
Cupid smiled at me approaching,
beem'd to say, " There's nought amiss."
With eager wishes I drew nigher.
This fair maiden to embrace :
My breai?h grew quick, my pulse beat higher.
Gazing on her lovely face.
The nymph, awaking, quickly check'd me,
Starting up, with angry tone ;
" Thus," says she, " do you respect me ?
Leave rac quick, and hence begone."
Cupid for me interposing,
To my love did bdw full low ;
She from him her hands unloosing,
■ In contempt struck down his bow.
An^ry Cupid from her flying.
Cried out, as .he sought the skies,-
" Haughty nymphs, their love denying,
Cupid ever shall despise."
As he Fpoke, old care came wandering,
With nim stalk'd destructive Time ;
Winter froze &he streams meandering.
Nipt the roses in their prime.
Spectres then my love surrounded.
At their back march'd chilling Death.
Whilst she, frighted and confounded.
Felt Lheir blasting, pois'nous breath ;
As her charms were swift-decaying.
And the furrows seized her cheek ;
Forbear, ye fiends! I vainly crying.
Waked in the attempt to speak.
THE TEARS OP SCOTLAND.
Dr. Blacklock told me that Smollett
"wlio was at the bottom a great Jacob-
ite, composed these beaui;iful and.
pathetic verses on the infamous depre-
dations of the Duke' of Cumberland
after tlio battle of Cull oden.
MdURN, hapless Caledonia, moilrn.
Thy banish'd peace, thy laurels torn!
. Thy sons for valour long renown'd.
Lie slaughter'd on their native grotin4^
Thy hospitable roofs no more
Invite the stranger to the door;- - >-^
In smoky ruins sunk they lie,
The monuments of cruelty.
The wretched owner sees, afar.
His all become the prey of war;
Bethinks him of his babes and wife.
Then smites his breast, and curses liiEe. ^
Thy swains are famish'd on the rocks
Where once they fed their wanton flocks;
Thy ravish'd virgins shriek in vain ;
Thy infants perish on the plain.
What boots it then, in every clime, '
Through the wide-spreading w^aste of time ;
Thy martial glory, crownM with praise,.
Still ^hone with undiminish'd- blaze-: ■
Thy towering spirit now is broke, '''
Thy neck is bended to-the yoke : '
What foreign arms could never quell '
By civil rage and rancour fell.
The rural pipe and merry lay ,
No more shall cheer the happy day :
No social scenes of gay delight
Beguile the dreary winter night:
No strains, but those of sorrow, flow,
And nought be heard but sounds of woe :
While the pale phantoms of the slain
Glide nightly o er the silent plain.
Oh ! baneful cause — oh ! fatal morn.
Accursed to ages yet unborn ! \ /-^~
The sons against their father stoo1ic;br.cr^ tl
The parent shed his children's blood J ^
Yet, when the rage of battle ceased; ,'*'^
The victor's soul was not appeased^' * _
The naked and forlorn must leel
Devouring flames and murdering steel.
The pious mother, doom"d to death,
Forsaken, wanders o'er the heath,
The bleak wind whistles round her head.
Her helpless orphans cry for bread ;
Bereft of shelter, food, and friend.
She views the shades of night descend ;
And, stretch'd beneath the inclement sldeSt
Weeps o'er her tender babes, and dies.
Whilst the warm_ blood bedews my veiijs.
And unimpair'd remembrance reigns," :
Resentment of my country'-s fate - r^if}-
Within my filial. breast shall bt^t;
And, spite of her insulting foe,
My sympathising verse shall f.DW :
Mourn, hapless Caledonia, mrurn
Thy banish'd peace, thy laurels torn !
REMAKES ON SCOTTISH SONG.
319
AH I THE POOK SHEPHERD'S
-^ MOURNFUL FATE.*
Tune — " Galashiels."
, The old title, " Sour Plums o' Gal-
ashiels," probably was the beginning
of a song to this air, which is now lost.
The tujie of Galashiels was com-
'•posed about the beginning of the pres-
ent century by the Laird of Galashiels'
piper.
Ah ! tKe poor shepherd's mournful fate,
When doom'd to love and languish.
To bear the scornful fair one's hate,
Nor dai-e disclose his anguish !
Yet eager looks and dying sighs
My secret soul discover ;
While Capture trembling through mine eyes.
Reveal? how much I love her.
The tender glance, the redd'ning cheek,
< O'^rspread with rising blushes,
A thousand various ways they speak,
A thousajid" various wishtes.
For oh^ that form so heavenly fair.
Those languid eyes so sweetly smiling.
That artless olush and modest air,
So fatally b^uUing !
The every -look and every grace
So charmwhene'erl view thee,
_Till death o'ertake me in the chase,
. Still will iny_hopes pursue thee :
Then when my tedious hours are past,
Be this last blessing given, '
Low at thy feet to breathe my last.
And die in sight of heaven.
MILL, MILL, 0.
The original, or at least a song evi-
dently prior to Ramsay's, is still extant.
It runs thus: —
As I cam 40 wn yon waterside,
And by yon shellin-hill, O,
Tljere I spied a bonny, bonny lass,
And a lasa that I loved right weel, O.
The mill, mill, O, and the kill, kill, O,
And the cqggin o'. Peggy's wheel, O.
The sack and the sieve; and a' she did
leave.
And danced tTie,miller*s reel, O.
WALY, WALY.
In the west country I have heard n.
diflferont edition of the second stanza.
* William Hamilton of Bangour, an amiable,
and accomplished gentleman, and one of ^our
sweetest lyric poets, was the author of this
song.. '•-.--
Instead of the four, lines, beginning
with, ''When cockle-shells,''' &c., the-
other way ran thus: —
Oh, wherefore need I busk my head,
Or wherefore need I kame my hair,
Sin ray fause luve has me forsook,
And says he'll never luve me mair.
Oh, waly, waly, up yon bank,
And waly, waly, cEown yon brae,
And waly by yon burn side,
Where I and my love were wont togae
Oh, waly, waly, love is bonny
A little while, when it is new ;
But when it's auld it waxeth cauld,
And fades away like morning dew.
When cockle shells turn siller bells.
And mussels grow on every tree.
When frost and snaw shall warm us a'.
Then shall my love prove true to. me.
I leant my back unto an aik,
I thought it was a trustie tree ;
But first it bow'd, and syne it brake,
And sae did my fause love to me.
Now Arther Seat shall be my bed,
The sheets shall ne'er be filed by me:
Saint Anton's well shall be my drink,
Since my true love's forsaken me,
O Mart'mas wind, whan wilt thou blaw.
And shake the green leaves aff the tree !
0 gentle death, whan wilt thou cum,
And tak a life that wearies me ?
'Tis not the frost that freezes fell,
Norblawing snaw's inclemenciej
'Tis not sic cauld that makes me cry, .
But my love's heart grown cauld to me.
Wrhen we cam in by Glasgow town,
We were a comely sight to see ;
My love was clad in velvet black,
And I mysel in cramasie.
But had I wist before I kisst.
That love had been sae ill to win,
1 had lockt my-heart in a case of gowd.
And pinn'd it wi' a siller pin.
Oh, oh ! if my young babe were born.
And set upon the nurse's knee.
And 1 mysel were dead and gone ;
For a maid again I'll never be.
DUNCAN GRAY.
Dr.BlAcklock informed me that he
had oftdn heard the tradition that this
air , was composed by a carman in
Glasgow.
DUMBARTON DRUMS.
This is the last of the West High-
land airs; and from it, over the wliole
tract of country to the confines of
B^O.
.BURNS' ^WQRKa.
Tweed-side, there is liardly^a tune or
song that one can say, has taken its
origin from any place or transaction in
that part of Scotland. — The oldest Ayr-
shire reel is Stewarton Lasses, which
was made by the father of the present
Sir Walter Montgomery Cunningham,
alias Lord Lysle; since which period
there has indeed been local music in
that country in great plenty. — Johnnie
Faa is the only old song wliich I could
ever trace as belonging to the extensive
county of Ayr.
DuMBAftTON's drums beat bonny, O,
When they mind me of my dear Johnnie, O,
How happy am I
When my soldier is by,
While; he^kisses,and blesses his Annie, O,
'Tis d sofdier alone can delight me, O,
For his graceful looks do unite me, O ;
While guarded in his arms,
I'll fear no war's alarms, [O,
Neither danger nor death shall e'er fright me,
My love is a handsome laddie, O,
Genteel, but ne'er foppish or gaudy, O
Though commissions are dear,
Yet I'll buy him one this year.
For he shall serve no longer a caddie, O ;
A soldier has honour and bravery, O, [O,
Unacquainted with rogues and their knavery.
He minds no other thing.
But the ladies or the King,
For every other care is but slavery, O.
Then I'll be the captain's lady ; O,
Farewell a\\ ray friends and my daddy, O ;
I'll wait no more at home,
But I'll follow with the drum.
And whene'er that beats I'll be ready, O,
Dumbarton drums sound bonny, O,
They are sprightly like my dear Johnnie, O ;
How happy shall I be,
When on my soldier's knee,
And he kisses and blesses liis Annie, O ! '
CAULD KAIL IN ABERDEEN.
This song is by the Duke of Gordon.
The old verses are,
There's cauld kail in Aberdeen.
Andcastocks in Strathbogie.; - - "
When ilka lad maun hae his lass.
Then fye gie me my coggie.
There's Johnnie Smith has got a wife,
That scrimps him o' his coggie^
If she were mine, upon my life
I wad douk her in a boggie.
CHORUS.
My coggie, sirs, my coggie, sirs,
I cannot want my coggie ;
I wadna gie my three-girt cap
For e'er a quean in Bogie.
" The ' Cauld Kail' of his Grace of Gordon,'*
says Cunningham, "■ has long been a favour-'
ite in the north, and- deservedly ..sOi^for 'it is
full of life and manners. It is almost needless,
to say that kail is cole wort, and much used ia-
brothvthat castocks are tlie stalks of a com--
mon cabbage ; and that co^'gie is a wooden
dish for holding porridge : it is also a dnnki^ji
vessel."
There's cauld kail in Aberdeen,
And castocks in Stra'bogie ;
Gin I but hae a bonny lass, . ,
Ye're welcome to your coggie ;
And ye may sit up a' the night.
And drink till it be braid day7light--
Gie me a lass baith clean and tight.
To dance the Reel o' Bogie.
In cotillons the French excel ;
John Bull loves country-dances ;
The Spaniards dance fandangos well;
Mynheer an allemande prances :
In foursome reels the Scots delight.
At threesome they dance wondrous liglrt,
But twasome ding a' out o' sight, /-'
Danced to the Reel o' Bogie. ''
Come, lads, and view your partners well.
Wale each a blithesome rogie ;
I'll tak this lassie to mysel,
She looks sae keen and vogie !
Now, piper lad, bang up the spring:
The country fashion is the thing.
To prie their mouse'er we begin
To dance the Reel o' Bogie.
Now ilka lad has got a lass.
Save yon auld doited fogie ;
And ta'en a fling upo' the grass,
As they do in Stra'bogie ;
But a' the lasses look sae fain.
We canna''think: bu'rse^s to hain.
For they maun'hae their come-again ;
To dance the Reel o' Bogie.
Now a* the lads hae done .their best.
Like true men o' Stra'bogie ;
We'll stop ^. while and tak a rest.
And tipple out a coggie.
Come now, my lads, and tak your glass.
And try ilk other to surpass,
In wishing health to eveiy lass,
To dance the Reel o' Bogie.
. FOR LACK OF GOLD.
The country girls in Ayrshire,
stead of the' line_-7:
" She me forsook for a great duke,"
say,
"For Athole's duke she me forsook •"
which I take to be the original reading. "
This song was writtenby tlie late Dr..
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
m
Austin,* physician at Edinburgh. ^He
had courted a lady, to whom he was
shortly to have beeu married; hut the
Duke of Athole, having seen her, be-
came so much in love with her^ that he
made proposals of marriage, which
were accepted of, and she jilted the
doctor.
For lack of gpid she's left uie, oh !
And of all that's dear bereft me, oh !
For Athfdle's duke, she me forsook.
And tQ .endless care has left me, oh !
A star aiid garter have more art
Than youth, a true and faithful heart,
For empty titles we must part.
And' for glittering' show she's left me, oh !
No cruel fair shall ever move
My injured heart a^ain to love,
Through distant climates I must rove,
Since Jeanie she has left me, oh !
Ve powere above, I to your care
Resign my faithless lovely fair.
Your choicest blessings be her share.
Though she's forever left me, oh !
HERE'S A HEALTH TO MY TRUE
LOVE, &c.
This song is Dr. Blacklock's. He
told me that tradition gives the air to
our James IV. of Scotland.
To me what are riches encumber'd with care I
To i^what is pomp's insignidcant gflare !
No imnion of fortune, no pageant ofstate.
Shall ever induce me to envy his fate.
Their personal graces let fops idolize,
Whose life is but death in a splendid disguise ;
But soon ihe pale tyrant his right shall re-
some.
And sM their false lustre be hid in the tomb.
Let the meteor discovery attract the fond
sagp,
In fruitless researches for life to engage ;
Content with ray portion, the rest Iforego,
Nor labour to gain disappointment and woe.
Contemptibly fond of contemptible self.
While misers their wishes concentre irl pelf:
Let the godlike delight of imparting be mine,
Enfjiiymeat reflected is pleasure divine.
, * " The doctor gave his woes an airing in
song, and then married a very agreeable and
beautiful lady, by whom he had a numerous
family. Nor did Jean Drummond, of Meg-
ginch, break her heart lyhen James, -Duke of
Athole, died: she dried her tears, and gave
her hand to Lord Adam Gordon. ;The«crag
is creditable to ihe author."— Cunningham,
Extensive dominion and absolute power,
May tickle ambition, perhaps for an hour ;
But power in possession soon loses itscharms,
While conscience remonstrates, and terror
alarms.
With vigour, oh, teach me, kind Heaven, to
sustain
Those ills which in life to be suffer'd remain ;
And when 'tis allow'd me the'goal to descry,
For my species I lived, for myself let me die.
HEY TUTTI TAITL
I HAVE met the tradition umversally
over Scotland, and particularly about
Stirling, in the neighbourhood of the
scene, that this air was Robert Brujce's
march at the Battle of Bannockburn.
TAK your AULD CLOAK ABOUT
YE.
A PART of this old soug, according
to the English set of it, is quoted in ■
In winter when the rain rain'd cauld,
And frost and snaw on ilka hill,
And Boreas, with his blasts sae bauld.
Was threat'ning a' our kye to kill :
Then Bell my wife, wha loves na strife,
She said to me right hastily,
Get up goodman, save Cromie's life,
And ^'your auld cloak about ye.
ftty Cromie is a useful cow.
And she is come of a good kyne ;
Aft ha§ she wet the bairns, mou.
And I am laith that she should tyne.
Get up, goodman, it is fu' time,
The sun shines in the lift' sae hie ,
Sloth never made a gracious end,
Go tak your auld cloak about ye.
My cloak was ance a good gray cloak,
When it Was fitting for my wear ;
But now it's scantly worth a groat.
For I have worn t this thirty year.
Let's spend the gear that we have won,
' We Jrttle Teen the day we'Udie ;
Then I'll be proud sinc^ I have sworn
To have a new cloak about me.
In days when-our King Robert rang,
His trews they cost but half a crown ;
He said they were a groat o'er dear,
Andcall'd the tailor thief and loun.
He was the king that -ftrore a crown,
And thou the man of laigh degree,
'Tis pride puts a' the country down,
- Sae tak thy auld cloak about thee.
BURNS' WORKS.
YE GODS, WAS STREPHON'S
PICTURE BLEST ?*
Tune—" Fourteenth of October."
The title of this airah-owsthat it al-
ludes to the famous King Crispian, the
patron of the honourable corporation
of shoemakers. St Crispian's day falls
on tlxe 14th of October, old style, as the
old proverb tells: —
" On the fourteenth of October,
Was ne'er a sutor^ sober."
Ye ffods, was Strephon's picture blest
With the fair heaven of Chloe's breast ?
Move softer; thou fond fiutt'ring heart.
Oh, gently -throb, too fierce thou .art.
Tell me, thou brightest of thy kind,
For Strephon was the bliss design'd ?
For Strephon's sake, dear charming maid,
Didst thou prefer ius wand'ring shade ?
And thou blessM shade that sweetly art
Lodged so near my Chloe's heart, .
For me the tender hour improve,
And softly tell how dear I love.
Ungrateful thing ! it scorns to hear
Its wretched master's ardent prayer,
. Ingrossing all that beauteous heaven
ThatChloe, lavish maid, has given.
I cannot blame thee : were I lord
Of all the wealth these breasts afford ;
I'd be a miser too, nor give
An alms to keep a god alive.
Oh ! smile not thus, my lovely fair,
On -these cold looks that lifeless are :
Prize him whose bosom glows with fire
With eager love and soft desire.
'Tis true thy charms, O powerful maid !
To Ufe'can'bring the silent shade ;
Thou canst surpass the painter's art,
And real warmth and flames impart.
But,- oh ! it ne'ercan love like me,
I ever loved, and .loved but thee ;
Then, charmer, grant my fond request ;
Say, thou canst love, and make me blest.
SINCE ROBB'D OF ALL THAT
CHARM'D MY VIEW.
The old name of this air is ' ' The
Blossom o* the Baspherry. " The song
is Dr. Blacklock's.
^ Shoemaker.
*This song was cottiposed ,by Hamilton .of
Bangour .on hearing, .that a young lady of
beauty .and rank wore his picture in her
bosom. , . - ' .^
As the song is a long one, we can only givje
the first and last verses :—
Since robb'd of all that charmed my view.
Of all my soul e'er fancied f^ir,
Ye smiling native scenes adieu,
With each delightful object there I''' ' ^ '-
Oh ! when my heart revolves the joyjs . ■ : ^-^
Which in your sweet recess- I-knev^^, ,
The last dread shock, wHich life d^roys,
Is heaven compared with losing you I ■
Ah me ! had Heaven and she proved kind.
Then full of age, and free from "care,
How blest had Tmy life resigned,
Where first I breathed this vital air : :- ^
But since no flatt'ring hope remains.
Let me my wretched lot pursue ;
Adieu ! dear friends and native scenes !
To all but grief and love, adieu !-
YOUNG DAMON.
Tune — " Highland Lamentation.''
This air is by Oswald.*
Amidst a rosy bank of flowers - ->
Ybung Damon moum'd his forlorn fate, \
In sighs he spent his languid hours, '"''.
And breathed his woes in lonely state ; '
Gay joy no more shall ease his mind,; ,- .".
No wanton sports can soothe his care.
Since sweet Amanda proved- unkind.
And left him full of black despair.
His Jboks, that were as fresh as mom.
Can now no longer smiles impart ;
His pensive soul on sadness borne, .-
Is rack'd and torn by Cupid's dart ;
Turn, fair Amanda, cheer your swain.,
Unshroud him from this vale of woe'j- - ^
Range every charm to soothe the pain'r
That in his tortured breast doth grqw.
KIRK WAD LET ME BE. •
Tradition in the western parts ^
Scotland tells tliat this old song, of
which there are still three stanzas e^
tant, once saved a covenanting clergy-
man out of a scrape. It was a little prior
to the Revolution — a period when hein;g
a Scots covenanter was being a f elon-^
that one of their clergy, who was-at
that very time hunted by the merciless
soldiery, fell in by accident with a party
of the military. The soldiers were not
exactly acquainted with the person of
the reverend gentleman of whom they.
were in search; but from suspicious
*The words are by Fergussoh.
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
323
"clrcumstanoes, they fancied that they
had got one of that cloth and oppro-
bious persuasion among them in the
person of this stranger. ' 'Mass John,"
to extricate himself, assumed a freedom
of manners very unlike the gloomy
strictness of Jiis sect: and, among other
convivial exliibitioaa, sung (and, some
traditions say, composed on the spur
of the occasion) " Kirk wad let me be,"
with such effect, that the soldiers
swore he was a d 1 honest fellow,
and that it was impossible lie could
belong to those hellish conventicles;
and so gave him his liberty.
The first stanza of this song, a little al-
tered, is a favourite kind of dramatic in-
terlude acted at country weddings in the
south-west parts of the kingdom. A
young fellow is dressed up like an old
beggar; a peruke, commonly made of
carded tow, represents hoary locks; an
old bonnet; a ragged plaid, or surtout,
bound with a straw rope for a girdle;
a pair of old shoes, with straw ropes
twisted rotind his ankles, as is done by
shepherds in snowy weather: his face
they disguise as, like wretched old a^e
as they ca,n :_ in this plight he is brought
into the "wedding house, frequently to
the astohishinent of strangers, who are
not in the secret, and begins to sing —
" Oh, I am a silly auld man,
- My name it is auld Glenae,'"* &c.
He is asked to drink, and by and by
to dance, which, after some uncouth
excuses, he is prevailed on to do, the
fiddler playing the tune, which here is
fcommonly called " Auld Glenae;" in
sliort; he is all the time so plied with
liquor that he is understood to get in-
Jioxicated, and, with all the ridiculous
.gesticulations of an old drunken beg-
gar, he dances and staggers until he
falls on the floor; yet still,- in all his
*iot, nay, in his rolling and tumbling on
"the floor, with some or other drunken
motion of his body, he beats time to
ihe music, till a,t last he is supposed to
-be carried out dead drunk.
* Glenae, on the small river Ae,in Annan-
dale ; the seat and designation of an ^^ncient
branch, and the present rep'resentatiife, of the
gallarif but uafbrtiihate Dalzels of CarnwalH.
— ^This is thevi?^MorV note.
There are many versions of this Nithsdale
song ; one of the least objectionable is a^ foU
lows : —
I AM a silly puir man,
Gaun hirplin owre a tree ;
For courting a lass in the dark
The kirk came haunting me.
If a' my rags were off.
And nought but hale claes on.
Oh,' I could please a young lass
As well as a richer man.
The parson he ca'd me a fogue,
The session and a' thegither,
The justice he cried , You dog,
Your knaVery I'll cohsid^r :
Sae I drapt down on my knfee
And thus did humbly pray,
Oh, if ye'll let me gae free,
My hale confession ye'se hae,
'Twas late on tysday at e'en.
When the moon was on the grass ;
Oh, just for charity's Sake,
I was kind to^a beggar lass.
She had begg'd down Annan side,
Lochmaberr and Hightae ;" " ■
But dell an awm'ous sne^ot,
Till she met wi' auld Glenae, &c. t
JOHNNY FAA, OR THE GIPSY
LADDIE.
The people in Ayrshire begin this
song —
" The gipsies cam to my Lord Cassilis' yett."
They have a great many more stanzas
in this song than I ever yet saw in any
printed copy. The castle is still re-
maining at Maybole where his lordship
shut up his wayward spouse, and kept
her for life.
The gipsies came to our lord' s gate.
And wow but they sang sweetly : ■
They sang sae sweet, and sae complete,
■That down came the fair lady.
When she came tripping down the stair,
Aiwl a' her maids before her,
As soon as they saw her weel-fard face.
They coost the glamour o'er her.
" Gar tak fra me this gay mantile,
And bring to me a plaldie ;
For if kith and kin and a' had sworn, /
I'll follow the gipsy laddie.
" Yestreen I lay in a weel-made bed,
And my good lord bestdis me ;
This night I'll lie m a tenant's barn,
Whatever shall betide me."
Oh ! come to your bed, says Johnny Faa,
- Oh ! come to your b^d, my dearie ; _
For I vow and swear by the hilt of ray sword
That your lord shall nae mair come near ye.
S24
BURXS* WORKS.
" lUgo to bed to my Johnny Faa,
And I'll go to bed lo my dearie ;
For I vow and swear by what pass'd yestreen
That my lord shall nae mair come near me.*'
*' 111 mak a hap to my Johnny Faa,
And I'll mak a hap to my dearie :
And he's get a' the coat gaes round,
And my lord shall na mair come near me."
And when our lord came hame at e'en,
And speir'd for his fair lady,
The lane she cried, and the other replied.
She's awa' wi' the gipsy laddie.
"Gae saddle to me the black, black steed,
Gae saddle and make him ready ;
Before that I either eat or sleep
I'll gae seek my fair lady,"
And we were fifteen well-made men.
Although we were nae bonny ;
And we were a' put down for ane,
A fair, young, wanton lady.
TO DAUNTOX ME.
The two following old stauzas to
this tane have some merit, —
To daunton me, to daunton me,
Oh, ken ye what it is that '11 daunton mt ? —
There's elgirty-eight and eighty-nine,
And a' that I hae borne slnsyne,
There's cess and press, ^ and Preshytrie,
I think it will do meikle* for to daunton me.
But to wanton mc, to wanton me,
Oh, ken ye; what it is that wad wanton me ?
To see guifl corn upon the rig^,
And banishment amang the Whigs,
And right restored where right sud be.
1 think it wbuld do meikle lor to wanton me.
ABSENCE.
A SONG in the manner of Shenstone.
The song and air are both by Dr.
Blacklock.
The following are two stanzas of this strain :—
Ye harvests that wave in the breeze
As far as the view can extend ;
Ye mountains umbrageous with trees.
Whose tops so majestic ascend ;
Your landscape what joy to survey.
Were Melissa with me to admire !
Then the harvests Would glitter how gay,
How majestic the mountains aspire l
Ye zephyrs that visit my fair,
Ye sunbeams around her that play,
Does her sympathy dwell, on my care,
Does she number the hours of my stay ?
* Scot and lot.
First perish ambition and wealth.
First perish all else that is dear.
E'er one sigh should escape her by stealth.
E'er my absence should cost her one ttax.
I HAD A HORSE, AND I HAD
NAE MAIR.
This story is founded on fact. A
John Hunter, ancestor of a very re^
spectable farming family, who live in a
pla^e in the parish, I think, of Galston,
called Bar-mill, -was the luckless hero
that ** had a horse and had nae mair."
^For some little youthful follies he
found it necessary to make a retreat to
the West Highlands, where "he fee'd
himself to a Highland laird," for that
is the expression of all the bra! editions
of the song I ever heard. The present
Mr. Hunter, who told me the anecdote,
is the great grandchild of our hero.
I HAD a horse, and I had nae mair,
I gat him frae my daddy ,
My purse was light, and heart was sair.
But my wit it was fu* ready.
And sae I thought me on a time,
Outwittens of my daddy,
To fee mysel to a lawland laird,
Wha had a bonny lady.
I wrote a letter, and thus began, —
" Madam, be not offended,
I'm o er-the lugs in luv wi' you.
And care not though ye kend it :
For I get little frae the laird.
And far less frae my daddy.
And 1 .would blithely be the man
Would strive to please my lady."
She read my letter, and she leugh,
" Ye needna been sae blate, man ;
You might hae come to me yoursel.
And tauld me o* your state; man ;
You might hae come to me, yoursel,
Outwittens o' ony body.
And made y^An Go7vksion of thel&ird,
And kiss'd his bonny lady."
Then she pat siller in my purse,
We drank wine m a coggie ;
She fee'd a man to rub my horse,
And wow but I was vogie !
But 1 gat ne'er sae sair a fleg,
Since I cam frae my daddy.
The laird came, rap, rap, to the yett.
When I was wi' nis lady.
Theri she pat me below^a chair,
And happM me wi' a plaidie ;
But I was like to swarf wi' fear.
And wished me wi' my daddy.
The laird went out, he saw nae me,
I went when I was ready ;
I promised, but I ne'er gaed back
Toiwissmy bonny lady.
REMARKS OK SCOTTISH SONG.
323:
UP AND WARN A', WILLIE.
This edition of the bong I got from
Tom Niel, of facetious fame, in Edin-
burgh. The expression " Up and
■warn a', Willie," alludes to the Cran-
tara, or warning of a clan to arms.
Not understanding this, the Low-
landers in the westand south say, "Up
and waur them a\" &c.
"; lULD ROB MORRIS.
- ' It is remark-worthy that the song of
*' Hooly arid Fairly,'* in all the old
^ditiQns:of it, is called " The Drunken
Wife o' Galloway," which localises it
to that country.
Th'eBe's Auld Rob Morris that wins in yon
glen, - [auld men ;
He's the king o' glide fallows, and wale o'
Has fourscore o' Black sheep, and fourscore
too,
And" auld Rob Morris is the man ye maun loo.
DOUGHTER.
Haud your tongue, mither, and let that abee.
For his eild and ray eild can never agree ;
They'll never agree, and that will be seen,
For he is fourscore, and I'm but'ififteen.
Haud you tongue, doughter, and lay by your
-pride, [bride ;
For he's be the bridegroom, and ye's be the
He shall he by your side, and kiss ye too,
Auld Rob Morris is the man ye maun loo.
DOUGHTER.
Auld Rob Morris, I ken him fu* weel.
His back sticks out like ony peat-creel ;
He's out-shina'd, in-kneed, and ringle-eed,too,
Auld Rob Morns is the man I'll ne er loo.
Though auld Rob Morris be an elderly man,
Yet his auld brass it will buy a new pan ;
Then, dough ten ye shouldnabesaeill to shoo,
For auld Rob Morris is the man ye maun loo,
DOUGHTER.
But auld .Rob Morris I never will hae,
His back is sae stiff, and his beard te grown
gray ; .
I had rather die than live wi him a year,
Sae mair of Rob Morris 1 never, will hear.
The '' Drunken wife o' Galloway" is in an-
other stram ; the idea is original, and it can-
not be denied tha.t the author, whoever he
was, has- followed up the conception with
great spirit. A few- verses will prove this.
Oh ! what had I ado for to marry, [canary ■
My wife she drinks naething but sack and
I. to her friends complain'd rjght early.
Oh ! gin my wife wad drink hooly and fairly.'
Hooly and fairly : hooly and fairly^
Ohi gin my vai/e -wad drink hooly and fairly t
First she drank Crommie, and syne she drank
Garie,
Then she has drunken my bonny gray mearie>
That carried me through the dub and the
lairie, , .. j
Oh ! gin my wife wad drink hooly and fairly !
The very, gray mittens that gaed on my han's,
To her ain neibour wife she has laid them in
V>awns, [dearly,
i' ;my bane-headed staff that I lo'ed- sae
Oh ! gin my wife wad drink hooly and fairly !
I never was given to wrangling nor strife,
Nor e'er did refuse her the comforts of life ;
Ere it come to a war, I'm aye for a parley,
Oh ! gin ray wife wad drink hooly and fairly !
A pint wi' her cummers I wad her allow ;
But when she sits down she fills hersel fou' ;
And when she is fou'she's unco camstrairie.
Oh ! gin my wife wad drink hooly and fairly !
An when she comes hamc she lays on the
lads.
And ca's a' the lasses baith limmers and jads ;
And I my ain sell an auld cuckold carlie,
Oh ! gin my wife wad drink hooly and fairly t
NANCY'S GHOST.
This song is by Dr. Blacklock.
Ah ! hapless man, thy perjured vow
Was to thy Nancy's heart a grave !
The damps of death bedeW'd my brow
Whilst thou the dying maid could Kive !
Thus spake the vision, and withdrew ;
From Sandy's cheeks the crimson fled ;
Guilt and Despair thpir arrows threw,
And now behold the traitor dead !
Remember, swains, my artless strains.
To plighted faith be ever true ;
And let no injured maid complain
She finds false Sandy live tn you !
TUNE YOUR FIDDLES, &c. ,
This song was composed by ihe Rev.
John Skinner, nonjuror clergyman at
Linshart, near Peterhead, He is like:
wise author of ' ' Tul lochgorum , "
'* Ewie wi' the Crooked Horn/' ** John
o' Badenyon," &c., and, what is of still
more consequence, he is one of th^
worthiest of mankind. He is the
author of an ecolesiastical history of
326
BURNS' WORKS.
Scptland. Tlie aix is by Mr.MarsUall,
bugler to tlie Duke of Gordon — ^tbe first
corpposer of stratlispeys of tlie age.
I have been told by somebody, who
h«i.^ it of Marshall hin^elf , that he took
tlip idea of his three most celebrated
pisces; " The Marquis of Huntley's
B?el," "His Farewell," and "Miss
A4Miral Gordon's Reel,'.' from the old
air, " The German Lairdie."
, Tune your fiddles, tune them sweetly,
Play the Marquis' Reel discreetly ;
Here we are a band completely
Fitted to be jolly.
Come, my boys, be blithe and gaucie.
Every younerster choose his lassie.
Dance wi* li^e, and be not saucy,
Shy, nor melancholy.
Lay aside your sour grimaces.
Clouded brows, and drumlie' faces;
Look about and see their graces,
How they smile delighted.
Now's the season to be merry,
Hang the thoughts of Charon's ferry,
Time enough to turn camstary.
When we're old and doited.
1 GIL MOKICE.*
This plaintive ballad ought to have
been called Child Morice, and uot Gil
Morice. ■ In its present dress, it has
gained iipmortal honour from Mr.
Home's taking from it the groundwork
of his fine tragedy of "Douglas." But
I am of opinion that the present ballad
is'a modern composition, — perhaps not
much above the age of the middle of
the' last century; at least I should
be gkid to see or hear of a copy of the
present words prior to 1650. That it
was ctaken from an old ballad, called
" Child Maurice," now lost, I am in-
clined to believe; but the present one
may be classed with " Hardyknute,"
"Kenneth," " Duncan, the Laird, of
Woodhouselee," " Lord Livingston,"
" Binnorie," "The Death of Monteith,"
and many other modem productions,
which have been swallowed by many
* Mr. Pinkerton remarks that, in many
parts of Scotland, " Gill" at this day signifies
Child," as is the casein the Gaelic: thus,
."Gilchrist" means the "Child of Christ.'" —
" Child" seems also to have been the custom-
ary appellation of a young nobleman, when
about nfteen years of age.
readers as ancient . fragments, of old-
poems. This'beautiful plaintive tune
was composed by Mr. M'Gibbon, the-
selecter of a collection of Scots tunes;»
In addition to the observations on
Gil Moj-ice, I, add that, of the ^ongs
which Captain Riddel mentions, "Ken-
neth" and " Duncan" are juvenile com-
positions of Mr. M'Kenzie, " The Map
of Feeling." '. — M'Kenzie's father
showed them in MS. to Dr. Blackloc^
as the productions - of his son, froiji
which the doctor rightly prognostj-
cated that the young poet would maki,
in his more advanced years, a respect-
able figure in the world of letters. ' '
This I had f rom Blacklock.
WHEN I UPON THY BOSOM
LEAN.*
This song was the work of a very
worthy facetious old fellow, John
Lapraik, late of Dalfram, near Muir-
kirk, which little property he was
obliged to sell in consequnnce of some
connection as security for some persoas
concerned in that villanous bubble.
The . Ayk Bank. He has often told
me that he composed this song one day
when his wife had been -fretting oyer
their misfortunes. ' '
When I upon thy bospm lean.
And fondly clasp thee a' my ain,
I glory in the sacred tieg' '
That made us ane wha ance were twain :
A mutual flame inspires us baith.
The tender look, (he meltingki'ss : ' ^-
Even years shall ne'er destroy our love,
But only gie us cl^ange o' bliss.-
Hae I a wish ? it's a' for thee ;
I ken thy wish is-me to please ;
Our moments pass sae smooth away, .>
'That numbers on us look and gaze.
Weel pleased they see our happy days.
Nor Envy's sel find aught to blame ; ^
And aye when weary cares arise.
Thy bosom still shall be my hame.
'•' This is the song " that some kind husband
had addrest to some sweet wife," alluded to
in the " Epistle to J. Lapraik."
There was ae jrtK^amang the rest,
Aboon them a' it pleased me best.
That some kind husband had addrest
To some sweet wife ; [breast.
It thrilled the heart-strings through the
" A' to the lite.
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
837
1^1 lay me there, and take my rest,
'And if tUatau^ht disturb tnydear,
I'U bid her laugh her cares away,
And beg her not to drap a tear ;
Hae I a joy? it's a' her am ;
United still her heart and mine ;
They're like the woodbine round the tree,
That's twined till death shall them disjoin.
•THE HIGHLAND CHARACTER;
OR, GAKB OF OLD GAUL.
This tune was tlie composition of
Qen. ;Reid, and calle;! by htm. * ' The
Highland, or 42d Regiment's March."
The words are by Sir Harry Erslvine.
In the garb of old Gaul, with the fire of old
Rome, [we come.
From the heath-covcr'd mountains of Scotia
Where the Romans endeavour'd our couittry
to gain ; [in vain.
But our ancestors fought, and they fought not
No effeminate customs our sinews unbrace.
No luxurious tables enervate our race,
Our loud-sounding pipe bears the true mar-
-lial strain,
^Q do we the old Scottish valour retain.
We're tall as the oak on the mount of the vale,
As swift as .the roe which the hound doth as-
sail, [pear,
As the iii\i moon in autumn our shields do ap-
llKliaerva would dread to encounter our spear.
As a storm in the ocean Tvhen Boreas blows,
So are we enraged when we rush on our foes ;
We sons of the mountains, tremendous as
rocks, [ing strokes.
Bash the force of our foes with our thunder-
LEADER-HAUGHS AND YARROW.
There is in several collections the
old^ongof "Leader-Haughs and Yar-
row." It seems to have been the work
of one of bur itinerant minstrelp, as he
calls himself, at the conclusion of his
song, '* Minstrel Burn."
When Phoebus bright, the azure skies
With golden rays enlight'neth.
He makes all Nature's beauties rise,
Hei-bs, irees^ and flowers he quickeneth,
Amongst all those he makes his choice.
And with delight goes thorow,
With radiant beams and silver streams
O'er Leader-Haughs and Yarrow.
When Aries the day and night
In equal length divideth,
■Atildft*osty Saturn takes his flight,
Nae langer he abideth ;
Then Flora Queen, with mantle green,
Casts aff her former sorrow.
And vows to dwell with Ceres' sel.
In Leader-Haughs and YaiTOW.
Pan playing on his aiten reed.
And shepiierds him attending,
Do here resort their flocks lo feed^
The hills and haughs commending.
With cur and kent upon the .bent/:
Sing to the sun good-morrow.
And swear nae fields mair pleasure yields
Than Leader-Haughs and Yarrow.
A house there stands on Leaderside,*
Surmounting my descriving,
With rooms sac rare, and windows fair,
Like Ded^lus' contriving :
Men passing by, do aften cry.
In sooth it hath nae marrow;
It stands as sweet on Leaderside,
As Newark does on Yarrow.
A mile below wha lists to ride,
They'll hear the mavis singing ;
Into St. Leonard's banks she'll bide.
Sweet birks her head o'erhinging ;
The lintwhite loud and Progne proud,
With tuneful throats and narrow, - .
Into St. Leonard's banks they sing,
As sweetly as in Yarrow.
The lapwing lilteth o'er the lee.
With nimble wing she sporteth ;
But vows she'll flee far f rae the tree,
Where Philomel resorteth :
By break oJ day the lark can say,
I'll bid you a good-morrow,
I'll street my wmg, and, mounting, sing
O'er Leader-Haughs and Yarrow.
Park, Wanton-waws, and Wooden-cleugh,
The East and Western Mainses,
The wood of Lauder's fair enough,
The corn is good in Blainshes :
Where aits are fine, and sold by kind,
That if ye search all thorow
Mearns, Buchan, Mar, nane better are
Than Leader-Haughs and Yarrow.
In BurmiU Bog, and Whlteslade Shaws,
Tha fearful hare she haunteth ;
Brigh-haugh and Braidwoodshiel she knaws,
And"Chapel-wood frequenteth ;
Yet when she irks, to Kaidsly birks
She rins and sighs for sorrow, **'
That she should leave sweet Leader-Haughs,
And cannot win to Yarro-vv!
What sweeter music wad ye hear
Than hounds and beagles 'cryine?
The startled hare'rins hard with fear.
Upon her speed relying :
But" yet her strength it fails at length,
Nae beilding can she burrow,
In Sorrel's field, Cleckman. or Hag's,
And sighs to be in Yarrow.
* Thirlstane Castle, an ancient seat of the
Earl of Lauderdale. .- .
338
BURNS' WORKS.
For Rockwood, Ring wood, Spoty, Shag,
With sight and scent pursue her,
TilU ah ! her pith begins to flag,
Nae cunning can rescue her:
O'er dub and dyke, o'er seugh and syke.
She'll rin the fields all thorow.
Till fail'd, she- fa's in Leader-Haughs,
And bids fareweel to Yarrow.
.Sing Erslington and Cowdenknows,
Where Homes had ance commanding ;
And-Dry^range with the milk-white ewes,
'Twixt Tweed and Leader standing ;
The birds that flee throw Reedpatli trees.
And Gledswood banks ilk morrow.
May chant and sing-~Sweet Leader-Haughs,
And bonny howms of Yarrow,
But Minstrel Burn cannot assuage
His grief while life endureth.
To see the changes of this age.
That fleeting time procureth :
For mohy a place stands in hard case.
Where blithe fowk kend nae sorrow.
With Homes that dwelt on Leaderside,
And Scots that dwelt on Yarrow.
THIS IS NO MY AIN HOUSE.
The first half stanza is old, the rest
Ss Rainsay's. The old words aie —
Oh, this is no my ain house.
My ain house, my ain house ;
This is no my ain house,
I ken by the biggm o't.
Bread and cheese are my door-cheeks.
My door-cheeks, my door-cheeks ;
, Bread and cheese are my door-cheeks.
And pancakes the riggin o't.
This is no my ain wean,
My ain wean, my ain wean,
This IS no my ain wean,
I ken by the greetie o't.
I'll tak the cunchie aff my head ;
AflE my head, aff my head ;
rU take the curchie aff my head.
And row't about the feetie o't.
Tlie tune is an old Highland sdv,
called" Shuan truishtoWghanJ**
LADDIE, LIE NEAR ME.
This song is by Dr. Blacklock.
Hark, the loud tempest shakes the earth to
its centre, . [ture '
How mad were the task on a journey to ven-
How dismal's my prospect, of life I am weary.
Oh, listen, my love, I beseech thee to hear me,
Hear me, hear me, in tenderness hear me ;
All the -lang: winter night, laddie lie near
me.
Nights though protracted, though piercing
the weather, fgether ;
Yet summer was endless when we were to-
Now since thy absence I feel most severely,
Joy is extinguished and being is dreary,
Dreary, dreafy, painful-and dreary ; [me.
All the long winter night laddie lie ne^
THE GABERLUNZIE MAN.* ■
The Gaberlunzie Man is supposed to
commemoFate an intrigue of Jaui^',^^.
Mr. Callander of Crai^orth pubUsUed,
some years ago, an edition of "Christ's
Kirk on the Green," and the '* Gaber-
lunzie Man," with notes critical and
historical. James V. is said to have
been fond of Gosford, in Aberlady
parish; and that it was suspected by
his contemporaries that, in liis fre-
quent excursions to that part of the
country, he had other purposes in yiew
besides golfing and archery. Three
favourite ladies — Sandilands, Weir,
and Oliphant (one of them resided at
Gosford, and the others in the neigh-
borhood)— were occasionally visited by
their royal and gallant admirer, which
gave rise to the following satirical
advice to his Majesty, from Sir David
Lindsay, of the Mount, Lord Lyon.f
Sow not yere seed on Sandilands, '[ '
Spend not yere streng^th in Weir
And ride not on yere Ohphan^,
For gawing o' yere gear.
The pawky auld carle came o'er the lea,
Wi' many good e'ens and days to me,
Saying Guit^wife, for your courtesie,
Willye lodge a silly poor man ? ; "
The night was cauld, the carle was wat.
And down ayont the ingle he sat ;
My daughter's shoulders he 'gan to clap.
And cadgily ranted and sang.
Oh, wow ! quo* he, were I as free
As first when I saw this countrie.
How blithe and merry wad I be !
And I wad never think lang.
He grew canty, and she grew fain ;
But little did her auld rainny ken
What thir slee twa togither wer« sayin*.
When wooing they were sae thrang.
And oh, quo* he, and ye were as black
As e'er the crown of my daddy's hat,
*Tis I wad lay thee on my back,
And awa* wi' me thou should gang.
* A wallet-man, or tinker, who appears to
have been formerly a Jack-of-all-trades -
t Sir David was Lion King^t-A^m3^under
James V.
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONGf.
And oh, quo' she, an I were as white
A? e'er the snaw lay on the dike,
I'd deed m& braw^ and lady tike
And awa' withxhee I'd gang.
Between the twa was made a plot :
;They. raise awee before thte cock,
"And wiUly they shot the lock.
And fast to the b?nt are. they ^ane.
Up in the morn the auld wife raise,
And at her leisure put on her plaise ;
Syne to the servant's bed she gaes,
To speer for the silly poor man.
She gaed to the bed where the beggar lay,
The strac was cauld. he was away !
She.clapt her hand, cried dulefu' day !
For some of our gear will be gane.
Some ran to coffer, and some to kist.
But nought was stown that could be mist.
She danced her lane, cried. Praise be blest !
I have lodged a leal poor man.
Since naething's awa", as w^e can learn.
The kirn's to kirn, and milk to earn, [bairn,
Gae but the house, lass, and wauken my
And bid her come quickly ben.
The serva,nt gaed where the daughter lay.
The sheets vtfere cauld, she was away.
And fast toher guidwife did say.
She's aff with the Gaberlunzie man.
Ph, fy ! gar ride, and fy ! gar rin, .
And h^te ye find these traitors again ;
Ptir she's be burnt, and he's be slain.
.. The^wearifu' Gaberlunzie man!
.SoQie rade upo'. horse, some ran a-foot.
The wife was wud, and out o' her wit.
She cduld na gaing, nor yet could she sit,
But aye did cuise and did ban.
Meantime far hind out o'er the lea,
Fu' snug in a glen where nane could see.
The twa, with kindly sport and glee.
Cut frae a new cheese a whang.
The priving was good, it pleased them baith^
To lo'e for aye he gae her his aith ;
Quo' she, to leave thee I will be laith,
My winsome Gaberlunzie man.
Oh, kenn'd my minnie I were wi' you,
lU-fardly wad she crook her mou,
Sic a poor. man she'd never trow,
After the Gaberlunzie man.
My dear, quo' he, ye'er yet o'er young.
And hae nae learned the beggar's tongiie,
To follow me frae town to town,
And carry the Gaberlunzie on.
Wi' cauk and keel I'll win your bread,
And spindles and whorles for them whaneed,
Whilk is a gentle trade indeed.
To carry the Gaberlunzie on.
I'll bow my leg, and crook my knee.
And draw a black clout o'er my ee ;
A cripple, or blind, they will ca' me.
While we shall be merry and sing.
THE BLACK EAGLE.
This song is by Dr. Fordyce, whose
merits as a prose writer are well
known.
Hark ! yonder eagle lonely wails ;
His faithful bosom grief assails ;
Last night I heard him in my dream, ■ -
When death and woe were all the tneme.
Like that poor birfl I make my moan, _
I grieve for dearest Delia gone ;
with him to gloomy rocks I fly;
He mourns for love, and so do I.
'Twas mighty love that tamed his breast,
'Tis tender grief that breaks his rest;
He droops his^wings, he hangshis head.
Since she he fondly loved was dead.
With Delia's breath my joy expired," ■ -
*Twas Delia's smiles my fancy fired ;
Like that poor bird, I pine, and prove
Nought can supply the place of love.
Dark as his feathers was the fate
That robbed him of his darling mate;
Dimm'd is the lustre of his e^e,
That, wont to gaze the sun-bright sky.
To him is now forever lost
The heartfelt bliss he once could boast ;
Thy sorrows, hapless -bird, display
An image of my soul's dismay.
JOHNNIE COPE.
This satirical song was composed tp
commemorate Greneral Cope's defeat at
Prestonpans in 1745, when he marched
against the Clans.
The air was the tune of an old song
of which I have "heard some verses, hut
now only remember the title, which
was, -
" Will ye go to the coals in the morning ?'*
Cope sent a challenge frae Dunbar—
Charlie, meet me, and ye'daur,
And I'll learn you the art of war.
If you'll meet me i' the morning.
Hey, Johnnie Cope, are ye waking yet ?
Or are your drums a-beating yet ?
If ye were waking I woiild wait
To gang to the coals i' the morning.
When Charlie looked the letter-upon,
He drew his sword the scabbard from,
Come follow me, my merry, merry men.
To meet Johnnie Cope i the morning.
Now, Johnnie Cope, be as good as your word
And try our fate wi* fire and s"word.
And dinna tak wing like a frighten'd bird.
That's chased frae its nest i' the morning.
When Johnnie Cope he heard of this,
He thought it wadna be amiss
To hae a horse- in readiness
To flee awa i' the morning.
Fy, Johnnie, how get up and rin.
The Highland bagpipes make a din^
830
BURNS' WORKS.
It's best to sleep in a bale skin,
For 'twill be a bluidy morning.
Yori's no the tuck o' England's drum,
But it's the war-pipes deadly strum :
And p'oues the claymore and the g"un —
It will be' a bluidy morning.
When Johnnie Cope to Dunbar came,
They speir'd at him. " Where's a' your men ?"
*' The deil confound me gin I ken,
For I left them a' i' the morning."
Now, Johnnie, trouth ye was na blate.
To come wi' the news o' your ain defeat,
And leave your men in sic a strait,
Sae early i' the morning.
Ah ! faith, quo' Johnnie, I g;ot a fleg.
With their clay mores and philabeg :
If I face them again, deil break my leg,
Sae I wish you a good morning.
Hey, Johnnie Cope, are ye waking yet ?
Or are your drums a-beating yet ?
If ye were waking I would wait
To gang to the coals i' the morning.
CEASE, CEASE, MY DEAR FRIEND,
TO EXPLORE.
The soug- is by Dr. Blacklock; I
believe, but I am not quite certain,
that the air is his too.
Cease, cease my dear frier.o to explore
, From whence and how piercing my smart ;
Let the charms of the nymph I adore
Excuse and mterpret my heart.
Then how much I admire ye shall prove.
When like me ye are taught to admire,
And imagine how boundless my love.
When you number the charms that inspire.
Than sunshine more dear to my sigfht,
'To my life more essential than air.
To my soul she is perfect delight,
To my sense all that's pleasing and fair.
The swains who her beauty behold.
With transport applaud every charm.
And swear that the breast must be cold
Which a beam so intense cannot warm.
Does my boldness offend my dear maid ?
, Is my fondness loquacious and free?
Are ihy visits too frequently paid ?
Or my converse unworthy of thee ?
Yet when grief was too big' for my breast,
■ And labour'd in sighs to complain,
Its strug^gles I oft h^ve supprest.
And silence imposed on my pain.
Ah. Strephon, how vain thy desire,
Thy numbers and music how vain,
While merit and fortune conspire
The smiles of the nymph to obtain.
Yet cease to upbraid the soft choice,
Though it ne'er should determine for thee ;
If my heart in her joy may rejoice, "
Unhappy thou never canst be.
AULD RGBE!^ GRAY.
This air was-fonnerly called " The
Bridegroom Greets when the Sur^
Gangs Down." The words are lay
Lady Ann Lindsay, of the Balcarraa
family.
When the sheep are in the fauld, and a* the
kye at hame,
And a' the weary warld to sleep are gane:
The waes of my heart fa' in showers fMe my
ee.
When my guidman sleeps sound by me.
Young Jamie lo'ed me weel, and he ^ught
me for his bride. ^fside ;
But SEiving a crown he had naething else be-
To make that crown a pound, my Jamie gaed
to sea, Xme.
And the crown and the pound were baith for
He hadna been gane a year and a day,'
When my father brak his arm, and my Jamie
at the sea, [stown away ;
My mither she fell sick, and our cow was
And auld Robin Gray came a courting to me.
My father couldna work, and my mither
couldna spin, [na win ;
I toil'd day and night, but their bread I could-
Auld Rob maintain'd them baith, and wi' tears
in his ee.
Said, " Jenny,yiJ7- i/ie/r sakes^ oh, marry me."
My heart it said nae, for I look'd for Jamie
back, , [a wrack ;
But the wind it blew high, and the ship it was
The ship it was a wrack, why didha Jenny
And why do I live to say, Wae's me ?. [die.
My father argued sair, though my mither did-
na speak. [break ;
She lookit in my face till my heart was like to
Sae they gied him my hand, though my heart
was in the sea.
And auld Robin Gray is a guid man to me.
I hadna been a wife a week but only four.
When, sitting sae mournfully at the door,
I saw my Jamie's wraith, for I couldna-^ink
it he, [thee."
Till he said, " I'm come back for to marry
Oh, sair did we gre^t, and mickle did we say.
We tool: but ae kiss, and we tore ourselves
away:
I wish I were dead ! but I'm no like to die.
And why do I live to say, Wae's me \
I gang like a ghaist, and I carena to spin,
I darena think on Jamie, for that wad be a
But I'll do my best a ^id wife to be, ' [siJi •
For auld Robin Gray is kind unto me. '
BEMARKS ON ^CO^'TISIJ SONG.
331
^ DONALD AND FLORA.*
. This is one of those fine Gaelic tunes
preserved from time immemorial in
the Hebrides; they seem to be the
groundwork of many of our finest
Scots pastoral tunes. The , words of
this song were written to commemorate
the unfortunate expedition of General
Burgoyne in America, in 1777.
^ . '. When merry hearts were gay,
Careless of aught but play,
Poor Flora slipt away,
Sad'ning to Mora ;t
Loose- flow'd her coal black hair,
Quick heaved her bosom bare>-
As thqs to the troubled air
■ She Vented" her sorrow :—
" l-oud howls the northern blast.
Bleak is the dreary waste ;■
Haste thee, P Donald, haste,- '
Haste to thy Flora !
T_wice twelve, long months are o'er,
' : ' * Sfjice.'on a foreign shore.
You promised to fight no more, .
But meet me in Mora.
- " i-Whpre now is Donald dear?'
Maids cry with taunting sneer ;
' Say is he still sincere
'-• ' To his loved Flora V
, Parents upbraid my moan,
- - ■ Each heart is turned to stone ;
1 ' , Ah ! Flora, thou'rt now alone,
- Friendless in Mora !
I " Come, then, oh come away !
Donald, no longer stay ; —
Where can my rover stray
*' '-" From his loved Flora ?
1-- Ah ! sure he ne'er can be
'^-' False to his vows and 'me —
^' ' 'Oh; Heaven! is not yonder he
' '-''■ Bounding o'er Mora ?"
/^Never, ah ! wretched fair !
(Sigh'd the sad messenger,)
Never shall Donald man"
' Meet his loved Flora !
Cold, cold beyond the main,
Donald, thy love lies slain :
He sent me to soothe thy pain.
Weeping in Mora."
.* "This fine hallad," says Cunningham, "'is
the composition of Hector Macneil, Esq., au-
thor of the celebrated : poem,'' Will and Jean,'
and other popular works. Hector Micneil
Was looked up to as Scotland's hope in song
wjien, Burnsr^i.ed ; his poeqis flew over" the
north Ukq'wildnre, and half a dozen editions
were bought-upih'a year. The Donald of the
song was Captain Stewart, who fell at the
battle of Saratoga, and Flora was k young
lady of Athole, to whom he was betrothed."
+ AsnialLvalleyin Athole^so named by the
two lovers.
"■ Well fought our gallant men,
Headed by bfave Burgoyne,
Our heroes were thrice led on
'ro British glory,
B*jt) ah ! though our foes did flee,
Satj "Vvas the loss to thee.
While every fresh victory
prown'd us in sorrow.
" ' Here, take this trusty blade,
g)onald expiring said)
ive it to yon dear maid,
Weeping in Mora.
Tell her, O Allan ! tell,
Donald thus bravely fell.
And that in his last farewell
He thought on his Flora.' "
Mute stood the trembling fair,
Speechless with wild despair.
Then, striking her bosom bare,
Sigh'd out, " Poor Floral"
O Donald ! oh, well a day !
Was all the fond heart could say ;
At length the sound died away
Feebly, in Mora.
THE CAPTIVE RIBBAND.
^ Robie donna.
This air is called
Gorach."
Dear Myra, the captive ribband's mine,
'Twas all my faithful love could gain ; . .
And would you ask me to resign
The sole reward that crowns my pain?
Go, bid the hero who has run
Through fields of death to gather fame,.
Go, bid him lay his laurels down,
An4 4II l|is well-earn'd praise disclaim.
The ribband shall its freedom lose.
Lose all the bliss it had with you.
And share the fate. I .would impose
On thee, wert thou my captive too.
|t shall upon my bosom live.
Or clasp me in a close embrace ; .
And at its fortune'if you grieve,
Retpve its doom and take its place.
THE BRIDAL OT.
This song is the work of a Mr. Alex-
ander Ross, late schoolmaster at Loch-
lee, and author of a beautiful Scots
poem called "■ The Fortunate Shep-
herdess."
They say that Jockey'll speed well o't,
They say that Jccfcey'll speed weel o't
For he grows brawer ilka day —
I hope .we'll- hae a bridal o't r
For yesternight, nae farder gane.
The backhouse. at the side wa' o't, . ,. ^
He there wi' Meg was mirdcn.seen —
1 hope we'll hae a bridal o't.
332
BURNS' WORKS.
An we had but a bridal o"t,
An we had but a bridal o't, ,
We'd leave the fe"St unto guid luck.
Although, there should betide ill o't;
For bridal days are merry times,
And young folks like the comin' o't.
And scribblers they bang up their rhymes,
And pipers hae the bumming o't.
The lasses like a bridal o't,
The lasses like a bridal o't,
Their braws miun be in rank and file.
Although that they should guide ill o't :
The bottom o' the kist is then
Turn'd up unto the inmost o't,
' The end that held the kecks sae clean.
Is now become the teemest o't.
The bangster at the threshinff o't.
The bangster at the threshmg o't,
Afore it c6m'es is fidgin fain.
And ilka diay's a clashing o't :
He'll sell his jerkin f.or a groat.
His linder for anither o t.
And e'er he want to clear his shot.
His sark'U pay the tlther o't.
The pipers and the fiddlers o't.
The pipers and the fiddlers o't,
Can smell a bridal unco far,
■And like to be the meddlers o't ;
Fan* thick and threefold they convene.
Ilk ane envies the tither o't,
And wishes nane but him alane
May ever see anither o't.
Fan they hae done wi' eating o't,
Fan they hae done wi' eating o't.
For dancing they gae to the green.
And aiblins to the beating o't :
He dances best that dances fast,
And loupsat ilka reesing o't.
And claps his hands frae hough to hough.
And furls about the feezings o't.
TODLEN HAME.
This is perhaps the first bottle song
that ever was composed. The author's
name is unknown.
When I've a saxpence under my thumb,
Then I'll get credit in ilka town :
But aye when I'm poor they bid me gae by ;
Oh, poverty parts good company.
Todlen hame, todlen haiue,
Coudna my love come todlen hame ?
Fair fa' the goodwife, and send her good sale,
She gies uswhite bannocks to drink her ale,
Syne if Jier tippeny chance to be sma.',
We'll'tak a good scour o't, and ca't awa',
Todlen hame, todlen hame.
As round as a neep come todlen hame.
* Fan^ when— the dialect of Angus.
My kimraer and I lay down to sleep,. ,
And twa pint-stoups at our tied-feet ; : [dry.
And aye when we waken'd, we drank them
What think ye of my wee kimmer and I ?
Todlen but, and todlen ben,
Sae round as my love comes todlen hame.
Leeze me on liquor, my todlen dow,
Ve*re aye sae good humour'd when weeting
your mou ;
When sober gae sour, ye'll fight wi' ^ flee, '
That 'tis a blithe sight to the bairns and[me.
When todlen hame,. todlen hame,_ [hame.
When round as a neep ye come todlen
THE SHEPHERD'S PREFERENCE.
This song is Dr.Blacklock's. — Idont
know how it came by the name; but
the oldest appellation of the air was,
"Whistle and I'll come to you^ my
lad.".
It has little iaffinity to the tune com-
monly known by that name.
In May, when the daisies appear on the ^reen.
And nowers in the field and the forest are
seen ; [sprung.
Where lilies bloom'd bonny, and hawthorns up
A pensive young shepherd oft whistled and
sung; [flowers.
But neither the shades nor the sweets of the
Nor the blackbirds that warbled in blossom-
ing bowers, . -
Could brig}iten his eye or his aar entertain, »
For love was his pleasure, and love was his
pain.
The shepherd thus sung, while his flocks all
around [sound ;
Drew nearer and nearer, and sigh'd to the
Around, as in chains, lay the beasts "of the
wood.
With pity disarm'd and with music subdued.
Young Jessy is fair as the spring's early
flower, [bower ;
And Mary sings sweet as the bird in her
But Peggy is fairer and sweeter than they.
With looks like the morning, with smiles like
the day.
JOHN O' BADENYON.
This excellent song is the compost^
tion of my worthy friend, old Skiiiner,
at Linsliart.
When first I cam to be a man,
Of twenty years or so,
I thought myself a handsome youth,
. And fain the world would know ;
In best attire I stept abroad.
With spirits brisk and gay.
And here and there, and everywhere, •
Was like a'mom in May
REMARKS OX SCOTTISH SONG.
333
No care had I, nor fear of want,
But rsunbled up and down,
And for a be.au f might have pass'd
In country or in town ;
I still was pleased where'er I went,
' And when I was alone,
I tuned my pipe and pleased myself
Wi* John o' Badenyon.
Now. in the days of youthful prime,
A mistress I must find,
Fox fyve, they say, gives one an air,
" Ahd even improves the mind :
On Phillis, fair above the rest,
Kind fortune fixed my eyes ;
Her piercing beauty struck my heart,
And she became my choice :
To Cupid, then, with hearty prayer,
X offered many a vow ; tswore,
And danced, and sung, and sigh'd, and
. As other lovers do :
But, when at last I breathed my fiame,
I found her cold^as stone :
1 left the jilt, and tUoned my pipe
. To John o' Badenyon.
"WUea./ave had thus my heart beguiled
With foolish hbpes and vain ;
'^o friendship' s port I steered my course,
And laugh'd at lover's pain :
A friend I got by lucky chance,
'Twas something like divine
: An honest friend's a precious gift.
And such a gift was.niine :
Arid now, whatever might betide,
A 'happy man was I,
'In any strait I knew to whom
\ freely might apply :
A strait soon came, my friend I tried ;
He heard,: and sjJurn'd my moan ;
I hied me home.and pleased mysell,
With John o' Badenyon.
-I thought I should be wiser next,
"i- And would ^patriot turn.
'-Began to dote on Johnny Wilkes,
■• ' And cfy up Parson Home.
Their manly spirit I admired,
"And praised their noble zeal..
Who had with flaming tongue and pen
Maintain'd the public w^eal ;
But ere a month or two had past,
I found myself betray'd,
"■Twas .*»{/" and party after all,
. For all the stir they made ;
At last I saw these factious knaves
Insult the very throne,
I cursed them a , and tuned my pipe
To John o' Badenyon.
And now^ ye youngsters everywhere,
Who want to make a show,
Take heed in time, nor vainly hope.
For happiness below ;
What you may fancy pleasure here -
Is but an empt^ name,
For, girls, and friends, and books, and so,
You'll find them all the same.
Then be advised, and warning take
Fr<»m such a man as me,
I'm neithe/Pope, noc Cardinal,
.Nor one of high degree :
You'll find displeasure everywhere ;
Then do els I have done,
E'en tune your pipe, and please yourself
With John o' Badenyon.
A WAUKRIFE MINNIE.*
I PICKED up this old song and tune
from a country girl in Nithsdale. — I
never met with it elsewhere in Scot-
land : — -
Whare are you gaun, my bonny lass ?
Whare are you gaun, my hinni^?
She answer'd me right saucihe^
An errandfor my minnie.
Oh, whare live ye, my bonny lass ?
Oh, whare live ye, my hinnie ?—
By yon burn-side, gin ye'maun ken^
In a wee house wi' my minriie.
But I foor up the glen at e'en
To see my bonny lassie ;
And lang before the gray morn cam
She wasna half sae saucie.
Oh, weary fa' the waukrifecock.
And the foumart lay his crawin !
He wauken'd the auld wife frae her sleep
A wee blink o' the dawin.
An angry wife I wat she raise.
And o er the bed she brought her.
And wi' a mickle hazle run£^
She made her a weel-pay*d dochter.
Oh, fare thee weel, my bonny lass !
Oh, fare thee weel, my hinnie I
Thou art a gay and a bonny lass,
Bift thou hast a waukrife minnie.
The editor thinks it respectful to the
poet to preserve the verses hti thus re-
covered.— K, B.
TULLOCHGORUM.
This fikst of songs is the master-
piece of my old friend Skinnek. He
was passing the day, at the town of
Cnllen. I think it was [he should
have said EJ,on\ in a friend's house,
whose name was Montgomery. Mrs.
Montgomery observing, en passant,
that the heautif ul reel of TkiMocJigorumf
wanted words, she begged them of Mr.
Skinner, who gratified her wishSs, and
the wishes of every lover of Scotch
song, in this most excellent ballad. _
* A watchful mother.
334
BURKS' WORKS.
These particulars I had from tlie
author's son, liishop Skinner, at Aber-
deen.
Come, gie's a sartg;, Mdntgomery cried,
And lay your disputes all aside *
What signifies't for folks to chide. . '.
For what was done before them ?
Let Whig and Tory ail agree,-
Whig and Tory, Whig and Toi-y,
Whig and Tory all agree,
-To drop their Whig-mig-fflorUm.
Let Whig and Tory all agree
To spend the night in mirth and glee,
And cheerful sing alang wi' me :
The Reel o' TuUochgorum.
Oh, Tulloch^orum's my delight,
It gars us a' in ane unite.
And ony sumph that keeps up spite.
In conscience I atbhor him:
For blithe and cheerie we'll be a'.
Blithe and cheerie, blithe and cheerie.
Blithe and cheerie we'll be a'
And make a happy quorupi :
For blithe and cheerie we'll be a\
As lang as we hae breath to draw.
And dance, till we be like to fa',
The Reel o' TuUochgorum.
What needs there be sae great a fraise
Wi' dringing dull Italian lays? .
I wadna gie our ain Strathspeys
For half a hundcr score o' 'em.
They're dowf add dowie at the best, *
Dowf and dowie, dowf and dowie, .
Dowf and dowie at the best,
Wi' a' their variorum ;
They're dowf and dowie at the best,
Their allegros and a' the rest ;
They canna" please a Scottish- taste,
Compared wi' TuUochgorum.
Let warldly worttis their mirida oppress
Wi* fears o' want and double cess,
And sullen sots themVels distress
Wi' keeping up tlecorufli: -
Shall we sae sou^ and sulky sit.
Sour andsulfcy, sbiir and siilky,
Sour and sulky shall we sit,
Like old philosopHorlini?
Shall we sae sour and sulky sit,
Wi' neither sense, nor mirth, nor wit,
Nor evertry to shake a fit
To the Reel o' TuUochgorum ?
May choicest blessings e'er attend
Each honest, open-hearted friend.
And calm arid quiet be his end,
, And all that's g-ood^Tvatdh o'er hira !
May peace and plenty be'his lot,
Peace and plenty, peace and plenty.
Peace and plenty be his lot,
And daintiis a great store o' 'cm;
, Maypeace and plenty be his lot,
Unstain'd by any vicioiisSpot,
And may he never want a groat,
That's fond o' TuUochgorum !
But for the sullen frampish fool
•- That love'-s to be'.oppresSion's fool, '
May envy gnawr his rotten soul,
, And discontent devour him !
May-dool.'ahd sbrfow'behis chknce
Dool and sdrrow, dool and sorroW,
DooFand sorrow be his chance,
And nahe say, Wae's me for him !
May-dool and sorrow be his chance,
Wi a' the ills that come irae France,
Whae'er he be that winnadance
The Reel o' TuUochgorum !
AULD LANG SYNE.
Ramsay here, as is usual withjJiim,
has taken the idea of the song, and the
first line, from the old fragment,
which may be seen in the Museum,
vol. V.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot.
And never thought upon.
The flame'sof love extinguished.
And freely past and gone ? , ., t
.Is thy kind heart now grown ss^cold^
In that loving breast of thine,.
That thou canst never once reflect ;
On auld lang syne !
If e'er I have a house, my dear,-, '>-
That truly is call'd mine.
And' can afford but country cheer.
Or aught that's good therein ; ^
Though Ehou wert rebel to the king.
And beat with wind and rain,
Assure thyself of welcome love,
For auld lang syne.
THE EWIE Wr THE CROOKED
HORN.
Another excellent song of old Skin-
ner's.
Oh, Tycre I able to rehearse,
My ewie's praise in proper verse,
I'd sound it out as loud and fierce
As ever piper's drone could blaw.
Theewiewi the crookit horn
Weel deserved baith garse and com ;
Sic a ewie ne'er was born
Hereabout,, nor far awa\
Sic a' ewie ne'er was born
Hereabout, nor far awa'.-
: -1
I nfeyer needed tar nor keil ■ . .
T,o mark her upo' hip or heel,
Her crookit horn did just as weel ^ ' '"
To ken her by amo* them a* •
She never threaten'd scab nor rot, . , . :
But keepit aye her ain jog trot,
Baith.tp, the fauld and to the cot, > •
Was never sweir to. lead nor ca',: .
Baith ,to the f auld and tothecot,- . - '
Was never sweir to lead nor ca*.--
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
336
Caukl nor hunger never dang herr,
Winii ngr rain could never wtang her;
Ance she lay an ouk, and langer^
Out aneath a wreath o' snaw ;
.Whanitherewies lap the dyke,
And" ate the kail for a' the tyke,
My^ewie never play'd the like,
But tyc'd about the barnyard wa' ;
My ewie never play'd the like.
But tyc'd about the barnyard wa',
A better nor a thriftier teast
Nae honest man could weel hae wist,
Puir sHly thing, she never mist
To hae ilk year a lamb or twa.
The first she had' I gae to Jock,
To be to him a kind of stock.
And now the laddie has a flock
Ofc mair nor thirty head to ca\
And now the laddie has a fleet
.... Of mair than thirty head to ca'.
The neist I gae to Jean ; and now
The bairn's sae braw, has fauld sae fu\
'ThaFlad^ sae thick come her to woo.
They're fain to sleep on hay or straw.
I lookit aye at even' for her,
Fof fear the foumart might devour her,
Orsome n^ischanter had come o'er her.
Gin the beastie bade awa'.
Or some mischanter had come o'er her.
Gin the beastie bade awa'.
Yet last ouk, for a' my keeping,
(Wha can speak it without weeping ?)
A villain cam when I was sleepiujg.
And sta' my ewie, horn and a ;
I sought her sair upo' the morn,
And down aneath a buss o' thorn,
I got myewie's crookit horn.
But ah, my ewie was awa' !
I got my ewie s crookit horn,
'But ah, my ewie was awa'.
Oh ! gin I had the loun that did it.
Sworn I have as weel as said it,
Though a' the world should forbid it,
I wad gie his neck a thra' :
I never met wi* sic a turn
As' this sin' ever I was born.
My ewie'wt' the crookit horn,
Puir silly ewie, stown awa' !
My ewie wi. the crookit horn,
Puir sillie ewie, stown awa'.
HXJGHIE GRAHAM.
There are several editions of tliis
ballad. — This here inserted is from
oral tradition in Ayrshire, where,
when I was a boy, it- was d popular
song. — ^It originally Jxad a siniple old
tune> which I have forgotten.
Our Lords are to the mountains gane,
A huotiJig o' the" fallow deer,
And they have grippei Hughie Graham,
For cfcalrng a the bishop's mare. -
And they hae tied him hand and foot.
And led him up through Stirling toun ;
The lads and lassies met him there,
Cried, Hughie Graham, thou art a loon.
Oh, lowse my right hand free, he says.
And put mytbraid sword in the sajrfte.
He's no in Stirling toun this day
Daur tell the tale to Hughie Graham.
Up then bespake the brave Whitefoord,
As he sat by the bishop's knee.
Five hundred white stots I'll gie you,
If ye'U let Hughie Graham gae free.
Oh, haud your tongue, the bishop says,
And wi' your pleading let me be j
For though ten Grahams were in his coat,
Hughie Graham this day shall die.
Up then bespake the fair Whitefoord,
As she sat by the bishop's knee ;
Five hundred white pence I'll gie you,
If ye'n gie Hughie Graham to me.
Oh, haud your tongue now, lady fair.
And wi' your pleading let it be ;
Although ten Grahams were in his coat.
It's for- my honour he maun die.
They've taen him to the gallows knowe.
He looked to the gallows tree.
Yet never colour left his cheek.
Nor ever did he blink his ee.
At length he lookfed round about, ,
To see whatever he could spy :
And there he saw his auld father.
And he was weeping bitterly.
Oh, haud your tongue, my father dear,
And wi' your weeping let it be ; '
' ' ' heart
tome.
And ye may gie my brother John
My sword that's bent in the middle clear ;
And let him come at twelve o'clock.
And see me pay the bishop's mare.
And ye may gie my brother James
My sword that's bent in the middle brown ;
And bid him come at four o'clock,
And see his brother Hugh cut down.
Remember me to Maggy, my wife.
The neist time ye gang o'er the moor ;
Tell her she staw the bishop's mare.
Tell her she was the bishop's whore.
And ye may tell my kith and kin
I never did disgrace their blood ;
And when they meet the bishop's cloak
To mak it shorter by the hood.
Thv weeping's sairer on my I
Than a that they can do to
A SOUTHLAND JENNY.
This is a. popular Ayrshire song,
though the notes' were never taken
down before. It, as woU as many -of
BURL'S' WORKS.
the ballad tunes in this collection, was
written from Mrs. Burns* voice.
The following' verse of this strain will suf-
fice:—
A Southland Jenny that was right bonny,
She had for a suitor a Norlan' Johnnie ;
But he was siccan a bashfu' wooer
That he could -scarcely speak unto her. [ler.
But blinks o' her beauty, and hopes o' her sil-
Forced him at last to tell his mind till *er ;
My dear, quo' he, we'll nae longer tarry,
Gin ye can love me, let's o'er the muir and
marrv.
MY TOCHER'S THE JEWEL.
This tune is claimed by Nathaniel
Gow. ' It is notoriously taken from
*' The Muckin' o' Geordie's Byre." It
is also to be found, long prior to Na-
thaniel Gow's era, in Aird's " Selec-
tion of Airs and Marches," the first
edition under the name of " The High-
way to Edinburgh."
THEN, GUIDWIFE, COUNT THE
LAWIN.
The chorus of this is part of an old
Bong, one stanza of which I recollect: —
Every day my wife tells me
That ale and brandy will ruin me ;
But if guid liquor be my dead.
This shall be written on my head —
Oh, guidwife, count the lawin'.
THE SOGER LADDIE.
The first verse of this is old; the
rest is by Ramsay. The tune seems
to be the same with a slow air called
*'Jacky Hume's Lament," or ** The
HoUin Buss," or '* Ken ye what Meg o'
the Mill has gotten!"
My soger laddie is over the sea,
And he'll bring gold and silver to me,
And when he comes hame he will make me
his lady ;
My blessings gang wi* him, my soger laddie.
My doughty laddie is handsome and brave,
And can as a soger and lover behave ;
He's true to his country, to love he is steady —
There's- few to compare wi' my soger laddie.
Oh, shield him, ye angels, frae death in alarms.
Return him with laurels to my longing arms.
Syne' frae all ray care ye'U pleasantly free me.
When back to my wishes my soger ye gie me.
Oh, soon may his honours bloom fair on his
brow.
As quickly they must, if he get but his doe;
For in noble actions his courage is ready,.
Which makes me delight in my soger laddie.
WHERE WAD BONNY ANNIE
LIE?
The old name of the tune is,—
Whare'll our guidman lie?
A silly old stanza of it runs thus —
Oh, whare'U our guidman He,
Guidman lie, guidman lie.
Oh, whare'U our guidman lie,
TiU he shute o'er the simmer ?
Up amang the hen-bawls.
The hen-bawks, the hen-bawks.
Up amang the hen-bawks.
Among the rotten timmer,
Ramsay's song is as follows : —
Oh, where wad bonny Annie lie?
Alane nae mair ye maunna lie ;
Wad ye a guidman try,
^s that the thing ye're lacking ?
Oh, can a lass sae young as I
Ventufe on the bndal tye ?
Syne down wi' a guidman lie ?
I'm fley'd he'd keep me waukin.
Never judge until ye try ;
Mak me your guidman, I
Sfaanna hinder you to lie
And sleep till ye be weary.
What if I should wauking lie.
When the ho-boys are gaun by.
Will ye tent me when I cry.
My dear, I'm faint and eerie?
In my bosom thou sbalt lie.
When thou w^aukrife art, or dry.
Healthy cordial standing by
Shall presently revive thee.
To your will I then comply ;
Join us, priest, and let me try.
How I'll wi' a guidman lie,
Wha can a cordial gie me.
GALLOWAY TAM.
I HAVE seen an interlude (acted on
a wedding) to tliis tune, called " The
Wooing of the Maiden." These en-
tertainments are now much worn out
in this part of Scotland. Two are still
BEMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONff.
¥3t
retained In Nithsdale, viz., " Silly
Pair AuldGlenae," and this lone, "Tlie
Wooing of tlie Maiden."
Oh, Gallowaj; Tam cam here to woo,
We d better hae gien him the bawsent cow,
For oijr lass Bess may curse and baa
The vtfanton wit o' Galloway Tam.
A canine tongue and a glance £u' gleg,
A buirdly back and a lordly leg,
A heart like a fox and a look like a lamb—
Oh, these are the marks o' Galloway Tam.
Oh'"(Talloway Tam came here to shear.
We'd better hae gien him the guid gray
meare, Lguidman,
He kiss'd the gndewife and he dang'd the
And these are the tricks 0' GalloWay Tam.
He owed-the kirk a twalmonth's score^
And he doff'd his bonnet at the door ;
Thedoonxriet^ out wha sung the psalm,
"There's room on the stool for Galloway
Tam !"^
Ye lapses o' Galloway, frank and fair,
Tak tent o' yer hearts' and something mair ;
And bar your doors, your windows steek,
For he comes stealing like night and sleep :
Oh, nought frae Tam but wae ye'll ,win,
He'll sihg ye dumb and he'll dance ye blin' ;
And aff your balance he'll cowp ye then —
Tak tent o' the deil and Galloway Tam.
" Sir," quoth Mess John, " the wanton deil
Has put his birn 'boon gospel kiel.
And bound yere eloots in his'black ban' :"
*^ Fof .mercy loos't !" quo' Galloway Tam.
" In our kirk-fauld we maun ye bar,
An{3 smear your fleece wi' covenant tar,
And" pettle ye up a dainty iamb," —
" Among the Vowes," quo' Galloway Tam.
Eased of a t^ralmonth's graceless deeds,
He gaylie doS'd his sackloth weeds, '
And 'mang the maidens h^ laughing cam' —
'* "Tak tent o' your'hearts " quo* Galloway
A cannie tongue and-a-glance fu*-gleg, [Tam.
A buirdly back and a lordly le^,
A -heart lik^ a f ox^ and a look like a lamb^-
t)h, these are thcTnarks o' Galloway Tam.
AS I CAM DOWN BY YON
CASTLE WA'.
This is a very popular Ayrshire
song.
As I cam down by yon castle wa',
And in by yon garden green,
Oh, there I sj)ied a bonny bonny lass.
But the flower-borders weire us between,
A bonny, bonny lassie she was.
As ever mine eyes did see ;
Oh, five hundred pounds would I give
For to have such a pretty bride as thee.
To havp such a pretty bride as me,
Yoiang man ye are sairly mista'en;
Though .ye-were king o' fair Scotland,
I wad disdain to be your queen.
Talk not so very high, bonny lass.
Oh, talk not so very, very high :
The man at the fair, that wad sell.
He maun learn at the man that wad buy.
I trust to climb a far higher tree,
And berry a far richer nest. ' '
Tak this advice o' me, bonny lass.
Humility wad set thee best.
LORD RONALD, MY SON.'
This air, u, very favourite one in
Ayrshire, is evidently the original of
Lochaber. In this manner most of our
finest more modern airs have had their
origin. Some early minstrel, or musi-
cal shepherd, composed the simple art-
less originpl airs; which being pickied
up by the more learned musician took
the improved form tliey bear.
O'ER THE MOOR AMANG THE
HEATHER.
This song is the composition of Jean
Glover, a girl who was not only a
whore but also a thief, and in one or
other character has visited most of the
correction houses in the West. She
was born, I believe, in Kilmarnock. —
I took the song down, from her sing-
ing, as she was strolling through the
country with a sleight-of-hand black-
guard.
Comin' through the craigs o' Kyle,
Amang the bonny blooming heather,
There 1 met a bonny lassie.
Keeping a' her yowes thegither.
O'er the moor amang the heather^ -
O'er the moor amang the heather,
There I met a bonny lassie^.
Keeping a' her yowes thegither. . . .
Says I, my dearie, where is thy hame.
In moor or dale, pray tell me whether ?
She says, I tent the fleecy flocks
That feed amajig the blooming haatber.
We laid us down upon a bank,
Sae warm and sUnny was tlie weather.
She left, her flocks, at lai-ge to rove .
" Amang the bonny blooming heather.
While thus we lay she sane a sang.
Till echo rang a mile and farther,
And aye the ourden o' the sang ^
■ Was o'er the moor amang the heather. '
BURXS* 'WORKS.
She charm'd •myheart, and aye sinsyne,
I couldna think on ony ither ;
By sea and sky she shall be mine !
The bonny lass amang the heather.
TO. THE ROSEBUD.
This song is the composition of one
Johnson, ii joiner in the neighborhood
of Belfast. The tune is by Oswald,
altered, evidently, from "Jockie's
Gray Breelts."
All hail to thee, thou bawmy bud.
Thou charming child o' simmer, hail ;
Ilk fragrant thorn iwd lofty wood
Does nod thy welcome to the vale.
See on thy lovely faulded form.
Glad Phoebus smiles wi' cheering eye,
While on thy head the dewy morn
Has shed the tears o' silent joy.
The tuneful tribes frae yonder bower
Wi' sangs o* joy thy presence hail:
Then haste, thou bawmy, fragrant flower,
And gie thy bosom to the gale.
lAnd see the fair, industrious bee.
With airy wheel and soothing hum.
Flies ceaseless round thy parent tree.
While gentle breezes, trembling, come.
If ruthless Liza pass this way,
She'll pu' thee frae thy thorny stem ;
A while thou'lt grace her virgin breast.
But soon thou'lt fade, my bonny gem.
Ah ! short, too short, thy rural reign.
And yield to fate, alas ! thou must ;
Bright emblem of the virgin train.
Thou blooms, alas ! to mix wi' dust.
Sae bonny Liza hence may learn,
Wi' every youthfu' maiden gay.
That beauty, like the simmer's rose.
In time shall wither and decay.
THE TEARS I SHED MUST EVER
PALL.
Tnis song of genius was composed
by a Miss Cranstoun,* It wanted four
lineS'to make all the stanzas suit the
music, which I added, and are the
first four of. the last stanza.
* She was the sister of George Cranstoun,
one of" the senators of the College of Justice
in Scotland, and became the second wife of
the celebrated Professor Dugald Stewart,
whom she outlived for many years, having
died in July, 1838, at the age of seventy-one.
The tears I shed must ever fall v
I weep not for an absent swain.
For time can past delights recall.
And parted lovers meet again. -
I weep not for the silent dead^
Their toils are past, their sorrows o'er.
And those they loved their steps shall tread.
And death shall join, to part no more.
Though boundless oceans roll between,
If certain that his heart is near,
A conscious transport glads the scene, '
Soft is the sigh, and sweet the teas. _.-_
E'en when by death's cold hand removed,
We mourn the tenant of the tomb,-
To think that even in death he lov«d.
Can cheer the terrors of the glopm.
But bitter, bitter is the tear
Of her who slighted love bewaHs ;
No hopes her gloomy prospect cheer,
No pleasing melancholy hails.
Hers are the pangs of wounded pride, ::
Of blasted hope, and withered joy :
The prop she lean'd on pierced her side^
The flame she fed burns to destroy."' '^
In vam does memory renew
The scenes once tinged in transport's dye ;
The sad reverse soon meets the view.
And turns the thought to agony.
Even conscious virtue cannot cure
The pangs to every feeling due ;
Ungenerous youth, thy boast how poor
I'd steal a heart, and break it too ?
No cold approach^ no aUer'd mien^
Jttst ivhat ivotild make suspicio^t start *
No pause the dire extretnes deiiueen^ — "
He Jtiade tne blest^ and broke my heart ;
Hope from its only anchor torn.
Neglected, and neglecting all.
Friendless, forsaken,, and forlorn.
The tears I shed must ever fall.
DAINTY DAVIE.
This song, tradition says, and the
composition itself confirms it, was com-
posed on the Rev. David AVilliamson's
begetting the daughter of Lady Cheri-y-
trees with child, while a party of
dragoons were searching her house to
apprehend him for being an adherent
to the solemn league and covenant.
The pious woman had put a Ipdy's
nightcap on him, and had laid him
a-bed with her own daughter, ajid
passed him to the soldiery as a latiy!,
her daughter's bedfellow. A muti-
lated stanza or two are to be found i*
Herd's collection, but the original song
consists of five or six stanzas; and were
their delicacy equal to their mt and
humour, they would merit a place in
REMARKS ON SCOTTISH SONG.
%Iic first stanza is as
any collection,
follows: —
Being pursued by the dragoons,
Within my bed he was laid down :
And weel I wat he was worth his room,
_. Fbrhe was my damty Davie.
Ramsay's song, "Lucky Nonsy/*
tliough he calls it an old song -with
additions, seems to be all his own, ex-
cept the choras:
I was aye telling you,
Lucky Nansy, lucky Nansy,
Auld springs? wad ding the new,
But ye wad never trow me.
Which I shbuld conjecture to be part
of a song, prior to the, affair of Wil-
liamson.
Th^; following is the version of " Lucky
Nansy," by Ramsay, of which the poet
speafe : —
WHit^Jops, in soft Italian verse,
Ilk^'f&rr ane's een and breast rehearse.
White sangs abound, and sense is scarce.
These lines ITiave fndicted :
But neither darts nor arrows here,
Venus nor Cupid shall appear.
And y^t with these fine sounds I swear,
The maidens are delighted,
I was aye telling you.
Lucky Nansy, lucky Nansy,
Auld springs wad ding the new,
"^But ye wad never trow me.
Nor snaw with crimson will I mix,
To spread upon my lassie's cheeks.
And syne th unmeaning name prefix,
Miranda, Chloe, Phillts.
I'll fetch nae smile from Jove
My height of ecstasy to prove,
Nor signing, thus present my love
^.. , With roses eke and lilies.
I was aye telling you, &c.
' But stay— I had amaist forgot
■ My misti-ess, and my sang to boot,
^ And that'san unco faut,l wot:
_ , But, Nansy, 'tis nae matter.
-' Ye see, I clink my verse wi' rhyme,
J'^And , ken ye, that atones the crime ;
3jJ^rbye, how sweet my numbers chime,
^' . , And slide away like water !
'■:.:: •■ I was aye telling you, &c.
Now ken, my reverend sonsy fair,
, Thy rlinkled cheeks and lyart hair,
Thy haif-shut een and hodling air.
Are a' my passion's fuel.
Nae skyring gowk, my dear, can see.
Or love, or grace, or heaven in thee ;
Yet thou hast charms enow for me.
Then smile, and be na cruel.
Leeze me on .thy snawy pow.
Lucky Nansy, lucky Nansy ;
Dryest wood will eithest lovy,
And, Nansy, sae will ye now.
Troth I have sung the sang to you.
Which ne'er anitner bard wad do ;
Hear, then, my charitable- vow,
Dear, venerable Natisy.
But if tb.e warld my passion wrang.
And say!ye only live in s^ng;
Ken, I despise a slandering tongue,
And sing to please my fancy.
Leeze me on thy, &c.
BOB 0' DUNBLANE.
Ramsay, as usual, has modernised
this song. The original, which I
learned on the spot from my old host-
ess in the principal inn there, is: —
LASslE.'lend me your braw hemp heckle,
And I'H lend you-mj^thripplin-kame ;
My heckle is broken, it canna be gotten.
And we'll gae dance the bob o' Dunblane.
Twa gaed to the wood, to the wood, to the
wood,
Twa gaed to the wood — three came hame ;
An it be na weel bobbit, weel bobbit, weel
bobbit.
An it be na weel bobbit, we'll bob it again.
I insert this song to introduce the
following anecdote, which I have
heard well ^.uthenticated : — In the
evening of the day of the battle of
Dunblane, ( SherifE-Muir, ) when the
action was over, a Scots officer in
Argyle's army observed to his Grace
that he was afraid the rebels would
give out to the world that they had
gotten the victory. — " Weel, weel,"
returned his Urace, alluding to the
foregoing ballad , " if they think it-be
na weel bobbit, we'll bob it again."
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The letters of Robert Burns, extending as they do over the g-reater portion of bis-life;,
and written under the influence of the varying feelings of the moment, are most valuable in
leading us to form a true estimate of the man. Much there undoubtedly is in them which is
stilted and unreal ; but against this there is much that illustrates his genius, his sturdy inde.
fjendence, his strong common sense, and vivid perceptions of men and things. From the very
tirst he seems to have had a strong sense of his extraordinary- endowments ; and as his friends
about him endorsed his own opinion, and the circle of his admirers extended, we see from his
letters how much-, his humble position and the obscurity of his life chafed his spirit^^we see
how, when he had become the most famous man in his country-side, and when his wonderful
talents were beginning lo attract the attention of the great world of which he knew so little,
his own irregularities seemed to pieclude the hope that ever he would .be able to take advan-
tage of his great gifts, or the recognition which awaited them — we see how, in the fulL tri-
umph'of bis Edinburgh success, with all that was greatest and best in his country doing -him
honour, his hopes rose higii — w^e follow him throughout his wanderings in his dearly-loved
native land, perhaps the happiest period of his life, and throughout the too brief days of his
success, when a life of independence seemed to be before him — alas ! never to be realisedT
and almost the last letter he ever wrote leaves him dying broken in heart and broken in. his
fortunes, begging from a relation a ten-pound note to save him from the anticipated horrors
of a -jail. During his lifetime, and at his death, his character was fiercely assailed. More than
sixty years afterwards, at the time of the Centenary celebrations in honour of his.memofj',
much was said and written by certain of his countrymen as to the grossness of his life. We
may, we think, venture to state here, that to the more charitable among his countrymen, the
wholesale condemnation of Burns as a libertine and blasphemer m certain quarters, gave rise
to much surprise and astonishment. It seems to us that in the poetry and correspondence of
Burns, we have the most remarkable instance in modern times, of a man of genius laying bare
his whole heart and mind to his countrymen. Had he Hved in some large city, where the
private doings of even a celebrated man escape general notice, the occasion for alluding to
the dark side of his life would never have occurred to him; and possibly there would have been
fewer slips from the path of rectitude to chronicle, for there was much in Burns' temperament
which led him to defy his censors, and seems, almost- to have led him into sin in sheer con-
tempt of petty censors, who were so much his inferiors in intellectual endow^ments. To those
who know anything of- the lives of literary men of our own day, where all is so fair outside,
there will be no difficulty in finding parallels— rwith this much in favour of the poet, that we
know from his poems and correspondence, that under all' his seeming contempt for the proi-
prieties, shame and contrition weire gnawing at his vitals ; and while presbyteries, kirfc-ses-
sions, and the " unco guid" who were busy with his doings, were being made the victims-of
his wild and daring humour, he was suffering through his own accusing conscience the pun-
ishment which awaits every true and honest man, who, knowing what is right, is tempted 'of
^e devil and his own evil passions, and is worsted in the conflict. The man who reads
attentively his poems and correspondence, and all that has been written and said of him by
his contemporaries, must be of a purity which will find itself sadly out of place in a sinful
worid,even at- thepresent day, if he canfind it in his heart to judge him by the comnaoa
standards. His letters, while they add to our high estimate of the genius and ability of ^tibe
poet, show us that he was the constant correspondent and intimate friend of , the men and
women oftalent and position in his own district, Where his frailties were known to all — and
this before he was known beyond his own locality, and was as yet unstamped by the approval
pf a general ormetropolitan audience. This alone should convince the most censorious,, that
he was something higher and better than the dissolute and reckless man of genius many wish
to consider him. Let us hear no more accusations against him, and no more apologies for hirn.
Let us..thinlcof him. with 4eep sympathy for ;his errors ^d.misfortunes; let us think qfibe
manliness'and uprightness which never failed him throughout many worldly cares and trials •
and let us be proud of him, for in his works we have the highest manifestation of true '' poetic
genius" our country has yet known.
-We quote the criticisms of several of the more eminent of his countrymen as to the value
of- his correspondence: —
Professor Wilson says, "■ The letters of Burns are said to be too elaborate, the expression
more studied and artificial than belongs to thht species of 'composition. Now the truth is
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE. 34i
Burns never considered letter writing * a species of composition/ subject to certain rules of
taste and criticism. That had never occurred to him, and so much the better. But hundreds,
even of his most familiar letters, are perfectly artless, though still most eloquent, composi-
tions. Simple we may not call them, so rich are they in fancy, so overflowing' in feeling, and
dashed off every other paragraph with the easy boldness ot a great master cousciouG of his
strength, even at times when, of all things in the world, he was least solicitous about display':
while some there are so solemn, so sacred, so religious, that he who can read them with an
unstirred heart can have no trust*, no hope, in'the immortality of the soul."
Lockhart observes, " From, the time that Burns settled himself in Dumfriesshire, he ap-
pears to have conducted with much care the extensive correspondence in which his celebrity
had engaged him j it is, however, very necessary in judging of these letters, and drawing in-
ferences from their language as to the real sentiments and opinions of the writer, to take into
consideration the rank and character of the persons to whom they were severally addressed,
and the measure of intimacy which really subsisted between them and the poet. In his let-
ters, as in his conversation, Burns, in spite of all his pride, did something to accommodate
himself to his company : and he who did write the series of letters addressed to Mrs. Dunlop,
Dri Moore, Mr. Dugald Stewart, Miss Chalmers, and others, eminently distinguished as these
are by purity and nobleness of feeling, and perfect propriety of language, presents himself, in
other effusions of the same class, in colours which it would be rash to call his own. That hfe
should have condescended to any such compliance must be regretted ; but, in most cases, it
would probably be quite unjust to push our censure further than this."
Professor Walker says, "The prose, writings of Burns consist almost solely of hiscorre-
spondsnce, and are therefore to be considefed as presenting no sufficient criterion of his powers.
Epistolary effusions, being a sort of wid£ten conversation, participate in many of the advan-
tages and defects of discourse. They, materially vary, both, in subject and manner, with tlie
character of the person addressed, to which ihe mind of their author for the moment assumes
an affinity. To equals they are famihar and negligent, and to superiors they can scarcely
avoid that transition to careful effort and studied correctness, which the behavior of the writer
■would undergo, when entering the presence of those ^^o whom his talents were his only intro-
duction. Burns, from the lovvness of his origin, found himself inferior in rank to all his cor-
respondents, except his father and brother ; and, although the superiority of his genius should
Irav&'done -more than correct this disparity of condition, yet between pretensions so incom-
mensurable it is difficult to produce a perfect equality. Burns evidently labours to reason
>yim3elf into a feeling of its completeness, but the very frequency of his efforts betrays his dig-
sa:tisf action with their- success, and he may therefore be considered as writing under the influ-
ence of a desire to create or to preserve the admiration of his correspondents. In this object
he must certainly have succeeded ; for, if his letters are deficient in some of the charms of
epistolary writing, the deficiency is supplied by others. If they occasionally fail in colloquial
ease an j simplicity, they abound in genius, in richness of sentiment, and strength of expres-
sion. The t-aste of Burns, according to the judgment of Professor Stewart, was not sufficient-
ly correct and refined to relish chaste and artless prose, but was captivated by writers who
labour their periods into a pointed and antithetical brilliancy. What he preferred- he would
naturally be ambitious to Imitate ; and though he might have chosen better models, yet those
which were hischoicehe has imitated with success. Even in poetry, if we may-judge from
his few attempts in English heroic measure, he was as far from attaining, and perhaps from
desiring to attain, the tiowlng sweetness of Goldsmith, as he is in his letters from aiming at
-the graceful ease of Addison, or the severe simplicity of Swift. Burns in his prose seems
nevei-4io have forgot that he was a poet* but though his style may be taxed with occasional
luxuriance, and with the admission of crowded and even of compounded epithets, few will
'deny that genius isdisplayed in their invention and application, as few will deny that there fs
eloquence in the harangue of an Indian sachem, ^although it be not in the shape to which we
are accustomed, nor pruned of its flowers by the critical exactness of a British orator.
— " It is to be observed, however, that Burns could diversify his style with great address to
€uit the taste of his various correspondents : and that when he occasionally swells it into dec-
^lamation, or stiffens it into pedantry, it is for the amusement of an individual whom he knew
'h would amuse, and should not be mistaken for the style which he thought most proper for
the public. The letter to his father, for whom he had a deep veneration, and of whose ap-
^plause he was no doubt desirous, is written with care, but with no exuberance. It is grave,
pious, and gloomy, like the mind of the person who was to receive it. In hia correspondence
with Dr. Bluir, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Griham, and Mr. Erskine; his style has a respectful -propri-
ety and a regulated-vigour, which show a just conception of what became'himselt and suited
"his relation with the persons whom he addressed. He writes to Mr. Nichol in a vein of strong
and ironical extravagance, which was congenial to the manner, and adapted to the taste, of
his friend.' To his female" correspondents, without excepting the Venerable Mrs. Dunlop. he
is lively, and sometimes romantic ; and a skilful critic may perceive his pen under the mfl;u-
erice of that tenderness for the feminine character which has been alreadifcnoticed,- In short,
through the whole collection, we see various shades of gravity and care, or of sportive pomp
and intentional affectation, according to the familiarity which subsisted between the: writer
and the person for whose exclusive perusal he wrote : and before we estimate' the merit of
.any^siiigle letter, we should fenow the character of both correspondents, and the measure of
thek jntimacy. These remarks are suggested by the objections of a distinguished critic to' a
3^
BtTRNS' WOilKS.
letter which was communicated to Mr. Cromek, without its address, by the author of this^
critique, and which occurs in the * Reliques of Burns/ The ceflsure would perhaps have beea^
,softened had the critic been aware that the timidity .which he- blames was no serious attempt
at fine writing", but merely aplayful effusion in moclc-heroic, to divert a friend whoin he haj^
formerly succeeded in diverting with similar sailies.' Burns was sometimes happy in short
complimentary addresses, of which a specimen is subjoined. It is inscribed on the blank-leaf
of a book presented to Mrs. Graham of Fintray, from which it was copied, by that lady's per-
mission:— ,
' TO MRS. GRAHAM OF FINTRAY.
* It is probable, MAdam, iha: this page may be read when the hand that now writes'it
shall be mouldering in the dust : may it then bear witness that I present you these volumeSJas
a tribute of gratitude, on my part ardent and sincere, as your and Mr. Grraham's goodness -to
me has been generous and noble \ May every child of yours, in the hour of need, find such a
friend as 1 shall teach every child of mine that their father found in you.
*■ Robert Burns.*'
" The letters of Burns may on the whole be regarded as a valuable offering to theptiblic.
They are curious, as evidences of his genius, and interesting, as keys to his character* and
they can scarcely fail .to command the admiration of all who do not measure their pretensions
by an unfair standard." - . . .,.
" The prose works of Burns," says Jeffrey, "consist almost entirely of his letters. They
bear, as-well as his poetry, the seal and impress of his genius ; but they contain much more
bad taste, and are written with far more apparent labour. His poetry was almost .all written
primarily from feeling, and only secondarily from ambition. His letters seem to have been
nearly all composed as exercises, and for display. There are few of them written with sim*
plicity or plainness : and, though natural enough as to the sentiment, they are, generally, very
strained and elaborate in the expression. A very great proportion of them, too, relate neither
to facts nor feelings peculiarly connected with the author or his correspondent, but are mad^
up of general declamation, moral, reflections, and' vague discussions— all evidently composed
for the sake of effect."
Readers of the present day will more readily endorse the opinion of Cunningham, who
says, " In the critic's almost wholesale condemnation of the prose of Burns, the world has ndt
concurrfed : he sins somewhat, indeed, in the spirit of Jeffrey's description, but his errors are
heither so serious nor so frequent as has been averred. In truth, his prose partakes largely of
the character of his poetry : there is the same earnest vehemence of lauguage : the same
happy quickness of perception : the same mixture of the solemn with the sarcastic, and the
humourous with the tender ; and the presence everywhere of that ardent and penetrating
spirit which sheds light and communicates importance to all it touches. He is ^occasiona^
turgid, it is true ; neither is he so simple and unaffected in prose as he is in verse : but this is
more the fault of his education than of his taste. His daily language was the dialect of hfs
native land ; and in that he expressed himself with almost miraculous clearness and precisicai^
the language of his verse corresponds with that of his conversation : but the etiquette of his
day required his letters to be in English ; and in that, to him, almost foreign tongue, he now
and then moved with little ease or grace. Yet though a peasant, and labouring to express
himself in a language alien to his lips, his letters yield not in interest to those of the ripeSt
scholars of the age. He wants the colloquial ease of Cowper, but he is less minute and tedi-
ous ; he lacks the withering irony of Byron, but he has more humour, and infinitely less of
that ' prtbble prabble ' which deforms the noble lord's correspondence and memoranda,"
No. I.
TO WILLIAM BURNESS.
Irvine, Dec. 27, 1771.
HoNOtTBED SiE, — I have purposely
delayed writing, in the hope that I
should have thi pleasure of seeing you
on new-year's day; but work comes so
hard upon us that I do not choose to
he absent on that account, as well as
for some other little reasons which I
shall tell you at meeting. My health
is nearly the same as whea you were
here, only my sleep is a little sounder,
and on the whole 1 am rather better
than otherwise, though I mend by very
slow degrees. The weakness of my
nerves has so debilitated my mind that
I dare neither review past wants, nor
look forward into futurity; for the least
GENERAL. COCKESPONDENCE,^
ais
anxiety or perturbation in my breast
produces- most unliappy effects on my
wliole- frame. Sometimes, indeed,
when for an hour or two my spirits are
alightetted, I glimmer a little into
futurity; but my principal, and indeed
my only pleasurable, employment, is
looking backwards and forwards in a
floral and religious way; I am quite
transported at the thought that ere
long, ijerhaps very soon, I shall bid an
eternal adieu to all the pains, and un-
easiness, and disquietudes of this
weary life; for I assure you 1 am
heartily tired of it; and, if I do not
Tery much deceive myself, I could con-
tentedly and gladly resign it.
*'^hesoul, uneasy, and confined at home.
Rests and expatiates in a life to come."
It is foT this reason I am more pleased
with the 15th, 16th, and 17th verses of
the 7th chapter of Revelations than
with any ten times as many verses in
the. whole Bible, and would not ex-
change" the noble enthusiasm with
which, tl^^ inspire me, for all that this
woriali^^ offer. As for this world,
I despair of ever making a figure in it.
I am not formed for the bustle of the
busy, nor the flutterof the gay. Ishall
never again be capable of entering into
such scenes. Indeed, I am altogether
unconcerned at the thoughts of this
life. I foresee that poverty and obscu-
rity probably await me, and I am in
iome measure prepared, and daily pre-
paring to meet them. I have but j ust
time and paper to return you my grate-
ful thanks for the lessons of virtue
and piety you have given me, which
were too much neglected at the time
of giving them, but which I hope have
been remembered ere it is yet too late.
Present my dutiful respects to my
^mother, gad my compliments to Mr.
and Mrs. Muir; and wishing you a
jaerryjie w-year's day, I shall conclude.
".^I am, honoured sir, your dutiful
son^
ROBBKT B0BNE3S.*
'" * At this time Burns was- working a5 a heck-
ler, (a dresser of flax.) A few days after, the
■.workshop wjas burnt to" the ground, and he
had to begin the' world anew, -^
P. S.. — My nieal Is nearly out, but I
am going to borrow till I get more.
No. II.
TO MR. JOHN MURDOCH,
SCHOOLMASTER,
STAPLES INN BUILDINGS, LONDON.
LocHLEA, Jan. 15, 1783.
Deab Sir, — As I have an oppor-
tunity of sending you a letter without
putting you to that expense which any
production of mine would but ill re-
pay, I embrace It with pleasure, to tell
you that I have not forgotten, nor ever
will forget, the many obligations I lie
under to your kindness and friendship.'
I do not doubt, sir, but you will wish
to know what has been the result of
all the pains of an indulgent father;
and a masterly teacher; and I wish I
could gratify your curiosity with such
a recital as you would be pleased Avith;
but that is what I am afraid will not
be the case. I have, indeed, kept
pretty clear of vicious habits; and in
this respect, I hope my conduct will
not disgrace the education I have got-
ten, but as a man of the world I am
m3st miserably deficient. Ono would
have thought that, bred as I have
been, uiider a father who has figured
pretfrf well as un homme des affaires;
I might have been what the world
calls a pushing, active fellow; but to
tell you the truth, sir, there is hardly
anything more my reverse. I seem
to be one sent into the world to see
and observe; and I very easily com-
pound with the knave who tricks me
of my money, if there be anything
original about him, which shows me _
human nature in a different light f roni
anything I have seen before. In
short, the joy of my heart is to "study
men, their manners, and their ways,"
and for this darling subject I cheer-
fully sacrifice every other considera-
tion. I am quite indolent about those
great concerns that set the bustling,
busy sons of care agog ; and if 1 have
to answer for the present hour, I am
very easy with regard to anything fur-
344
T3TTBNS' WOEKS.
tlier.. Even the last, worst shift of
the .unfortunate and the wretched* does
not much terrify me. I know that
even then my talent for what country-
folks call "a sensible crack," when
once -it is sanctified by a hoary head,
wouM procure me so much esteem
that even then I would learn to be
happy. However, I am under no
apprehensions about that; for though
indolent, yet so far as an extremely
delicate constitution permits, I am not
lazy; and in many things, especially
in tavern matters, I am a strict econo-
mist,— not, indeed, for the sake of the
money, but oiie of the principal parts
in my composition is a kind of pride of
stomach; and I scorn to fear the face
of any man living: above everything,
I abhor as . hell the idea of sneaking
into a corner to avoid a dun — possibly
some pitiful, sordid wretch, who in
my heart I despise and detest. 'Tis
this, and this alone, that endears econ-
omy to me. In the matter of books,
indeed, I am very profuse. My favour-
ite authors are of the sentimental
kind, such as Shenstone, particularly
his ''Elegies;" Thomson; "Man of
Feeling," — a Ijook I prize next to the
Bible; "Man of the World;" Sterne,
especially his " Sentimental Journey,"
Macpherson's ' ' Ossian , " &c. ; — these
are the glorious models after which I
endeavour to form my conduct; and
'tis incongruous, 'tis absurd, to suppose
that the man whose mind glows with
sentiments lighted up at their sacred
flame — the man whose heart distends
with benevolence to all the human
race — ^Ixe " who can soar above this
little scene of things" — can descend to
mind the paltry concerns about which
the terrae-filial race fret, and fume, and
" vex themselves ! Oh, how the glorious
triumph swells my heart ! I forget that I
am a poor, insignificant devil, unnoticed
and unknown, stalking up and down
fairs and markets, when I happen to
be in them, reading a page or two of
mankind, and ' ' catching the manners
living as they rise," whilst the men of
* The last shift alluded to here must be the
condition of _an itinerant beggar, — ^Ct-'RRiE.
business jostle me on every Side, as an
idle encumbrance in their way. But 1
dare say I have by this time tired your
patience; so I shall conclude with beg-
ging you to ^ve Mrs. Murdoch:-*-Dot
my compliments, for that is «. mere
commonplace story, but my warmest;
kindest wishes for her welfare; and
accept of the same for yourself. .froni;^i
dear sir, yours, - • -
R. B.
No. Ill;
TO MR. JAMES BURNESS,
WRITER, MONTROSE."
LocHLEA, June 21, 1783, .^ ^
Dear Sm, — MJr father received your
favour of the 10th current, and as he
has been for some months very poorly
in health, and Is in hLs o^vn opinion
(and, indeed, in almost every-body's
else) in a dying condition, he has only,'
with gi'eat difficulty, written a fev.'
farewell lines to each of his brothers-
in-law. For this melancholy reason;
I now hold the pen for him to thank
you for 3'our kind letter, and to assure
you, sir, that it shall not b3 my fault
if my father's correspondence in the
north die with him. My brother
writes to John Caird, and to him I
must refer you for the news of our
family.
I shall only trouble you with a few
particulars relative to the wretched
state of this country. Our markets are
exceedingly high; oatmeal, 17d. and-
18d. per peck, and not to be got even
* This gentleman, (the son of an elder
brother of my father.) When he was vei^
young, lost his parent, and having discoverecl'
in his repositories some of my father's letter^",,
he requested that the cojrcespeirdeiice' might '
be renewed. My father continued till Ui^'
last year of his life to correspond with his
nephew, and it was afterwards kept up by my
brother. Extracts from some of my brother's
letters to his cousin are introduced in Ihis'edi-
tioh-for the purpose of exhibiting the poet be-
fore hfi had .attracted the notice of the. public,
and in his domestic family relations after-
wards.—Gilbert Burns. \
He was grandfather of Sir Alexaqder
Burnes, author of " Travels in Bokhara."
GENERAL- CORRESPONDENCE.
!H3
at that price. We have indeed been
jH-etty well supplied with.quautities of
white pease, from England and else-
where, but that resource is lilcely to
fail us, and what will become of us
then, particularly the very poorest
sort. Heaven only knows. This
country, till of late, was flourishing
incredibly in the manufacture of
silk, lawn, and carpet weaving; and
we are still carrying on a good deal in
that way, but much reduced from
what it was. We had also a fine trade
in the shoe way, but nosv entirely
ruined, and hundreds driven to a
starving concUtion on account of it.
Farming is also at a very low ebb with
us. Oar lands, generally speaking,
are mountainous and barren; and our
landholders, full of id:eas of farming,
gatliered, from the English and the
Lothians, and other rich soils in Scot-
land, make no allowance for the odds
of the quality of land, and consequently
stretch us much beyond what in the
event we will be found able to pay.
We are also much at a loss for want
of proper methods in our improve-
ments of farming. Necessity compels
us to leave our old schemes, and few
of us have opportunities of being well
informed in new ones. In short, my
dear sir, since the unfortunate begin-
ning of this American war, and its as
unfortunate conclusion, this country
has besn, and still is, decaying veiy
fast; Even in higher lifo, a couple of
Ayrshire noblemen, and the major
part of our knights and squires, are all
insolvent. A miserable job of a
Douglas, Heron, & Co.'s bank, which
no doubt you heard of, has undone
numbers of them; and imitating Eng-
lish and French, and other foreign
luxuries and fopperies, has ruined as
many more. There is a great trade of
smuggling carried on along our coasts,
whitih however destructive to the in-
terests of the kingdom at large, cer-
tainly enriches this corner of it, but
too often at the expense of our morals.
However, it enables individuals to
make, at least for a time, a splendid
appearance; but Fortune, as is usual
with her when she is uncommonly
lavish ' of her . favours, is-, generally,
even withthem at the last; and happy
were it for numbers of them if she
would leave them no worse than when
she foand them.
My mother sends you a small present
ofa cheese; 'tis but a very little one,
as our last year's stock is sold off; but
if you could fix on any correspondent
in Edinburgh or Glasgow, we would
send you a proper one in the season.
Mrs. Black promised to take the cheese,
under her care so far, and then to send
it to you by the Stirling carrier.
I shall conclude this long letter with .
assuring you that I shall be very happy
to hear from you, or any of our friends
in your country, when opportunity,
serves.
My father sends you, probably, for
the last time in this world, his
warmest wishes for your welfare and
happiness; and my mother and the
rest of the family desire to enclose,
their kind compliments to you, Mrs,
Bnrness, and" the rest of your family;
along with those of, dear sir, your
afEectionate cousin, , ,R. B.
No. IV.
TO MISS ELIZA .*
LoCHtEA, 1783
I VBTirLY believe, my dear Eliza,
that the pure genuine feelings of lovq
are as rare in the world as the pure
genuine principles of virtue and piety.'
This 1 hops will account for the uu:
common style of all my letters to you.
By uncommon, I mean their being
written in such a hasty manner; which,
to tell you the truth, has made me often
afraid lest you should take me for
some zealous bigot, who conversed
with his mistress as he would converse
with his minister. I don't know how
it is, my dear, for though^ except
your company, there is nothing oh
earth gives me so much pleasure as
* The name of the lady to wh ora this and
the three succeeding letters were addressed
was Ellison Begbie. She was a superior ser-
vant in the family of Mr. Montgomery of
Colisfield— hence a song addressed to her.
'• Montgomery's Peggy. —See p. ig'3.
346
BURNS' WORKS.
writing to you, yet it never gives
me tliose giddy raptures so much
tallied of among lovers. I have
often thought that . if a well-grounded
affection be not really a part of virtue,
'tis something extremely akin to it.
Whenever the thought of my Eliza
warms my heart, every feeling of hu-
manity, every principle of generosity
kindles in my breast. It extinguishes
every dirty sparkj)f malice and envy
which are but tooTipt to infest me. . I
grasp, every creature in the arms of
universal benevolence, and equaUy
participate in the pleasures of the
happy, and sympathise with the miser-
ies of the unfortunate. I assure you,
my dear, 1 often look up to the Divine
Disposer of events with an eye of grati-
tude for the blessing which Ihope He
intends to bestow on me iu bestowing
you. I sincerely wish that He may
bless my endeavours to make your life
as comfortable and happy as possible,
both iu sweetening the rougher parts
of my natural temper.and bettering the
unkindly circumstances of my fortune.
This, my dea% is a passion, at least in
my view, wortliy of a man, and I will
add worthy of a Christian. The sordid
earthworm may profess love to a
woman's person, whilst in reality his
affection is centred iu her pocket; and
the slavish drudge may go a-wooing as
he goes to the horse-market to choose'
one who is stout and firm, and, as we
may say of an old horse, one who will
be a good drudge and draw kindly. I
disdain their dirty, puny ideas. 1
would Le heartily out of h.imour with
myself, if I thought I were capable of
having so poor a notion of the sex
which was designed to crown the
pleasures of society. Poor devils ! I
don't envy tliem their happiness who
have such notions. For my part I pro-
pose qiiite other pleasures with my
dear partner. B. B.
No. V.
TO THE SAME.
LOOHLEA, 1783.
Mt dbah Eliza, — I do not remem-
ber, in the course of your acqua,intance
and mine, ever to have heard your
opiniim on the ordinary way of failmg
in love amongst people in our stati-jn,
in life; I do not mean the persons- who
proceed in the way of bargain,, but
those whose afEection is really placed
on the person. ■•'^■i
Though I be, as you know very well,.;
but a very awkward lover myself,'yet,
as I have some opportunities.of obser-, .
ving the conduct of others . who ace.
much better skilled in the , affair of,
courtship than I am, I often think, it
is owing to lucky chance, more than ta
good management, that there are ■ not
more unhappy marriages than usually,
are. . , - ■ , ...
It is natural for a, young fellow to
like the acquaintance of the femiales,
and customary for him to keep them,
company when occasion serves : some,
one of them is more agreeable to him,
than the rest; there is something, ha
knows not what, pleases him, he knows
not how, in her company. " This I take
to be what is called love with the
greater part of us; and I must own, my
dear Eliza, it is a hard game such . a
one as you have to play when you mee^
with such a lover. You cannot jef use
but he is sincere; and yet though youi
use him ever so favourably, perhaps in
a few months, or at furthest in a year
or two, the same unaccountable fan-
cy may make him as distractedly f on^
of another, whilst you are quite forgot^^
I am aware that perhaps the next tim^
I have the pleasure of seeing you, you
may bid me take my own lesson liom?,
and tell me that the passion I have pror
fessed for you is perhaps one of those
transient flashes I have been dtscribi
ing; but I hope, my dear Eliza, you
will do me the justice to believe me,
when I assure you that the love I have
for you is founded on the sacred prim,
eiples of virtue and honour, and by
consequence so long as you continue
possessed of those amiable qualities
which first inspired my passi(m ' for
you, so long must I continue to love
you. Believe me, my dear, it is love
like this alone which can render -the
marriage state happy. People "may
talk of flames and raptures as Ibn*' as
GENERAL CORRESPONOENCE.
347
, tWey please, and a warm fancy, With a.
Sow of youthful spirits, may make
them feel something like what they
describe; but sure I am the nobler
faculties of the mind with kindred
feelings' of the heart can only be the
foundation of friendship, and it has
always been my opinion that the mar-
ried life -was only friendship iu a more
exalted degree. If you will be so good
as to grant my wishes, and it should
;^ease Providence to spare us to the
latest period of life, I can look forward
and see that even then, though bent
down with wrinkled age, — even theli,
when all other worldly circumstances
■will be indifferent to me, I will regard
my EKi^ with the tenderegt affection,
and for tlfis plain reason, because she
is &till possessed of these noble quali-
ties, improved to a much higher de-
gree, which first inspired my affection
for her.
":Oh happy gfate when souls each other draw
, ,- Where love is liberty and nature law !"
I know were I to speak in such a
stylo to many a girl whotLiaks herself
possessed of no small share of sense;
she would think it ridiculous; but the
language of the heart is, my dear
Eliza, the only courtship I shall ever
use to you.
When I look over what I have writ-
ten, I am sensible it is vastly different
from the ordinary style of courtship;
but I shall malce no apology — I know
your good-nature will excuse what
your good sense may see amiss.
R. B.
No. VI.
TO THE SAME.
LOCELEA, 1783.
I HAVE often thought it a peculiarly
unlucky circumstance in love, that
though in every other situation in life
,t§lling. the truth is not only the safest,
.but actually by far the easiest, way of
proceeding, a lover is never under
greater ^iflSculty in acting, or more
puzzled for expression, than when his
passion is sinceie, and his intentions
are honourable.- 1 do not think that It
is so difficult for a person of ordinary
capacity to talk of love and fondness
whiclx are not felt, and to make vows
of constancy and fidelity which are
ne'ver intended to be perfoi-med, if he be
villain enough to.practise such detes-
table conduct; but to a man whose
heart glows with the principles of in-
tegrity and truth, and whp sincerely
loves a Avoman of anyable person, un-
common refinement of sentiment and
purity of manners — to. such a one^- in
sucli circumstances, I can assure you,
niy-dear, fi-om my own feelings at this
present moment, courtship is a task
indeed. There is such a number of
foreboding fears and distrustful anxie-
ties crowd into my mind when I am iii
your company, or when I sit down to
write to you, that what to speak or
what to write I am altogether at a
loss.
There is one rule which I have hith-
erto practised, and lyhich I shall in*
variably keep , with you, and that, is;
honestly to tell you the plain truth.
There is something so mean "and unman-
ly in the arts of dissimulation and false-
hood that I am surprised tliey can be
acted by any one in so noble, so gener-
ous a passion as virtuous love. No,
my dear Eliza, I shall never endeavour
to gain your favour by such detestable
practices. If you will be so good and
so generous as to admit me for your
partner, your companion, your bosom
friend through life, there is nothing
on this side of eternity shall give me
greater transport; but I shall never
think of purchasing your hand by any
arts unworthy of a man, and, I will
add, of a Christian. There is one thing,
my defir, which I earnestly request of
you, and it is this — that you would
soon either put an end to my hopes by
a peremptory refusal, or cure me of
my fears by a generous consent.
It would oblige me much if you
would send me a line or two when con-
venient. I shall only add further that,
if a well behaviour regulated (though
perhaps but very imperfectly) by. the
rules of honour and virtue, if a heart
devoted to love and esteem you, and
348
BUEXS' WORKS.
an earnest endeavour to promote your
happiness; if these are qnalities you
would wish in a friend, in a- husband,
I hope you shall ever find them in your
real friend and sincere lover, R. 13.
No. VII.
TO THE SAME.
LOCHLEA, 1783.
I OUGHT, in good manners, to have
acknowledged the receipt of your let-
ter before this time, but ray heart
was so shocked at the contents of it
that I can scarcely yet collect my
thoughts so as to write you on the sub-
ject. I will not attempt to describe
what I felt on receiving your letter.
I read it over and over, again and
again, and though it was in the politest
language of refusal, still it wa.s per-
emptory; " you v/ere sorry you could
not make me a return, but you wish
me," what, without you I never can
obtain, "you wish me all kind of
happiness. " It would be weak and un-
manly to say that without you I
never can be happy; but sure I am
that sharing life with you would have
given it a relish, that, wanting you, I
can never taste.
Tour uncommon pei-sonal advan-
tages and your superior good sense do
"not so much strike me ; these possibly
may be met with in a few instances in
others; but that amiable goodness,
that tender feminine softness, that en-
dearing sweetness of disposition, with
all the charming offspring of a warm,
feeling heart — these I never again ex-
pect to meet with in such u, degree in
this world. All these charming quali-
ties, heightened by an education much
beyond anything I have ever met in
-any woman I ever dared to approach,
have made an impression on my heart
jtliat I do not think the world can ever
efface. "My imagination has fondly
.flattered itself with a wish, I dare not
say it ever reached a hope, that possi-
bly I might one day call you mine. I
had foi-med the most deliglitful im-
i.agesi.and pjy fancy fondly brooded
over them; but now I am wretched for
the loss of what I really had no right
to expect. I must now think no mor?'
of you as a mistress; still I presume to
asli to be admitted as a friend. As
such I wish to be allowed to wait on
you, and, as I expect to remove in a
few days a little further off, and you,
I suppose, will soon leave this place; I
wish to see or hear from you sooA;
and if an expression should perhaps
escape me rather too warm for friend-
ship, I hope you will pardon it in, my
dear Miss (pardon me the dear ej£-
pression for once) . R. B.
No. VIII.
TO MR. JAMES BURNESS,
MONTROSE.
LocHLi^, Feb. 17, 1784.
Deab Cousin, — I would have re-
turned you my thanks for your kind
favour of the 13th of December sooner,
had it not beeri that I waited to give
you an account of that melancholy
event, which, for some time past, we
have from day .to day expected.
On the 18th current I lost the best
of fathers. Though, to be sure, we
have had long warning of the impend-
ing stroke ; still the feelings of nature
claim their part, and I cannot recollect
the tender endearments and parental
lessons of the best of friends and ables^t
of instructors witliout feeling what
perhaps the calmer dictates of reason
would partly condemn,
I hope my father's friends in your
country will not let their connexion in
this place die with him. For my ^k^
I shall ever with pleasure, with priiie,
acknowledge my connexion with those
who were allied by the ties "of blood
and friendship to a man whose mem-
ory I shall ever honour and revere.
I expect, therefore, my dear sir, yop
will not neglect any opportunity of let-
ting me hear from you, which will
very much oblige, my dear cousija,
yours sincerely,
R. B. ;
GENERAL OOREESPONDENCE.
849
No. IX.
; ' TO MB. JAMES BURNESS,,
MONTROSE.
MOSSGIEL, Aug. 1784.
We liave teen surprised with one of
tlie most extraordinary phenomena in
•tile moral world whicli I dare say has
happened in the course of this half-
-century. We liave had a party of [tlie]
Presbytery of [the] Relief, as they call
themselves, for some, time in this
^country. A pretty thriving, society of
tliera -has been in the burgh of. Irvine
for some years past, till about' two
years ago, a Mrs. Bu<5han from Glas-
gow came among them, and -began to
spread some fanatical notions of re-
ligion among them , and in a short
time made many converts; and among
others, their . pj;eacher, Mr. White,
who, upon that account, has been sus-
pended .p.nd formally . deposed , by hi.3
brethren. He continued, however, to
preach in private to his party, and was
Supported, both he and their spiritual
inothfer, as they affect to call old
Butfliau, by the contributions of the
rest, several of whom were in good
circumstances; till, in spring last, the
populace rose and mobbed Mrs.
Buclian, and put her out of the town ;
t)n which all her followers voluntarily
quitted the place likewise, and with
•such precipitation, that many of them
never shut their doors behind them:
one ieft awasliihg on the green,
another a cow bellowing at the cril)
Without food, or anybody to mind her,
and after several stages, they are fixed
at present in the neighbourhood of
Dumfries. Their tenets are a sli:ange
jumble of enthusiastic jargon; among
otliers, she pretends to give them the
Holy Ghost by breathin* on them,
which she does with postures and prac-
tices that are scandalously indecent;
they have likewise disposed of all their
effects, and hold a community of goods,
4hd live nearly an idle life, carrying
on a great farce of pretended devotion
in barns and -woods, where they- lodge
and lie all together, and hold likewise
a community of women, as it is another
of their tenets that they can comjnitno
moral sin. I am personally.acquiintpd
with most of them, and 1 can assure
you the above mentioned are facts.
This, my dear sir, is one of the many
instances of the folly. of leaving the
guidance of sound reagcSi^ajid common
sense in matters of religion.
Whenever we neglect: Qr.. despise
these sacred monitors, the wliimsical
notions of aperturbated brain are taken
for the immediate influences of the
Deity, and the wildest fanaticism, and
the most inconstant absurdities, will
meet with abettors and converts, Nay,
I have often thought that the. rnqrftoiit
of the way and ridiculous the fancies
are, if once they are sanctified under
the sacred name of religion, the. un-
liappy mistaken votaries are the more
firmly glued to them.
': R. B;
No. X.
TO M^SS— ;-.
Mt dear Countrywoman, — I am
so impatient to show you that I am
once more at peace with you, that I
seijd you.the book I mentioned directly,'
rather than wait the uncertain time of
my seeing you. I am anfraid I have
mislaid or lost Collins' poems, which I
promised to Miss Irvine. If I. can find
them, I will forward them by yon: if
not, you must apologise for me.
I know you will laugh at it when I
tell you that your piano" and you to-
gether have played the deuce somehow
a,bout my heart. My breast has been
widowed these many months, and I
thought myself proof against the ias-.
cinating witchcraft; but I am afraid
you will ' ' feelingly convince me what
I am." I say, I am afraid, because I
am not sure what is the matter with me.
I have one miserable bad symptom;
when you whisper, or look kindly to
another, it gives me a draught of dam*
nation. I have a kind of wayward
wish to be with you ten minutes by
yourself, though what I would say.
Heaven above knows, for I am sure I
know. not. I have no formed desijai in
850
BURNS' WORKS.
all tills; but just, in tlie nakedness of
my heart, write you down a mere mat-
ter-of-fact story. You may perhaps
give yourself airs of distance on this,
and that will completely cure me; but
I wish you would not; just let us meet,
if you please, in the old beaten way of
friendship.
I will not subscribe myself your
humble servant, for that is a phrase, I
think, at least fifty miles off from the
heart; but I will conclude with sin-
cerely wishing that the great Protector
of innocence may shield you from the
barbed dart of calumny, and hand you
by the covert snare of deceit.
' K. B.
No. XI.
TO MR. JOHN RICHMOND,
EDINBURGH.
MossGiEL, Feb. 17, 1786.
My dear Sir,— I liave not time at
present to upbraid you for your silence
and neglect; I shall only say I received
yours with great pleasure. I have en-
closed you a piece of rhyming ware for
your perusal. I have been very busy
with the Muses since I saw you, and
have composed among several others,
"The Ordination," a poem on Mr.
M'Kinlay's being called to Kilmarnock;
" Scotch Drink," a poem; " The Cot-
ter's Saturday Night;" "An Address
to the Dell," &c. I have likewise com-
pleted my poem on "The Twa Dogs,"
but have not shown it to the world.
My chief patron now is Mr. Aiken in
Ayr, who is pleased to express great
approbation of my works. Be so good
as to send me Fergusson, by Connel,
and I will remit you the money. I
have no news to acquaint you with
about Mauchline, they are just going
on in the old way. I have some very
important news with respect to myself,
not the most agreeable— news that I am
sure you cannot guess, but I shall give
you tho particulars another time. I am
extremely happy with Smith; he is the
only friend I have now in Mauchline.
I can scarcely forgive your long neglect
of me, and I beg you will let meliear
from you regularly by Connel. If you
would act your part as a friend, I am
sure neither good nor bad fortune
should strange or alter me. Excuse
haste, as I got yours but yesterday.—,.
I am, my dear sir, yours, ,.,
Robert Btjrnbss. : •
No. XII.
TO MR. JOHN KENNEDY.
MossGiEL, March 3, 1786.
Sir, — I have done myself the pleas-,
ure of complying with your request in
sending you my Cottagei-. If you have
a leisure minute, I should be glad you
would copy it and return me either the
original or the transcript, as I have not
a copy of it by me, and I have a friend
who wishes to see it.
Now, Kennedy, if foot or horse
E'er bring you in by Mauchline Corse,*
Lord, man, there's lasses there wad force
A hermit's fancy ;
And down the gate in faith they're worse.
And mair unchancy.
But, as I'm sayin', please step to Dow's,
And taste sic gear as Johnnie brews,
Till some bit callan bring me news
That you are there ;
And if we dinna haud a bouze
I'se ne'er drink mair.
It's no I like to sit and swallow.
Then like a swine to puke and wallow ;
But gie me just a true ^ood fallow,
Wi' right engine.
And spunkie ance to make us mellow,
And then we'll shine.
Now, if ye're ane o' warld's folk,
Wha rate the wearer by the cloak.
And sklent on poverty their joke,
Wi' bitter sneer,
Wi' you no friendship will I troke.
Nor cheap nor dear.
But if, as I'm inform&d weel,
Ye hate, as ill's the verra deil,
The flinty heart that canna feel,
Come, sir, here's tae you ! -
Hae, there's my haun', I wissyou wecl.
And gude be wi' you !
R. B.
* The village market cross.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
351
• .S3 No. XIII.
vfiTO MR. ROBERT MUIR,
^r KILMARNOCK,
MossGiEL, March 20, 1786.
Deab Sik, — I am lieartily sorry I
luid not the pleasure of seeing you as
you returned through Mauchline ; but
as I was engaged, I could not be in
town before the evening.
I here enclose you my ' ' Scotch Drink ,"
and ' ' may the follow with a bless-
ing for your edification. " I hope, some-
time before we hear the gowk, to have
the pleasure of seeing you at Kilmar-
nock, when I intend we shall have a
gill.between us, in a mutchkin stoup^
which will be a great comfort and con-
solation to, dear sir, your humble ser-
vant,
Robert Burness.
No. XIV.
!W^S^SGiEL, April 3, 1786.
DeAk Sir, — I received your kind
letter with double pleasure, on account
of the second flattering instance of
Mrs. C.'s notice and approbation. las-
sure you I
" Turn out the brunt side o' my shin,"
as the famous Ramsay of jingling
memory says, at such a patroness.
Present her my most grateful ac-
knowledgments in your very best
manner of telling truth. I have in-
scribed the following stanza on the
blank leaf of Miss More's work.*
My proposals for publishing I am
just going to send to press. I expect
to hear from you by the first oppor-
tunity.— I am ever, dear sir, yours,
Robert BuRNEss.f
* See " Lines to Mrs. C-
p. 103.
t f his was the last time the poet spelt his
Bame-according to the wont of his forefathers.
The Miss More alluded to was Hannah More.,
No. XV.
TO MR. M'WHINNIE, WRITER,
AYR.
MossGiBL, April 17, 1786,
It is injuring some hearts, those
hearts that elegantly bear the impres-
sion of the good Creator, to say to
thein you give them' the trouble of
obliging a friend; for this reason, 1
only tell you that I gratify my own
feelings in requesting your fii«ndly
offices "with respect to the eucfosed,
because I know it will gratify yours to
assist me in it to the utnaost of your
power.
I have sent you four copies, as I
have no less than eight dozen, which
is a great deal more than I shall ever
need.
Be sure to remember a poor poet
militant in your prayers. He loolts
iforwa,rd with fear and trembling tp
that, to him, important moment
which stamps the -die with — with—
with, perhaps, the eteriial disgrace of
my dear sir, your hiimble, afflicted,
tormented, ,
Robert Burns. -
No. XVI.
TO MR. JOHN KENNEDY.
MosSGlEL, April 20, 1786. .
Sir, — By some neglect in Mr. Hamil-
ton, I did not hear of your kind request
for a subscription paper till this day.
I will not attempt any acknowledg-
ment for this, nor the manner i^
which I see your name in Mr.Hamil-
ton's subscription list. Allow mo
only to say, sir, I feel the weight of
the debt.
I have here likewise enclosed a small
piece, the very latest of my produc-
tions.* I am a good deal pleased with
"some sentiments myself, as they are
j a^t the native querulous feelings of a
heart which, as the elegantly melting
■ * "The Mountain Daisy.'^
353
BURNS' WOBKS.
Gray says, " Melaijchply has marked
lorlier own." ... ,.. .
'■ Our race comes on apace; that mucli
expected scene of revelry and mirth; j
but to me il brings no joy equal to
that meeting with which you last flat-
itered the expectation of, sir, your -in-
debted humble servant, R. B.
No. XVII.
TO MR. JOHN KENNEDY.
MossGiEL, May 17, 1786.
DsAK Str, — Ihave cer-t you the al ore
Jiasty cQpyas I promised.* In about
three or four we^sl shall probably set
the press agoing. I am much hurried
at present, otherwise your diligence,
so very friendly in my subscription,
should Lave a more lengthened
acknowledgment from, dear sir, your
obliged servant, R. B.
No. xvm.
TO JOHN BALLANTYNE, OF AYR.
June 1786.
HoNOUKED Sir, — My proposals came
to hand last night, and knowing that
you would wish to have it in your
power "to do me a service as early as
aiiybody, I enclose you half-a-slieet of
them. I must consult you, first op.
■portunity, on the propriety of sending
my quondam friend, Mr Aiken a copy.
If he is now reconciled to my char-
acter as an honest man, I would do
it with all my soul; but I would not
be beholden to the noblest being ever
God created, if he imagined me to be
a rascal. Apropos, old Mr. Armour
prevailed with him to mutilate that
unlucky paper yesterday. Would you
believe it ? — though I had not a hope,
nor even a wish, to make her mine
after her conduct; yet, when he told
me the names were all out of the
paper, my heart died within me, and
*'*'The Epistle to Rankine.''
he cut my veins with the news. Per-
dition seize, her falsehood ! * R. B. .
No. XIX.
TO MR. DAVID BRICEf
MossGiEL, June 12, 1786^ .
. Deab Beice, — I received your
message by G. Patersou, and as I axrl
not very throng at present, I just
write to let you know that • there is
such a worthless, rhyming jreprolsate
as your humble servant sfall in the
land of the living, though I can
scarcely say in the place of hope. I
have no news to tell you that will give
me any pleasure to mention or you to
hear.
Poor, ill-advised, ungrateful Ar^lourr
came home on Friday last.:]: You
have heard all the particulars of that
affair, and a black affair it is. What
she thinks of her conduct now, I don't
know; one thing I do know — she has
made me completely miserable. Never
man loved, or rather adored, a woman
more than I did her; and, to confess a
truth between you and me, I do still love
her to distraction after all, though I
won't tell her so if I were to see her,,
which I don't want to do. My"poor dear
unfortunate Jean ! how happy have I
been in thy arms ! It is not-the losing
her that luakes me so unhappy, but
for her sake I feel most severely: I fore-1
see she is in the road to, I am afraid,"
eternal ruiu. -
May Almighty God forgive her in-
gratitude and perjury to me, as I fronv
my ver soul forgive her; and may
His grace be with her and bless her in
all her future life ! I can have no nearer
idea of the place of eternal punishment
than what I have felt in my own
breast on her account. I have tried
often to forget her; I have run into
all kinds of dissipation and riots,
..* Alluding- to the. destruction of the mar.
riage-lines between the poet and Jean.
t David Brice, then a shoemaker in Glas-
gow, one of the poet's early friends.
t From Paisley, whither she had g^one lio
reside, to be oc.t of the way of the poet.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
853
mason-ineetings, drinking-matclies.
and other mischief, to drive her out of
my head, bat all in vain. And now
foT a grand cure; the ship is on her
■way home that is to take me out to
Jamaica; and then farewell, dear old
Scotland ! and farewell, dear ungrate-
ful Jean ! for never, never will I see
you more.
'Yoa will have heard that I am going
to commence poet in print; and to-
morrow my works go to the press. I
.expect it will be a volume of about
two hundred pages — it is just the last
foolish action 1 intend to do; and
then turn a wise man as fast as possible.
— Believe me to be, dear Brioe, your
friend and well-wisher,
R. B.
No. XX.
TO MR. ROBERT AIKEN.
■'^-' Aybshire, July 17S6.
'BlR, — I was with Wilson, my
printer, t'other day, and settled all our
bygone matters between us. After I
Lad paid him all demands, I made
him the offer of the second edition, on
the hazard of being paid out of the
^ first and readiest, which he declines.
By. his acc3uat, the paper of a
thousand copies would cost about
twenty-seven pounds, and the printing
about fifteen or sixteen: he oi£ers to
agree to this for the printing, if I will
advance for the papjr, but this, you
know, is out of my power; so farewell
hop33 of a second edition till I grow
richer! an epoch which, I think, will
arrive at the payment of the British
national debt,
' . There is scarcely anything hurts me
so much in being disappointed of my
■second edition as not having it in my
power to show my gratitude to Mr.
IJallantyne, . by. publishing my poem
'of " The Brigs of Ayr." I would de-
test myself as a wretch, if I thought I
were isapaWe' in a very long life of
forgetting the honest, warm, and ten-
der delicacy with which he enters into
my interests. I am sometimes
pleased with myself in my grateful
sensations; but lljelieve on tlie whole;
I have very little pierit in it, as my
gratitude is not a virtue, the conse-
quence of reflection; but sheerly the
instinctive emotion of. my heart, too
inattentive to allow worldly maxims
and views to settle into selfish habits.
I have been feeling all the various
rotations and movements within;
respecting the Excise. There are
many things plead strongly against it;
the uncertainty of getting soon into
business; the consequences of my
follies, which may perhaps make it
imjiracticable for me to stay at home ;
and besides I have for some time
been piiiing uiider secret wretchedness,
froin causes which you pretty well
know — the pang of disappoihtmeutl
the sting of pride, with some wander-
ing stabs of remorse, which never fall
to settle on my vitals like vultures,
when attention is not called away Uy
the calls of society, or the vagaries of
the Muse. Even in the hour of so-
cial mirth, my gaiety is the madness
of an Intoxicated criminal under the
hands of the executioner. All these
reasons urge me to go abroad, and to
all these reasons I have only one
answer — the feelings of a father.
This, in the present mood L am in,
overba'lancss everything that can bd
laid in the scale against it. ■
You may perhaps think' it an extrav-
agant fancy, but it is a sentiment that
strikes homo to my very soul: though
skeptical in some points of our current
belief, yet, I think, I have every
evidence for the reality of a life be-
yond the stinted bourn of our present
existence; if so, then how shbtild I,
in the presence of that tremendous
Being, the Author of existence,— ho^*^
should I meet the reproaches of those
who stand to me in the dear relation of
children, "whom I deserted in the
smiling innocency of helpless infancy"?
O Thou great unknown Power ! —
Thou Almighty God ! who hast light-
ed up reason in my breast, and bl'essed
me with immortality ! — I have fre-
quently wandered from that order
and regularity necessary for' the per-
354
BTTRNB' WORKS.
fection of Thy works, yet Thou hast
never left me, nor forsaken me I
Since I wrote the foregoing sheet,
I liave seen something of the storm of
mischief thicltening over my folly-
devoted head. Should you, my
■friends, my benefactors, be successful
in your applications for me,* perhaps
it may not be in my power in that way
to reap the fruit of your friendly
efforts. What I bavo written in the
preceding pages is the settled tenor of
my present resolution : but should in-
imical circumstances forbid me closing
with your kind offer, or enjoying it
only threaten to entail further misery.
.... To tell the truth, I have little
reason for complaint; as the world,
in general, has been kind to me fully
up to my deserts. I was, for some
tiqie past, fast getting into the pining
distrustful snarl of the misanthrope.
I saw myself alone, unfit for the
struggle of life, shrinking at every
■rising cloud in the chance-directed at-
mosphere of fortune, while, all de-
fenceless, I looked about in vain for a
cover. It never occurred to me, at
least never with the force it deserved,
that this world is a busy scene, and
man, a creature destined for a pro-
fressive struggle; and that, however
might possess a warm heart and in-
offensive manners, (which last, by
the by, was rather more than I could
well boast,) stUl, more than these pas-
sive qualities, there was something to
be done. When all my schoolfellows
and youthful compeers (those mis-
guided few excepted who joined, to
use a Gentoo phrase, the "hallachores"
of the human race) were striking off
with eager hope and earnest intent, in
sonie one or other of the many paths
flf busy life, I was "standing idle in
the anarketplace," or only left the
chase of the butterfly from flower to
flower, to hunt fancy from whim to
whim."
You see, sir, that if to know one's
errors were" a probability of mending
them, I stand a fair . chance; but.
* Alluding to the efforts which were being
made to pfbcurc him an appointment in the
Excise.
according to the reverend West-
minster divines, though conviction
must precede conversion, it is very fif
from always implying it. K. B,
No. XXI.
TO MRS. DUNLOP OF DUNLOP.
Ayrshire, July 1786.
Madam, — I am truly sorry I was not
at homO/ yesterday, when I was so
much honouredSvitli your order for my
copie^and incomparably more by the
handsome compliments you are pleased
to pay my poetic abilities. lam fully
persuaded that there is not any class of
mankind so feelingly alive to the latU-
lations of applause as the sons of Par-
nassus: nor is it easy to conceive how
the heart of the poor bard dances with
rapture, when those whose character
in life gives them a right to be polite
judges honour him with their appro-
bation. Had you been thorough^ ac-
quainted with me, madam, you could
not have touched my darling heart-
chord more sweetly than by noticing
my attempts to celebrate your illustri-
ous ancestor, the saviour of his coun-
try.
" Great patriot hero ! ill-requited chief V
The first book I met with in my early
years, which I perused with pleasure,
was, "The Life of Hannibal;"- the
next was " The History of Sir Winiam
Wallace;" for several of my earlier
years I had few other authors; and
many a solitary hour have I stqle out,
after the laborious vocations of the
day, to shed a tear over their gkmous
but unfortunate stories. - In tlwse boy-
ish days I remember in particular be-
ing struck with that part of Wallace's
story where these lines occur — '-
" Syne to the Leglen wood, when it was kte.
To make a silent and a safe retreat."
I chose a fine summer Sunday, the
only day my line of life allowed, and
walked half-a-dozen of miles to pay
my respects to the Leglen wood, Tyith
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
«56
as much devout enthusiasm as ever pil-
grim did toLotetto; and, as I explored
'tevery den and dell where I could sup-
pose my heroitf countryman to have
lodged, I recollect (for even then I was
a rhymer) that my heart glowed with
a wish to be able to make u song on
him in some measure equal to his
•merits. R. B.
No. XXII.
TO MONS. JAMES SMITH,
MAUCHLINE.
MossGiEL, Monday, Morning, 1786.
Mt db\r Sik, — I went to Dr. Doug-
las yesterday, fully resolved to take
the ojiporturaity of Captaia Smith; but
I foand the doctor with a Mr. and Mrs.
"White, both Jamaicans, and they have
deranged my plans altogether. They
assure him, that to send me from Sa-
vannah la Mar to Port Autonio will cost
my master, Charles Douglas, upwards
of fifty pounds; besides running the
risk of- throwing myself into a pleuritic
iever in consequence of hard travelling
in the sun. On these accounts, he re-
fuses sending me with Smith; but a
vessel sails from Greenock on the 1st
of September, right for the place of my
destination. The captain of her is an
intimate friend of Mr. Gavin Hamil-
ton's, and as good a fellow as heart
; could wish: with him I am destined to
■go. Where I shall shelter, I know
iiot, but I hope to weather the storm.
njEerish the drop of blood of mine that
i-fears them ! I know their worst, and
- am prepared to meet it : —
■' " I'll laugh, and sine, and shake my leg,
'^- " As lang's I dow."
.,. On Thursday morning, if you can
j muster as much self-denial as to be out
^ gf bed about seven o'clock, I shall see
' you as I ride through to Cumnock.
After all. Heaven bless the sex ! I feel
there is still happiness for me among
them: —
^^ " O woman, lovely woman ! Heaven design'd
you
To temper man ! — we had been brutes with-
out you I"
:; : ; R. B.
No. XXIII. »
TO JOHN RICHMOND,
EDINBURGH.
MossGIEL, July 9, 1786.
With the sincerest grief I read your
•letter. You are truly a son of misfor-
tune. I shall be extremely anxious to
hear f rgm you how your health goes
on ; if it is any way re-establishing, or if
Leith prtjinises well; iu short, how you
feel in the inner man.
No news worth anything: only godly
Bryan was in the inquisition yesterday,'
and half the countryside as witnesses
against him. He still stands Qut steady
and denying: but proof was led yester-
night of circumstances highly sus-
picious; almost de facto ; one of the
servant-girls made faith that she upon
a time rashly entered into the house,
to speak, in your cant, "in the hour of
cause."
I have waited on Armour since her
return home; not from the least view
of reconciliation, but merely to ask
for her health, and to you I will con-
fess it, from a foolish hankering fond-
ness,' very ill placed indeed. The
mother Jetrbade me the house, nor did
Jean show that penitence that might,
have been expected. However, thJ
priest, I have been informed, will give
me a certificate as a single man, if I
comply with the rules of the Church,
which for that very reason I intend to
do.
I am going to put on sackcloth and
ashes this day. I am indulged so far
as to appear in my own seat. Peccavi,
pater, miserere mei. My book will be
ready in a fortnight. If you have any
.subscribers, return them by Connell.
The Lord stand with the righteous.
Amen, amen. R. B.
No. XXIV.
TO MR. DAVID BRICE, SHOE-
MAKER, GLASGOW.
MossciEL, July 26, 1786,-
I HAVE been so throng printing my
poems that I could gcarc-jly find as
356
BURNS' WORKS.
maeli time as to write to you. Poor
Armour is come back again to Maucli-
liue, and I ^yent to call for lier, and
her motherforbabe me the house, nor
did she herself express much sorrow
for what sho has done. I have already-
appeared piiblicaly in church, and was
indulged in the liberty of standing in
my own seat. I do this to get a cer-
tificate as a bachelor, which Mr.' Auld
has promised me. I am now fixed to go
for the West Indies in October. Jean
and her friends insisted much that
she should stand Along with me in the
kirk, but the minister would not allow
it, which bred a great trouble, I assure
you, and I am blamed as the cause of
it, though I am sure I am innocent;
but I am very much pleased, for all
that, not to have had her company. I
have no news to tell you that I remem-
ber. I am really happy to hear of
your welfare, and that you are so well
in Glasgow. I must certainly see you
before 1 leave the country. I shall ex-
pect to hear from you soon, and am,
dear Brice, yours, R. B.
No. XXV.
TO MR. JOHN RICHMOND.
Old Rome Forest, July 3o,'i786.
My deak Richmond, — My hour is
now come — you and I will never meet
in Britain more. I have orders, with-
in three weeks at furthest, to repair
aboard the Nancy, Captain Smith,
from Clyde to Jamaica, and to call at
Antigua. This, except to our friend
Smith, whom God long preserve, is a
secret about Maucliline. Would you
believe it t Armour has got a warrant
to throw me into jail till I find secur-
ity for an enormous sum.* This they
keep an entire secret,-but I got it by a
channel they little dream of; and I am
wandering from one friend's house to
another, and, like a true son of the
gospel, " have no where to lay my
head." I know you will pour an ex-
* The poet had been misinformed. Armour
had no- wish ro imprison him ; hs only sought-
to drive him from the country.
ecration on her head, but spare the
poor, ill-advised girl, for my sake^
though may all the furies that rend
the injured, enraged lover's bosom
await her mother until her latest hour!
I write in a moment of rage, reileeting
on my miserable situation — exiled,
abandoned, forlorn. I can write no
more — let me hear from you by the ra-
turn of coach. I will write you ere I
go. — I am, dear sir, yours, here and
hereafter, R. B.
No. XXVI.
TO MR. JOHN KENNEDY.
Kilmarnock, Aug, 1786.
Mt deab Sib, — Your truly facetious
epistle of the 3d instant gave me much
entdrtainment. I was sorry I had not
the pleasure of seeing you as I passed
your way; but we shall bring jip all
our lee way on Wednesday, the 16th
current, when I hope to have it in my
power to call on you and take a kind,
very probably a last adieu, before I go
for Jamaica; and I expect orders to re-
pair to Greenock every day. I have at
last made my public appearance, and
am solemnly inaugurated into the
numerous class. Could I have got a
carrier, you should have had a score
of vouchers for my authorship; biit
now you have them, let them speak
for themselves.
R. B.
[The poet' here inserts his "Tare-
well," which will be found at p. 93.
No. XXVII.
TO MR. ROBERT MUffi,"
KILMARNOCK.
MoS-sGiEL, Friday Noon, Sept. 1786.
My Fkiend, my Brother.— Warm
recollection of an absent friend presses
so hard upon my heart that I send him
the prefixed bagatelle, (''The Calf,!")
pleased with the thoiight that it will
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
307
greeTtlie man of my bosom, and be a
kind of distant language of friend-
sliip.
■ ¥ou will have heard that poor Ar-
mour has repaid me double. A very
flfte boy and a girl have awakened a
thought and feelings that thrill, some
\vitli tender pressure and some with
foreboding anguish; through my soul.
, The poem was nearly an extempora-
:nebus production, on a wager with
'Mr. Hamilton that I would hot produce
a poem on the subject in a given time.
If you think it worth while, read it to
Charles and Mr. W. Parker, and if they
choose a copy of it, it is at their ser-
vice, as they are men whose friendship
I shall be proud to claim both in this
world and that which is to come.
"I- beHeve all hopes of staying at
home will be abortive, but more of
this when, in the latter part of next
week, you shall be troubled with a
visit from, my dear sir; your most de-
'voted, E. B.
No. XXVIII.
TO MR. BURNESS, MONTROSE.
. . MossGiEL, Friday Noon, Sept. 26, 1786.
' My dear Sir, — I at this moment
receive yoars — receive it with the hon-
est, hospitable warmth "of a friend's
Welcome. Whatever comes from you
wakens always up the better blood
about my heart, which your kind little
recollections of my parental friends
carries as far as it will go. 'Tis there
that man is West ! 'Tis there, my
friend, man feels a consciousness of
something within him above the trod-
den clod ! The grateful reverence to
the hbary (earthly) author of liisheing
— the burning glow when he clasps the
woman of his soul to his bosom — the
tender yearnings of heart for the little
angejs to whom he has given existence
. — these nature has poured in milky
streams about the human heart; and
the man who neVer rouses theni to ac-
tion, by the inspiring influences of
their proper objects, loses by far the
most pleasurable part of -his existence.
My departure is uncertain, but I do
not tliink it will be till after harvest.
I will be on very short allowance of
time indeed, if I do not comply with
your friendly invitation. When it
will be, I don't know, but if I can
make my wish good, I will endeavour
to drop you a line some time before.
My best compliments to Mrs. ; I
should [be] equally mortified should I
drop in when she is abroad; but of
that I suppose there is little chance.
What I have written Heaven knows;
I have not time to review it: so accept
of it in the beaten way bf friendship.
With the ordinary phrase— perhaps
rather more than the ordinary sincerity
— I am, dear sir, ever yours,
R. B.
No. XXIX.
TO DR. ARCHIBALD LAWRIE.
MOSSGIEL, Nov. 13, 1786.
Dear Sir, — I have, along with this,
sent the two volumes of Ossian, with
the remaining volume of the songs.
Ossian I am not in such a hurry about,
but I wish the songs, with the volume
of the Scotch Poets, returned, as soon
as they can be conveniently despatched.
If they are left at Mr. Wilson's the
bookseller, Kilmarnock, they wUl easUy
reach me. My most respectable com-
pliments to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrie, and
a poet's warm vrishes for their happi-
ness;— to the young ladies, particularly
the fair musician, whom I think much
better qualified than ever David was.
or could be, to charm an evil spirit
out of Saul. Indeed, it needs not the
feelings of a poet to be interested in
one of the sweetest scenes of domestic
peace and kindred love that ever I saw,
as I think the peaceful unity of St.
Margaret's Hill can only be excelled
by the harmonious concord of the
Apocalypse. — I am, dear sir, yours sin-
cerely,
Robert Burns. ■
358-
BURNS' WORKS.
No. XXX.
TO MISS ALEXANDER.
MOSSGIEL, Nov. iS. 1786.
Madam, — Poets are such outre be-
ings, so much the children of way-
ward fancy and capricious whim, that
1 believe the world generally allows
them a larger latitude in the laws of
propriety than the sober sons of judg-
ment and prudence. I mention this
as an apology for the liberties that a
nameless stranger has taken with you
in the enclosed poem, which he begs
leave to present you with. Whether
it has poetical merit any way worthy
of the theme, I am not the proper
judge; but it is the best my abilities
can produce; and,; what to a good
heart will, perhaps, be a superior
grace, it is as sincere as fervent.
The scenery was nearly taken from
real life, though I daresay, madam,
you do not recollect it,, as I believe you
scarcely noticed the poetic reueur as he
wandered by you. I had roved out, as
chance directed, in the favourite haunts
of my muse, on the banks of the Ayr,
to view nature in all the gaiety of the
vernal year. Tlie evening sun was
flaming over the distant western hills;
not a breath stirred the crimson open-
ing blossom or the verdant spreading
leaf. It was a golden moment for
a poetic heart. I listened to the
feathered warblers, jDouring their har-
mony on every hand, with a congenial
kindred regard, and frequently turned
out of my path, lest I should disturb
their little songs, or frighten them to
another station. Surely, said I to my-
self, he must be a wretch indeed who,
regardless of your harmonious en-
deavour to please him, can eye your elu-
sive flights to discover your secret re-
cesses, and to rob you of all the prop-
erty nature gives you — ^your dearest
comforts.your helpless nestlings. Even
the hoary hawthorn twig that shot
across the way, what heart at such a
time but must have been interested in
its welfare, and wished it preserved
from the rudely-browsing cattle, or the
withering eastern blast? Such was
the scene, and such the hour, when in
a corner of my prospect I spied one of
the fairest pieces of nature's workman- "
ship that ever crowned a poetic land-
scape or met a poet's eye, those vision^ '
ary bards excepted who hold converse-;!
with aerial beings ! Had Calumny and
Villainy taken my walk, they had at
that moment sworn eternal peace with?
such an object.
What an hour of inspiration for a
I)oet ! It would have raised plain dull
historic prose into metaphor and meas-
ure.
The enclosed song ["The Bonnie
Lass of Ballochmyle"] was the work of
my return home; and perhaps it but
poorly answers what might have been
expected from such a scene. I have
the honour to be, madam, your most
obedient and very humble servant,
R. B.
No. XXXI.
TO MRS. STEWART OP STAIR.
Nov. 1786.
Madam, — The hurry of my prepara-
tions for going abroad has hindered me
from performing my promise so soon
as I intended. I have here sent you a
parcel of songs, &c. , which never made
their appearance, except to a friend or
two at most. Perhaps some of them
may be no great entertainment to you,
but of that I am far from being an
adequate judge. The song to the tune
of "Ettrick Banlts," ["The Bonnie
Lass of Ballochmyle"] you ^Vill easily
see the impropriety of exposing much,
even in manuscript. I think, myself,
it has some merit: both as a tolejable
description of one of nature's sweetest
scenes, a July evening; and one of the
finest pieces of nature's workmanship,
and the finest indeed we know any-
thing of, an amiable, beautiful young
woman; but I have no common friend
GENERAL . COBEESPONDENCE.
saa
to. procure me that permission, witliout
wl^icli I would not dare to spread the
cop/. , ,
£ am quite aware, madam, wliat task
the world would assign me in this let-
ter. The obscure bard, when any of
the great condescend to take notice of
him, should heap the altar with the in-
cense of ilattery. Their high ancestry,
their own great and godlike qualities
and actions, should be recounted with
the m^ost^ exaggerated description.
This, madam, is a task for which I am
altogether unfit. Besides a certain
disqualifying pride of heart, I know
nbthing of your connexions in life, and
hjive no access to where your real
character is to be found — the company
of yqur compeers; and more, I am
afBs[idthat even the most refined adula-
tion is by ho means the road to your
goQd;,opinion.
. One feature of your character I shall
ever with grateful pleasure remember
— the reception 1 got when I had the
honour of waiting on you at Stair. I
am little acquainted with politeness,
but I know a good deal of benevolence
of temper and goodness of heart.
Surely did those in exalted stations
know how happy they could make some
classes of their inferiors by condescen-
sion and affability, they would never
stand so high, measuring cut with
every look the height of their eleva-
tion, but condescend as sweetly as did
Mrs. Stewart of Stair.
B. E.
No. XXXIL
TO ME. BOBEET MUIB.
MOSSGIEL, Nov. l8, IjCG.
.Ii/Ly dear Ser, — ^Enclosed you have
"Tam Samson," as I intend to print
him . I am thinldng for my Edinburgh
expedition on Monday or Tuesday,
come se'ennight, for pos. I will see
you on Tuesday first. I am ever, your
much indebted,
E. B.
No. XXXIII.
IN THE NAME OP THE NINE.
— Amen.
Wb, Bobert Burns, by virtue of a
warrant from Nature, bearing date
January 35, 1759,* Poet-Laureate and
Bard-in-Chief in and over the districts
and countries of Kyle, Cunningham,
and Carrick, of old extent, to our
trusty and well-beloved William Chal-
mers and John M'Adam, students and
practitioners in the ancient and myste-.
rious science of confounding right and
wrong.
Bight Trtjstt, — ^Be it known unto
you, that whereas in the course of our
care and watching over the order and
police of all and sundry the manufac-
turers, retainers, and venders of poesy;
bards, poets, poetasters, rhymers, jing-
lers, songsters,' ballad-singers, &c. &c.,,
male and female, wg have discovered
a certain nefarious, abominable, and
wicked song or ballad, a copy whereof,
we have here enclosed: Our will there-
fore is, that ye pitch upon and appoint
the most execrable individual, of that
execrable species, known by the ap-
pellation, phrase, and nickname of The
Deil's Yell Nowte: f and after having
caused him to kindle a fire at the
Cross of Ayr, ye shall, at noontide of
the day, put into the said wretch's
merciless hands the said copy of tlie
said nefarious and wicked song; to be
consumed by fire in presence of all be-
holders, in abhorrence of and terrorem
to, all such compositions and compos-
ers. And this in nowise leave ye un-'
done, but have it executed in every
point as this our mandate bears, before,
the 34th current, when in person We.
hope to applaud your faithfulness and
zeal.
Given at Mauchliue, November 30,
A. D. 1786. God save the Bard !
* The poet's birth'day,'
t Dr. Currie thinks this phrase alludes to
old bachelors ; but the poet's brother, Gilbert.
Burns, considers it.a contemptuous appella-.
tion' often piven to the officers of' the. law,"
and that it is in this sense it is used here,
" Holy Willie's Prayer" is the poem alluded
to. . ,
360
BURNS' WORKS.
No. XXXIV.
TO DR. MACKENZIE,*
-MAUCHLINE,
•ENCLOSING HIM VERSES ON DINLNG
' WITH LOKD DAER.f
Wedneoday Morning, Nov. 1786.
Deab Sin, — I never spent an after-
hodn among great folks -vvith half that
pleasure as when, iu company with
yoii, I had the honour of paying my
devpirs to that plain, honest, worthy
fiiah, the professor, [Dugald Stewart].
I would be delighted to see him -per-
form acts of kindness and friendship,
though I were not the object; he does
it with such a grace. I think his
character, divided into ten parts,
stands thus — four parts Socrates — four
parts Nathanael — and two parts Shake-
speare's Brutus.
The accompanying verses were re-
ally extempore, but a little corrected
since. They may entertain you a little
with the help of that partiality with
which you are so good as to favour the
performances of, dear sir, your very
humble servant,
R. B.
No. XXXV.
TO SAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ.,
MAUCHLINE.t
Edinburgh, Dec 7, 1786.
Honoured Sib,^1 have paid eveiy
attention to your commands, but can
* Dr. Mackenzie was one of Burns' early
friends and admirers, and the first to intro-
duce him to Dugald -Stewart. After practis-
ing for many years as a surgeon in Irvine, he
retired to Edinburgh, and died therein 1837
at an advanced age.
t See the lines, p. 100.
t Gavin Hamilton, a fast friend of Burns*,
was his landlord - in the farm of Mossgiel.
Burns was a frequent and welcome guest at
his table. Mr. Hamilton had incurred the
censure of the session of the church of which
he was a member, on account of alleged non-
attendance at public worship. Sunday travel-
ling, ,&c., and It was this which suggested to
the poet the writing of that terrible satire,
*i Holy Willie's Prayer.'.' (See page . 43.)
Burns wrote a dedicatory poem to Gavm-
only say what perhaps you will have
heard before this reaches you, that
Muirkirklands were bought by a Mr.
John Gordon, W. S., but for whom I
know not; Mauchlands, Haugh Miln,
&c., by a Mr. Frederick Fothering-
ham, supposed to be for Ballochttiyle
Laird and Adam-hill and Shawood
were bought for Oswald's folks. This
is so imperfect an account, and wiil'be
so late ere it reach you, that were it
not to discharge my conscience I
would not trouble you with it; but
after all my diligence I could make it
no sooner nor better.
For my own affairs, I am in a fair
way of becoming as eminent as
Thomas a Kempis or John Bunyan;
and you may expect henceforth to see
my birthday inserted among the won-
derful events, in the Poor Robin's and
Aberdeen Almanacs, along with the
Black Monday, and the battle of Both-
well Bridge. My Lord Gleneaim and
the Dean of Faculty, Mr. H. Erskine,
have taken me under their wing; and in
all probability I shall soon be' the
tenth worthy, and the eighth wise,
man of the world. Through 'my lord's
influence it is inserted in the records
of the Caledonian Hunt that they
universally, one and all, subscribe for
the second edition. My subscription
bills come out to-morrow, and you
shall have some of them next post
I have met, in Mr. Dalrymple of Or-
angefield, what Solomon emphatically
calls ' ' a friend that sticketh closer
than a brother." The warmth with
which he interests himself in niy
affairs is of the same enthusiasti'c
kind which you, Mr. Aiken, and the
few patrons that took notice of iriy
earlier poetic days, showed for th6
poor unlucky devil of a poet.
I always remember Mrs. Hamilton
and Miss Kennedy in my poetic pray-
ers, but you both iu prose and verse.
May cauld ne'er catch you iui a Aap^*- ■
Nor hunger but in plenty's lap !
Amen ! R. B.
Hamilton (see page 90,) which did not appear
at the front of the volume, though included ia
its pages. -■ ■
* Ti^ithout sufScient ckithiog.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
361:
No, XXXVI.
■ TO JOHN BALLANTYNB, ESQ.,
BANKER, AYR.*
Edinburgh, Dec. 13, 1786.
My Honoured FitiENi)'. — I would
not write you till I could liive it in
uiy power to give you some account
of myself and my matters, which, by
the by, is often no easy task. I ar-
rived hej-e on Tuesday was se'ennight,
: and have suffered ever since I came to
, town with a miserable headache and
stomach complaint, but am now a good
deal better. I have found a worthy,
warm friend" in Mr Dalrymple of Or-
angefield, who introduced me to Lord
Glencairn, a man whose worth and
brotherly kindness to me I shall re-
member when time shall be no more.
By his interest it is passed in the Cal-
edonian Hunt, and entered in their
books, that they are to take each a
copy of the second edition, for which
they are to pay one guinea. I have
been introduced to a good many of the
noblesse; but my avowed patrons and
patronesses are — the Duchess of Gor-
don, the Countess of Gleucaim, with
my Lord, and Lady Betty,f the Dean
of Faculty, Sir John Whitefoord. I
iave likewise warm friends among
the literati: Professors Stewart,
Blair, and Mr. Mackenzie — " The
Man of Feeling." An unknown hand
left ten guineas for the Ayrshire bard
with Mr. .Sibbald, which I got. I
since have discovered my generous
unknown friend to be Patrick Miller,
.Esq., brother to the Justice-Clerk ;
and drank a glass of claret with liim
Jt)y invitation at his own house yester-
mght. I am nearly agreed with
Cieech to print my book, and I sup-
pose I will begin on Monday. I will
send a subscription bill or two next
post, when I intend writing my- first
kind patron, Mr. Aiken. 1 saw his
son to-day, and he is very well.
. * John Ballantyne, a friend and patron of
the poet's, to whom he addressed " The Brigs
of Ayr." He was for some time provost of
Ayr, "and had shown niuch zeal in the im-
provement of his native town.
+ Lady Betty Cunningham, an unmarried
sister of the earl's, ~
Dugald Stewart and- some of my
learned friends put me in the period-
ical paper called the Lounger * a copy
of which I here enclose you. I was,
sir, when I was first .honoured with
your notice, too obscure; now I trem-
ble lest I should be ruined by being
dragged too suddenly into the glare of
polite and learned observation.
I shall certainly, my ever-honoured
patron, write you an .account of my
every step; and better health a,nd more
spirits may enable me to maJie it some-
thing better than this stupid matter-of-
fact epistle. — I have the honour to be,
good sir, your ever-grateful humble
servant, R. B.
If any of my friends write me, my
direction is, care of Mr. Creech, book-
seller.
No. XXXVII.
TO MR. ROBERT MUIR.
Edinburgh, Dec. 20, 1786. .
My DEAR Fkiend, — I have just
time foT the carrier, to tell you that I
received your lettei-; of which I shall
say no more but what a lass of my ac-
quaintance said of her bastard wean;
she said she ' ' didna ken wha was the
father exactly, but she suspected it
was some o' thae bonny blackguard
smugglers, for it was like them." So
I only- say your obliging epistle was
like you. 1 enclose you a, parcel of
subscription bills. Your affair of
sixty copies is also 1 ike you ; but it would
not be like me to comply.
Your friend's notion of my life has
put a crotchet in ^axj head of sketching
it in some future epistle to you. My
compliments to Charles and Mr.
Parker. R. B.
No. XXXVIII.
TO MR. CLEGHORN.
" Oh, whare did ye get that hauver meal ban-
ftOCK," &c.t
Dear Cleqhorn, — You will see by
* The Lounger, by Henry Mackenzie, the
author of " The Man of Feeling."
t See the first version of " Bonnie Dundee,"
at p. 206.
S6;5
BURNS' WORKS.
the above that I have added a stanza
to " Bonnie Dundee." If you think
it will do, you may set it agoing
" Upon a ten-string'd instrument^
And on the psaltery."
R. B.
Mb. Cleghorn, Faembtr.
God bless the trade.
>Io. XXXIX.
, TO MR. WILLIAM CHALMERS,
WRITER, AYR.*
Edinburgh, Dec. 27, 1786.
Mt deak Friend, — I confess I have
sinned the sin for which there is
hardly any forgiveness — ingratitude
to friendship— in not writing you
sooner; but of all men living, I had
intended to send you an entertaining
letter; and by all the plodding, stupid
powers, that in nodding, conceited
majesty preside over the dull routine
of business — a lieavily-solemn oath
this ! — I am, and have been, ever
since I came to Edinburgli , as anfit to
write a letter of humour as to write a
commentary on the Revelation of St.
John the Divine, who was banished to
the Islo of Patmos by the cruel and
bloody Domitian, son to Vespasian and
brother to Titus, botli emperors of
Rome, and who was himself an em-
I)eror, and raised the second or third
persecution, I forget which, against
the Christians, and after throwing the
said apostle John, brother to the apos-
tle James, commonly called James the
Greater, to distinguish him from
another James, who was, on some ac-
count or other, known by the name of
James the Less — after throwing him
into a caldron of boiling oil| from
which he was miraculously preserved,
he banislied the poor son of Zebedee
to a desert island in the Archipelago,
* Mr. William Chalmers, a writer in Ayr,
an early friend of the poet's. He was in love,
and, as he was not so successful in his suit as
he wished to be, he asked Burns to endeavour
to propitiate the object of his affections by
addressing a poem to her. " Willie Chalmers''
(See page 94) was the result. It is. not known
wTiether he succeeded in his suit.
where he was ^fted with the second '
sight, and saw asteany wild beasts as
I have seen since I cameto Ediitbuigh; •
which — a circumstance not very un-
common in story-telling — ^brings me
back to where I set out.
To make you some amends for what,
before you reach this paragraph, you ■'
will have suffered, I enclose you two
poems I have carded and spun since I «
past Qlenbuck.
One blank in the address to Edin-
burgh— "Fair B " — is the heavenly
Miss Burnet, daughter of Lord Mon-
boddo, at whose house I have had the
honour to be more than once. '-__ There ,
has not been anything nearly like her
in all the combinations of beauty,
grace, and goodness the great Creator
has formed, since Milton's Eve on the
first day of her existence.
' My direction is — care of Andrew
Bruce, merchant. Bridge Street.
R. B.
No. XL. ,^
TO GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ., '■
MAUCHLINE. '
Edinburgh, January 7, 17B7. ■ ;
To tell the truth among friends, I
feel a miserable blank in my heart
from the want of her [alluding to ■
Jean Armour], and I don't think I ^
shall ever meet wth so delicious an
armful again. She has her fatilts; "
but so have you and I; and so has''
everybody. "^
Their tricks and craft hae put me daft ;
They've taen me in and a' that ; , ,(
But clear your decks, and here's the sex,
I like the jades for a' that. ^'
For a that, and a' that, i'':
And twice as muckle's a' that.
I have met with a very pretty girl, .
a Lothian farmer's daughter, whom<I'
have almost persuaded to accompanye*
me to the west country, should 1 ever?
return to settle there. — By the by, a.
Lothian farmer is about the same as
an Ayrshire squire of the loweclcind.
— I had a most delicious ride from
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
3«3-
Laitli to her house yesterniglit, in a
liackaey coach, with, her brother and
two sisters, and brother's wife. We
had dined all together at a comraou
friend's house in Leith, and drunk,
danced, and sang till late enough.
The night was dark, the claret had
been good, and I thirsty . . .
[.The remainder is unfortunately
wanting.]
No. XLI.
TO THE EARL OF EQLINTON.
Edinburgh, Jan. 17S7.
My Lobd, — As T have but slender
pretensions to philosophy, I cannot
rise to the exalted ideas of a citizen of
the world, but have all those national
prejudices which I believe glow
peculiarly strong in the breast of a
Scotcliman. There is scarcely any-
thing to which I am so feelingly alive
as the honour and welfare of my coun-
try; and, as a poet, I have no higher
enjoyment than singing her sons and
daughters. Fate had cast my station
in the veriest shades of life; but never
did a heart pant more ardently than
mine to be distinguished; though, till
very lately, I looked in vain on every
side for a ray of light. It is easy then
to. guess howmuch I was gratified vrith
the countenance and approbation of
one of my country's most illustrious
sons, when Mr. Wauchope called on
me yesterday on the part of your lord-
ship. Your munificence, my lord,
certainly deserves my very grateful ac-
knowledgments; but your patronage is
a bounty peculiarly suited to my feel-
ings. I am not master enough of the
etiquette of life to know whether there
be not some impropriety in troubling
your lordship with my thanks, but my
hteart whispered me to do it. From the
emotions of my inmost soul I do it.
Selfish ingratitude I hope I am in-
capable of ; and mercenary servility, I
trust, I .shall ever have so much honest
pjjde as to detest,
,■• .. E. B.
No. XLII.
TO JOHN BALLANTYNE, ESQ.
Edinburgh, Jan. 14, 17S7.
My honouked Friend — It gives me-
a secret comfort to observe in myself
that I am not yet so far gone as Willie
Gaw's Skate, " past redemption;"* for
I have still this favourable symptom of
grace, that when my conscience, as in
the case of this letter, tells me I am
leaving something undone that I ought
to do, it teases me eternally till I doit.
I am still " dark as was chaos" in re-
spect to futurity. My generous friend,
Mr. Patrick Miller has been tallung with
me about a lease of some farm or other
in an estate called Dalswintou, which he '
has lately bought near Dumfries. Some
life -rented embittering recollections,
whisper me that I will be happier any-
where than in my old neighbourhood,
but Mr. Miller is no judge of land ; and
though I daresay he means to favour
me, yet he may give me in his opinion,
an advantageous bargain that may ruin
me. I am to take a toiir by Dumfries
as I return, and have promised to meet
Mr. Miller on his lands some time in
May.
I went to a mason-lodge yesternight,
where the most Worshipful Grand-
master Charteris, and all the Grand
Lodge of Scotland; visited. The meet-
ing was numerous and elegant; all the
different lodges about town were
present in all their pomp. The grand-
master, who presided with great solem-
nity and honour to himself, as a gentle-
man and mason, among other general
toasts, gave "Caledonia, and Cale-.
donia's Bard, Brother -Burns," — which
rang through the whole assembly with
multiplied honours and repeated accla-
mations. As I had no idea such a
thing would happen, I was downright
thunderstruck, and trembling in every
nerve, made the best return in my-
power. Just as I had finished, some
of the grand officers said, so loud that
I could hear, with a most comforting
* A proverbial expression denoting utter
ruin, which is still ia use.
364
BURNS' WORKS.
accent, "Very- well indeed!" wliicli
set me something to rights again.
I have to-day corrected my 152d
page. My best good wishes to Mr.
Aiken. I am ever, dear sir, your much
indebted humble servant,
E. B.
No. XLIII.
TO THE SAME.
Jan. 1787.
While here I sit, sad and solitary,
by the side of a fire in a little country
inn, and drying my wet clothes, in
pops a poor fellow of a sodger, and tells
me he is going to Ayr. By Heaven !
say I to myself, with a tide of good
spirits which the magic of that sound,
auld toun o' Ayr, conjured up, I will
send my last song to Mr. Ballantyne.
Here it is —
Ye flowery banks o' bonnie Doon,
How can ye bloom sae fair !
How can ye chant, ye little birds,
And I sae fu' o' care !* &c.
No. XLIV.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Edinburgh, Jan.15, 1787.
Madam,' — ^Yoursof the 9th current,
which I am this moment honoured
with, is a deep reproach to me for un-
grateful neglect. I will tell you the
real truth, ioi I am miserably awk-
ward at a fib — I wished to have written
to Dr. Moore before I wrote to you;
hut though, every day since I received
yours of December 30th, the idea, the
wish to write to him has constantly
pressed on my thoughts, yet I could
not for my soul set about it. I know
his fame and character, and I am one
of ' ' the sons of little men. " To write
him a mere matter-of-fact affair, like a
merchant's order, would be disgracing
the little character I have; and to
write tiie author of " The View of
Society and Manners'' a letter of eenti-
inent — I declare every artery runs cold
* See " The Banks o' Doon," p. 203.
at the thought. I shall try, however,
to write to him to-morrow or next day.
His kind interposition ^n my behalf X
have already experienced, as a gentle--
man waited on me the other day, on
the part of Lord Eglinton, with ten
guineas, by way of subscription for
two copies of my next edition.
- The word you object to in the men-
tion I have made of my glorious couu;
tryman and your immortal ancestor, is
indeed borrowed from Thomson; but
it does not strike me as an improper
epithet. I distrusted my own judg-
ment on your .finding fault with it, and
applied for the opinion of some of tlie
literati here who honour me with their
critical strictures, and they all allow it
to be proper. The song yoa ask 1 can-
not recollect, and I have not a copy of
it. I have not composed anything on
the great Wallace, except what you
have seen in print; and the enclosed,
which I will print in this edition.*
You will see I have mentioned some
others of the name. When I composed
my ' ' Vision" long ago, I had attempted
a description of Kyle, of which the
additional stanzas are a part, as it
originally stood. My heart glows with
a wish to be able to do justice to the
merits of the "saviour of his country,"
which sooner cr later I shall at least
attempt.
You aro afraid I shall grow intoxi-
cated with my prosperity as » poet;
alas ! madam, I know myself and the
world too well. I do not mean any
airs of affected modesty; I am willing
to believe that my abilities deserve
some notice; but in a most enlightened,
informed age and nation, when poetry
is and has been the study of men of
the first natural genius, aided with all
the powers of polite learning, polite
books, and polite company — to be
dragged forth to the full glare of
learned and polite observation, vrith all
my imperfections of awkward rusticity
and crude, unpolished ideas on my
head — I assure you, madam, I do not
dissemble when I tell you I tremble for
the consequences. The novelty of apoet
* See " The Vision," p. 60.
GKNBRAL CORRBSPONDEXCE.
363
in my obscure situation, without any of
tliose ladvantages which are reckoned
iledessary for that character, at least
at this time of day, has raised a partial
tide of public notice which has borne
me to a height, where I am absolutely,
feelingly certain my abilities are in-
adequate to support me; and too surely
do I see that time when the same tide
will leave me, and recede, perhaps, as
i&T below the mark of truth. I do not
Say this in the ridiculous affectation of
self-abasement and modesty. I have
studied myself, and know what ground
I occupy; and, however a friend of the
world'may differ from me in that par-
ticular, I stand for my own opinion, in
silent resolve, with all the tenacioiis-
ness of property. I mention this to
j^ou once for all to disburden my mind,
and J do not wish to hear or say more
abaut it. But,
" When proud fortune's ebbing tide recedes,''
you will bear me witness that, when
my bubble of fame ws^s at the highest,
1 stood unintoxicated, with the in-
ebriating cup in my hand, looking for-
ward with rueful resolve to the hasten-
ing time when the blow of Calumny
should dash it to the ground, with all
the eagerness of vengeful triumph.
Your patronising me and interesting
yourself in my fame and character a3 a
poet, I^'ejoice in; it exalts rne in my
own idea: and whether you can or can
not aid me in my subscription is a
trifle. Has a paltry subscription-bill
any charms for the heart of a bard,
compared with the patronasfe of the
descendant of the immortal Wallace ?
R. B.
No. XLV.
TO DR. MOORE.*
Edinburgh, Jan. 1787.
Stb, — Mrs. Dunlop has been so kind
as to send me extracts of letters she
* Dr. Moore, who thus early discovered the
talent of the poet, was a son of the Rev.
Charles Moore of Stirling, and was educated'
has had from you, where you do the
rustic bard the honour of noticing hini
and his works. Those who have felt
the anxieties and .solicitudes of author-
ship can only know what pleasure it
gives to be noticed in such a manner
by judges of the first character. Your
criticisms, sir, I receive with reverence:
only I am sorry they mostly came top
late: a peccant passage or two, that I
would certainly have altered, were
gone to the press.
The hope to be admired for ?iges is,
in by far the greater part of those even
who are authors of repute, an unsub-
stantial dream. For my part, my first
ambition Was, and still my strongest
wish is, to please my compeers, the
rustic inmates of the hamlet, while
ever-changing language and munners
shall allow me to be relished and un-
derstood. I am very willing to admit
that I have some poetical abilities:
and as few, if any, writers, either
at Glasgow for the medical profession. In
1747, while only seventeen years of age, he
was, through the patronage of the Duke of
Argyle, attached to the hospitals connected
with the British army in Flanders. On his
return, he settled in Glasgow ; but disliking
the drudgery of the profession, he gave up
his practice, and accepted the post of medical
guardian to the young Duke of Hamilton,
whose delicate health rendered the constant
attendant; of a medical man necessary. On
the death of the young Duke, Dr. Moore's
services were .transferred to the brother pf
the deceased, with whom he spent five years
of Continental travel. When the Duke had
attained his majority, Dr. Moore settled in
London, and afterwards became well known
as an author.
He wrote " A View of Society and Man-
ners, in France, Switzerland, and Germany,"
the result of his foreign travel ; *' Medical
Sketches ;" and when he was an old man, a
novel entitled, " Zeluco." In I7g2, when
sixty-three years of age, he was in Paris, and
witnessed tne insurrection of the loth of Au-
gust, the dethronement of the king, and mu^
of the horrors of that year of blood, and gave
the result of his experience on his return, in
the shape of " A Tourna' during a Residence
in Francfe," &c. He was a man of undoubted
ability, and his works were popular^in their
day. In a letter to Mrs. Dunlop. he 'had ex-
gressed high admiration of trie poetry of
iurns, and this letter being shown to the
ftoet, led to a correspondence of a most f riend-
y and confidential nature. He died in 1802,
leaving five sons, one of whom, General Sir
John Moore, belongs to history.
366
BUENS' WORKS.
moral or poetical, are intimately ac-
quainted with the classes of mankind
among whom I have chiefly mingled, I
may have seen men and mannera in a
different phasis from what is common,
which may assist oiiginality of thought.
Still I know very well the novelty of
my character has by far tlie greatest
share in the learned and polite notice I
have lately had: and in a language
where Pope and Churchill have raised
the laugh, and Shenstone and Gray
■drawn the tear; where Thomson and
■Beattieliave painted the landscape, and
Lyttleton and Collins described the
heart; I am not vain enough to hope for
distinguished poetic fame.
B. B.
No. XLVI.
TO THE REV. d. LAWRIE,
NEWMILLS,
STEAK KILMAKKOCK.
Edinburgh, Feb. 5, 1787.
Reverend and dear Sir, — When
I look at the date of your kind letter,
ray heart reproaches me severely with
ingratitude in neglecting so long to an-
swer it. I will not trouble you with
any account by way of apology, of
my hurried life and distracted atten-
tion: do me the justice to believe that
my delay by no means proceeded from
want of respect. I feel, and ever
■ shall feel, for you the mingled senti-
ments of esteem for a friend and rever-
ence for a father.
I thank you, sir, with all my soul
for your f rtendly hints, though I do
not need them so much aa my friends
are apt to imagine. You are dazzled
with newspaper accounts and distant
reports; but in reality I have no great
temptation to be intoxicated ^vith the
cup of prosperity. Novelty may at-
tract the attention of mankind awhile;
to it I owe my present eclat; but I see
the time not far distant when the pop-
ular tide, which lias borne me to a
height of which 1 am perhaps un-
worthy, shall recede with silent ce-
lerity, and leave me a barren waste of
sand, to descend at my leisure to my
former station. I do not say this in
the affectation of modesty; I see the
consequence is unavoidable, and. am
prepared for it. I had been at a good
deal of pains to form a jiist, impartial
estimate of my intellectual powers be-
fore I came here; I have not added,
since I came to Edinburgh, anything
to the account; and I trust I shall
take every atom of it back to my
shades, the coverts of my unnoticeij
early years.
In Dr. Blacklock, whom I see very
often, I have found what I would
have expected in our friend, a clear
head and an excel Iftnt henrU-
By far the most agreeable hours, I
spend in Edinburgh must be placed to
the account of Miss Lawrie and her
pianoforte. 1 cannot help repeating
to you and Mrs. Lawrie a compliment
that Mr. Mackenzie, the celebrateid
" Man of Feeling," paid to Miss Law-
rie the other night at the concert. I
had come in at the interlude, and sat
down by him till I saw Miss Lawrie
in a seat not very distant, and went
up to pay my respects to her. On my
return to Mr. Mackenzie, he asked me
who she was; I told him 'twas the
daughter of a reverend friend of mine
in. tlie . west country. . He returned
there was something very striking, to
his idea, in her appearance. On my
desiring to know what it was, he was
pleased to say "She has a great deal
of the elegance of a well-bred lady
about her, with all the sweet simpli-
city of a country girl."
My compliments to all the happy in-
mates of St. Margaret's.
R. B.
No. XLVIL
TO DR. MOORE.
Edinburgh, Feb. 15, 1787.
Sir, — Pardon my seeming neglect in
delaying so long to acknowledge the
honour you have done me, in your
kind notice of mo, January 23. Not
many months ago I knew no other em-
ployment than following the plou^.
GENERAL COHEESPONDENCE.
867
nor could boast anytliing higher than
a distant acquaintance with a country
elergyman. Mere greatness never
embarrasses me ; I have nothing to ask
from the great, and I do not fear their
judgment: but genius, polished by
learning, and at its proper point of
elevation in the eye of the world, this
rof late I frequently meet with, and
-tremble at its approach. I scorn the
itfEeotation. of seeming modesty to
icover self-conceit. That 1 have some
merit I do not deny; but I see, with
frequent wriugings of heart, that the
novelty of my character, and the
■honest national prejudice of my
countrymen, have borne me to a
height altogether untenable to my
-abilities.
' ■ For the honour Miss Williams has
done me, please, sir, return her in my
name my most grateful thanks. I
have more than once thought of pay-
ing her in kind, but have hitherto
quitted the idea in hopeless despond-
ency. I had never before heard of
her; but the other day I got her poems,
which for several reasons, some be-
longing to the head, and others the
Offspring of the heart, give me a great
deal of pleasure. I have little preten-
sions to critic lore; there are, I tliink,
two characteristic feature? in her poetry
■ — ^the unfettered wild flight of native
genius, and t le querulous, sombre,
t tenderness of " time settled sorrow."
I only know what pleases me, often
without being able to teU why.
E. B.
be ready in time, I will appear in my
book, looking, lilte all other fools, to
my title-page.
R. B.
No. XLVIII.
TO' JOHN BALLANTYNE, ESQ.
Edinburgh, Feb. 24, 1787. -
• Mt honoitred Friend, — I will soon
he with you now in guid black prent;
— in a week or ten days at furthest.
I am, obliged, against my own wish,
to print Subscribers' names; so if any
of my Ayr friends have subscription
-bills, they must be sent in to Creech
directly. I am getting my phiz done
"by an eminent engraver, and, if it can
No XLIX.
TO THE EARL OF GLENCAIRN.
Edinburgh, Feb. 1787.
My Lord, — I wanted to purchase a
profile of your lordship, which I was
told was to be got in town; but 1 am
truly sorry to see that a blundering
painter has spoiled a "human face
divine." The enclosed, stanzas I in-
tended to have written below a picture
or profile of your lordship, could I
have been so happy as to procure one
with anything of a likeness.
As I will soon return to my shades,
I wanted to have something lilte a
material object for my gratitude ; I
wanted to have it in my power to say
to a friend. There is my noble patron,
my generous benefactor. Allow me,
my lord, to publish these verses. I
conjure your- lordship, by the honest
throe of gratitude, by the generous
wish of benevolence, by all the powers
and feelings which compose the mag-
nanimous mind, do not deny me tliis
petition. I owe much to your lord-
ship; and, what has not in soma
other instances always been the case
with me, the weight of the oblig-
ation is a pleasing load. I trust I
have a heart as independent as your
lordship's, than which 1 can say
nothing more; and I would not be be-
holden to favours that would crucify
my feelings. Your dignified character
"in life, and manner of supporting that
character, are flattering to my pride;
and I would be jealous of the purity
of my grateful attachment, where I
was under the patronage of one of the
touch favoured sons of fortune.
Almost every poet has celebrated his
patrons, particularly when they were
names dear to fame, and illustrious in
their country; allow me then, my
lord, if you think the verses have in-
trinsic merit, to tell the world how
BURNS' WOBKS.
much I have the honour to be your
Jordship's highly-indebted, and ever-
grateful humble servant,
K. B.
No. L.
TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN.
Edinburgh, Feb. 1787.
My Lord, — The honour your lord-
ship has done me, by your notice and
advice in yours of the Ist instant, I
shall ever gratefully remember: —
" Praise from thy lips 'tis mine with joy to
boast.
They best can give it who deserve it most."
Your lordship touches the darling
chord of my heart when you advise me
to fire my Muse at Scottish story and
Scottish scenes. I wish for nothing
more than to make a leisurely pilgrim-
age thrpugh my native country; to
sit and muse on those once hard-con-
lested fields, where Caledonia, re-
joicing, saw her bloody lion borne
through broken ranks to victory and
fame ; and catching the inspiration, to
pour the deathless names in song.
But, my lord, in the midst of these
enthusiastic reveries, a long-visaged,
dry, moral-looking phantom strides
across my imagination, and pronounces
these emphatic words: —
" I, Wisdom, dwell with Prudence.
Friend, I do not come to open the ill-
closed wounds of your follies and
misfortunes merely to give you
pain : I wish through these wounds to
imprint a lasting lesson on your heart.
I will not mention how many of my
salutary advices you have despised: I
have given you line upon line and
precept upon precept; and while I
was chalking out to you the straight
way to wealth and character, with
audacious effrontery you have zig-
zaged across the path, contemning rae
to my face: you know the conse-
quences. It is not yet three months
since home was so hot for you that
you were on the wing for the western
shore of the Atlantic, not to make a
fortune, but to hide your misfortune.
" Now that your dear-loved Scotia
puts it in your power to return to the
situation of your forefathers, will you
follow these will-o'-wisp meteors of
fancy and whim, till they bring you
once more to the brink of ruin? I
grant that the utmost ground you can
occupy is -but half a step from the
veriest poverty; but still it is half a
step from it. If all that I can urge
be ineffectual, let her who seldom
calls to you in vain, let the call of
pride prevail with you. You know
how you feel at the iron gripe of ruth-
less oppression: you know how you
bear the .galling sneer of contumelious
greatness. I hold you out the con-
veniences, the comforts of life, indei^
pendence, and character, on the one
hand ; I tender you civility, depend-
ence, and wretchedness, oh the other.'
I will not insult your understanding
by bidding you make a choice."
This, my lord, is unanswerable.
I must return to my humble station^
and woo my rustic Muse in my wont-
ed way at the plough-tail. Still, my
lord, while the drops of life warm my
heart, gratitude to that dear loved
country in which I boast my birth,
and gratitude to tlioSe her distinguished
sons who have honoured me so much
with their patronage and approbation,
shall, while stealing through my
humble shades, ever distend my
bosom, and at times, as now, draw
forth the swelling tear.*
B. B.
No. LI.
TO GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ.
Edinburgh, Marcli 8, 1787.
Dear Sir, — ^Yours came safe, and I
am as usual much indebted to your
* Cunningham says of the Earl of Buchan,
" He was one of the most economical of pa-
trons ; lest the object of his kindness might
chance to feel too heavily the debt of obliga.%.
lion, he did not hesitate to allow a painter tp
present him' with a picture, or a poet with a '
poem. He advised Burns to make a -pilgrim-,
age to the scenes of Scotland's battles, ih t¥&;
hope perhaps that Ancrum Moor would be
immortalised in song, and the name of the
Commendator of Dryburgh' included in the
strain.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
goodness. Poor Captain M[ontgom-
.erj] is cast. Yesterday it was tried
•whetber the husband could proceed
against tbe unfortunate lover mtbout
'first divorcing bis wife, and their
Oravities oil the Bench were unani-
mously of opinion that Maxwell may
prosecute for damages, directly, and
heed not divorce his wife at all if he
pleases: and Maxwell is immediately,
before the Lord Ordinary, to prove,
>vliat I daresay will not be denied, the
Crim. Con. — ^theu their Lordship s will
mt)dify the damages, which I suppose
Will be pretty heavy, as their Wisdoms
have expiressed great abhorrence of
my gallant Bight Worshipful
Brother's conduct.
O all ye powers of love unfortunate
and friendless woe, pour the balm of
sympathising pity on the grief-torn,
tender heart of the hapless Fair One!
My two songs* on Miss W. Alex-
ande'r and Miss P. Kennedy were like-
wise tried yesterday by a jury of lit-
erati, and found defamatory libels
against the fastidious powers of Poesy
and Taste; and the author forbidden
to print them under pain of forfeiture
of character. . 1- cannot help almost
shedding a tear to the memory of two
songs . that had cost me some pains,
and that I valued a good deal, but I
must submit.
My most respectful compliments to
Mrs. Flamilton and Miss Kennedy.
My poor unfortunate songs come
again across my memory. Damn
the pedant, frigid soul of Criticism for
ever and ever !*— I am ever, dear sir,
your obliged
HOBBKT BUBNS.
No. LIL
TO MB. JAMES CANDLISH.f
Edinburgh, March 21, 1787.
Mr ETEK-DBAR OLD ACQUAINT-
AlfCE, — I was equally surprised and
* The songs alluded to were " Tlie Bonnie
Lass of Ballochmyle, " and '* The Banks o'
BbrinieDooii."
:t Another of the poet's early friends. .He
married -^iss Smithy one of the six belles of
pleased at your letter, though I dare-
say you will think by my delaying so
long to write you that I am so
drowned in the intoxication of good
fortune as to be indifferent to old, and
once dear, connexions. The truth is,
I was determined to write a good let-
ter, full of argument, amplification,
erudition, and, as Bayes says, all that.
I thought of it, and thought of it, and,
by my soul, I could not; and, lest you
should mistake the cause of my aU
lence, I just sit down to tell you so.-
Don't give yourself credit, though,
that the strength of your logic scares
me: the truth is I never mean to meet
you on that ground at all. You have
shown me one thing which was to be
demonstrated; that strong pride, of
reasoning, with a little affectation of
singularity, may mislead the best of
hearts. I likewise, since you and I
were first acquainted, in the pride of
despising old women's stories, ven-
tured in ' ' the daring path Spinosa
trod;" but experience of the weakness,
not the strength of human powers,^
made me glad to grasp at revealed re-
ligioii.
I am still, in the apostle Paul's
phrase, " the old man with his deeds,"
as when we were sporting about the
"Lady Thorn." I sliall be four weeks
here yet at least; and so I shall expect
to hear from you; welcome sense, wel-
come nonsense. — I a,m, with the
warmest sincerity,
E. B.
No. Lin.
TO MB. WILLIAM DUNBAE.*
Lawnmarket, )
Monday Morning, [March 1787.] f
Dear Sir. — In justice to Spenser, I
must acknowledge that there is scarce-
ly a poet in the language could have
Mauchline ; and a son of theirs is well known
to all his countrymen as the Rev. Dr. Cand-
lish of Free St George's Church; Edinburgh,
—probably, since the death of Dr. Chalmers,
the leading man in the Free Church.
* This gentleman was the subject of th^
poet's song entitled, " Rattling, Roaring Wil-
lie." He was a writer to the Sisrrtet in Edin-
37(J
BURNS' WORKS.
been a more agreeable present to me;
and in justice to you, allow me to say,
sir, that I liave not met with a man in
Edinburgh to whom I would so will-
ingly have been indebted for the gift.
The tattered rhymes I herewith pre-
sent you, and the handsome volumes
of Spenser for which I am so much
indebted to your goodness, may per-
haps be not in proportion to one an-
other; but be that as it may, my gift,
though far less valuable, is as sincere
a mark of esteem as yours.
The time is approaching when I
shall return to my shades; and I am
afraid my numerous Edinburgh friend-
ships are of so tender a construction
that they will not bear carriage with
me. Yours is one of the few that I
coald wish of a more robust constitu-
tion. It is indeed very probable that
when I leave this city, we part never
more to meet in this sublunary sphere;
but I h'ave a strong fancy that in some
future eccentric planet, the comet of
happier systems than any with which
astronomy is yet acquainted, you and
I, among the harum-scarum sons of
Imagination and whim, with a hearty
shake of a hand, a metaphor and a
laugh, shall recognise old acquaint-
ance:—
Where wit may sparkle all its rays,
, Uncureed with caution's fears ;
That pleasure, basking in the blaze.
Rejoice for endless yeara.
I have the honour to be, with the
warmest sincerity, dear sir, &c.,
R. B.
No. LIV.
TO .
as FEEGUSSON'S HEADSTONE.
Edinburgh, March 17S7.
My dear Sin, — ^You may think, and
too justly, that I am a selfisli, ungrate-
ful fellow, having received so many
repeated instances of kindness from
bur^h. The letter was first published in
Horr^ and Motherwell's edition of the poet's
works, and was communicated by Mr. P.
Buchan of Aberdeen.
you, and yet never putting pen to
paper to say thank you; but if yoa:
knew what a devil of a life my con-
science has led me on that account;
your good heart would think yourself
too much avenged. By the by, there
is nothing in the whole frame of man
which seems to be so unaccountable
as that thing called conscience. Had
the troublesome yelping cur powers
eiBcient to prevent a mischief, he
might be of use; but at the beginnings
of the business, his feeble efforts are
to the workings of passion as the in-
fant frosts of an autumnal morning to
the unclouded fervour of the rising
sun ; and no sooner are the tumultu-
ous doings of the wicked deed over,
than, amidst the bitter native conse-
quences of folly, in the very vortex of
our horrors, up starts consciencej and
harrows us with the feelings of the
damned.
I have enclosed you, by way of ex-
piation, some verse and prose, that, if
they merit a place in your truly enter-
taining miscellany, you are welcome
to. The prose extract is literally as
Mr. Sprott sent it me.
The inscription on the stone is as
follows: —
"HERE LIES EOBEHT FEHGTJSSON,
POET.
" Bom, September 5th, 1751 — Died,
October 16th, 1774.
" No sculptured , marble here, nor pompous
lay,
* No storied urn nor animated bust ;'
This simple stone direct! pale Scotia's waJK.
To pour her sorrows o'er her poet's dust.?
On the other side of the stone is as
follows: — ■
" By special grant of the mana^rs to Rob-
ert Burns, who erected this stone, this burial-
place is to remain for ever sacred to the mem^
cry of Robert Fergusson."
Session-house within the Kirk oT
Canongate, the twenty-second day, of
February, one thousand seven hundred
and eighty-seven years.
Sederunt of the Managers of the Kirk
and KirkyaTd funds of Canongato.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
371
Which day, the treasurer to the said
funds produced a letter from Mr. Rob-
ert Burns, of date the 6th current,
which was read and appointed to be
engrossed in their sederunt book, and
of which letter the tenor follows: —
'•■ To the Honourable Bailies of Can-
ongate, Edinburgh. — Gentlemen, lam
sorry to be told that the remains of
Robert Fergusson, the so justly cele-
brated poet, a man whose talents for
ages to come will do honour to our
Caledonian name, lie in your church-
yard among the ignoble dead, unno-
ticed and unknown.
" Some memorial to direct the steps
of the lovers of Scottish song, when
they wish to shed a tear over the * nar-
M>w. house' of the bard who is no more,
is surely a tribute due to Fergussons
memory; a tribute I wish to have the
honour of paying.
" I petition you, then, gentlemen,
to permit me to lay a simple sione over
his revered ashes, to remain an unal-
ienable property to his deathless fame.
— I have the honour to be, gentlemen,
your very humble servant, (sic sub-
scHbituVf)
Robert Bttrns.''
Thereafter the said managers, in
consideration cf the laudable and dis-
interested motion of Mr. Burns, and
the propriety of his request, did, and
hereby do, unanimously grant power
and liberty to the said Robert Burns to
ierect a headstone at the grave of the
said Robert l^'ergusson, and to keep up
and preserve the same to his memory
in all time coming.* Extracted forth
of the records of the managers, by
William Spkott, clerk.
• - * Mr, Cunningham says : — From the sinking-
-of the ground of the neigchbouring graves, the
headstone placed by Burns over Fergusson
was thrown from -its balance; this was ob-
.^erved,^oon after the death of the Bard of
Ayr, by the Esculapian Club of Edinburgh,
'who,..dnimated by that pious zeal for departed
.merit which had before led them to prevent
some other sepulchral monuments from going
to ruin, refixed the original stone, and added
some iron work, with an additional inscrip-
tioa_tD.the memory of Burns. The poetical
pare of it is taken, almost verbatim, from the
El^y oh "Captain Matthew Henderson :—
No. LV.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Edinburgh^ March 22, 1787.
Madam, — I read your letter -with
watery eyes A little, very little while
ago, 1 had scarce a friend but the stub-
born pride of my own bosom; now I
" Dz'gnufft laude verum Musa vetat vtori.
Lo ! Genius, proudly, while to Fame she
turns.
Twines Currie's laurels with the wreath of
Burnsv ' ^Roscoe.
To the Memory of
ROBERT BURNS. THE AYRSHIRE
BARD ;
WHO WAS BORN AT DOONSIDE,
On the 25th of January 1759 ;
AND DIED AT_DUMFRIES,
On the 22d of July 1796.
" O Robert Burns ! the Man. the Brother .
And art thou gone — ^and gone for ever !
And hast thou crossed that unknown river.
Life's dreary'bound !
Like thee, where shall we find another,
The world around !
" Go to your sculptured tombs, ye great.
In a' the tinsel trash o' state !
But by thy honest turf I'll wait,
Thou man of worth !
And weep the sweetest poet's fate.
E'er lived on earth."
To have raised one solid monument of ma-
sonry to both, working Fergusson's head-
stone into one side of the structure, and plac-
ing the Burns inscription on the other, would
perhaps have been more judicious. — See letter
to Mr. Peter Hill, dated Feb. 5, 1792, relative
to this monument.
On the subject of Fergusson's headstone we
find the following letter in Dr. Currie's edi-
tion of the poet's works : —
March 8, 1787.
I AM truly happy to know that you have
found a friend in ; his patronage.of you
does him great honour. He is truly a good
man ; by far the best I ever knew, or perhaps
ever shall know, in this world. But I must
not speak all I think of him, lest I should be
thought partial.
So you have obtained liberty from the mag-
istrates to erect a stone over Fergussorrs
grave ? I do not doubt it ; such things have
been, as Shakespeare says, "in the olden
time ;"
" The poet's fate is here in emblem shown.
He ask'd for bread, and he received a
stone."
It is, I believe, upon poor Butler's . tomb
that this is written. But how many brothers
of Parnassus, as well as poor Butler and ' poor
3.73
BURXS' WORKS.
am distinguished, patronised, be-
friended by you. Your friendly ad-
vices— I will not give tlieni the cold
name of criticisms — T receive with
reverence. I have made some small
Fei^usspn, have asked for bread, and been
served With the same sauce !
The magistrates ^Z'ej'^'w liberty^ did they ?
O generous magistrates! , celebrated over
the three kingdoms for his public spirit, gives
a p(.*jr poet liberty to raise a tomb" to a poor
poet's memory ! most generous ! , once
upon a time, gave that same poet the mighty
sum of eighteenpence for a copy of his works.
But then it must be considered that the poet
was at that time absolutely starving, and be-
sought his aid with all the earnestness of hun-
ger. And over and above he received a ,
worth at least one-third of tlie value, in ex-
change ; but which, I believe, the poet after-
wards very ungratefully expunged.
Next week I hope to have the pleasure of
seeing you in Edmburgh; and, as my stay
will be for eight or ten days, I wish you or
would tsdce a snug, well-aired bedroom
for me, where I may have the pleasure of see-
ing you over a morning cup of tea. But by
all accounts it will be a matter of r,ome diffi-
culty to see you at all, unless your company is
bespoke a week beforehand. There is a great
rumour here concerning your great intimacy
with the Duchess of , and other ladies of
distinction. I am really told that
" Cards to invite fly by thousands each
night:"
and if you had one, I suppose there ^ould
also be *^ bribes to your old secretary." It
seems you are resolved to make hay while the
-sun shines, and avoid, if possible, the fate of
poor Fergusson, .... Quarenda pecunia
prirnutn est^ virtus post nuinmos^ is a good
maxim to thrive by : you seemed to despise it
while in this part of the country, but probably
some philosopher in Edinburgh has_ taught
you better sense.
Pray are you yet engraving as well as print-
ing—are you yet seized
" Withitchof picture in the front.
With bays and wicked rhyme upon't ?"
But I must give up this trifling, and attend
to matters that more concern myself; so, as,
the Aberdeen wit says, "" Adieu ^ dryly ; we
sal drink fan we meet."
" The above extract," says Dr. Currie, " is
fi;pm a letter of one of the ablest of our poet's
correspondents, which contains some interest-
ing' anecdotes of Fergusson. The writer is
mistaken in supposing the magistrates of Ed-
inburgh had any share in the transaction
respecting the monument erected for Fergus-
son ,by our bard ; this, it is evident, passed
between Burns and the Kirk-Session of the
Canongate. Neither at Edinburgh, nor any-
where else, do magistrates usually trouble
themselves to inquire how the house of a poor
poet is furnished, or how his grave is
.adorned." _
alterations in what I before had
printed, I have the advice of some
very judicious friends among the lit-
erati here, but with them I sometimes
find it necessary to claim the privilege
of thinlcing for myself. The noble
Earl of Glencairn, to whom I owe
more than to any man, does me the
honour of giving me his strictures; his
hints with respect to impropriety or
indelicacy I follow implicitly.
You kindly interest yourself in my
future views and prospects, there j
can give you no light. It is all
" Dark as was Chaos ere the infant sun
WasroU'd together, or had tried his beams
Athwart the gloom profound."
The appellation of a Scottish bard ^
by far my highest pride; to continue
to deserve it is my most exalted am-
bition. Scottish scenes and Scottish
story are the themes I could wish to
sing. I have no dearer aim than to
have it in my power, unplagued with
the routine of business, for which
Heaven knows I am unfit enough, to
make leisurely pilgrimages through
Caledonia; to sit on the fields of her
battles; to wander on the romantic
banks of her rivers; and to muse by
th'S stately towers or venera/ble ruins,
once the honoured abodes of her heroes.
. But these are all Utopian thoughts:
I have dallied long enough with life;
'tis time to be in earnest. I have a
fond, an aged mother to care for: and
some other bosom ties perhaps equally
tender. Where the individual only
suffers by the consequences of his own
thoughtlessness, indolence, or folly,
he may be excusable; nay, shining
abilities, and some of the nobler vir-
tues, may half sanctify a heedless
character; but where God and nature
have intrusted the welfare of otheris
to his care; where the trust is sacred,
and the ties are dear, that man must
be far gone in selfishness, or strange^
lost to reflection, whom these con-
nexions will not rouse to exertion.
I guess that I shall clear between
two and three hundred pounds by my
authorship I* with that sum I intend,
* The clear profit realised has been assum^
to be seven hundred pounds. ;.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
373
so far as I may be said to have any in-
tention, to return to my old acquaint-
ance, the plough, aridj if I can meet
with a lease, by which I can live, to
commence farmer. I do not intend to
^ve up poetry; being bred to labour,
secures me independence, and the
Muses are my chief, sometimes have
been my only, enjoyment. If my
practice second my resolution, I shall
have principally at heart the serious
business of life ; but while following
my plough, or building up my shocks,
I shall cast a leisure glance to that
dear, that only feature of my charac-
ter, which gave me the notice of my
country, and the patronage of a Wal-
lace.
Thus, honoured madam, I have
given you the bard, his situation, and
his views, native as they are in his
own bosom. R. B.
No. LVI.
TO THE SAME.
Edinburgh, April 13, 1787.
Madam, — There is an affectation of
» gratitude which I dislike. • The
periods of Johnson and the pauses of
Sterne may hide a selfish heart. For
my part, madam, I trust I have too
much pride for servility, and too little
prudence for selfishness. I have this
moment broken open your letter, but
"Rude am I in speech,
. And therefore little can I grace my cause
>- In speaking for myself ;"
sol shall not trouble you with any
fine speeches and hunted figures. I
shall just lay my hand on my heart
and say, I hope I shall ever have the
truest, the warmest sense of your
goodness.
I come abroad in print for certain on
Wednesday. Your orders I shall
punctually attend to; only by the way,
I must tell you that I was paid before
for Dr. Moore's and Miss Williams'
copies, through the medium of Com-
missioner Cochrane in this place, but
that we can settle when I have the
honour of waiting ou you.
Dr. Smith* was just gone to Lon-
don the morning before I received
your letter to him.
R. B.
No. LVIL
TO DR. MOORE.
Edinburgh, April 23, 1787.
I RECEIVED the books, and sent the
one you mentioned to Mrs. Dunlop. I
am ill skilled in beating the coverts of
imagination for' metaphors of grati-
tude. I thank you, sir, for the honour
yon have done me; and to my latest
hour will warmly remember it. To
be highly pleased with your book is
what I am in common with the world;
but to regard these volumes as a
mark of the author's friendly esteem
is a still more supreme gratification.
I leave Edinburgh in the course of
ten days or a fortnight, and, after a
few pilgrimages over some of the
classic . ground of Caledonia, — Cowden
Knowes, Banks of Yarrow, Tweed,
&c. , — I shall return to my rural
shades, in all likelihood never more to
quit them. I have formed many in-
timacies and friendships here, but X
am afraid they are all of too tender a
construction to bear carriage a hun-
dred and fifty miles. To the rich,
the great, the fashionable, the polite,
I have no equivalent to offer; and I
am afraid my meteor appearance will
by no means entitle me to a settled cor-
respondence with any of yon, who are
the permanent lights of genius and
literature.
My most respectful compliments to
Miss Williams. If once this tangent
flight of sniue were over, and I were
returned to my wonted leisurely
ihotiou in ray own circle, I may prob-
ably endeavour to return her poetic
compliment in kind.
R. B.
* Adam Smith, the distineuished author of
'The Wealth of Nations," &c.
374
BURNS' WOKKS.
No. LVIII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Edinburgh, April 30, 1787.
^YouK criticisms, madam, I un-
derstand very well, and could have
wished to have pleased you better.
You are right in your guess that I am
not very amenable to counsel. Poets,
much my superiors, have so flattered
those who possessed the adventitious
qualities of wealth and power, that I
am determined to flatter no created
being, either in prose or verse.
I set as little by princes, lords,
clergy, critics, &c. , as all these respec-
tive gentry do by my hardship. I
know what I may expect from the
world by and by — illiberal abuse, and
perhaps contemptuous neglect.
I am happy, inadam, that some of
my own favourite pieces are distin-
guished by your particular approba-
tion. For my " Dream,"* which has
unfortunately incurred your loyal dis-
pleasure, I hope in four weeks, or less
to have the honour of appearing at
Dunlop in its defence in person.
R. B.
No. LIX.t
TO JAMES JOHNSON, EDITOR
OF THE " SCOTS MUSICAL
MUSEUM."
Lawnmarket, Friday Noon, May 3, 1787.
Dear Sm,— I have sent you a
song never before known, for your
collection; the air by Mr. Gibbon, but
I know not the author of the words,
as I got it from Dr. Blacklock.
Farewell, my dear sir ! I wished to
have seen you, but I have been dread-
fully throng, as I march to-morrow.
Had my acquaintance with you been a
* Tile well-Icnown poem, beginnings, '^ Guid
morning to your Majesty," (see p. 84.) Mrs.
Dunlop had probably'recommended its being
omitted in the second edition, on the score of
prudence. — Cunningham.
+ This letter first appeared in Hogg and
Motherwell's edition 01 the poet's worhs;
little older, I would have asked the
favour of your correspondence; as
I have met with few people whose
company and conversation gave me so
much pleasure, because I have met
with few whose sentiments are so con-
genial to my own.
When Dunbar and you meet, tell
him that I left Edinburgh with the
idea of him hanging somewhere about'
my heart.
Keep the original of this song till
we meet again, whenever that may be.
R. B.
No. LX.
TO THE REV. DR. HUOH BLAIR,
Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, >
May 3, 1787, ) -'
Reverend and much-respected
Sir, — I leave Edinburgh to-morrow
morning, but could not go without
troubling you with half a line sincerely
to thank you for the kindness, patron-
age, and friendship you have shown
me. I often felt the embarrassment of
my singular situation; drawn forth
from the veriest shades of life to the
glare of remark; and honoured by the ,
notice of those illustrious names of my
country whose works, while they are
applauded to the end of time, will ever
instruct and mend the heart. How-
ever the meteor-like novelty of my
appearance in the world might attract
notice, and honour me with the ac-
quaintance of the permanent lights of
genius and literature, those who are
truly benefactors of the immortal
nature of man, I know very well that
my utmost merit was far unequal to the
task of preserving that character when
once the novelty was over; I have
made up my mind that abuse, or
almost even neglect, will not surprise
me in my quarters.
I have sent you a proof impression
of Beugo's work* for me, jdone on In-
dian paper, as a trifling but sincere
testimony with what heart-warm grati-
tude 1 am, &c.,
B. B.
> The portrait of the poet after Nasmyth.
GENEEAL COKRESPONDENCE.
875
' ,- No. LXL
;' TO WILLIAM CREECH, ESQ.,
EDINBURGH.
Selkirk, May 13, 1787.
My honouked Fbibnd, — The en-
closed I have just wrote, nearly extem-
pore, in a solitary inn in Selkirk, after
a miserable wet day's riding. I Lave
been over most of East Lothian, Ber-
wick, Roxburgh, and Selkirk shires;
and next week I begin a tour through
tlie north of England. Yesterday I
dined with Lady Harriet, sister to my
noble patron,* Qiiem Deus consenet !
I would write till I would tire you as
much with dull prose, as I daresay by
this time you are with wretched verse,
but I am jaded to death; so, with a
grateful farewell, I have the honour to
be,, good sir, yours sincerely.
R. B.
Auld chuckie-Reekie's t sair distrest,
Dosvn droops her ance weel burnish'd crest,
^ae joy her bonaie buskit nest
Can yield ava ;
Her darling bird that she lo'es best,
Willie's awa.
No. Lxn.
TO MR. PATISON, BOOKSELLER,
PAISLEY.
Berrywell, near Dunse, May 17, 1787.
" Dear Sir, — I am sorry I was out of
1 J!dinburgh, malting a slight pilgrimage
^to the classic scenes of this counti-y,
when I was favoured with yours of the
11th instant, enclosing an order of the
Paisley Banking Company on the Royal
'Bank, for twenty-two pounds seven
shillings sterling, payment in full,
after carriage deducted, for ninety
copies of my book I sent you. Accord-
ing to your motions, I see you will have
left Scotland before this reaches you,
Otherwise I would send you "Holy
Willie" with all my heart. I was so
hurried that I absolutely forgot several
things I ought to have minded, among
* James, Earl of Glencairn.
+ Edinburgh.
the rest, sending books to Mr. Cowan;
but any order of yours will be answerecl
at Creech's shop. You will please re-
member that non -subscribers pay six
shillings; this is Creech's profit; but
those who have subscribed, though
their names have been neglected in the
printed list, which is very incorrect,
they are supplied at the subscription
price.
I was not at Glasgow, nor do I in-
tend for London; and I think Mrs.
Fame is very idle to tell so many lies
on a poor poet. When you or Mr.
Cowan write for copies, if you should
want any, direct to Mr. Hill, at Mr.
Creech's shop, and I write to Mr. Hill
by this post, to answer either of your
orders. Hill is Mr. Creech's first clerk,
and Creech himself is presently in
London. I suppose I shall have the
pleasure, against your return to Pais-
ley, of assuring you how much I am,
dear sir, your obliged humble servant,
R. B.
No. LXIIL
TO MR. W. NICOL,* MASTER OP
THE HIGH SCHOOL, EDIN-
BURGH.
Carlisle, June i, 1787.
Kind, honbst-heabted WnxiE, —
I'm sitten doun here, after seven-and-
f orty miles' ridin', e'en as forjesket and
fomiaw'd as a forfochten cock, to gie
ye some notion o' my land-lo^per-like
stravagin sin the sorrowfu' hour that I
sheuk hands and parted wi' Auld
Reekie.
My auld, ga'd gleyde o' a meere has
huchyall'd up hill and doun brae, in
Scotland and England, as teugh and
* Mr. W. Nicol was an intimate friend of
Burns', and one of the masters of the High
School. He accompanied him in his tour
through the Highlands, and proved himself
somewhat troublesome as a travelling com-
panion, compelling the poet a^ain and again
to go and come as he listed. He was fond of
good company, and good eating and drink-
ing, and died prematurely In 1797.
370
BURNS' WORKS.
bimie as a vera devil wi' me.* , It's
true, she's as poor's a saug-maker aud
as hard's a kirk, and tipper-taipers
vriien she taks the gate, first like a
lady's gentlewoman in a minuwae, or
a hen on a het girdle; but she's a yanld,
poutherie giriau for a' that, and has a
stomach like Willie Stalker's meere
that wad hae digested tumbler-wheels,
for she'll whip me afE her five stim-
parts o' the best aits at a doun-sittin'
and ne'er fash her thumb. When ance
her ringbanes and spavies, her crucks
and cramps, are fairly soupl'd she
beets to, beets to, and aye the hind-
most hour the tightest. I could wager
her price to a thretty pennies, that for
twa or three ooks' ridin' at fifty mile a
day, the deil-sticket a five gallopers
acqueesh Clyde and Whithorn could
cast saut on her tail.
I hae dander'd owre a' tlie kintra frae
I>umbar to Selcraig, and hae for-
gather'd wi' mony a ^uid fallow, and
monie a weelfaur'd hizzie. I met wi'
twa dink queynes in particular, ane o'
them a sonsie, fine, fodgel lass, baith
braw and bonnie; the tither was a
clean-shankit, straught, tight, weel-
far'd winch, as blithe's a lintwhite on
a flowrie thorn, aud as sweet and
modest's a, new-blawn plumrose in n
hazle shaw. They were baith bred to
mainers by the beuk, and onie ane o'
them had as muckle smeddum and
rumblegumption as the half o' some
presbytries that you and I baith ken.
'They play'd me sic a deevil o' a sha-
vie that I daur say. if my harigals were
turned out, ye wad see twa nicks i' the
heart o' me like the mark o' a kail-
whittle in a castock.
I was gaun to write you a lang pystle,
but, Gude forgie'me, I gat mysel sae
noutouriously bitchify'd the day, after
kail-time, that lean hardly stoiter but
and ben.
My best respecks to the guidwife and
a' our common friens, especiall Mr.
* This mare was the poet's favourite Jenny
Geddes. " She was named by him," says
Cromelc, "after the old woman who, in her
zeal against religious innovation, threw a
stool at the Dean, of Edinburgh's head when
he attempted, in 1637, to introduce the Scot-
tish I.iturgy."
and Mrs. Cruikshank. and the honest
guidman o' Jock's Lodge.
I'll be in Dumfries the morn gif the
beast be to the fore, and the branks bide
hale. Gude be wi' you, Willie! Amen!
E. B.
No. LXIV.
TO MR. JAMES SMITH, AT MIL;'
LER AND SMITH'S OFFICE, LIN-
LITHGOW.
Mauchline June n, 1787.J -
My DEAE. Sir, — I date this from
Mauchline, where I arrived on Fiiday
evening last. I slept at John Dow's,
and called for my daughter; Mr. Ham-
ilton and family; your mother, sister,
and brother; my quondam Eliza,- &c.',
all — all well. If anything had been
wanting to disgust me completely at
Armour's family, their mean servile
compliance would have done it. Give
me a spirit like my favourite hero, Mil-
ton's Satan: —
*' Hall, horrors ! hail.
Infernal world ! and thou, profoundest hell.
Receive thy new possessor ! one who brings
A mind not to be changed \iy place or timet"
I cannot settle to my mind. Farm-
ing— ^tlie only thing of which I know
anything, and Heaven above knows
but little do I understand even of that
^I cannot, dare not, risk on farms
as they are. If I do not fix, I will go
for Jamaica. Should I stay in an nn-.
settled state at home, I would only
dissipate my little fortune, and ruin
what I intend shall compensate my^^
little ones for the stigma I have brought
on their names. -
I shall write you more at large soon;
as this letter costs you no postage, if it
be worth reading you cannot complain
of your pennyworth. I am ever, my
de-ir sir, yours, R. B.
No. LXV.
TO MR. WILLIAM NICOL.
Mauchline, June 18, 1787.
My deak Friend,— I am now
arrived safe .in my uittive country.
GENERAL COKRESPONDENCE.
8T?
after a very agreeable jaunt, and have
the pleasure to find all my friends
*ell. I breakfasted with your gray-
Headed, reverend friend, Mr. Smith;
and. was highly pleased both with the
cordial welcome he gave me, and his
most excellent appearance and sterling
good sense.
I have been with Mr. Miller at Dal-
swinton, and am to meet him again in
August. From my views of the land,
andhis reception of my hardship, my
hopes in that business are rather
mended; but still they are but slen-
der.
I am quite charmed with Dumfries
foUis — Mr. Bumside, the clergyman,
in particular, is a man whom 1 shall
ever gratefully remember; and his
wife — Gude forgie me ! I had almost
broke the tenth commandment on her
account. Simplicity, elegance, good
sense, sweetness of disposition, good
humour, kind hospitality, are the con-
stituents of her manner and heart; in
short — but if I say one word more
about her, I shall be directly in love
with her.
I never, my friend, thought man-
kind very capable of anything gener-
ous; but the stateliness of the patri-
cians in Edinburgh, and the servility
of my plebeian brethren (who perhaps
formerly eyed me askance) since I re-
turned home, have nearly put me out
of conceit altogether ij^ith my species.
I have bought a pocket Milton, which
I carry perpetually about with me, in
order to study the sentiments — the
dauntless magnanimity, the intrepid,
unyielding independence, the desper-
ate daring, and noble defiance of hard-
ship, in fliat great personage Satan.
'Tis true, I have just now a little cash;
but I am afraid the star that hitherto
has shed its malignant, purpose-Wast-
ing' rays full in my zenith ; that nox-
ious planet, so baneful in its influences
to the rhyming tribe, I much dread it
is not yet beneath my horizon. — Mis-
fortune dodges the path of human life;
the poetic mind finds itself miserably
deranged in, and unfit for, the walks
of business; add to all, that thought-
less follies and harebrained whiins,
like so many 'ignes fatui, eternally
diverging from the right line of sober
discretion, sparkle witli ' step-bewitch-
ing blaze in the idly-gazing eyes of tho
poor heedless bard, till, pop, "befalls
like Lucifer, never to hope again."
God grant this may be an unreal pic-
ture with respect to me ! but should it
not, I have very little dependence on
mankind. I w-ill close my letter with
this tribute my heart bids me pay you'
— the many ties of acquaintance and
friendship which I have, or think I
have in life, I have felt along ,the
lines, and, damn them, they are al-
most all of them of such frail contex-
ture that I am sure they would ijot
stand the breath of the least adverse
breeze of fortune; but from you, my
ever-dear sir, I look with confidence
for the apostolic love that shall wait
on me ' ' through good report and bad.
report " — ^the love which Solomon em-
phatically says "is strong as death."
My compliments to Mrs. Nicol, and
all the circle of our common friends.
P. 8. — I shall be in Edinburgh
about the latter end of July.
R. B. .
No. LXVL
TO LiR. JAMES CANDLISH.
Edinburgh, 1787.
My dear Friend, — If once I were
gone from this scene of hurry and dis-
sipation, I promise myself the pleasure
of that correspondence being renewed
which has been so long broken. At
present I have time for nothing. Dis-
sipation and business engross every
moment. I am engaged in assisting
an honest Scotch enthusiast,* a friend
of mine, wlio is an engraver, and has
taken it into his head to publish a col-
lection of all our songs set to music,
of which the words and music are
done by Scotsmen. This, you will
easily guess, is an undertaking exactly
to my taste. I have collected, begged,
borrowed, and stolen all the songs t
could meet with. '.' Pompey's Ghost,"
* Johnson, the publisher and proprietor of
the Musieat Mttsium,
S78
BURNS' WORKS.
woras and music, I beg from you im-
mediately, to go into fiis second num-
ber— ^tlie first is already publishea. I
sball show you the first number when
I see you in Glasgow, which will be
in a fortnight or less. Do be so kind
as to send me the song in a day or
two: you cannot imagine how much it
will oblige me.
Direct to me at Mr. W. Cruik-
shank's, St. James's Square, New
"Town, Edinburgh.
E. B.
No. LXVII.
TO WILLIAM NICOL, ESQ.
AucHTERTYRE,* Monday, June 1787.
Mt dear Sir, — I find myself very
comfortable here, neither oppressed by
ceremony nor mortified by neglect.
Lady Augusta is a most engaging
woman, and very happy in her family,
which makes one's out-goings and in-
comings very agreeable. I called at
Mr. Ramsay's of Auchtertyro [Ochter-
tyre, near Stirling] as I came up the
country, and am so delighted with
him that I shall certainly accept of his
invitation to spend a day or two with
him as I return. I leave this place on
Wednesday or Thursday.
Make my kind compliments to Mr.
and Mi's. Cruikshank, and Mrs. Nicol,
if she is returned. — I am ever, dear sir,
your deeply-indebted,
E. B.
No. LXVIIL
TO WILLIAM CEUIKSHANK,
ST. JAMES'S SQUAEB,
EDINBURGH, t
AucHTEBTYRE, Monday, June 1787.
I HAVE nothing, my dear sir, to
write to you, but that I feel myself
, „ * The seat of Sir William Murray, Bart. —
two miles from Crieff.
t Burns resided with Cruikshank in the lat-
ter part of T787, in St. James' Square. The
*' dear little Jeanle" of the letter was the
*' Rosebud" of his poem, p. no.
exceedingly comfortably situated in
this good family: just notice enough
to make me easy, but not to embar-
rass me. I was storm-stayed two
days at the foot of the Ochil Hills,
with Mr. Tait of Herveyston and Mr.;
Johnston of Alva, but was so well
pleased that I shall certainly spend a
day on the banks of the Devon as I re-
turn. I leave this place I suppose on
Wednesday, and shall devote a day to
Mr. Eamsay at Auchtertyre, near
Stirling: a man to whose worth I can--
not do justice. My respectful kind,
compliments to Mrs. Cruikshank, and
my dear little Jeanie, and, if you see
Mr. Masterton, please remember me to.
him — I am ever, my dear sir, &c.,
E. B.
No. LXIX.
TO EGBERT AINSLIE, ESQ.
Arrochar, June 28, 1787.
Mt DE.4R Sir, — I write you this on
my tour through a country where sav-
age streams tumble over savage moun-
tains; thinly over-spread with savage
flocks, "which starvingly support as
savage inhabitants. My last stage
was Inverary — to-morrow night's stage
Dumbarton. I ought sooner to have
answered your kind letter, but you
know I am a man of many sins.
R. B.
No. LXX.
TO MR. JAMES SMITH, AT
MILLER AND SMITH'S OFFICE,
LINLITHGOW.
June 30, 1787,..
Mt dear Friend, — On our rieturh,
at a Highland gentleman's hospitable
mansion, we fell in with a merry
party, and danced till the ladies left
us at three in the morning. Our dan-
cing was none of the French or Eng-
lish insipid formal movements. The
ladies sang Scotch songs at intervals
like angels; then we flew at " Bab at
the Bowster," " Tullochgorum,"
GENERAL COREESPONDENCB.
37a
" Locherrocli Side,"* &o., like midges
sporting in the mottie sun, or craws
prognosticating a storm in a liairst
day. Wlien the dear lasses left us,
we ranged round the bowl, till the
good-fellow hour of six ; except a few
minutes that we went out to pay our
devotions to the glorious lamp of day
peering over the towering top of Ben-
lomoad. We all kneeled. Our
worthy landlord's son held the howl,
each man a full glass in his hand, and
I, as priest, repeated some' rhyming
nonsense: like Thomas the Rhymer's
prophecies, I suppose.
; After a small refreshment of the
gifts of Somnus, we proceeded to
spend the day on Loclilomond, and
reached Dumbarton in the evening.
We dined at another good fellow's
house, and consequently pushed the
bottle; when we went out to mount our
horsp«, we found ourselves " no very
fou, but gayly yet." My two friends
and I rode soberly down the loch side,
tiU by came a Highlandman at the
gallop on a tolerably good horse, but
which had never known the orna-
ments of iron or leather. We scorned
to be out galloped by a Highlandman,
so off we started, whip and spur. My
companions, though seemingly gaily
mounted, fell sadly astern; but my
old mare, Jenny Geddes, one of the
Rosinante family, strained past the
Highlandman, in spite of all his efforts
with the hair halter. Just as I was
passing him, Donald wheeled his
horse, as if to cross before me to mar
my progress, when down came his
horse, and threw his rider's breekless
bottom into a dipt hedge, and down
came Jenny Geddes over all, and my
hardship between her and the High-
landman's horse. Jenny trode over
me vvith such cautious reverence that
matters were not so bad as might well
haye been expected; so I came off
with a few cuts and bruises, and a
thorough resolution to be a pattern of
sobriety for the future. As for the
Test of my acts and my wars, and all
iny wise sayings, and why my mare
was called Jenny Geddes, they shall
be recorded, in a few weeks hence at
Linlithgow, in the chronicles of your
memory.
E. B.
* Scotch tunes.
No. LXXL
TO THE SAME.
June, 1787.
I HAVE yet fixed on nothing with re-
spect to the serious business of life. I
am just as usual — a rhyming, mason-
making, raking, aimless, idle fellow.
However, I shall somewhere have a
farm soon — I was going to say a wife
too : but that must never be my blessed
lot. I am but a younger son of the
house of Parnassus; and, like other
younger sons of great families, I may
intrigue, if I choose to run all risks,
but must not marry.
I am afraid I have almost ruined one
source, the principal one indeed, of my
former happiness — that eternal pro-
pensity I always had to fall in love.
My heart no more glows witli feverish
rapture. I have no paradisiacal even-
ing interviews, stolen from the restless
carea and prying inhabitants of this
weary world. I have only . This
last is one of your distant acquaintan-
ces, has a fine figure, elegant manners,
and, ill the train of some great folks
whom you know, has seen the politest
quarters in Europe. I do like her
a deal; but what piques me is her con-
duct at the commencement of our ac-
quaintance. I frequently visited her
when I was in , and after passing
regularly the intermediate degrees be-
tween the distant formal bow and the
familiar grasp round the waist, I ven-
tured, in my careless way, to talk of
friendship in rather ambiguous terms;
and after her return to , I wrote to
her in the same style. Miss, constru-
ing my words further, I suppose, than
even I intended, flew off in a tangent
of female dignity and reserve, like a
mounting lark in an April morning;
and wrote me an answer which meas-
ured me out very completely what an
immense way I had to travel before I
could reach the climate of her favour.
S83
BURNS' WOHKg.
But I am an old liawk at tlic sport,
and ivrote her such a cool, deliberate,
prudent reply, as brought my bird
from her aerial towerings, pop down
ftt my foot, like Corporal Trim's hat.
E. B.
No. LXXII.
TO MR. JOHN RICHMOND.
MossGtEL, July 7, 1787.
My dear Richmond,— I am all im-
patience to hear of your fate since the
old confounder of right and wrong has
turned you out of place, by his journey
to answer his indictment at the bar of
the other world. He will find the prac-
tice of the court so different from the
practice in which he has for so many
years been thoroughly hackneyed, that
his friends, if he had any connexions'
truly of that kind, which I rather
doubt, may well tremble for his sake.
His chicane, his left-handed wisdom,
which stood so firmly by him, to such
good purpose, here, like other accom-
plices in robbery and plunder, -will,
now the piratical business is blown, in
all probability turn king's evidences,
and then the devil's bagpiper will
touch him off—" Bundle and go !"
If he has left you any legacy, I beg
your pardon for all this ; if not, I know
you will swear to every word I said
about him ;
I have lately been rambling over by
Dumbarton and Inverary, and running
a drunken race on the side of Loch
Lomond with a wild Highlaudman;
his horse, which had never known the
ornaments of iron or leather, zig- zag-
ged across before my old spavined
hunter, whose name is Jenny Geddes,
and down came the Highlandman,
horse and all, and down came Jenny
and my hardship; sol have got such a
skinful of bruises and wounds that I
shall be at least four weeks before I
venture en my journey to Edinburgh.
Not one new thing under the sun has
happened in Mauchline since you left
it. - I hope this will find you as com-
fortably situated as formerly, or, if
Heaven pleases, more so; biit, at all
events, I trust you will let me know,
of cour.se, how matters stand with you,
well or ill. 'Tis but poor consolation
to tell the world when matters go
wrong; but you know very well youi
connexion and mine stands on a differ-
ent footing. I am ever, my dear
friend, yottrs, E.B.
No. LXXHL
TO ROBERT AINSLIE, ESQ.
Mauchline, July 1787.
Mt deak Sir, — My life, since I saw
you last, has been one continued
hurry; that savage hospitality which
knocks a man down with strong
liquors is the devil. I have a sore war-
fare in this world; the devil, the world
and the flesh are three formidable
foes. The first I generally try to fly
from; the second, alas ! generally flies
from me; but the third is my plague,
worse tlian the ten plagues of Egypt.
I have been looking over several
farms in this country; one in particu-
lar, in Nithsdale, pleased me so well
that, if my offer to the proprietor is ac-
cepted, I shall commence farmer at
Whitsunday. If farming do not ap-
pear eligible, I shall have recourse to
my other shift;* but this to a friend. -
I set out for Edinburgh on Monday
morning, how long I stay there is un-
certain, but you will know so soon as I
can inform you myself. However I
determine, poesy must be laid aside
for some time; my mind has been
vitiated with idleness, and it will take
a good deal of effoi-t to habituate it to
the routine of business. I am, my
dear sir, yours sincerely, R. B. ;
No. LXXIV.
TO DR. MOORE.
Mauchline, Aug. :<, 1787. _
Sir, — For some months past, 1 have'
been rambling over the country, but I
am now confined with some lingering'
* The Excise.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
881
"Complaints, originatiug, as I take it,
jnitlie stomach. To divert my spirits
a little in this miserable fog of ennui,
I have taken a whim to give you a
■history of myself. My name has made
some little noise in this country; you
have done me the honour to interest
yourself very warmly in my behalf;
and 1 think a faithful account of what
character of a man I am, and how 1
came by that character, may perhaps
amuse you in an idle moment. I will
give you an honest narrative, though 1
know it will be often at my own ex-
pense; for I assure you, sir, I have,
like Solomon, whose character, ex-
cepting in the trifling affair of wisdom,
I soihetimes think I resemble — I have,
I say, like him turned my eyes to be-
hold madness and folly, and like him,
too, frequently shaken hands with
their 'intoxiwrting friendship. After
yoit have'pernsed these pages, should
you think them trifling and imperti-
nent, I only beg leave to tell you that
the poor author wrote them under
some twitching qualms of conscience,
arising from a suspicion that he was
doing what he ought not to do; a
predicament he has more than once
been in before.*
No. LXXV.
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE, JUN. ,
BERRYWELL, DUNSE.
Edinburgh, Aug. 23, 1787.
" As f ^aed up to Dunse,
To warp a pickle yarn,
Robin, silly body.
He gat rae wi' bairn."
From henceforth, my dear sir, I am
detfermined to set off with my letters
lilce the periodical writers — viz. , pre-
fix a kind of text, quoted from some
classic of undoubted authority, such
as t'le author of the immortal piece of
which my text is a part. What I
have to say on my text is exhausted
in chatter I wrote you the other day,
before I had the pleasure of receiving
* The remaining portion of this letter, con-
taining the poet's autobiographical sketch,
will be fouod in the Memoir.
yours from Inverleithing; and sure
never was anything more lucky, as I
have but the time to write tliis, that
Mr. Nicol on the opposite side of the
table takes to correct a proof sheet of
a thesis. They are gabbling Latin so
loud that 1 cannot hear what my own
soul is saying in my own skull, so
must just give you a matter-of-fact
sentence or two, and end, if time per-
mit, with a verse de rei generatione.
To-morrow 1 leave Edinburgh in a
chaise: Nicol thinks it more comfort-
able than hor.seback, to which I say
Ameri; so Jenny Geddes goes home to
Ayrshire, to use a phrase of my
mother's, " wi' her finger in her
mouth."
Now for a modest verse of classical
authority : —
The cats like kitchen,
The dogs like broo,
The lasses like the lads weel,
And the auld wives too.
CHORUS.
And we're a' noddin,
Nid, nid, noddin,
We're a' noddin fou at 'e'en.*
If this does not please you, let me
hear from you : if you write any time
before the first of September, direct
to Inverness, to be left at the post-
ofiice till called for; the next week at
Aberdeen; the next at Edinburgh.
The sheet is done, and I shall just
conclude with assuring you that I am,
and ever with pride shall be, my dear
sir, yours, &c. ,
Robert Burns.
Call your boy what you think pro^
per, only interject Burns. What do
you say to a scripture name; for in-
stance, Zimri Burns Ainslie, or Ahith-
ophel, &c. Look your Bible for these
two heroes — if you do this, I will re-
pay the compliment.
No. LXXVL
TO MR. ROBERT MUIR.
Stirling, Aug. 26, 1787.
My dear Sir, — I intended to have
written you from Edinburgh, and now
* See song commencing *' Gudc E'en to you,
Kimmer."
383
BURNS' WOEES.
write you from Stirling to make an
excuse. Here am I, on my way to In-
verness, with a truly original, Ijut
very worthy man, a Mr. Nicol, one of
the masters of the High School in
Edinburgh. I left Auld Reekie yes-
terday morning, and have passed, be-
sides by-excursions, Linlithgow, Bor-
rowstouness, Falkirk, and here am I
undoubtedly. This morning I knelt
at the tomb of Sir John the Graham,
the gallant friend of the immortal
Wallace; and two hours ago I said a
fervent prayer for old Caledonia over
the hole in a blue whinstone, where
Robert the Bruce fixed his royal stand-
ard on the banks of Bannoekburn;
and just now, from Stirling Castle, I
have seen by the setting sun, the glor-
ious prospect of the windings of Forth
through the rich carse of Stirling,
and skirting the equally rich carse of
Falkirk. Tlie crops are very strong,
but so very late that there is no har-
vest, except a ridge or two perhaps in
ten miles, all the way I have travelled
from Edinburgh.
I left Andrew Bruce* and family all
well. — I will be at least three weeks
in making my tour, as I shall return
by the coast, and have many people to
call for.
My best compliments to Charles, our
dear kinsman and fellow-saint; and
Messrs. W. and H. Parkers. 1 hope
Hughoc-|- is going on and prospering
with God and Miss M'Causlin.
If I could think on anything
sprightly, I should let you hear every
other post; but a dull, matter-of-fact
business like this scrawl, the less and
seldomer one writes the better.
Among other matters-of-fact I shall
add this, that I am and ever shall be,
my dear sir, your obliged, R. B.
No. LXXVII.
TO GAVIN HAMILTON, ESQ.
Stirling, Aug;, 28, 17S7.
My DEAR Sin,-.— Here I am on my
way to Inverness. I have rambled
* An Edinburgh friend.
+ Mr. Hugh Parker, just mentioned.
over the rich, fertile carses of Falkirk 1
and Stirling, and am delighted with "
their appearance : richly waving crops
of wheat, barley, &c. , but no harvest -
at all yet, except, in one or two places,
an old- wife's ridge. Yesterday morn-
ing I rode from this town up the me-
andering Devon's banks, to pay my re-. -'
spects to some Ayrshire folks at Har^ ^
vieston. After breakfast, we made a.
party to go and see the famous Cau-
drou Linn, a remarkable cascade in '
the Devon, about five miles above
Harvieston; and, after spending on,e
of the most pleasant days I ever had
in my life, I returned to Stirling in- 1
the evening. They are a family, sir, '
though I had not had any prior tie-^
though they had not been the brother "
and sisters of a certain generous friend^'
of mine — I would never forget them.
I am told you have not seen them
these several years, so you can have!
very little' idea of what these young
folks are now. Your brother is as tall
as you are , but slender rather than,
otherwise; and I have the satisfaction
to inform you that he is gettiiig the
better of those consumptive symptoms
which I suppose you know were '
threatening him. — His make, and par-
ticularly his manner, resemble you, "
but he vrill still have a finer face. (I-
put in the word stiU to please Mrs. '
Hamilton.) Good sense, modesty, an^
at the same time a just idea of that re-
spect that man owes to man, and has a-
right in his return to exact, are striking '
features in his character; and, what '
with me is the Alpha and theOmega,''^
he has a heart that might adorn the
breast of a poet! Grace has a good
figure, and the look of health and
cheerfulness, but nothing else remark-
able in her person. I scarcely ever:
saw so striking a likeness as is be-
tween you and little Beeuie; thei-
mouth and chin particularly. She is
reserved at first; but, as we grewbet-^
ter acquainted, I was delighted with
the native frankness of her manner,
and the sterling sense of her observa--
tion. Of Charlotte I cannot speak in,
common terms of admiration: she is
not only beautiful, but lovely„ Het
GENERAL GORBESPONDENCE.
383,
form is elegant; lier features not reg-
ular, but they liave the smile of sweet-
ness, and the settled complacency of
good-nature in the highest degree:
and her complexion, now that she has
happily recovered her wonted health,
is equal to Miss Burnet's. After the
exercise of our riding to the Falls,
Charlotte was exactly Dr. Donne's
mjstress: —
" Her pure and eloquent blood
Spoke in her cheeks, and so distinctly wrought
Tbat one would almost say her body thought."
Her eyes are fascinating; at once ex-^
pressiveof good sense, tenderness, and
a noble mind.*
I do not give you all this account,
my good sir, to flatter you. I mean
iti to reproach you. Such relations
the first peer in the realm might own
with pride; then why do you not keep
up more correspondence with these so
amiable young folks ? I had a thou-
sand questions to answer about you.:
I had to describe the little ones with
the minuteness of anatomy. They
were highly delighted when I told
them that Johnf was so good a boy,
and so fine a scholar, and that Willie
was going on still very pretty; but I
have it in commission to tell her from
them that beauty is a poor silly bau-
ble without she be good. Miss Chal-
mers I had left in Edinburgh, but I
had the pleasure of meeting with Mrs.
Chalmers, only Lady Mackenzie being
rather a little alarmingly ill of a sore
throat, somewhat marred our enjoy-
ment.
I shall not be in Ayrshire for four
weeks. — My most respectful compli-
ments to Mrs. Hamilton, Miss Ken-
n.edy, and Doctor Mackenzie. I shall
probably write him from some stage
or other. — I am ever, sir, yours most
gratefully,
R. B.
*'Miss Charlotte Hamilton was celebrated
by Burns in his charming song, " The Banks
of, the Devon." She became the wife of Dr.
Adair, ■ "physician in Harrowgate, and has
been dead for some years.
. + Son of Mr. Gavin Hamilton— the " wee
curUe Johnnie" of " The Dedication."
No. LXXVIIL
TO MR. WALKER, BLAIR OP
ATHOLE.*
Inverness, Sept. 5, 1787.
My dear Sm,— I have just time to
write the foregoing, f and to tell you
that it was (at least most part of it)
the effusion of a half -hour 1 spent at
Bruar. I do not mean it was extem-
pore, for I have endeavoured to brush
it up as well as Mr. Nicol's chat and
the jogging of the chaise would allow;
It eases my heart a good deal, as
rhyme is the coin with which a poet
pays his debts of honour or gratitude.
What I owe to the noble family of
Athole, of the first kind, I shall ever
proudly boast; what I owe of the last,
so help me God in my hour of need !
I shall never forget.
The " little angel band!" I declare
I prayed for them very sincerely to-
day at the Pall of Fyers. I shall
never foi-get the fine family-pi^ce I
saw at' Blair; the amiable, the truly
noble duchess, with her smiling little
seraph in her lap, at the head of the
table: the lovely "olive-plants," as
the Hebrew bard finely says, round
the Tiappy mother: the beautiful Mrs^
G ; the lovely, sweet Miss C ,
&c. I wish I had the powers of Guido
to do them justice ! My Lord Duke's
kind hospitality — markedly kind in-
deed; Mr. Graham of Fintray'sl
charms of conversation — Sir W. Mur-
ray's friendship; in short, the recol-
lection of all that polite, agreeable
company raises an honest glow in my
bosom. E. B.
No. LXXIX.
TO MR. GILBERT BURNS.
Edinburgh, Sept. 17, 1787.
Mt dear Brother, — I arrived here
safe yesterday evening, after a tour of
* Mr. Josiah Walker, at this time tutor in
the family of the Duke of Athole, afterwards
Professor of Humanity in the University of
Glasgow. He was an intimate friend of the
poet's, and wrote a life of him, and edited an
edition of his works.
+ " The Humble Petition of Bruar Water."
See p. 108, • . .
884
BURXS' WORKS.
twenty-two .days, and travelling near
six hundred miles, windings.included.
My furthest stretch was about ten
miles beyond Inverness. I went
through the heart of the Highlands by
Crieff, Taymouth, the famous seat of
Lord Breadalbane, down the Tay,
among cascades and Druidical circles of
stones, to Dunkeld, a seat of the Duke
of Athole's; thence across the Tay,
and up one of his tributary streams to
Blair of Athole, another of the Duke's
seats, where I had the honour of
spending nearly two days with his
Grace and family; thence many miles
through a wild country among cllfEs
gray mth eternal snows, and gloomy
savage glens, till I crossed the Spey
and went down the stream through
Strathspey, so famous in Scottish
music; Badenocli, &c. , till I reached
(Jrant Castle, where I spent half a day
with Sir James tfrant and family; and
then crossed the country for Fort
George, but called by the way at Caw-
dor, the ancient seat of Macbeth;
there I saw the identical bed in which
tradition says King Duncan was mur-
dered: lastly, from Fort George to In-
verness.
I returned by the coast, through
Nairn, Forres, and so on, to Aberdeen,
thence to Stonehive,* where James
Burness, from Montrose, met me by
appointment. I spent two days among
our relations, and found our aunts
Jean and Isabel still alive, and hale
old women. John Cairn, though born
the same year with our father, walks
as vigourously as I can — they have
had several letters from his son in
New York. William Brand is like-
wise a stout old fellow; but further
particulars I delay till I see you,
which will be in two or three weeks.
The rest of my stages are not worth
rehearsing: warm as I was from Os-
sian's country, where I had seen his
very grave, what cared I for fishing-
towns or fertile carses ? I slept at the
famous Brodie of Brodie's one night,
and dined at Gordon Castle next day,
with the duke, duchess, and family.
I am thinking to cause my old mare to
meet me, by means of - John Ronald,
at Glasgow; but you shall hear. fur-
ther from me before I leave Edm-
burgh. My duty and many compli-
ments from the north to my mother;
and my brotherly compliments to the
rest. I have been trying for a berth
for WiUiam, but am not likely to be
successful. Farewell.
K. B.
No. LXXX.
TO MISS MARGARET CmVLMERS,
AFTEBWABDS MES. LEWIS HAY, OF
* Stonehaven.
EDINBURGH.
Sept. a6, 1787.
I SEND Charlotte the first number of
the songs; I would not wait for the
second number; I hate delays in little
marks of friendship as I hate dissim-
ulation in the language of the heart.
I am determined to pay Charlotte a
poetic compliment, if I could hit on
some glorious old Scotch air, in the
second number.* You will see a
small attempt on a shred of paper in
the book; but although Dr. Blacklock
commended it very highly, I am not
just satisfied with it myself. I intend
to make it a description of some kind:
the whining cant of love, except in
real passion, and by a masterly hand,
is trf me as insufferable as the preach-
ing cant of old Father Smeaton, Whig
minister at Kilmaurs. Darts, flames,
Cupids, loves, graces, and all that far-
rago, are just a Mauchline a sense-
less rabble.
I got an excellent poetic epistle yes-
ternight from the old, venerable author
of " Tullochgorum," "John of Baden-
yon," &c.\ 1 suppose you know he is
a clergyman. It is by far the finest
poetic compliment I ever got. I will
send you a copy of it.
I go on Thursday or Friday to Dum-
fries, to wait on Mr. Miller about his
* Of the Sco/s Musical Museum.
+ The Rev. John Skinner. Episcopal minis,
ter at Longslde, near Peterhead.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
383
farms. — Do tell that to Lady Mack-
enzie, that she may give me credit for
a little wisdom. " I, Wisdom, dwell
with Prudence." What a blessed fire-
side ! — How happy should I be to pass
^'a: Winter evening under their venerable
roof ! and smoke a pipe of tobacco,
or drink water-gruel vrith them !
'What solehin, lengthened, laughter-
quashing gravity of phiz ! What sage
remarks on the good-for-nothing sous
and daughters of indiscretion and
folly ! And what frugal lessons, as
we straitened tha fireside circle, on the
uses of the poker and tongs !
*"' Miss N is very well, and begs
to be remembered in the, old way to
you. I used all my eloquence, all the
persuasive flourishes of the hand, and
ll§art-melting modulation of periods
in my power, to urge her out of Har-
yiestbn, but all in vain. My rhetoric
seems quite to have lost its effect on
tlia lovely half of mankind — I have
teeen the day — but that is a " tale of
other years." — In my conscience I be-
lieve that my heart has been so oft on
iflre that it is absolutely vitrified. I
look on the sex with something like
the admiration with which I regard
the starry sky in a frosty December
iriglit. I admire the beauty of the
Creatoi'i workmanship; I am charmed
with the wild but graceful eccentricity
of their motions, and — wish them
good night. _ I mean this with respect
to a certain passion donl j' ai en, Vlion-
p,eur d'itre un miserable esclave: as
for friendship, you and Charlotte have
given me pleasure, permanent pleasure,
"which the world cannot give, nor
take away," I hope; and which will
outlast the heavens and the earth.
' R. B.
No. LXXXL
TO THE SAME.
Without date.
'I HATE been at Dumfries, and at one
•visit more shall be decided about a
farm in that eountry. I am rather
iiopekss in it; but as my brother is an
excellent farmer, and is, besides an ex-
ceedingly prudent, sober man, (quali-
ties which are only a younger brother's
fortune in our family,) I am determined
if my Dumfries business fail me, to
return into partnership with him, and
at our leisure take another farm in the "
neighbourhood.
I assure you I look for high compli-
inents from you and Charlotte on this
very sage instance of my unfathom-
able, incomprehensible wisdom. 'I'alk-
ing of Charlotte, I must tell her that I
have, to the best of ray power, paid lier
a poetic compliment, now completed.
The air is admirable : true old High-
land. It was the tuiie of a Gaelic song,
which an Inverness lady sang me
when I was there; and I was so
charmed with it tliat 1 begged her to
write me a set of it from her- singing.;
for it had never been set before. lam
fixed that it shall go in .Tohnson's next
number; so Charlotte and you need
not spend your precious time in con-
tradicting me. I won't say the poetry
is first-rate; though I am convinced it
is very well; and, what is not always
the case with compliments to ladies, it
is not only sincere but just.
[Here follows the song of " The
Banks of the Devon." See p. 207.]
R. B.
No. LXXXII.
TO JAMES HOY, ESQ., GORDON
CASTLE.
Edinburgh, Oct. 20, 1787.
Sm, — I vfill defend my conduct in
giving you this trouble, on the best of
Christian principle — " Whatsoever ye
would that men should do unto you,
do ye even so unto them." I shall
certainly, among my legacies, leave
my latest curse on that unlucky pre-
dicament which hurried — tore me.away
from Castle Gordon. May that obsti-
nate son of Latin prose [Nicol] becirst
to Scotch-mile periods, and damned to
seven-league paragraphs; wliile declen-
BUENS' WORKS.
sion and conjugation, gender, number
and time, under the ragged banners of
dissonance and disarrangement, eter-
nally rank against him in hostile array.
Allow me, sir, to strengthen the
small claim I have to your acquaint-
ance, by the following request. An
engraver, James Johnson, in Edin-
burgh, has, not from mercenary views,
but from an honest Scotch enthusiasm,
set about collecting all our native
songs and setting them to music; par-
iicularly those that have never been
set before. Clarke, the well-known
musician, presides over the musical
arrangement, and Drs. Beattie and
Blacklock, Mr. Tytler of Woodhouse-
).ee, and your humble servant to the
utmost of his, small power, assist in
collecting the old poetry, or sometimes
for a fine air make a stanza, when it
has no words. The brats, too tedious
to mention, claim a parental pang
from my hardship. I suppose it wiU
Appear in Johnson's second number —
the fiist was published before my ac-
quaintance with him. My request is
: — " Cauld Kail in Aberdeen" is one in-
tended for this number, and I beg a
copy of his Grace of Gordon's words to
it, which you were so kind as to repeat
to me. You may be sure we won't
prefix tlie author's name, except you
lilve, though I look on it as no small
merit to this work that the names of
many of the' authors of our old Scotch
•songs, names almost forgotten, will
"be inserted. I do not well know where
to write to you — I rather write at you ;
but if you will be so obliging, immedi-
ately on receipt of this, as to write me
a few lines, I shall perhaps pay you in
kind, though not in quality. John-
son's terms are: — Each number, a
handsome pocket volume, to consist at
least of a hundred Scotcli. songs, with
basses for the harpsichord, &c. The
price to subscribers, 5s; to non-s\ib-
scribera, 6s. He will have three num-
bers, I conjecture.
My direction for two or three weeks
will be at Mr. William. Gruilvshank's,
St. James' -Square, New Town, Edin-
burgh. I am, sir, yours to command,
E. B.
No. LXXXIII.
TO BEV. JOHN SKINNER.
Edinburgh, Oct. 25 1787.
Rbvbkend and Venekablb Sm,— .
Accept in plain dull prose, my most
sincere thanks for the best poetical
compliment I ever received. I assure
you, sir, as a poet, you have conjured
up an airy demon of vanity in my
fancy, which the best abilities in your
other capacity would be ill able to lay.
I regret, and while I live 1 shall regret j
that, when I was in the north, I had
not the pleasure of paying a younger
brother's dutiful respect to the author
of the best Scotch song ever Scotland
saw—' • TuUochgorum's my delight ! "
The world may think slightingly of the
craft of song-making, if they please,
but, as Job says — " Oh that mine ad-
versary had written a book ! " — let
them try. There is a certain some^
thing in the old Scotch songs, a wild
happiness of thought and expression,
which peculiarly marks them, not only
from English songs, but also from the
modern efforts of song-wrights, in our
native manner and language. The only
remains of this enchantment, these
spells of the imagination, rest with
you. Our true brother, Ross of Loch-
lea, was likewise "owrecannie" — a
"wild warlock" — but now he sings
among the " sons of the morning. "
I have often wished, and will cer-
tainly endeavour, to form a kind 0*
common acquaintance among all the
genuine sons of Caledonian song. The
world, busy in low prosaic pursuits,
may overlook most of us; but " rever-
ence thyself." The world is not our
peers, so we challenge the jury. We
can lash that world, and find ourselves
a very great source of amusement and
happiness independent of that world.
There is a work going on in Edin-
burgh, just now, which claims your
best assistance. An engraver in this
town has set about collecting and
publishing all the Scotch songs. With
the music, that can be found. Songs
in the English language, if by Scotch-
men, are admitted, but the music must
all be Scotch. Drs. Beattie and Black-
QBNER'AL CORRESPONDENCE.
387
lock are lending a liand, and tlie first
musician in town presides over tliat
department. 1 have been absolutely
crazed about it, collecting old stanzas,
and every information remaining re»
ppecting their origin, authors, &c. , &c.
This, last is but a very fragment
business; but at the end of his second
number — the first is already published
—a small account will be given of the
authors, particularly to preserve those
of latter times. Your three songs,
" Tullochgoruni," "John of Baden-
yon," and " The Ewie wi' the Crookit
Horn," go in this second number. I
was determined, before I got your let-
ter, to write you, begging that you
would let me know where the editions
of these pieces may -be found, as you
would wish them to continue in future
times, and if you would be so kind to
this undertaking as send any songs, of
your own or others, that you would
think proper to publish, your name
will be inserted among the other
authors, — " Nill ye, will ye." One
half of Scotland -already give your
"songs to other authors. Paper'is done.
I beg to hea:r from you; the sooner the
better, as I leave Edinburgh in a fort-
night or three weeks. I am, with the
warmest sincerity, sir, your obliged
humble servant,
R. B.
No. LXXXIV.
TO JAMES HOY, ESQ., GORDON
CASTLE.
Edinburgh, Nov. 6, 1787.
Dbab Sm, — I would have wrote you
immediately on receipt of your kind
letter, but a mixed impulse of grati-
tude and esteem whispered to me that
I ought to send you something by way
- of return. When a poet owes any-
thing, particularly when he is indebted
for good offices, the payment that
- usually recurs to him — ^the only coin
indeed in which he is probably con-
versant— is rhyme. Johnson sends
the books by the fly, as directed, and
begs me to enclose his most grateful
thanks: my return I intended should
have been one or two poetic bagatelles
which the world have not seen, of,
perhaps for obvious reasons, cannot
see. These I shall send you before I
leave Edinburgh. They may make
you laugh a little, which, on the whole,
is no bad way of spending one's pre-
cious hours and still more precious
breath: at any rate, they will be,
though a small, yet a very sincere
mark of my respectful esteem for a
gentleman whose further acquaintance
I should look upon as a peculiar obli-'
gation.
The duke's song, independent totally
of his dukeship, charms me. There is
I know not what of wild happiness of
thought and expression peculiarly
beautiful in the old Scottish song
style, of which his Grace, old vener-
able Skinner, the author of " TuUoch-
gorum," &c., and the late Ross, of
Lochlea, of true Scottish poetic mem-
ory, are the only modern instances
that I recollect, since Ramsay with his
contemporaries, and poor Bob Fergus-
son went to the wold of deathless rixis-
tence and truly immortal song. The
mob of mankind, that many-headed
beast, would laugh, at so serious a
speech about an old song; but, as Job
says, " Oh that mine adversary had
written a book !" Those who think
that composing a Scotch song is a
trifling business — let them try.
I wish my Lord Duke would pay a
proper attention to the Christian ad-
monition— "Hide nob youT oandl'e
under a bushel, " but, "Let your light
shine before men. " I could - name
half a dozen dukes that I guess are
a devilish deal worse employed; nay,
I question if there are half a -'jiozen
better: perhaps there are not half that
scanty number whom Heaven has
favoured with the tuneful, happy,
and, I will say, glorious gift. — I am,
dear sir, your obliged humble servant.
R. B.
BURXS' WORKS.
No. LXXXV.
TO MISS M N.*
Saturday Noon, No. 2 St. Jame.s* Square, I
New Town, EDmBURGH, Nov. 1787. )
Here have I sat, my dear madam,
in the stony altitude of perplexed
study for fifteen vexatious minutes,
my liead askew, bending over tlie
intended card; my fixed eye insensible
to tlie very liglit of day poured around;
my pendulous goose-feather, loaded
with inli, hanging over the future
letter, all for the important purpose
of writing a, complimentary card to
nceonipany your trinket.
Compliment is such a miserable
Greenland expression, lies at such
a chilly polar distance from the torrid
zone of my constitution that I cannot,
for the very soul of me, use it to any
person for whom I have the twentieth
part of the esteem every one must
have for you who knows you.
As 1 leave town in three or four
days, I can give myself the pleasure
of calling on you only for a minute.
Tuesday evening, some time about
seven or after, I shall wait on you for
your fare,well commands.
The hinge of your box I put into
the hands of the proper connoisseur;
but .it is, lilie Willy Gaw's Skate,
past redemption. The broken glass
likewise went under review; but
deliberative wisdom thought it would
too much endanger the whole fabric. —
I am, dear madam, with all the sin-
cerity of enthusiasm, your very
obedient servant,
R. B.
' * Inquiries concerning the name of this lady
have been niade in'vain. The communication
appeared, for the first time, in Burns' Letters
to Clarinda. The import of those celebrated
' letters has been much misrepresented : they
: are sentimental flirtations chiefly— a sort of
Corydon-and-Phylis affair, with here and
there passages over-warm, and- expressions
too graphic, such as all had to endure who
were honoured with the correspondence of
^UmS.T-CuNNINGHAM.
No. LXXXVI.
TO MISS CHALMERS.
• Edinburgh, Nov. ai, 1787-.
I HAVE one vexatious fault to the
kindly welcome, well-filled sheet
which I owe to your and Charlotte's*
goodness — it contains too much sense,
sentiment, and good spelling. It is
impossible that even you two, whom I
declare to my God I wUl give credit
for any degree of excellence the sex
are capable of attaining, it is impossi-
ble you can go on to correspond at that
rate; so, like those who, Shenstone
says, retire because they have made a
good speech, I shall, after a few
letters, hear no more of you. I insist
that you shall write whatever comes
first: what you see, what you readj
what you hear, what you admirSi
what you dislike, trifles, bagatelles,
nonsense; or to fill up a corner, e'en
put down a laugh at full length.
Now none of your polite hints about
flattery : I leave that to your lovers, it
you have or shall have any; thouglC,,
thank Heaven, I have found at last
two girls who can be luxuriantly
happy in their own minds and with
one another, without tliat commonly
necessary appendage to female bliss—
A LOVEU.
Charlotte and you are just two
favourite resting-places for my soul
in her wanderings through the weary,
thorny wilderness of this world. God
knows I am ill fitted for the struggle:
I glory in being a poet, and I want to
be thought u, wise man — I would
fondly be generous, and I wish to be
rich. After all, I am afraid I am a
lost subject. " Some folk hae a
hantle o' fauts, an' I'm but a ne'er-do-
weel."
Afternoon — To close the melancholy
reflections at the end of last sheet, I
shall just add a piece of devotion com^
* Miss Hamilton.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
389r
monly known in Carrick by the title
of the " Wabster'^grace:" — •
" Some say we're thieves, and e'en say are
we ;
So'me say we lie, and e'en say do we !
- Gude forgig us, and I hope sae will He !
' Up and to your looms, lads."
R. B.
No. LXXXVII.
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE,
EDINBURGH.
Edinburgh, Sunday Morning, I
Nov. 23, 1787. J
I BEG, my dear sir, you would not
make any appointment to take ils to
Mr,: Ainslie's to-night. On looking
oyer my engagements, constitutioi*,
present state, of health, some little
vexatious soul concerns, &c., I find I
can't sup abroad to-night. I shall be
in to-day till one o'clock if you have a
leisure hour.
You will think it romantic when I
^11 you that I find the idea of your
friendship almost necessary to my ex-
iateuce. — ^You assume a proper length
qf face in my bitter hours of blue-
devilism, and you laugh fully up to
my highest wishes at my good things.
— I don't know, upon the whole, if
you are one of the first fellows in
God's world, but you are so to me. I
tell you this just now in the convic-
tion that some inequalities in my
temper and manner may perhaps
sometimes make you suspect that 1 am
not so warmly as I ought to be your
friend.
R. B.
No. LXXXViri.
TO ROBERT AINSLIE.
Mauchune, 1787.
Mt peak Ainslie, — There is one
iliing for which I set great store by
you. as a friend, and it is this : I have
not a friend upon earth, besides your-
self, to whom I can talk nonsense
without forfeiting some degree of
esteem. Now, to one like me, who''
never weighs what he says, such a,
friend is a valuable treasure. I was
never a knave, but I have been a fool
all my life, and in spite of all my en-
deavours, I see now plainly that I
shall never be wise. Now it rejoices-
my heart to have met with such a fel-
low as you, who, though you are not
just such * hopeless fool as I, yet I
trust you will never listen so much to
the temptation of the devil, as to grow
so very wise that you will in the least '
disrespect an horjest fellow, because
he is a fool. In short, I have set you ■
down as the staff of my old age, when
the whole host of my friends will,
after a decent show of pity, have for-
got me.
"Though in the morn comes sturt and strife,
Yet joy may come ere noon ;
And I hope to live a merry, merry life.
When a' their days are done."
Write me soon, were it but a few
lines, just to tell me how that good
sagacious man your father is — that
kind dainty body your mother — that,
strapping chiel your brother Douglas
^and my friend Rachel, who is as far
before Rachel of old as she was before
her blear-eyed sister Leah.
■ R. B.
No. LXXXIX.
TO JAMES DALRYMPLE, ESQ.,
ORANGEFIELD.
Edinburgh, 1787.
Dear Sir, — I suppose the devil is'
so elated with his success with you
that he is determined by a coup de
main to complete his purpose on you
all at once, in making you a poet. I
broke open the letter you sent me;
hummed over the rhymes; and, as I
saw they were extempore, said to my-
self they were very well ; but when I saw
at the bottom a name that I shall, ever
value with grateful respect, " I gapit-
wide, but naething spak." I was
nearly as much struck as the friends,
of Job, of affliction-bearing memory,
when they sat down with him seweff
S9Qr
BURNS' WOKKa.
days and seven nights, and spake not
a word.
. I am naturally- of a superstitious
cast, and as soon as my -wonder-
scared' imagination regained its con-
sciousness, and resumed its functions,
I cast about what this mania of yours
might portend. My foreboding ideas
had the wide stretch of possibility;
and several events, great ii^heir mag-
nitude, and important in their conse-
quences, occurred to my fancy. The
downfall of the conclave, or the
crushing of the Cork rumps; a ducal
coronet to Lord George Gordon, and
the Protestant interest; or St. Peter's
keys, to .
. You want to know how I come on.
I am just in statu quo, or, not to Insult
a gentleman witli my Latin, in ' ' auld
use and wont." The noble Earl of
Glencairn took me by the hand to-day,
and interested himself in my concerns,
with a goodness like that benevolent
Being whose image he so richly bears.
He is a stronger proof of the immor-
tality of the soul than any that philos-
ophy ever produced. A mind like
his can never die. Let the worship-
ful squire H. L. or the reverend Mass
J. M. go into his primitive nothing.
At best, they are but ill-digested
lumps of chaos, only one of them
strongly tinged with bituminous par-
ticles and sulphureous effluvia. But
my noble patron, eternal as the heroic
swell of magnanimity, and the gen-
erous throb of benevolence, shall look
on with princely eye at " the war of
elements, the wreck of matter, and
the crash of worlds."
E. B.
No. XC.
TO THE EARL OF GLENCAIRN.
Edinburgh, Dec. 1787.
My Lord, — I know your lordship
will disapprove of my ideas in a re-
quest I am going to make to you; but I
have weighed, long and seriously
\veighed, my situation, my hopes and
turn of mind, and am fully fixed to
my scheme if I can poasibly effec-
tuate it. I wish to get into the Excise;
I am told that your lordship's interest
will; easily procure me the grant from
the commissioners; and your lord-
ship's patronage and goodness, which
have already rescued me from obscur-
ity, wretchedness, and exile, em-
bolden me to ask that interest, You
have likewise put it in my power to
save the little tie of home that
sheltered an aged mother, two
brothers, and three sisters from de-
struction. There, my lord, you have
bound me over to the highest grati-
tude.
My brother's farm is hut a wretched
lease, but I think he will probably;
weather out the remaining seven years
of it; and, after the assistance which I
have given and will give him, to keep
the family together, I think, by my
guess, I shall have rather better than
two hundred pounds, and instead of
seeking, what is almost impossible at
present to find, a farm that I can cer-
tainly live hy, with so small a stock,
I shall lodge this sum in a banking;
house, a sacred deposit, excepting only
the calls of uncommon distress or-
necessitous old age.
These, my lord, are my views: I
have resolved from the maturest de-
liberation; aiid now I am fixed, I shall-
leave no stone unturned to carry my=
resolve into execution. Your lord-
ship's patronage is the strength of my
hopes; nor have I yet applied to any-
body else. Indeed my heart sinks
within me at the idea of applying to
any other of the great who have hon-
oured me with- their countenance. I
am ill qualified to dog the heels of
greatness with the impertinence of
solicitation, and tremble nearly as mucli
at the thought of the cold promise as
the cold denial; but to your lordshipi
I have not only the honour, this com-
fort, but the pleasure of being' your,
lordship's much-obliged and deeply-
indebted humble servant.
E. B.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
391
No. XCI.
TO MISS CHALMERS.
Edinburgh, Dec. 12, 1787.
I AM liere under the care of a sur-
geon, with a bruised limb extended on
agushion; and the tints of my mind
vyiiig with the livid horror preceding
a midnight thunder-storm. A drunken
coachman was the cause of the first,
and incomparably the lightest evil;
misfortune, bodily constitution, hell,
andimyself, have formed a "quadruple
alliance" to guax-antee the other. I
got my fall on Saturday, and am get-
ting slowly better.
I have taken tooth and nail to the
Bible, and am got through the five
books of Moses and half way in Joshua.
It is really a glorious book. I sent for
my bookbinder to-day, _ and ordered
him to get me an octavo Bible in
sheets, the best paper and print in
town, and bind it with all the elegance
of his craft.
I would give my best song to my
worst enemy, I mean the merit of mak-
ing it, to have you and Charlotte by
me. You are angelic creatures, and
would pour oil and wine into my
wounded spirit.
I enclose you a proof copy of the
" Banks of the Devon," which present
■with my best wshes to Charlotte. The
"Ochil Hills"* you shall probably
have next week for yourself. None of
your fine speeches !
E. B.
No. XCII.
TO THE SAME.
Edinburgh, Dec. ig, 1787.
' I BESIN this letter in answer to yours
of the 17th curt., which is not yet cold
since I read it. The atmosphere of my
soul is vastly clearer than when I
wrote you last. For the first time yes-
terday I crossed the room on crutches.
* The' song in honour of Miss Chalmers, be-
ginninir, "Where, braving angry, winter's
storfils.'* Sec p. 207. ■
It would do your heart good to see my
hardship, not on my poetic, but on my
oaken, stilts; throwing my best leg
with an air, and with as much hilarity
in my gait and countenance as a May
frog leaping across the newly-har-
rowed ridge, enjoying the fragrance of
the refreshed earth after the long-ex-
pected shower !
I can't say I am altogether at my
ease when I see anywhere in my path
that meagre, squalid, famine-faced
spectre, poverty; attended, as he al-
ways is by iron-fisted oppression, an4
leering contempt; but I have sturdily
withstood his bufEetings many a hard-
laboured day already, and still my
motto is — 1 DARE ! My worst enemy
is moi-meme. I lie so miserably open
to the inroads and incursions of a mis-
chievous, light-armed, well -mounted
banditti, under the banners of imagi-
nation, whim, caprice, and passion;
and the heavy-armed veteran regulars
of wisdom, prudence, and forethought
move so very, very slow, that I am al-
most in a state of perpetual warfare,
and, alas ! frequent defeat. There are
just two creatures I would envy, a
liorse in his wild state, traversing the
forests of Asia, or an oyster on some
of the desert shores of Europe. The
one has not a wish without enjoyment,
the other has neither wish nor fear.
E. B.
No. XCIII.
TO CHAELES HAY, ESQ.,
ADVOCATE,*
ENCLOSING VBBSES ON THE DEATH OF
THE LOBD PEBSIDENT.f
Dec. 1787.
Sm, — The enclosed poem was writs
ten in consequence of your suggestion
the last time I had the pleasure of see-
ing you. It cost me an hour or two of
next morning's sleep, but did not
* Ultimately, a judge, under the designatiori
of Lord Newton.
-+ See the lines, p. iii. ^ ■ ^
593
BURNS'- WORKS.
please me; so it lay by, an ill-digested
effort, till the other day that I gave it
a critic brush.
These kind of sabjects are much
liackneyed; and, besides, the wailing
of the rhyming tribe over the ashes of
the great are cursedly suspicious, and
out of all character, for sincerity.
These ideas damped my muse's fire;
however, I have done the best I could,
and at all events it gives me an oppor-
tunity of declaring that I have the hon-
our to be, sir, your obliged humble ser-
vant, K. B.
No. 5CIV.
TO SIR JOHN WHITEFOORD.
Edinburgh, Dec. 1787.
SiK, — Mr. Mackenzie, in Mauchline,
my very warm and worthy friend, has
informed me how much you are pleased
to interest yourself in my fate as a
man, and (what to me is incomparably
dearer) my fame as a poet. I have;
!3ir, in one or two instances, been
patronised by those of your character
inlife, when I was introduced to their
notice by ... . friends to them,
and honoured acquaintances to me; but
you are the first gentleman in the
country whose benevolence and good-
ness of heart has interested himself
for me, unsolicited and unknown.
I am not master enough of the eti-
iquette of these matters to know, nor
did I stay to inquire, whether formal
duty bade, or cold propriety disallow-
ed, my thanking you in this manner,
as I am convinced, from the light
in which you kindly view me, that you
will do me the justice to believe this
letter is not the manoeuvre of the
needy, sharping author, fastening on
those in upper life who honour him
with a little notice of him or his works.
Indeed, the situation of poets is gener-
ally such, to a proverb, as may in some
measure palliate that prostitution of
heart and talents they have at times
been guilty of. I do not think prodi-
gality is by any means a necessary con-
comitant of a poetic turn, but I believe
a careless, indolent attention to econ-
omy is almost inseparable from it;
then there must be, in the heart of
every bard of nature's making, a cer-
tain modest sensibility, mixed with a
kind of pride, that will ever keep him
out of the way of those windfalls of
fortune which frequently light on
hardy impudence and foot-licking ser-
vility. It is not easy to imagine a
more helpless state than his whose
poetic fancy unfits him for the world,
and whose character as a scholar gives
him some pretensions to the politesse
of life, yet is as poor as I am.
For my part. I thank Heaven my
star has Ijeen kinder; learning never
elevated my ideas above the peasant's
shed, and I have an independent for-
tune at the plough-tail.
I was surprised to hear that any one
who pretended in the least to the man-
ners of the gentleman should be so
foolish, or worse, as to stoop to traduce
the morals of such a one as I am, and so
inhumanly cruel, too, as to meddle with
that late most unfortunate, unhappy
part of my story. With a tear of grati-
tude, I thank you, sir, for the warmth
with which you interposed in behalf of
my conduct, I am, I acknowledge, too
frequently the sport of whim, caprice,
and passion; but reverence to God,
and integrity to my fellow-creatures,
I hope I shall ever preserve. I have
no return, sir, to make you for ypur
goodness but one — a return which, I
am persuaded, will not be unaccept-
able— ^the honest, warm wishes of a
grateful heart for your happiness, and
everyone of that lovely flock, who
stand to you in filial relation, if ever
calumny aim the poisoned shaft at
them, may friendship be by to ward
the blow !
E. R
GENERAL ■ CORRESPONDENCE.
393
No. XCV,
■ TO MISS WILLIAMS,*
.ox BEADING THE POEM O? "THE
BLAVE-TKADE."
Edinburgh, Dec. 1787.
I KNOW very little of scientific criti-
cism, so uU I can pretend to in that in-
tricate art is merely to note, as I read
along, wliat passages strike me as be-
ing uncommonly beautiful, and where
the expression seems to be perplexed
or faulty.
The poem opens finely. There are
none of these idle prefatory lines which
one may sliip over before one comes to
the subject. Verses 9 and 10 in par-
ticular,
" Where ocean's unseen bound
Leaves a drear world of waters round,"
are truly beautiful. The simile of the
hurricane is likewise fine; and, indeed,
beautiful as the poem is, almost all
the similes rise decidedly above it.
From verse 31 to verse 50 is a pretty
eulogy on Britain. Verse 36, " That
foul drama deep with wrong," is nobly
expressive. Verse 46, I am afraid, is
rather unworthy of the rest; "to dare
to feel" is au idea that I do not alto-
gether like. Tlie contrast of valour
and mercy, from the 46th verse to the
50th, is admirable.
Either my apprehension is dull, or
there is something a little confused in
the apostrophe to Mr. Pitt. Verse 55
is the antecedent to verses 57 and 58,
but in verse 58 the connexion seems
tingrammatical : —
'* Powers
With no gradations mark'd their flight,.
But rose at once to glory's heights
Hisen should be the word instead of
rose. Try it in prose. Powers, —
their flight marked by no gradations,
but [the same powers] risen at once to
* Miss Williams had in the previous June
addressed a complimentary epistle to Burns,
which appeared in the Edinburgh Magazine
for Sept. 1817, That she was a lady of some
ineritwill appear from the fact that one of her
«ongs, " Evan Banks," had the honour to be
imputed to Burns himself.
the height of glory. Likewise, verse
53, "For this," is evidently meant to
lead on the sense of verses 59, 60, 61,
and 63; but let us try how the thread
of connexion runs: —
' For this
The deeds of mercy, that embrace
A distant sphere, an alien race.
Shall virtue's lips record, and claim
The fairest honours of thy name."
I beg pardon if I misapprehend the
matter, but this appears to me the only
imperfect passage in the poem. The
comparision of the sunbeam is fine.
The compliment to the Duke of Rich-
mond is, I hope, as just as it is cer-
tainly elegant. The thought,
" Virtue .,.,.,,
Sends from her unsullied source
The gems of thought their purest force,"
is exceedingly beautiful. 'flic idea,
from verse 81 to 85, that the " blest
degree" is like the beams of morning
ushering in the glorious day of liberty,
ought not to pass unnoticed or unap-
plauded. From verse 85 to verse 108,
is an animated contrast between the
unfeeling selfishness of the oppressor
on the one hand, and the misery of the
captive on the other. Verse 88 might
perhaps be ameuded thus: " Nor ever
jmf her narrow maze." We are said
to 'pass a bound, but we quit a maze.
Verse 100 is exquisitely beautiful: —
"They whom wasted blessings tire."-,
Verse 110 is, I doubt a clashing of
metaphors ; " to load a span " is, I am
afraid, an unwarrantable expression.
In verse 114, " Cast the universe in
shade," is a fine idea. Prom the 115th
verse to the 143d is a striliing descrip-
tion of the wrongs of the poor African.
Verse 130, " The load of unremitted
pain," is a remarkable, strong expres-
sion. The address to the advocates
for abolishing the slave-trade, from
verse 143 to verse 308, is animated
with the true life of genius. The pic-
ture of oppression —
" While she links her impious chain.
And calculates the price of pain ;
Weighs agony in sordid scales,
And marks if death or life prevails''-^*
is nobly executed.
894
BUENS- WORKS.
- What a tender idea is in verse 180 !
Indeed, that whole description of homo
may vie ■with Thomson's description
of home, somewhere in the beginning
of his " Autumn." I do not remember
to have seen a stronger expression of
misery than is contained in these
verses: —
" Condemn'd, severe extreme, to live
When all is fled that life can give."
"the comparison.of our distant joys to
distant objects is equally original and
striking.
The character and manners of the
dealer in the infernal traffic is a well
done, though a horrid, picture. I am
not sure how far introducing the sailor
was right; for, though the sailor's
common characteristic' is generosity,
yet, in this case, he is certainly not
only an unconcerned witness, but, in
some degree, an efficient agent in the
business. Verse 224 is a nervous
. . . expressive — ' ' The heart con-
vulsive anguish breaks." The descrip-
tion of the captive wretch when he ar-
rives in the West Indies is carried on
with equal spirit. The thought that
the oppressor's sorrow on seeing the
slave pine is like the butcher's regret
when his destined lamb dies a natural
death is exceeding fine.
I am got so much into the cant of
criticism that I begin to be afraid lest
I have nothing except the cant of it;
and, instead of elucidating my author,
am only benighting myself. For this
reason I will not pretend to go through
the whole poem. Some few remaining
beautiful lines, however, I cannot pass
over. Verse 380 is the strongest de-
scription of selfishness I ever saw. The
comparion in verses 285 and 286 is
new and line; and the line, "Your
arms to penury you lend," is excellent.
In verse 317, "like" should cer-
tainly be "as" or "so;" for instance —
*' His sway the harden'd bosom leads
To cruelty's remorseless deeds ; fsprings
As (or, so) the blue liefhtning, when it
With fury on its livid wintrs.
Darts on the goal with rapid force,
Nor heeds that ruin marks its course."
If you insert the word " like" where
I have placed "as," you must alter
" darts" to " darting," and "heeds" to
" heeding," in order to make it gram-,
mar. A tempest is a favourite subject ^
with the poets, but I do not remembe;
anything even in Thomson's "Winter"
superior to your verses from the 347th
to the 351st. Indeed, the last simile,
beginning with " Fancy- may dress,
&c.," and ending with the 350th verse,
is, in my opinion, the most beautiful-
passage in the poem; it would do hon-
our to the greatest names that ever
graced our profession.
I will not beg your pardon, madam,
for these strictures, as my conscience
tells me that for once in my life I hava
acted up to the duties of a Christian,
in doing as I would be done by.
R. B
No. XCVI.
TO MR. RICHARD BROWN,
IRVINE.^
Edinburgh, Dec, 30, 1787.
Mt deak Sir, — I have met with
few things in life which have given
me more pleasure than Fortune's kind-
ness to you since those days in which
we met in the vale of misery; as I can
honestly say that I never knew a man
who more truly deserved it. or to
whom my heart more truly wished it.
I have been much indebted since that,
time to your story and sentiments for
steeling my mind against evils, of
which I have had a pretty decent share.
My will-o'-wisp fate you know. Do
you recollect a Sunday we spent to-
gether in Eglinton woods ? You told
me; on my repeating some verses to
you, that you wondered I could resist
the temptation of sending verses of
such merit to a magazine. It was
from this remark I derived that idea of
my own pieces which encouraged me
to endeavour at the character of a poet.
I am happy to hear that you will be
* Richard Brown was the individual whonj
Burns, in his autobiosrraphical letter to Dn
Moore, describes as his companion at Irvine
—whose mind was fraught with every manly
virtue, but who, nevertheless, was the means
of making him regard illicti^loye with levity,;
GENERA-L CORRESPONDENCE.
SQa:
two or tliree months at liome. As soon
as a bruised limb will permit me, I
shall return to Ayrshire, and we
shall meet; "and, faith, I hope we'll
not sit dumb, nor yet cast out !"
I have much to tell you ' ' of men,
their manners, and their ways," per-
haps a little of the other sex. Apro-
pos, I beg to be remembered to Mrs.
Brown. There I doubt not, my dear
friend, but you have found substantial
happiness. I expect to find you some-
thing of an altered, but not a different
man; the wild, bold, generous young
fellow composed into the steady affec-
tionate husband, and the fond careful
parent. For me, I am just the same
will-o'-wisp being I used to be. About
the first and fourth quarters of the
moon, I generally set in for the trade-
wind of wisdom; but about the full
and change, I am the luckless victim
of mad tornadoes which blow me into
cliaos. Almighty love still reigns and
revels in my bosom ; and I am at this
moment ready to hang myself for a
young Edinburgh widow.* who has
wit and wisdom more murderously
fatal than the assassinating stiletto
of the Siciliau bandit, or the poisoned
arrow of the savage African. My High-
land dirk, that used to "hang beside in'y
crutches, I have gravely removed into
a neighbouring closet, the key of
which I cannot command in case of
springtide paroxysms. You may
guess of her wit by the following
verses, which she sent me the other
day.
My best compliments to our friend
Allan.— Adieu ! E. B.
No. XCVII.
TO GAVIN HAMILTON.
Edinburgh, Dec. 1787.
Mt dear Sir, — It is indeed with the
highest pleasure that I congratulate
you oh the return of days of ease
and nights of pleasure, after the hor.
* This was Mrs. M'Lehose, (Clarinda.) She
was not a widow, but was separated from her
husband, who was in J<vnialc;a.
rid hours of misery in which I saw
you suffering existence when last in-
Ayrshire. 1 seldom pray for anybody
— "I'm baithdead-sweer and wretched
ill o't; " but most fervently do I beseech
the Power that directs the world that ■
you may live long , and be happy, but ■
live no longer than you are happy. It
is needless for me to advise yoU to
have a reverend care of -your health. I
know you will make it a point never
at one time to drink more than a pint
of wine (I mean an English pint,) and
that you will never be witness to more .
than one bowl of punch at a time, and,
that cold drams you will never more
taste; and, above all things I am con-
vinced that after drinking perhaps
boiling punch you will never mount-
your horse and gallop home in a chill
late hour. Above all things, as I
understand you are in habits of inti- •
macy with that Boanerges of gospel
powers. Father Auld, be earnest with ■
him that he will wrestle in prayer for
you, that you may see the vanity of
vanities in trusting to, or even practis-
ing the .casual moral works of, charity,
humanity, generosity, and forgive-
ness of things, which you practised so .
flagrantly that it was evident you de-
lighted in them, neglecting, or perhaps
profanely despising, the wholesome,
doctrine of faith without works, the.
only author of salvation. A hymn of
thanlisgiving would, in my Opinion be
highly becoming from you at present,:
■and, in my zeal for your wellbeing, I-
earnestly press on you to be diligent in
chanting over the two enclosed pieces ;
of sacred poesy. My best compliments;
to Mrs. Hamilton and Miss Kennedy. ■
—Yours, &c., R. B.
No; XCVIII.
TO MISS CHALMERS.
Edinburgh, Dec. 1787,
My deah Madam, — I just now have
read yours. The poetic compliments
I pay cannot be misunderstood. They
are neither of them so particular as tq
point you out. to. the world at larger
396
BURNS' WOEKS.
and tlie circle of your acquaintances
will allow all I have said. Besides, I
have complimented you chiefly, almost
solely, on your mental charms. Shall
I be plain with you? I will; so look
to it. Personal attractions madam,
you have much above par: wit, under-
standing, and worth, you possess in
the first class. This is a cursed flat
way of telling you these truths, -but let
me hear no more of your sheepish tim-
idity. I know the world a little. I
know what they will say of my poems
-^by second sight I suppose — for I am
seldom out in my conjectures; and you
may believe me, my dear madam, I
would not run any risk of hurting you
by any ill-judged compliment. I wish
to show to the world the odds between
a poet's friends and those of simple
prosemen. More for your informa-
tion— both the pieces go in. One of
them, " Where, braving angry win-
ter's storms," is already set — the tune
is Neil Gow's Lamentation for Aber-
cairny; the other is to be set to an old
Highloind air in Daniel Dow's collec-
tion of ancient Scots music; the name
is "Ha a Chaillich air mo Dheith."
My treacherous memory has forgot
every circumstance about " Les Incas,"
only I think you mentioned them as
being in Creech's possession. I shall
ask him about it. I am afraid the
song of "Somebody" will come too
late, as I shall, for certain leave town
in a week for Ayrshire, and from that
to Dumfries, but there my hopes are
slender. I leave my direction in town,
so anything, wherever I am, will
reach me.
I saw yours to ; it is not too
severe, nor did he take it amiss. On
the contrary, like a whipt spaniel, he
talks of being with you in the Christ-
ma§ days. Mr, has given him the
invitation, and he is determined to ac-
cept of it. O, selfishness ! he owns,
in his sober moments, that from his
own volatility of inclination, the cir-
cumstances in which he is situated,
and his knowledge of his fatlier's dis-
position, the whole affair is chimerical
. ■ — yet he vyiU gratify an idle pencJmnt
at . the enormous, cruel expense, of
perhaps ruining the peace of the
very woman for whom he pro-
fesses the generous passion of love!
he is a gentleman in his mind and
manners — tant pis ! He is a volatilft
schoolboy— the heir of a man's for-
tune who well knows the value of two
times two!
Perdition seize them and their foT^
tunes, before they should make the
amiable, the lovely the derided
object of their purse-proud contempt!
I am doubly happy to hear of Mrs.
's recovery, because I really
thought all was over with her. There
are days of pleasure yet awaitiiig her:
" As I came in by Glenrp,
I met with an aged woman ;
She bade me cheer up my heart,
For the best o' my days was comlnV *
This day will decide my affairs with
Creech. Things are, like myself, not
what they ought to be; yet better than
what they appear to be. ^
" Heaven's Sovereign saves all beings but >
Himself
That hideous sight — a naked human heart !"
Farewell I remember me to Char-
lotte.
H. B.
No. XCIX.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Edinburgh, Jan. zr, 1788.
After six weeks' confinement, I am
beginning to walk across the room.
They have been six horrible weeks;
anguish and low spirits made me un-
fit to read, write, or think.
I have a hundred times wished that
one could resign life as an oflBcer re-
sigBs a commission; for I would not
take in any poor ignorant wretch by
selling out. Lately I was a sixpenny
private; and, God knows, a miserable
soldier enough; now I march to the
campaign a starving cadet — a little
more conspicuously wretched.
I am ashamed of all this ; for.though
* This is an old popular 'rhyme, and was a
great favourite with the poet. Glenap is xsi
the south of Ayrshire. _. ' '-:-
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
307
-I. do want bravery for tlie warfare of
life, I eould wish, lUte some other sol-
diers, to have as much fortitude or
cunning as to dissemble or conceal my
cowardice.
As soon as I can bear the journey,
which will be, I suppose, about the
jniddle of next week, I leave Edin-
burgh: and soon after I shall pay my
grateful duty at Dunlop House.
R. B.
No. C.
j;XTRACT FROM A LETTER TO
THE SAME.
Edinburgh, Feb. 12, 1788.
Some things in your late letters hurt
me: not that you say tlism, but that
you mistake me. Religion, my hon-
oured madam, has not only been all
my life my chief dependence, but iny
dearest enjoyment. I have, indeed,
been the luckless victim of wayward
follies; but, alas! I have ever been
"more fool than knave." A mathe-
matician without religion is a probable
character: an irreligious poet is a
monster.
R. B.
No. CI.
TO THE REV. JOHN SKINNER.
Edinburgh, Feb. 14, 1788.
Revekbnd and deak Sie, — I have
been a cripple now near three months,
though I am getting vastly better, and
, have been' very much hurried besides,
or else I would have written you soon-
er. . I must beg your pardon for the
epistle you sent me appearing in the
magazine. I had given a copy or two
to some of my intimate friends, but
did not know of the printing of it till
the publication of the magazine. How-
ever, as it does great honour to us
bbth, you -vvill forgive it.
The second volume of the songs I
mentioned to you in my last is pub-
lished to-day. I send you a copy,
which I beg you will accept as a mark
of the veneration I have long had, and
shall ever have, for your character,
and of the claim I make to your con-
tinued acquaintance. Tour songs ap-
pear in the third volume, with your
name in the index ; as I assure you, sir,
I have heard your " TuUochgorum,"
particularly among our west-country
folks, given to many different names,
and most commonly to the immortal
author of ."The Minstrel," who, in-
deed, never wrote anything superior to
"Gie's a sang, Montgomery cried."
Your brother has promised ine your
verses to the Marquis of Huntley's reel,
whicli certainly deserve a place in the
collection. My kind host, Mr. Cruik-
shank, of the High School here, and
said to be one of the best Latinists of
this age, begs me to make you his
grateful acknowledgments for the
entertainment he has got in a Latin
publication of yours, that I borrowed
for him from your acquaintance and
much-respected friend in this place;
the Rev. Dr. Webster. Mr. Cruilt-
shank maintains that you write the
best Latin since Buchanan. I leave
Edinburgh to-morrow, but shall return
in three weeks. Your song you men-
tioned in your last, to the tune of
"Dumbarton Drums," and the other,
which you say was done by a brother
in trade of mine, a ploughman, I shall
thank you much for a copy of each. — I
am ever, rev. sir, with the most re-
spectful esteem and sincere veneration,
yours, R. B.
No. CII.
TO RICHARD BROWN.
Edinburgh, Feb. 15, 1788.
My DEAR Fkibnd, — I received yours
with the greatest pleasure. I shall
aiTivc at Glasgow on Monday evening;
and beg, if possible, you will meet
me on Tuesday, I shall wait for you
Tuesday all day. I shall be foand at
Davies's Black Bull Inn. I am hur-
ried, as if hunted by fifty devils, else
I should go to Greenock; but if you
cannot possibly cgme, write me, if pos-
398
BURNS' WOBKS.
sible, to Glasgow, on Monday; or
direct to me at Mossgiel by Mauchline ;
and name a day and place in Ayrshire,
■within a fortnight from this date,
■where I may meet you. I only stay a
fortnight in Ayrshire, and return to
Edinburgh. — I am ever, my dearest
friend, yours, E. B.
No. cm.
TO -MISS CHALMERS.
Edinburgh, Sunday, Feb. 15, 1788,
To-MORRO'W, my dear madam, I
leave Edinburgh. I have altered all
my plans of future life. A farm that I
could live in I could not find; and, in-
deed, after the necessary support my
brother and the rest of the family re-
quired, I could not venture on farming
in that style suitable to my feelings.
You will condemn me for the next step
I have taken. I have entered into the
Excise. I stay in the west about three
weeks, and then return to Edinburgh
for six weeks' instructions; afterwards,
for I get employ instantly, 1 go oil il
plait a Dieu et mon roi. I have
chosen this, my dear friend, after
mature deliberation. The question is
not at what door of fortune's palace
we shall enter in, but what doors does
she open to ns. I was not likely to get
anything to do. I wanted «!!, hut,
which is a dangerous, an unhappy situ-
ation. I got this without any hanging
on or mortifying solicitation; it is
immediate bread, and, though poor in
comparison of the last eighteen months
of my existence, 'tis luxury in com-
parison of all my preceding life: be-
sides, the commissioners are some of
them my acquaintances, and all of
them my firm friends. R. B.
No. CIV.
TO THE SAME.
[No date.]
Now for that wayward, unfortunate
thing, myself. I have broke measures
with Creech, and last week I wrote him
a frosty, keen letter. He replied in
terms of chastisement, and promised
me upon his honour that I should have
the account on Monday; but this is
■Tuesday, and yet I have not heard a
word from him. God have mercy; on
me ! a poor damned, incautious, duped',
unfortunate fool! The sport, the
miserable victim of rebellious pride,
hypochondriac imagination, agonizing
sensibility, and bedlam passions!
" I wish that I were dead, but I'm
no like to die!" I had lately " a hair-
breadth 'scape i' th' imminent deadly
breach " of love too. Thank my stars
I got off heart-whole, " waur fleyeii
than hurt. " — Interruption.
I have this moment got a hint: I fear
I am something like — undone; but I
hope for the best. Come, stubborn
pride and unshrinking resolution; ac-
company me through this, to me miser-
able world 1 You must not desert me!
Your friendship I think I can count on,
though I should date my letters from
a marching regiment. Early in life,
and all my life, I reckoned on a recruit-
ing drum as my forlorn hope. Serious-
ly, though life at present presents me
with but a, melancholy path; but —
my limb mil soon be sound, and I
shall struggle, on. ■ R. B.
No. CV.
TO MRS. ROSE OP KILRAVOCK.
Edinburgh, Feb. 17^ 1788. ■
Madam, — You are much indebted to
some indispensable business I have had
on my hands, otherwise my gratitude
threatened such a return for your
obliging favour as would have tired
your patience. It but poorly expresses-
my feelings to say that I am sensible
of your kindness: it may be said of
hearts such as yours is, and such I hope,
mine is, much more justly than Addi-
son applies it, —
" Some souls by instinct to each other turn."
There was something in my recep-
tion at Kilravock so different from, the
cold, obsequious, dancing-school bow
GENERAL CORRESPOJilOENCE.
899
of politeness, that it almost got into
my head that friendship had occupied
her ground without the intermediate
march of acquaintance. I wish I could
transcribe, or rather transfuse, into
language the glow of my heart when I
read your letter. My ready fancy,
with colours more m.ellow than life
itself, painted the beautifully-wild
scenery of Kilravock— the venerable
grandeur of the castle— 'the spreading
woods — the winding river, gladly leav-
ing his unsightly, heathy source, and
lingering with apparent delight as he
passes- the fairy walk at the bottom of
the . garden ; — your late distressful
anxieties — your present enjoyments —
youT dear little angel, the pride of
youE hopes ;-:-^my aged friend, vener-
able in worth and years, whose loyalty
and other virtues will strongly entitle
her to the support of the Almighty
Spirit here, and His peculiar favour in
a happier state of existence. You can-
not imagine, madam, how much such
feelings delight me; they are the dear-
est proofs of my own immortality.
Should I never revisit the north, as
probably . I never will, nor again see
your hospitable mansion, were I, some
twenty years hence, to see your little
fellow's name making a proper figure
in a newspaper paragraph, my heart
would bound with pleasure.
. I am assisting a friend in a collec-
tion of Scottish songs, set to their
iproper tunes; every air worth preserv-
ing is to be included; among others, I
Jiave given "Morag," and some few
Highland airs which pleased me most,
a dress which will be moie generally
known, though far, far inferior in real
merit. As a small mark of my gratc-
!ful esteem, I beg leave to present you
with a copy of the work, as far as it is
printed; the Man of Feeling, that first
of men, has promised to transmit it
hy the first opportunity.
I beg to be remembered most re-
spectfully to my venerable friend, and
to your little Highland chieftain.
jWhen you see the "two fair spirits of
the hili" at Kildrummie,* tell them I
have done myself the honour of setting
myself down as one of their admirers-
for at least twenty years to come, con-
sequently they must look upon me a?
an acquaintance for the same period;
but, as the apostle Paul says, "this I
ask of grace, not of debt. " — I have the
honour to be, madam, &c. ,
K. B.
* Miss Sophia Brodie of L-
Rose of. Kilravock.
, and Miss
No. CVI.
TO RICHARD BROWN.
MossGiEL, Feb. 24, 1788,
My dear Sra, — I cannot get the
proper direction for my friend in Ja-
maica, but the following will do:-^To
Mr. Jo. Hutchinson, at Jo. Brown-
rigg's. Esq., care of Mr. Benjamin
Henriquezj merchant. Orange Street,
Kingston. I arrived here, at my broth-
er's only yesterday, after fighting my
way through Paisley and Kilmarnock
against those old powerful foes of
mine, the devil, the world, and the
flesh — so terrible in- the fields of dissi-
pation; I have met with few incidents
in my life which gave me so much
pleasure as meeting you in Glasgow.
'JThere is a time of life beyond which
we cannot form a tie worthy the name
of friendship. "0 youth ! enchanting
stage, profusely blest." life is a fairy
scene: almost all that deserves the
name of enjoyment or pleasure is only
a charming delusion; and in comes
repining age, in all the gravity of hoary
wisdom, and wretchedly chases away
the bewitching phantom. When I
think of life, I resolve to keep a strict
look-out in the course of economy, for
the sake of worldly convenience and
independence of mind; to cultivate in-
timacy with a few of the companion?
of youth that they may be the friends
of age: never to refuse my liquorish
humour a handful of the sweetmeats
of life, when they come not too dear;
and, for futurity —
Tlie present moment is our ain,
Tlie neist we never saw !
How like you my philosophy 1 Give
my best compliments to Mrs.- B.; and
400
BURNS' WORKS.
believe me to be, my dear sir, yours
most truly, ^- "■
[The poet was now nearly recovered
from the disaster of the "maimed
limb." He endured his confinement
with the more patience that it en-
abled him to carry on his correspond-
ence with Clarinda, and write songs
for Johnson's Musical Museum. —
, CUKNINGHAM.]
No. evil. '
TO .
MossGiEL, Friday Morning.
Sm, — The language of refusal is to
me the most difficult language on earth,
and you are the [only] man of the
world, excepting one of Rt. Honle. des-
ignation, to whom it gives me the
greatest pain to hold such language.
My brother has already got money, and
shall want nothing in my power to en-
able him to fulfil his engagement with
you: but to be security on so large a
scale, even for a brother, is what I
dare not do, except I were in such cir-
cumstances of life as that the worst
that might happen could not greatly
injure me.
I never wrote a letter which gave me
so much pain in my life, as I know the
unhappy consequenpes; I shall incur
the displeasure of a gentleman for
whom I have the highest respect, and
to whom I am deeply obliged. — I am
ever, sir, your obliged and very humble
servant, Kobbrt Burns.
No. CVIII.
TO MR. WILLIAM CRUIKSHANK.
Mauchline, March 3, 1788.
My dear Sir, — Apologies for not
writing are frequently like apologies
for not singing — the apology better
than the song. I have fought my way
severely through the savage hopitality
of this country to send every guest
drunk to bed if they can.
I executed your commission in Glas-
gow, and I hope the cocoa came safe.
'Twas the same price and the veiy
same kind as your former parcel, for
the gentleman recollected your buying
there perfectly well.
I should return my thanks for your
hospitality (I leave a blank for
the epithet, as I know none can do it
justice) to a poor %vay-faring bard, who
was spent and almost overpowered,
fighting with prosaic wickedness ; in
high places; but I am afraid lest you
should bum the letter whenever you
come to the passage, so I pass over it
in silence. I am just returned from
visiting Mr. Miller's farm. The friend
whom I told you I would take with me
was highly pleased with the farm; and
as he is without exception the most iu-
telligent farmer in the' country, he has
staggered me a good deal. I have the
two_ plans of life before me; I shall
balance them to the best of my judg-
ment, and fix on the most eligible.' I
have written Mr. Miller, and shall wait
on him when I come to town, which
shall be the beginning or middle of
next week; I would be in sooner, but
my unlucky knee is rather worse, and
I fear for some time will scarcely stand
the fatigue of my excise instructions.
I only mention these ideas to you: and
indeed, except Mr. Ainslie, whom I in-
tend writing to to-morrow, I will not
write at all to Edinburgh till I return
to it. I would send my compliments to
Mr. Nicol, hut he would be hurt if he
knew I wrote to anybody and not to
him: so I shall only beg my best,
kindest compliments to my worthy
hostess and the sweet little rosebud.
So soon as I am settled in the routina
of life, either as an Excise-officer, os
as a farmer, I propose myself great
pleasure from a regular correspond-
ence with the only man almost I eves
saw who joined the most attentive pru-
dence with the warmest generosity.
I am much interested for that best 0}
men, Mr. Wood; I hope he is in bet.
ter health and spirits than when X saw
him last. — I am ever, my dearest friend,
your obliged, humble servant,
E. B.
GENEBAL CORRESPONDENCE.
'4fll
No. CIX.
TO ROBERT AINSLIE, ESQ.
Mauchline, March 3, 17S3.
Mt deak Friend, — I am just re-
turned from Mr. Miller's farm. My
old friend whom I took with me was
highly pleased with the bargain, and
advised me to accept of it. He is the
most intelligent sensible farmer in the
county,* and his advice has staggered
me a good deal. I have the two plans
before me : I shall endeavour to balance
them to the best of my judgment, and
fix on the most eligible. On the whole,
if I find Mr. Miller in the same favour-
able disposition as when l saw him
last, I shall in all probability turn
fanner.
I have been through sore tribula-
tion, and under much buffeting of the
wicked one since I came to this coun-
try.' Jean I found banished, forlorn,
destitute, and friendless; I have recon-
ciled her to her fate, and I have recon-
<!iled her to her mother, f
I shall be in Edinburgh the middle
of next week. My farming ideas I shall
keep private till I see. I got a letter
.from Clarinda yesterday, and she tells
me she has got no letter of mine but
one. Tell her that I wrote to her from
Glasgow, from Kilmarnock, from
Mauchline, and yesterday from Cum-
nock as I returned from Dumfries. In-
.deed she is the only person in Edin-
•burgh I have written to till this day.
How are your soul and body, putting
up V — ^a little like man and wife, I sup-
pose. R. B.
No. ex.
TO RICHARD BROWN.
Mauchline, March 7, 1788.
I n.'tVE been out of the country, my
dear friend, and have not had an op-
* The " sensible" farmer who accompanied
Burns to Dalswinton,.and influenced him in
/talcing: the farm- of- Ellisland, was Mr. Tait of
'Glenconner. to whom the poet addressed a
jnetrical epistle. (See p. 170.)
t On the very day this -was written Jean
wras delivered of twins — girls — the unfortu-
jlate result of their renewed intimacy. The
infants died a few days after their birth.
portunity of writing till now, when I
am afraid you will ^e gone out of the
country too. I have been looking at
farms, and, after all, perhaps I may
settle in the character of a farmer. I
have got so vicious a bent on idleness,
and have ever been so little a man of
business, that it will take no ordinary
effort to bring my mind properly into
the TOUtine: but you will say a " great
effort is worthy of you." I say so my-
self; and butter up my vanity with ajl
the stimulating compliments I can
think of. Men of grave, geometrical
minds, the. sons of ' ' which was to be
demonstrated," may cry up reason as
much as they please; but I have
always found an honest passion, or
native instinct, the truest auxiliary in
the warfare of this world. Reason
9.1most always comes to me like an ud!-
lucky wife to a poor devil of a hus-
band, jnst in suflScient time to add her
reproaches to his other grievances.
I am gratified with your kind in-
quiries after Jean; as, after all, I may
say with Othello —
'* E icellent wretch !
Perdition catch my soul, but I do love thee !"
I go for Edinburgh on Monday. —
Yours,
R. B.
No. CXI.
TO ME. MUIR, KILMARNOCK. ]
MossGiEL, March 7, 1788.
Dear Sir, — I have partly changed
my ideas, iny dear friend, since I saw
you. I tookold Glenconner with me to
Mr. Miller's farm, and he was so
pleased with it that I have w:ritten an
offer to Mr. Miller, which, if he ac-
cepts, I shall sit down a plain farmer,
the happiest of lives when a man can
live by it. In this case I shall not
stay in Edinburgh above a week. I
set out on Monday, and would have
come by Kilmarnock, but there arp
several small sums owing me for my
402
BURNS' WORKS.
first edition about Galston and New-
mills, and I shall set oS so early as to
despatch my business and reach Glas-
gow by . night. When I return, I
shall devote a forenoon or two to make
aome kind of acknowledgment for all
the Idndness I owe your friendship.
Jfpw that I hope to settle with some
credit and comfort at home, there was
not any friendship or friendly corres-
pondence that promised me more
pleasure than yours; I hope I will not
he disappointed. I trust the spring
will renew your shattered frame, and
make your friends happy. You and
I have often agreed that life is no
great blessing on the whole. The
close of life, indeed, to a reasoning age.
" Dark as was chaos ere the infant sun -s
Was roU'd together, or had tried his beams
Athwart the gloom profound."
But an honest man has nothing to
fear. If we lie down in the grave,
the whole man a piece of broken
machinery, to moulder with the clods
of the valley, be it so; at least there is
an end of pain, cure, woes, and wants:
if that part of us called mind does suf-
_Yive the apparent destruction of the
man — away with old wife prejudices
and tales ! Every age and every
iation has had a different set of
stories; and as the many are always
weak of consequence, they have often,
perhaps always, been deceived: a man
conscious of having acted an honest
part among his fellow creatures — even
granting that he may have been the
sport at times of passions and instincts
— he goes to a great unknown Being,
who could have no other end in giving
him existence but to make him happy.
Who gave him those passions and in-
stincts, and well knows their force.
These, my worthy friend, are my
ideas; and I know they are not far
different from yours. It becomes a
man of sense to think for himself, par-
ticularly in a case where all men are
equally interested, and where, indeed,
all men are equally in the dark. —
Adieu, my dear sir; (Jod send us a
cheerful meeting !
R. B.
No. CXII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
MossGiEL, March 17. 1788.
Madam, — The last paragraph in
yours of the 30th February affected
me most, so I shall begin my answer
where you ended your letter. That i
am often a sinner with any little wit I
have, I do confess: but I have taxed
my recollection to no purpose to find
out when it was employed against
you. I hate an ungenerous sarcasm a
great deal worse than I do the devil;
at least as Milton describes him; and
though I may be rascally enough to be
sometimes-.guilty of it myself, I cannt^
endiireit in others. You, my hon-
oured friend, who cannot aj^ear ia
any light but you are sure of being re-
spectable, you can afford to pass hy an
occasion to display your wit, because
you may depend for fame on your
sense; or, if you choose to be silent,
you know you can rely on the grati-
tude of many, and the esteem of all;
but God help us who are wits -or- wit-
lings by profession, if we stand not
for fame there, we sink unsupported!
I am highly flattered by the news
you tell me of Coila. 1 may say to
the fair painter* who does me so much
honour, as Dr. Beattie says to Ross,
the poet of his muse Scota, f rom whichi
by the by, I took the idea of Coila ftis
a poem of Beattie's in the Scottish dia-
lect, which Derhaps you have never
seen): —
'^ Ye shake your head, but o* my fegs
Ye*ve set auld Scota on her legs ; ■ i
Lang had she lien wi' beffs and flegs,
Bumbazed and dizzje ;
Her fiddle wanted strings and pegs,
Wae*s me, poor hizzie !"
E. B.
No. cxiii;
TO MISS CHALMERS.
Edinburgh, March 14, 1788;
I KNOW, my ever-dear friend, tha^
you will be pleased with the news wheij
* One of the daughters of Mrs. Dunlop is
here intimated. She was painting a sketch
from' the Coila of " The vision." - .
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
403
1 tell you I liav6 at last taken a lease of
a farm. Yesternight I completed a
bargain with Mr. Miller of Dalswinton
for the farm of Ellisland, on the banks
the Nith, between five and six miles
above Dumfries. 1 begin at Whitsun-
day to build a house, drive lime, &c. ;
and Heaven be my help ! for it will
take a strong effort to ijring^ my mind
into the routine of business. I have
discharged all the army of my former
pursuits, fancies, and pleasures; a mot-
ley host ! and have literally and strict-
ly retained only the ideas of a few
friends, which I have incorporated in-
to a lifeguard, I trust in Dr. John-
Bon's observation, " Where much is
attempted, something is done." Firm-
mess, both in sufferance and exertion,
is" a character I would wish to be
thought to possess: and have always
despised the whining yfelp of com>
plaint, and the cowardly, feeble re-
solve.
Poor Miss K is ailing a good deal
this winter, and begged me to remem-
ber her to you the first time I wrote
to you. Surely woman, amiable
woman, is often^ made in vain. Too
delicately formed for the rougher pur-
suits of ambition; too noble for the
dirt of avarice, and even too gentle for
the rage of pleasure; formed indeed
for, and highly susceptible of, enjoy-
ment, and rapture; but that enjoy-
ment, alas ! almost wholly at the
mercy of the caprice, malevolence,
stupidity, or wickedness of an animal
at all times comparatively unfeeling,
and often brutal.
R. B.
No. CXIV.
TO RICHARD BROWN.
Glasgow, March 26, 1783.
I AM monstrously to blame, my dear
sir, in not writing to you, and sending
you the Directory. I have been get-
ting my tack extended, as I have {aken
a farm; and I have been racking shop
accounts . with Mr. Creech, both of
which, together with watching, fa-
tigue, and a load of care almost too
heavy for my shoulders, have in .sonife
degree actually fevered me. 1 really
forgot tho Directory yesterday, which
vexed me; but I was convulsed with
rage a great part of the day. 1 have to
thank you for the ingenious, frrencjly
and elegant epistle from your friend
Mr. Crawford. I shall certainly write
to him, but not now. This is merely
a card to you, as I am postiaj'to Dum-
friesshire, where many perplexing ar-
rangements await me. 1-^ vexed
about tlie Directory; but, my iear sir,
forgive me; these eight days I have
been positively crazed. My compli-
ments to Mrs. B. I shall write to yoa
at Grenada. I am ever, my dearest
friend, yours,
R. B.
No. CXV.
TO MR. ROBERT CLEGHORN.
Mauchune, March 31, 1788. \.
Yesterday, my dear sir, as I wa^
riding through a track of melancholy^,
joyless moors, between Galloway and
Ayrshire, it being Sunday, I turned my
thoughts to psalms, and hymns, an^
spiritual songs; and your favourite aift
" Captain O'Rean," coming at length
into my head, I tried these words to it.
You will see that the first part of the
tune must be repeated.*
I am tolerably pleased with these
verses; but as I have only a sketch of
the tune, I leave it with you to try if
they suit the measure of the music.
I am so harassed with care and
anxiety, about this farming project of
mine, that ray muse has degenerateid
into the veriest prose-wench that ever
picked cinders, or followed a tinker.
When I am fairly got into the routine
of business, I shall trouble you with a
longer epistle; perhaps with some
queries respecting farming: at present,
the world sits such a load on my • mind
that it has effaced almost every trace Of
the poet in me.
* Here the bard gives the first two stanzas
of " The Chevalier^ Lament."
:404
BURNS' WORKS.
My very best compliments and good
wishes to Mrs. Cleghorn. K. H.
No. CXVI.
TO MR. WILLIAM DUNBAR,
EDINBURGH.
Mauchline, April 7, 1788.
I HAVE not delayed so long to write
to you, my much respected friend, be-
cause I thought no farther of my
promise. I have long since given up
that kind of formal correspondence
where one sits down irksomely to write
n, letter Ijecause we think we are in
duty bound so to do.
•1 have been roving over the country,
as the farm I have taken is forty miles
from this place, hiring servants and
preparing matters; but most of all, I
am earnestly busy to bring about a
revolution in my own mind. As, till
within these eighteen months, I never
Was the wealthy master of ten guineas,
■my knowledge of business is to learn;
•add to this, my late scenes of idleness
and dissipation have enervated my
mind to an alarming degree. Skill in
the sober science of life is my most
serious and hourly study. I have
dropt all conversation and all reading
(prose reading) but what tends in some
■way or other to my serious aim.
Except one worthy young fellow, I
have not one single correspondent in
Edinburgh. You have indeed kindly
made me an ofEer of that kind. The
world of wits and gens comme il faut
which I lately left, and with whom I
never again will Intimately mix —
from that port, sir, I expect your
' Gazette: what les beaux esprits are
skying, what they arc doing, and what
they are singing. Any sober intelli-
gence from my sequestered walks of
life; any droll original; any passing
remark, important forsooth, because
' it is mine; any little poetic effort,
however embryoeth; these, my dear
sir, are all you have to expect from
• toe: When I talk of poetic efforts, I
"must have it always understood that
I appeal from your wit and taste to
your friendship and good nature.
The first would be my favourite trib-
unal, where I defied censure; but the
last, where I declined justice.
I have scarcely made a single dis-
tich since I saw you. When I meet
with an old Scots air that has any
facetious idea in its name, I have a
peculiar pleasure in following out
that idea for a verse or two.
I trust that this will find you in better
health than I did last time I called for
you. A few lines from you, directed
to me at Mauchline, were it but to let
me know how you are, will set my
mind a good deal [at rest.] Now,
never shun the idea of writing me
because perhaps you may be out of
humour or spirits. I could give you
a hundred good consequences attend-
ing a dull letter; one, for example,
and the remaining ninety-nine some
other lime^it will always serve to
keep in countenance, my much-re-
spected sir, your obliged friend and
humble servant,
R. B.
No. CXVIL
TO MISS CHALMERS.
Mauchline, April 7, 1788,
I AM indebted to you and Miss
Nimmo for letting me know Miss Ken-
nedy. Strange, how apt we are to in-
dulge prejudipes in our judgments of
one another ! Even I, who pique my-
self on my skill in mai'king characters
— because I am too proud of my char-
acter as a man to be dazzled in my
judgment tor glaring wealth, and too
proud of my situation as a poor man
to be biased against squalid poverty
— I was unacquamted with Miss K-'s
very uncommon worth. *
I am going on a good deal progres-
sive in mon grand but, the sober, sci-
ence of life. I have lately made some
sacrifices, for which, were I wd Mce
with you to paint the situation and rs-
GENERAL, CORRESPONDENCE.
■m
count the circumstances, you would
applaud me.*
R. B.
No. CXVIII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Mauchune, April 28, 1788.
Madam, — Your powers of reprehen-
sion must be great indeed, as I assure
■you they made my heart ache with
penitential pangSj even though I was
really not guilty. , As I commence
farmer at Whitsunday, you will easily
guess I must be pretty busy; but that
. is not all. As I got the offer of the
Jlxcise business without solicitation,
arid as it costs me only six months' at-
tendance for instructions, to entitle
ine to a commission — which commis-
sion lies by me, and at atiy future
period, on my simple petition, can be
resumed — I thought five-aud-thirty
pounds a year was no bald dernier res-
sort for a paor poet, if fortune in her
jade tricks should kick him down
from the little eminence to which she
has lately helped him up.
For this reason I am at present at-
tending these instructions to have
them completed before Whitsunday.
Still, madam, I prepared with the
sincerest pleasure to meet you at the
Mount, and came to my brother's on
Saturday night, to set out on Sunday;
but for some niglits preceding I had
slept in an apartment where the force
of the winds and rains was only' miti-
•; gated by being sifted through number-
less apertures in the windows, walls,
&c. In consequence I was on Sunday,
Monday, and part of Tuesday, unable
•to stir oiit of bed, with all the miser-
able effects of a violent cold.
You see, madam, the truth of the
French maxim, ie wai n'estpas ton-
jours le waisembldble. Your last was
so full of expostulation, and was some-
.thing so like the language of an
• offended friend, that I began to trem-
:ble for a correspondence which I had
*The sacrifices alluded to referred to his
deVeriMfkatton to marry Jean Armour.
with grateful pleasure set down as one
of the greatest enjoyments of my fu-
ture life. '
Your books have delighted me.
Virgil, Dryden, and Tasso, were all
equally strangers to me; but of this
more at large in my next.
E. B.
No. CXIX.
TO MR. JAMBS SMITH, AVON'
PRINTFIELD, LINLITHaOW.; ,
Mauchi4ne, April 28, 1788.
Beware of your Strasburg, my
good sir ! Look on this the opening
of a correspondence, like the opening
pf a twenty-four gun battery !j
There is no. understanding a man
properly without knowing something
of his previous ideas (that is to say, if
the man ■ has any ideas; for I kiiow
many who, in the animal muster, pass
for men, that are the scanty masters of
only one idea on any given subject,
and by far the greatest part of your
acquaintances and mine can barely
boast of ideas, 1 '25 — 1 -5 — 1 '75 (or some
such fractional .matter); so to let you
a little into the secrets of my peri-
cranium, there is, you must know, a
certain clean-limbed, handsome, be-
witching young hussy of your ac-
quaintance, to whom I have Is^tely
and privately given a matrimonial
title to my corpus.
" Bode a robe and wear it.
Bode a pock 'and bear it,"
says the wise old Scots adage. I hate
to presage ill-luck; and as my girl lias
been doubly kinder to me than even
•the best of women usually are to
their partners of our sex in similar
circumstances, I reckon on twelve
times a brace of children against I cel-
ebrate my- twelfth wedding day: these
twenty-four will give me twenty-four
gossipings, twenty-four christenings,
(I mean one equal to two,) and I hope,
by the blessing of the God of my
fathers, to make them twenty-four
dutiful • children to their parents,
406
BURNS' WORKS.
twenty-four useful members of society,
and twenty-four approven servants
of their God.
" Light's heartsome," quo' the wife
jvhen slie was stealing sheep. You
see what a lamp I have hung up to
lighten your paths, when you are idle
enough to explore the combinations
and relations of my ideas. 'Tis now
as plain as a pikestaff why a twenty-
four gun battery was a metaphor I
could readily employ.
Now for business — I intend to pre-
sent Mrs. Burns with a printed shawl,
an article of which I daresay you have
a variety; 'tis my first present to her
since I have irrevocably called her
mine, and I have a kind of whimsical
wish to get her the first said present
from an old and much-valued friend
of hers and mine, a trusty Trojan, on
whose friendship I count myself pos-
sessed of as a life-rent lease.
Look on this letter as a " beginning
of sorrows;" I will write you till your
eyes ache reading nonsense.
Mrs. Burns ('tis only her private
designation) begs her best compliments
to you.
R. B.
No. CXX.
TO PROFESSOR DUGALD
STEWART.*
Mauchline, May 3, 1788.
Sir, — I enclose you one or two more
of my bagatelles. If the fervent
wishes of honest gratitude have any
iniluence with that great unknown
Being, who frames the chain of causes
and events, prosperity and happiness
will attend your visit to the Continent,
and return you safe to your native
shore.
Wherever I am, allow me, sir, to
claim it as my privilege to acquaint
* The kindness of heart and amenity of
manners of this distinguished philosopher
were as conspicuous as his talents. The poet
has given an interesting estimate of hi9 ac-
complished friend's character In a letter to
Dr. Mackenzie, which see at p. 360.
you with my progress in my trade of
rhymes; as I am sure I could say it
with truth, that, next to my little
fame, and the having it in my power
to make life more comfortable to those
whom nature has made dear to me, I
shall ever regard your countenance,
your patronage, your friendly good
oflBces, as the most valued consequence
of my late success in life.
R. B.
No. CXXI.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Mauchline, May 4, 1788.
Madam, — Drydeh's Virgil' has de-
lighted me. I do not know whethfer'
the critics will agree with ih^,-but iibe
Georgics are to me by far the best part'
of Virgil. It is indeed a species of
writing entirely new to me; and had
filled my head with a thousand fancies
of emulation : but, alas ! when I read
the Georgics, and then survey my own
powers, 'tis like the idea of a Shetland
pony drawn up by the side of a
thoroughbred hunter, to start for the
plate. I own I am disappointed in the
Mneii. Faultless correctness may
please, and does highlj' please, the let-
tered critic; but to that awful char-
acter I have not the most distant pre-
tensions. I do not know whether I
do not hazard my pretensions to be a
critic of any kind when I say that I
think Virgil, in many instances, a ser-
vile copier of Homer. If I had the
Odyssfey by mc, I could parallel many
passages where Virgil has evidently
copied, but by no means improved
Homer. Nor can I think there is any-
thing of this owing to the translators;
for, from everything I have seen of
Dryden, 1 think him, in genius and
fluency of language. Pope's master.
I have not perused Tasso enough to
form an opinion: in sonic future let-
ter, you shall have my ideas of him;
though I am conscious my criticisrns
must be very inaccurate and imperfect,
as there I have ever felt and lamented
my want of learning most.
R. B. ;
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
407-
No. CXXII.
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE.
.^ Mauchunh^ May 26, 1788.
■ My dear Fkibn-d, — I am two kind
letters in your debt, but I liave been
fiom-home, and horridly busy, buying
and preparing for my farming busi-
ness, over and above tlie plague of my
Excise instructions, which this week
will iinish.
As I flatter my wishes that I foresee
many future years' correspondence
between us, 'tis foolish to talk of ex-
casing dull epistles; a dull letter may
be a Tery kind one.— I have the
pleasure to tell yoa . that I have been
extremely fortunate in all my buyings
and bargainings hitherto; Mrs. Bnrns
not excepted; which title I now avow
to the world. I am truly pleased
with this last affair: it has indeed
a^ed to anxieties for futurity, but it
has given a stability to my mind and
resolutions unknown before; and the
poor girl has the most sacred enthu-
siasm of attachment to me, and has
not a wish but to gratify my every idea
of her deportment. I am interrupted.
Farewell ! my dear sir.
B. B.
No. CXXIII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
May 27, 17BS.
Madam, — I have been torturing my
philosophy to no purpose, to ac-
count for that kind partiality of yours
which has followed me, in my return
to the shade of life, with assiduous
benevolence. Often did I regret, in the
fleeting hours of my late will-o'-wisp
appearance, that "here I had no con-
tinuing city;" and, but for the consola-
tion of a few solid guineas, could al-
most lament the time that a momen-
tary acquaintance ■with wealth and
splendour put me so much out of con-
ceit vrith the sworn companions of my
toad through life— insignificance and
poverty;
There are few circumstances relat-
ing to the unequal distribution of the
good things of this life that give me
more vexation (I mean in what I see
around me) than the importance the
opulent bestow on their trifling family;
alfairs, compared with the very same
things on the contracted scale of. a
cottage. Last afternoon I had the
honour to spend an hour or to at a good
woman's fireside, where the planks
that composed the floor were decorated!
with a splendid carpet, and the gay
table sparkled with silver and china.
'Tis now about termday, and there has
been a revolution among those crea-
tures, who though in appearance par-
takers, and equally noble partakers, of
the same nature with madam, are from
time to time — their nerves, their
sinews, their health, strength, wisdom.'
experience, genius, time, hay, a good
part of their very thoughts— sold, for
months and years, not only to the
necessities, the conveniences, but the
caprices of the important few. We
talked of the insignificant creatures,
nay, notwithstanding their general
^.stupidity and rascality, did some of the
poor devils the honour to commend
them. But light be the turf upon his
breast who taught, " Reverence thy-
self !" We looked down on the un-
polished wretches, their impertinent
wives and clouterly brats, as the lordly
bull does on the little dirty anthill,
whose puny inhabitants lie crushes in
the carelessness of his ramble, or
tosses in the air in the wantonness of his
pride.
R. B.
No. CXXIV.
TO THE SAME.
AT MR. DUNLOP'S, HADDINGTOJiT.
, Ellisland, June 13, 1788,
" Where'er I roam, whatever realms I see,..
My heart, untravell'd, fondly turns to thee ;
Still to my friend it turns with ceaseless
pain,
And' drags at each remove a lengthen'd
chain." — Goldsmith.
This is the second day, my hon-
oured friend, that I have been on my
BURNS' WORKS,
farm. A solitary inmate of an old
smoky Spence; far from every object I
iove, or by whom I am beloved; not
any acquaintance older than yesterday,
except Jenny Geddes, the old mare I
ride on ; while uncouth cares and novel
plans hourly insult my awkward ig-
norance and bashful inexperience.
There is a foggy atmosphere native to
iny soul in the hour of care; conse-
quently the dreary objects seem larger
ihan the life. Extreme sensibility,
irritated and prejudiced on the gloomy
side by a series of misfortunes and
disappointments, at that period of my
existence when the soul is laying in
Jier cargo of ideas for the voyage of
life, is, I believe, the principal cause
of his unhappy frame of mind.
" The valiant, in himself, what can he suffer ?
Or what need he regard his single woes ?^'
&c.
Your surmise, madam, is just; I am
indeed a husband.
To jealousy or infidelity I am an
equal stranger. My preservative from
f he first is the most thorough conscious-
ness of her sentiments of honour, andf
her attachment to me: my antidote
against the last is my long and deep-
rooted affection for her.
. In housewife matters, of aptness to
learn and activity to execute, she is
eminently mistress: and during my
Absence in Nithsdale, she is regularly
iind constantly apprentice to my mother
and sisters in their dairy and other
rural business.
The muses must not be offended
when I tell them the concerns of
my wife and family will in my mind
always take the pns/ but I assure them
their ladysjiips will ever come next in
place.
You are right that a bachelor state
would have insured m« more friends;
but, from a cause you will easily guess,
conscious peace in the enjoyment of
my own mind, and unmistrusting con-
fidence in approaching my God, would
seldom have been of the number.
I found a once much-loved and still
much-loved female, literally and truly
cast out to the merey of the naked ele- .
ments; but' I enabled her to purcliasa
a shelter;— there is no sporting with a
fellow-creature's happiness, or misery.
The most placid good nature and
sweetness of disposition; a warm heart,
gratefully devoted with all its powers
to love me; vigorous health and
sprightly cheerfulnes, set off to the
best advantage by a more than com-
monly handsome figure; these, I think,
in a woman, may make a good wife,
though she should never have read a
page but the Scriptures of the Old and
the New Testament, nor have danced
in a brighter assembly than a penny
pay-wedding.
K. B.
No. CXXV. ,
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLTE.
Ellisland, June 74, 1788- '
This is now the third day, my dear-
est sir, that I have sojourned in these
regions; and during these three days
you have occupied more of my thoughts
than in three weeks preceding; in Ayr-
shire I have several variations of
friendship's compass — here it points in-
variably to the pole. My farm gives
me a good many uncouth cares and
anxieties, but T hate the language of
complaint. Job, or some of his friends,
says well — " Why should a living man
complain ?"
I have lately been much mortified
with contemplating an unlucky imper-
fection in the very framing and con-
struction of my soiil; namely, a blun-
dering inaccuracy of her olfactory or=
gans in hitting the scent of craft or de-
sign in my fellow-creatures. I do not
mean any compliment to my ingenu-
ousness, or tohint that the defect is in
conssquenceof the unsuspicious sim.-
plicity of conscious truth and honour:
I take it to be, in some way or other,
an imperfection in the mental sights
or, metaphor apart, some modification
of dulness. In two or three small- in-
stances lately, I have been most shame?
fully out.
I have all along hitherto, in the Wat'
fare of life, been bred to arms among
GENERAL COBRESPONDENCE.
409
the light-liorse — ihe picket-guards of
fancy; a kind of hussars and High-
landers of the brain; but I am firmly re-
solved to sell out of these giddy battal-
ions', who have no ideas of a. battle but
fighting the foe, or of a siege but
storming the town. Cost whatsit will,
I am determined to buy in among the
grave squadrons of heavy - armed
thought, or the artillery corps of plod-
ding contrivance.
■ What books are you reading, or what
is the subject of your thoughts, be-
sides the great studies of your pro-
fi9ssio3? You said something about
religion in your last. 1 don't exactly
remember what it was, as the letter is
in Ayrshire ; but I thought it not only
pi-ettily said, but nobly thought. You
will make a noble fellow if once you
were^na^ried. I malce no reservation
of your being well married: you have
BO much sense, and knowledge of
human nature, that, though you may
not realise perhaps the ideas of
romance, yet you will never be ill mar-
ried.
Were it not for the terrors of my
ticklish situation, respecting provision
for a family of children, I am decidedly
of opinion that the step I have taken is
vastly for ray happiness. As it is, I
look to the Excise scheme as a cer-
tainty of maintenance; a maintenance !
■nr^luxury to what either Mrs.. Burns or
I were born to. Adieu !
R. B.
No. CXXVI.
TO THE SAME.
Mauchline, June 25, 1788.
This letter, my dear sir, is only a
business scrap. Mr. Miers, profile
painter in your town, has executed a
profile of Dr. Blacklock for me: dome
the favour to call for it, and sit to him
yourself for me; which put in the same
size as the doctor's. The account of
both profiles will be fifteen shillings,
which I Tiave given to James Connel,
.our Mauchline carrier, to pay you when
you give him the parcel. You must
hot, my friend, refuse to sit. The
time is short; when I sat to Mr. Miers,
I am sure he did not exceed two mia-
utes. I propose hanging Lord Glen-
cairn, the doctor, and yon, in trio over
my new chimney piece that is to be;
Adieu.
R. B.
No. cxxvn.
TO THE SAME.
Ellisland, June 30, 1788.
My dear Sm, — I just now re-
ceived your brief epistle; and, to take
vengeance on your laziness, I have, you
see, taken a long sheet of writing*
paper, and have begun at the top of the
page, intending to scribble on to the
very last corner.
I am vexed at that affair of the , . ,
but dare not enlarge on the subject un-
til you send me your direction, as I
suppose that will be altered on your
late master and friend's death.* I am
concerned for the old fellow's exit, only
as I fear it may be to your disadvant-
tage in any respect, for an old man's
dying, except he have been a very
benevolent character, or in some par.
ticular situation of life that the wel-
fare of the poor or the helpless depen-
ded on him I think it an event of the
most trifling moment to the world."
Man is naturally a kind, benevolent
animal, but he is dropped into such a
needy situation here in this" vexatious
world, and has such a whoreson, hun-
gry, growling, multiplying pack of
necessities, appetites, passions, and de-
sires about him, ready to devour him
for want of other food, that in fact he
must lay aside his cares for others that
he may look properly to himself. You
have been imposed upon in paying Mr.
Miers for the profile of a Mr. H . I
did not mention it in my letter to you,
nor did I ever give Mr. Miers any such
order. I have no objection to lose the
money, but I will not have any such
profile in my possession.
I desired the carrier to pay you, but
as I mentioned only 15s. to him, I
* Mr. Sattiuel Mit.chelson, W. S.
410
BURNS' WOEKS.
will Tather enclose you a guinea note.
I have it not, indeed, to spare here, as
I am only a sojourner in a strange land
in this place; but in a day or two I re-
turn to Mauehline, and tliere I have
tlie bank-notes through the house like
sajt permits.
There is a great degree of foHy in
talking unnecessarilj* of one's private
affairs. I have just now been inter-
rupted by one of my new neighbours,
who has made himself absolutely con-
temptible in my eyes by his silly, gar-
rulous pruriency. I know it has been a
fault of my own , too ; but from this mo-
ment I abjure it as I would the service
of hell ! Your poets, spendthrifts, and
other fools of that kidney, pretend, for-
sooth, to crack their jokes on prudence;
but 'tis a squalid vagabond glorying in
his rags. Still, imprudence respecting
money matters is much more pardon-
able than imprudence respecting char-
acter. I have no objection to prefer
prodigality to avarice, in some few in-
.stances; but I appeal to your observa-
tion, if you have not met, and often
met, with the same disingenuousness,
the sahie hollow-hearted insincerity,
and disintegritive depravity of prin-
ciple, in the hackneyed victims of pro-
fusion, as in the Unfeeling children of
parsimony. I have every possible
reverence for the much-talked-of world
beyond the grave, and I wish that
which piety believes and virtue de-
serves may be all matter of fact. But
in things belonging to and terminating
in this present scene of existence, man
lias serious and interesting business on
hand. Whether a man shall shake
hands with welcome in the distin-
guished elevation of respect, or shrink
from contempt in the abject corner of
insignificance; whether he shall wan-
ton under the tropic of plenty, at least
enjoy himself in the comfortable lati-
tudes of easy convenience, or starve in
the arctic circle of dreary poverty;
whether he shall rise in the manly con-
sciousness of a self-approving mind, or
sink beneath a galling load of regret
and remorse — these are alternatives of
the last moment.
You see how I preach. You used
occasionally to sermonise too; I ^vJcih
you would, in charity, favour me with
a sheet full in your own way. . I ad-_
jnire the close of a letter J...ord Bolingii
broke wrote to Dean Swift: — " Adieuj'
dear Swift ! with all thy faults I' love
thee entirely: make an effort to love
me with all mine !" Humble servant,
and all that trumpery, is now such a
prostituted business that honest friendJ;
ship, in her sincere way, must have re-
course to the primitive, simple^are-
well ! .
it. a
No. CXXVIII.
TO MR. GEORGE LOCKHAlJT, .
MERCHANT, GLASGOW..
Mauchline, July i3, 1788.
Mt dbar Sin, — I am. just going
for Nithsdple, else I would certainly
have transcribed some of my rhyming
things for you. The Misses Baillie i
have seen in Edinburgh. "Fair and
lovely are Thy works, Lord God Al-
mighty ! Who would not praise Thee
for these Thy gifts in Thy goodness tui
the sons of men !" It needed not your
fine taste to admire them. 1 declarej-
one day ITiad the honour of dining at
Mr. Baillie's, I was almost in the pre-
dicament of the children of Israel,
when they could not look on Moses'
face for the glory that shone in it when
he descended from Mount Sinai.
I did once write a poetic address
fi'om the Falls of Bruar to his Grace
of Athole, when I was in the High-
lands. When you return to Scotland,
let me know, and I will send such of
my pieces as please myself best. I re-
turn to Mauchline in about ten days.
My compliments to Mr. Purden. I
am in truth, but at present irt hasfe|
yours,
E. B.
No. CXXIX.
TO MR. PETER HILL.
My deau Hill,— I shall saynothiiig:.
to your mad present, you have so loiig
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
411:
and often been of important service to
rae; and I suppose you mean to go on
conferring obligations until I shall not
be able to lift up my face before you.
In the meantime, as Sir Roger de
Goverley, because it happened to be a
cold day in winch he made his will,
ordered his servants great-coats for
mourning, so, because I have been
this week plagued with an indigestion,
I have sent you by the carrier a lino old
ewe-milk cheese;
Indigestion is the devil: nay, 'tis the
devil and all. It besets a man in
every one of his senses. I lose my
appetite at the sight of successful
knavery, and sicken to loathing at the
noise, and nonsense of self-important
folly. When tlie hollow-hearted
wretch takes me by the hand, the
feeling spoils my dinner; the proud
man's wine so offends my palate that
it chokes me in the gullet; and the
pulvilised, feathered, part coxcomb, is
so disgustful in my nostril that my
Stomach turns.
If ever you have any of these dis-
agreeable sensations, let me prescribe
for you patience and a bit of my
chease. I know that you are no nig-
gard of good thingps among your
friends, and some of them are in much
need of a slice. There, in my- eyes, is
our friend Smellie; a man positively
of the first abilities and greatest
strength of mind, as well as one of the
best hearts and keenest wits that I
have ever met with; when you see
hiin, as, alas! he too is smarting at the
pincii of distressful ciTcumstances,
aggravated by the sneer of contumelir
ous greatness — a bit of my cheese alone
will not cure him, but if you add a
tankard of brown stout, and superadd
ainagnum of right Oporto, you will
see his sorrows vanish like the morn-
ing mist before the summer sun.
Candlish, the earliest friend, except
my only brother, that I have on earth,
and one of the worthiest fellows that
ever any man called by the name of
friend, — if a luncheon of my cheese
would help to rid him of some of his
superabundant modesty, you would do
well to give it to Iiim.
David,"* with his C'fiurant, comes,
too, across my recollection, and I beg
you will help him largely from the'
said ewe-milk cheese, to enable him to.
digest those bedaubing paragraphs
with which he is: eternally larding the
lean characters of certain great mon in
a certain great town. I grant you the
Pfiriods are very well turned; so, a
fresh egg is u very good thing, ijut.
when thrown at a man in a pillory, it.
does not at all improve his figure, not
to mention the irreparable loss of the
My facetious friend Dunbar I would .
wish also to be a partaker, not to di-
gest his spleen, for that he laughs off,
but to digest his last ni^if^ wine at
the last field-day of the Crochallau
corps, f
AniOTg our common friends I must
not forget one of the dearest of them
— Cunningham. The brutality, inso-.
lence, and selfishness of a world un-
worthy of having such a fellow, as he
is in it, I know, sticks in his stomach,
and. if you can help him to anj-thing
that will make him a little easier on .
that score, it will be very obliging.
As to honest John Somerville, he is
such a contented, happy man, that I,
knov/ not what can annoy him, except, .
perhaps, he may not have got the bet-
ter of a parcel of modest anecdotes,
which a certain poet gave him one
night at supper, the last time the said
poet was in town.
Though I have mentioned, so many
men of law, I shall have nothing to do .
with them professedly — the faculty are
beyond my prescription. As to their
clients that is another thing; God
knows they have much to digest !
The clergy I pass by; their pro-
fundity of erudition, and their liber-
ality of sentiment; their total want of
pride, and their detestation of, hypoc-
risy, are so proverbially notorious as
to place them far, far above either my
praise or censure.
I was going . to mention a man of
worth, whom I have the honour to call
* Mr. David Ramsay, printer of the, £tiin-
biirgh Evening Courani.
+ A club of choice spirits.
413
BURNS' WORKS.
friend , tlie Lai rd of Crstigdarrock ; but
I have spoken to the landlord of the
King's- Arms Inn lierc, to have at the
next county meeting a large ewe-milk
cheese on tlie table, for tlie benefit of
the Dumfriesshire Whigs, to enable
them to digest the Dako of Queens-
berry's late political conduct.
I have just this moment an oppor-
tunity of a private hand to Edinburgh,
as perhaps you would not digest double
postage.
R. B.
No. CXXX.
TO ROBERT GRAHAM, ESQ., OF
FINTRAY.
Sir, — When I had the honour of be-
ing introduced to you at Athole House,
I did not think so soon of asking a
favour of you. When Lear, in Shake-
speare, asked old Kent, why he wished
to be in his service, he answers, " Be-
cause you have that in your face which
I would fain call master." For some
such reason, sir, do I solicit your pat-
ronage. You know, I daresay, of an
application I lately made to your Board
to be admitted an olficer of Excise. I
have, according to form, been ex-
amined by a supervisor, and to-day I
give in his certificate, with a request
for an order for instructions. In this
affair, if I succeed, I am afraid I shall
but too much need a patronising friend.
Propriety of conduct as a man, and
fidelity and attention as an officer,
I dare engage for; but with any-
thing like business, except manual
lalxjr, I am totally unacquainted.
- I had intended to have closed my
late appearance on the stage of life in
the character of a country fanner; but
after discharging some filial and fra-
ternal claims, I find I could only fight
for existence in that miserable manner
which I have lived to see throw a ven-
erable parent into the jaws of a jail ;
whence death, the poor man's last, and
often best, friend, rescued him.*
* The filial and fraternal claims to which
_ this letter refers were two hundred pounds
I know, sir, that to need your goodt-
ness is to have a claim on it; may I,
therefore, beg your patronage to for-
ward me in this affair, till I be ap-
pointed to a division; where, by the
help of rigid economy, I will try to
support that independence so dear to
my soul, but which has been too often
so distant from my situation.
R. B.
No. CXXXL
TO WILLIAM CRUIKSHANK. ;
Ellisland, Aug. ,1788.
I HAVE not room.my dear friend,' to
answer all the particulars of your last
kind letter. I shall be in Edinburgh
on some business very soon; and as I
shall be two days, or perhaps throe, in
town, we shall discuss matters i!im
voce. My knee, I believe, will never
be entirely well; and an unlucky fall
this winter has made it still worse. I
well remember the circumstance you
allude to, respecting Creech's^ opinion
of Mr. Nicol; but as the first gentle-
man owes me still about fifty pounds,
I dare not meddle in the affair.
It gave me a very heavy heart to
read such accounts of the consequence
of your quarrel with that puritanic,
rotten - hearted, hell - commissioned
scoimdrel, A . If, notwithstand-
ing your unprecedented industry in
public-, and your irreproachable con-
duct in private life, he still has you so
much in his power, what ruin may he
not bring on some others I could name ?
Many and happy returns of seasons
to you, with your dearest and worthiest
friend, and the lovely little pledge of
your happy union. May the great
Author of life, and of every enjoyment
that can render life delightful, make
her that comfortable blessing to you
both, which you so ardently wish for,-
and which, allow me to say, you so
well deserve ! Glance over the forego-
lent to his brother Gilbert to enable him to
fight out the remainder of the leasi of Moss-
pel— and a considerable sum given to his
mother. - " , -
GENEHA-L CORRESPONJJEXCE.
J413
iag verses, and let me liave your
blots I* Adieu.
K. B.
No. CXXXII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Mauchline, Aug. 2, 1788.
Honoured Madam, — Your kinS let-
ter welcomed me, yesterniglit, to Ayr-
shire! I am indeed seriously angry
with you at the quantum of your luck-
penny; but, vexed and hijrt as I was,
I could not help laughing very heartily
at the noble lord's apology for the
missed napkin.
I would write you from Nithsdale,
and give you my direction there, but I
have scarce an opportunity of calling
at a post-office once in a fortnight. I
am six miles from Dumfries, am
scarcely ever in it myself, and as yet
have little acquaintance in the neigh-
bourhood. &sides, I am now very
busy on my farm, building a dwelling-
house; as at present I am almost an'
evangelical man in Nithsdale, for I
have scarce " where to lay my head."
There are some passages in your last
that brought tears in my eyes. ' ' The
heart knoweth its own sorrows, and a
stranger intermeddleth not therewith."
The repository of these " sorrows of
tlje heart" is a kind of sanctum sanc-
torum: and tis only a chosen friend,
and that, too, at particular, sacred
times, who dares enter into them :—
" Heaven of tears, the bosom chords
That nature finest strung."
Ton will excuse this quotation for
the sake of the author. Instead of en-
tering on this subject farther. I shall
transcribe you a few lines I wrote in a
■hermitage belonging to a gentleman in
iuy Nithsdale neighbourhood. They
are almost the only favours the Muses
.liave conferred on me in that country. ■)■
', Since I am in the way of tran-
* The verses enclosed were the lines writ-
' te^ in Friars' Carse Hermitage.
j^t See Lines written in Friars' Carse Her-
' mitage, p. 113.
scribing, the following v.-ere tho pro-
duction of , yesterday as I jogged
through the wild hilis of New Cum-
nock. I intend inserting them, or
something like them, in an epistle I
am going to write to the gentleman on
v/hose friendship my Excise hopes
depend, Mr Graham of Fintray, one
of the worthiest and most accomplislied
gentlemen, not only of this country,
but, I will dare to say it, of this ago.
The following are just the first crude
thoughts "unhousel'd, unanointed,
unanneal'd:" — *
Here the muse left me. I an> astou-:
ished at what you tell me of Anthony's
writing me. I never received it.'
Poor fellow ! you vex me much by
telling me that he is unfortunate. I
shall be in Ayrshiro in ten days from,
this date. 1 have just room for an old
Roman farewell.
R. B.
No. CXXXIII.
TO THE SAME.
Mauchline, Aug. 10, 1788. ' '
My much-honoured Friend, —
Yours of the 24th June is before me.
I found it, as well as another valued
friend — my wife — waiting to welcome
me to Ayrshire : I met uotli with tlie
sincerest pleasure.
When I write you, madam, I do not'
sit down to answer every paragraph
of yours by echoing every sentiment,
lilie the faithful Commons of Great
Britain in Parliament assembled ans-
wering a speech from the best of kings.
I express myself in the fulness of my
heart, and may, perhaps, be guilty of
neglecting some of your kind inquiries;
but not, from your very odd reasbn,
tliat I do not read your letters. AU
your epistles for several months have
cost me nothing, except a swelling
throb of gratitude, or a deep-felt sen-
timent of veneration.
* See " First Epistle to Robert Graham," p.
169.— "Pity the tuneful muses' hapless
strain." . ^
414
BURNS' WOEKS.
When Mrs Burns, madam, first
found liersejf "as women wish to be
who love their lords," as I loved her
nearly to distraction, we took steps for
a private marriage. Her parents got
the hint; and not only forbade me her
company and their house, but, on my
rumoured West Indian voyage, got a
warrant to put me in jail, till 1 should
find security in my about-to be pater-
nal relation. You know my lucky re-
verse of fortune. On my eelatani re-
turn to Mauchline, I was made very
welcome to visit my girl. The usual
consequences began to betray her; and,
as 1 was at that time laid up a cripple
in Edinburgh, she was turned, liter-
ally turned out of- doors, and I wrote
to a friend to shelter her till my
return, when our marriage was de-
clared. Her happiness or misery was
in my hands, and who could trifle with
such a deposit ?
I can easily fancy a more agreeable
companion for my journey of life; but,
upon my honour, I have never seen
the individual instance.
Circumstanced as I am, I could never
have got a female partner for life who
could have entered into my favourite
studies, relished my favourite authors,
&c. , without probably entailing on me
at the same time expensive living, fan-
tastic caprice, perhaps apish affecta-
tion, with all the other blessed board-
ing-school acquirements, which (par-
donnez-moi madame) are sonietimes to
be found among females of the upper
ranks, but almost universally pervade
the misses of the would-be gentry.
I like your way in your churchyard
lucubrations. Thoughts that are tho
spontaneous result of accidental situa-
tions, either respecting health, place,
or company, have often a strength and
always an originality that would in vain
be loolied for in fancied circumstances
and studied paragraphs. For mo, I have
often thought of keeping a letter, in pro-
gression by me, to send you when the
sheet was written out. Now I talk of
sheets, I must tell you, my reason for
writing to you on paper of this kind is
my pruriency of writing to you at
large. A page of post is on such a dis-
social, narrow-minded scale, that I
cannot abide it; and double letters, at
least in my miscellaneous reverie man- :
ner, are a monstrous tax in a close
correspondence.
E. B.
No. CXXXIV.
TO THE SAME.
Ellisland, Aug^. i6, 1788.
I AM in a fine disposition, my hon-
oured friend, to send you an elegiac ,
epistle; and want only genius to make'
it quite Shenstonian : —
*' Why- droops my heart with fancied woes
forlorn ? [sky ?"
Why sinks my soul beneath each wintry
My increasmg cares in this, as yet,~
strange country — gloomy conjectures
in the dark vista of futurity — con-
sciousness of my own inability for the
struggle of the world — my broadened
mark to misfortune in^ a wife and
/ihildren; — I could indulge these reflec-
tions till my humour should ferment
into the most acid chagrin that would
corrode the very thread of life.
To counterwork these baneful feel-
ings, I have sat down to write to you;
as I declare upon my soul I always
find that the most sovereign balm for .
my wounded spirit.
I was yesterday at Mr. Miller's to
dinner, for the first time. My recep-,,,
tion was quite to my mind — from the
lady of the house quite flattering. She
sometimes hits on a couplet or two
impromptu. She repeated one or two
to the admiration of all present. My
suffrage, as a professional man, was
expected: I for once went agonizing ■
over the belly of my conscience. Par-: ^
don me, ye, my adored household
gods, independence of spirit, and in-
tegrity of soul ! In the course of con-
versation, Johnson's Musical Museum, ■_■
a collection of Scottish songs, with the; •
music, was talked of. We got a song.f
on the harpsichord, beginning,
" Raving winds around her blowing."* '
. : , : • ' - «' -
* See p. 2<x). ■
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
415
'The air was much admired: the
lady of the house asked me whose were
the words, " Mine, madam — they are
indeed, my very best verses ;" she tooit
not the smallest notice of them ! The
old Scottish proverb says well, ' 'King's
chafE is better than ither folks' com."
1 was going to make a New-Testament
quotation about "casting pearls," but
that would be too virulent, for the
lady is actually a woman of sense and
taste.
After all that has been said on the
other side of the question, man is by
no means a happy creature. I do not
speak of the selected few, favoured by
partial Heaven, whose souls are tuned
to gladness amid riches and lionours,
and prudence and wisdom. I speak of
the neglected many, whose nerves,
whose sinews, whose days are sold to
the minions of fortune.
If I thought you had never seen it
I would transcribe for you a stanza of
an old Scottish- ballad, called, " The
Life and Age of Man;" beginning
thus: —
" 'Twas in the sixteenth hunder year
Of God and fifty-three,
Frae Christ was born, that bought us dear,
As writings testifie."
I had an old granduncle with whom
my mother lived a while in her girlish
years; the good old man, for such he
was, was long blind ere he died, during
which time his highest enjoyment was
to sit down and cry, while my mother
would sing the simple old song of "The
Life and Age of Man."
It is this way of thinking, it is these
melancholy truths, that make religion
so precious to the poor, miserable
children of men. If it is a mere phan-
tom,, existing only in the heated ira-
agihation of enthusiasm,
" What truth on earth so precious as the lie 1"
My idle reasonings .sometimes make
mea little sceptical, but the necessi-
ties of iny heart always give the cold
pHilOsophisings the lie. Who looks for
the heart weaned from earth; the soul
atfianced to her God; the correspond-
ence fixed with Heaven; the pious sup-
plication and devout thanksgiving.
constant as the vicissitudes of even and
morn; who thinks to meet with these
in the court, the palace, in the glare of
public life ? No: to find them in their
precious importance and divine effica-
cy, we must search among the obscure
recesses of disappointment, affliction,
poverty, and distress.
I am sure, dear madam, yoii are now
more than pleased with the length of
my letters. I return to Ayrshire thfe
middle of next week: and it quickens
my pace to think that there will be a
letter from you waiting me there. I
must be here again very soon for my
harvest.
R. B.
No. CXXXV.
TO MR. BEUGO, ENGRAVER,
EDINBURGH.
EllislanI), Sept. 9, 1788.
Mt dear Sir, — There is not in Edin-
burgh above the number of the graces
whose letters would have given me So
much pleasure as . yours of . the 3d in-
stant, which only reached me yester^
night.
I am here on my farm, busy with
my harvest; but for all that most
pleasurable part of life called socia-l
cokMUNlCATiON, I am here at the
very elbow of existence. The only
things that are to be found in this
country, in any degree of perfection,
are stupidity and canting. Prose, they
only know in graces, prayers, &c. , arid
the value of these they estimate as
they do their plaiding webs — by the
ell ! As for the Muses, they have as
much idea of a rhinoceros as of a poet.
For my old capricious, but good-na-
tured hussy of a muse —
By banks of Nith 1 sat and wept
When Coila I thought on,
In midst thereof I hung my harp
The willow-trees upon.
I am generally about half my time in
Ayrshire with my " darling Jean," and
then I, at lucid intervals, throw my'
horny fist across my becobwebbed lyrq,
much in the same manner us an old
-416
BURNS' WORKS.
wife throws her hand across the spokes
of her spinning-wheel.
I will send the " Fortunate Shep-
herdess," as soon as I return to Ayr-
shire, for there I keep it with other
precious treasure. I shall send it by a
careful hand, as I would not for any-
thing it should be mislaid or lost. I
do not wish to serve you from any
benevolence, or other grave Christian
virtue; 'tis purely aselfish gratification
of my own feelings whenever I think
of you.
If your better functions would give
you leisure to write me, I should be
extremely happy; that is to say, if you
neither keep nor look for a' regular
correspondence.. I hate the idea of
being obliged to write a letter. I some-
times write a friend twice a week, at
other times once a quarter.
^ I am exceedingly pleased with your
fancy in making the author you men-
tion place a map of Iceland instead of
his portrait before his works: 'twas a
a glorious idea.
Could you conveniently do me one
thing ? — whenever you finish any head
I should like to have a proof copy of
it. I might tell you a long story
about your fine genius; but as what
everybody knows cannot have escaped
you, I shall not say one syllable about
it.
R. B.
No. CXXXVI.
TO MISS CHALMERS, EDIN-
BURGH.
EllislAnd, (near Dumfries,) Sept. i6, 1788.
Where are you ? and how are you ?
.and is Lady Mackenzie recovering her
health ? for I have had but one solitary
letter from you. I will not think you
liave forgot me, madam; and for my
part,
'' When thee. Jerusatem, I forget.
Skill part from my right hand !"
" My heart is not of that rock; nor
my soul careless as that sea." I do
not make my progress among mankind
as a bowl does among its fellows. —
rolling through the crowd vvithout
bearing away any mark or impression,
except where they hit in hostile col-
lision.
I am here driven in with my harvest
folks by bad weather; and as you and
your sister once did me the honour of
interesting yourselves much d I'egard
de moi, I sit down to beg the continu-
ation of your goodness. I can truly
say that, all the exterior of life apart,
I never saw two whose esteem flattered
the nobler feelings of my soul — I will
not say more, but so much, as Lady
Mackenzie and Miss Chalmers. When
I think of you — hearts the best, minds
the noblest of human kind — unfortu-
nate even in the shades of life — when I
think I have met with you, and have
lived more of real life with you in eight
days than I can do with almost any-
body I meet with in eight yearS'^when
I thinlcon the improbability of; meet-
ing you in this world again— t could
sit down arid cry like a child ! If ever
you honoured me with a place in your
esteem, 1 trust I can now plead more
desert. I am secure against tha^«rush-
ing grip of iron poverty, whichf,ialas! ife
less or more fatal to the native worth
and purity of, I fear, the noblest souls;
and a late important step in my life
has kindly taken me out of the way of
those ungrateful iniquities, which'
however overlooked in fashionable li-
cence, or varnished in fashionable
phrase, are indeed but lighter and
deeper shades of yillasy.
Shortly after my last return to Ay.
rshire, I married "my Jean." This
was not in consequence of the attach-
ment of romance, perhaps; but I had a
long and much loved fellow -creature's
happiness or misery in my determina^
tiou, and I durst not trifle with so im-
portant a deposit. Nor have I any
cause to repent it. If I have not got
polite tattle, modish manners, and
fashionable dress, I am not sickened
and disgusted with the multiform
curse of boarding-school aifectationj
and I have got the handsomest figurfij;
the sweetest temper, the soundest coB»
stitution, and the kindest heart in the
county. Mrs. Burns believes, as Arm-
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
417
ly as her creed, that I am le plus bel
.esprit, et le plus lionnMe homme in the
universe; althoughshe scarcely ever in
her life, except the Scriptures of tlie
Old, and the. New Testament, and the
Psalms of David in. metre, spent five
minutes together on either prose or
verse. I must except also from this
iast a cei^in late publication of . Scots
poems, .which slie has perused very de-
voutly; aind all the ballads in the coun-
try, as.she has (O the partial lover !
you will cry) . the fineat ' ' wood- note
wild " I ever heard. I am the more
particular in this lady's character, as I
know she will henceforth have the
honour of a share in your best wishes.
She is still atMauchline, as I am build-
ing my house; for this hovel that I
sjielter dn while occasionally here is
pervious to every blast that blows and
every shower that falls; and I am only
preserved from being chilled to death
by being suffocated with smoke. I do
not find my farm that pennyworth I
was taught to expect, but I believe, in
time, it may be a saving bargain. You
will be pleased to hear that I have
laid aside idle iclat, and bind every
day after my reapers.
; To save me from that horrid situa-
tion of at any time going down, in a
losing bargain of a farm, to misery, I
have taken my excise instructions, and
have my commision in my pocket for
any emergency of fortune. If I could
set all before your view, whatever dis-
respect you, in common with the world,
have for this business, I know you
would approve of ray idea.
I will make no apology, dear madam,
for this egotistic detail; I know you
and your sister will be interested in
every circumstance of it. Wliat signify
the silly, idle gewgaws of wealth, or
the ideal trumpery of greatness ! When
fellow-partakerS of the same nature
fear the same God, have the same
benevolence of heart, the same noble-
ness of soul, the same detestation at
everything dishonest, and the same
Scorn of Everything unworthy — if they
arejiot in the dependence of absolute
beggary, in the name oi common sense
are they not b^juals 1 - And if the bias.
the instinctive bias of their souls run
the same way, may they ■ not be
FRIENDS ? , .
When I may have an opportunity of
sending you this. Heaven only kiiows.
Shenstone says, " When one is con-
fined idle within doors by bad w-eather,
the best antidote against ennui.is'to
read the letters of, or write to, one's
friends;" in that case then, if the
weather continues thus, I may scrawl
half a quire.
I very lately— to wit, since harvest
began — wrote a poem, not in imitation,
but in the manner, of Pope's "Moral
Epistles." It is only a short essay,,
]ust to try the strength of my muse's
pinion in that way. I will send you a
copy of it, when once I have heard
from you. I have likewise been laying,
the foundation of some pretty large
poetic works: how the supei-structure
will come on, I leave to that great
maker and marrer of projects— Time.
Johnson's collection of Scots songs is
going on in the third volume; and of
consequence finds me a consumpt for a
great deal of idle metre. One' of the
most tolerable things I have done in
that way is two stanzas I made to an
air a musical gentleman of my ac-
quaintance composed for the anniver-
sary of his wedding-day, which hap-
pens on the 7th of November. Take
it as follows: —
The day returns — my bosom burns —
The bUssful day we twadid meet, &c.*
I shall give over this letter for
shame. If I should be seized with a
scribbling fit before this goes away, I
shall make it another letter; and then
you may allow your patience a week's,
respite between the two. I have not
room for more than the old, kind,
hearty farewell 1
To make some amends mes elieres
mesddmes, for dragging you on to this
second sheet; and to relieve a little
the tiresomeness of my unstudied and
uncorrectible prose, I shall ' tran-
scribe you some of my late poetic bag-
atelles; though I have these eight or
* See p. 212. . .
418
BURNS' WORKS.
ten months done very little that way.
One day, in a hermitage on the banks
of Nith, belonging to a gentleman in
my neighbourhood, who is so good as
give me a key at pleasure, I wrote as
follows; supposing myself the seques-
tered, venerable inhabitant of the
lonely mansion: —
■LINES WRITTEN IN FRIAKS' CARSE HERMITAGE.
Thou whom chance may hither lead,
Be thou clad in russet weed, &c.*
E. B.
No. CXXXVII.
TOME. MORRISON, MAUCHLINE.f
Ellisland, Sept. 22, 1788.
My deak Sir, — Neccessity obliges
me to go into my new house even before
It be plastered. I will inhabit the one
end until the other is finished. About
tliree weelcs more, I think, will at far-
thest be my time, beyond which I
cannot stay in this present house. If
«svor you wished to deserve tlie bless-
ing of him that was ready to perish;
if ever you were in a situation that a
little Icindness would have rescued you
from many evils; if ever you hope to
find rest in future states of untried
being — get these matters of mine
ready. My servant will be out in the
loeginning of next week for the clock.
My compliments to Mrs. Morrison. — I
am, after all my tribulation, dear sir,
yours,
R. B.
No. CXXXVIII.
To MRS. DUNLOP OF DUNLOP.
MAUCHLINE.Sept. 27, 1788.
I HAVE received twins, dear madam,
more than once; but scarcely ever
with more pleasure than when I re-
fceived yours of the 12th instant. To
make myself understood; I had written
to Mr. Graham, enclosing my poem
* See p. 113.
+ Mr. Morrison was a Mauchline cabinet-
maker.--He made the furniture required for
the new house at Ellisland.
addressed to him, and the same post
which favoured me with yours brought
me an answer from him. It was dated
the very day he had received mine;
and I am quite at a loss to say whether
it was most polite or kind.
Your criticisms, my honoured bene-
factress, are truly the work of a friend.
They are not the blasting depredations,
of a canker-toothed, caterpillar criti'S,
nor are they the fair statement of cold
impartiality, balancing with unfeeling
exactitude the pro and con of aii
author's merits; tliey are the judicious
observations of animated friendship,
selecting the beauties of the piece. I
have just arrived from Nithsdale, and
will be here a fortnight. I was on
horseback this morning by three
o'clock; for between my wife and my
farm is just forty-six miles. As I jog-
ged on in the dark, I was taken with
a poetic fit, as follows: —
MRS. FERGUSSON OF CRAIGDARROCH's LAMENTA-
TION FOR THE DEATH OF HER SON ;
A ti Uncommonly ^roiitising youth 0/ eighteen
or nineteen years 0/ nge.
Fate gave the word — the arrow sped
And pierced my darling^s heart, &c.*
You will not send me your poetic,
rambles, but, you see, I am no niggard
of mine. I am sure your impromptus
give me double pleasure; what falls
from your pen can neither be unenter-
taining in itself nor indifferent to
me.
Tlie one fault you found is just ; but
I cannot please myself in an emenda-
tion.
What a life of solicitude is the life
of a parent ! You interested me much
in your young couple.
I would not take my folio paper for
this epistle, and now I repent it. I
am so jaded with my dirty long jour-
ney that I was afraid to drawl into the
essence of duluess with anything
larger than a quarto, and so I must
leave out another rhyme of this
morning's manufacture.
I will pay the sapientipotent George,
most cheerfully, to hear from you ere
I leave Ayrshire.
R. B.
* See p. 114.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
419
• No. CXXXIX.
TO MR. PETER HILL.
Mauchune, Oct. 1, 1788.
I HAVE been liere in this country
about three days, and all that time my
chief reading has been the ' ' Address
to Lochlomond" you were so obliging
as to send to me.* Were I empan-
rielled one of the author's jury, to de-
ttermine his criminality resi^ecting the
sin of poesy, my verdict should be,
'^Guilty ! — a poet of nature's malting !"
It is'an excellent method for improve-
ment, and what I believe every poet
does, to place some favourite classic
author in his own walks of study and
composition before him as a model.
Though your author had not men-
tioned the name, I could have, at half
a glance, guessed his model to be
Thoihson. Will my brother-poet for-
give me if I venture to hint that his
imitation of that immortal bard is in
two or three places rather more servile
than such a genius as his required !
—e.g.,
"To soothe the madd'ning- passions all to
' '■ peace." ^Address.
"To soothe the throbbing passions into
peace." — Thomson.
■ I think the "Address" is in simpli-
city, harmony, and elegance of versifi-
cation, fully equal to the "Seasons."
Like Thomson, too, he has looked
into nature for himself: you meet
with no copied description. One par-
ticular criticism I made at first reading;
in no one instance has he said too much.
He never flags in his progress, but,
like a true poet of nature's making,
kindles in his course. His beginning
is simple and modest, as if distrustful
of the strength of his pinion; only, I
do not altogether like —
" Truth,
The soul of every song that's nobly great."
Fiction is the soul of many a song
that is nobly great. Perhaps I am
wrong; this may be but a prose criti-
cism. Is not the phrase, in line 7, page
6, " Great lake," too much vulgarized
^ * A poem written, by one of the masters of
the Edinburgh High School.
by every-day language for so sublime
a poem V
" Great mass of waters, theme for nobler
song,"
is perhaps no emendation. His enu-
meration of a comparison with other
lakes is at once harmonious and poetic.
Every reader's ideas must sweep the
" Winding margin of a hundred miles."
The perspective that follows moun-
tains blue — the imprisoned billows
beating in vain — the wooded isles —
the digression on the yew-tree — " Ben-
lomond's lofty, cloud-envelop'd head,"
&c., are beautiful. A thunder-storm
is a subject which has often been tried,
yet our poet in his grand picture has
interjected a circumstance, so far as I
know, entirely original: —
" The gloom
Deep seam'd with frequent streaks of moving.
fire."
In his preface to the storm, " the
glens how dark between," is noble
Highland landscape ! The ' ' rain
ploughing the red mould." too, is
beautifully fancied. . " Benlomond's
lofty, pathless top," is a good expres-
sion; and the surrounding view from it
is truly great: the
" Silver mist,
Beneath the beaming sun,"
is well described; and here he has con-
trived to enliven his poem with a little
of that passion which bids fair, Itliink,
to usurp the modern muses altogether.
I know not how far this episode is a
beauty upon the whole, but the
swain's wish to carry ' ' some faint idea'
of the vision bright, " to entertain her
"partial listening ear," is a pretty
thought. But in my opinion the most
beautiful passages in the whole poem
are the fowls crowding, in wintry
frosts, to Lochlomond's " hospitable
flood;" their wheeling round, their
lighting, mixing, diving, &c. ; and the
glorious description of the sportsman.
This last is equal to anything in the
' ' Seasons. " The idea of ' ' the floating
tribes distant seen, far glistering to
the moon," provoking his eye as he is
obliged to leave them, is a noble ray of
poetic genius. "The howling winds,"
430
BURNS' WORKS.
tUe ' ' hideous roar" of ' ' the white cas-
cades," are all in the same style.
I forget that while I am thus hold-
ing fortii with the heedless warmth of
au enthusiast, I am perhaps tiring you
with nonsense. I must, however, men-
tion that the last verse of the sixteenth
page is one of the most elegant compli-
ments I have ever seen. 1 must like-
wise notice that beautiful paragraph
beginning " The gleaming lake," &c.
I dare not go into the particular beau-
ties of the two last paragraphs, but
they are admirably fine, and truly
Ossianic.
I must beg your pardon for this
lengthened scrawl — I had no idea of it
when I began. I should like to know
who the author is; but, whoever he
be, please present him with my grate-
ful thanks for the entertainment he
has afforded me.
A friend of mine desired me to com-
mission for him two books, ' ' Letters
on the Religion Essential to Man," a
book you sent me before; and "The
World Unnlasked; or, The Philoso-
pher the Greatest Cheat." Send me
them by the first opportunity. The
Bible you sent me is truly elegant; I
only wish it had been in two volumes.
E. B.
No. CXL.
«
TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR.
Nov. 8, 1788.
Sir, — Notwithstanding the oppro-
brious epithets with which some of
our philosophers and gloomy secta-
rians have branded our' nature — the
principle of universal selfishness, the
proneness to all evil, they have given
us— still, the detestation in which in-
humanity to the distressed, or inso-
lence to the fallen, are held by all
mankind, shows that they are not
natives of the human heart. Even the
unhappy partner of our kind who is
undone — the bitter consequence of his
follies or his crimes — who but sympa-
thises with the miseries of this ruined
profligate brother? We forget the in-
juries, and feel for the man.
I went last Wednesday, to my parish
church, most cordially to join in grate-
ful acknowledgment to the Aothor
OF ALL Good for the consequent,
blessings of the glorious revolution.
To that auspicious event we owe no
less than our liberties, civil and relig-
ious; to it we are likewise indebted
for the present royal family, the rul-
ing features of whose administration
have ever been mildness to the subject,
and tenderness of his rights.
Bred and educated in revolutioa
principles, the principles of reason
and common sense, it could not be any
silly political prejudice which made
my heart levolt at the harsh, abusive
manner in which the reverend gentle»i
man mentioned the house of Stuart,
and which, I am afraid, was too mndL
the language of the day. We mjqr
rejoice sufficiently in our deliverance
from past evils, without cruelly raking
up the ashes of those whose misfor-
tune it was, perhaps, as much as their
crime, to be the authors of those evils;
and we may bless God for all His
goodness to us as a nation, without at
the same time cursing a few ruined,
powerless exiles, who only harboured
ideas and made attempts that most of
us would have done, had we been in
their situation.
"The bloody and tyrannical house
of Stuari;," may be said with pro-
priety and justice, when compared
with the present royal family, and the
sentiments of our days; but is there
no allowance to be made for the man-
ners of the times ? Were the royal cour
temporaries of the Stuarts more atten-
tive to their subjects' rights ? Might
not the epithets of " bloody and tyran-
nical" be, with at least equal justice,
applied to tlie house of Tudor, of
York, or any other of their predeces-
sors?
The simple state of the case, sir,
seems to be this : — at that period the
science of government, the luiowledge
of the true relation between king and
subject, was, like other sciences and
other knowledge, just in its infancy,
emerging from dark ages of ignorance
and barbarity. ,
GENERAL' CORRESPONDENCE.
421
I'The Stuarts only contended for pre-
legatives wliioli tliey knew tlieir pre-
decessors enjoyed, and which tliey saw
their contemporaries enjoying; but
thiese prerogatives were inimical to the
happiness of a nation and the rights of
subjects.
In this contest between prince and
pfeople, the consequence of that light
df science which had lately dawned
over Europe, the monarch of France,
for example, was victorious over tho
struggling liberties of his people:
with us, luckily, the monarch failed,
and his unwarrantable pretensions fell
a sacrifice to our rights and happiness.
Whether it was owing to the wisdom
of leading individuals, or to the just-
ling of parties, I cannot pretend to de-
termine; but likewise, happily for us,
the kingly power was shifted into an-
other branch of the family, who, as
they owed the throne solely to the call
of a free people, could claim nothing
inconsistent with the covenanted
terms which placed them there.
The 'Stuarts have been condemned
and laughed at for the folly and im-
practicability of their attempts in 1715
and 1745. That they failed, I bless
God; but cannot join in the ridicule
against them. Who does not know
that the abilities or defects of leaders
and commanders are often hidden un-
til put to the touchstone of exigency;
and that there is a caprice of fortune,
an ctmnipotence in particular accidents
and' conjunctures of circumstances,
which exalt us as heroes, or brand us
as madmen, just as they are for or
against us?
■ Man, Mr. Publisher, is a strange,
weak, inconsistent being; who would
believe, sir, that in this our Aug^istan
age of liberality and refinement, while
we seem so justly sensible and jealous
of our rights and liberties, and anima-
ted with Such indignation against the
very memory of those who would
have subverted them, that a certain
people under our national protection
should complain, not against our mon-
arch and a few favourite advisers, but
against our . wnOLB i<echslativb
BODY, for similar oppression, and al-
most in tho very same terms, as our
forefathers did of the house of Stuart]
I will not, I cannot, enter into the
merits of the cause; but I daresay the
American Congress, in 1776, will bo
allowed to be as able and as enlight-
ened as the English Convention was
in 1688; and that their posterity will
celebrate the centenary of their deliver-
ance from us as duly and sincerely as
we do ours from the oppressive mea-
sures of the wrong-headed house of
Stuart.
To conclude, sir; let every man who
has a tear for the many miseries inci-
dent to humanity, feel for a family
illustrious as any in Europe, and un-
fortunate beyond historic precedent;
and let every Briton (and particularly
every Scotsman) who ever looked with
reverential pity on the dotage of a
parent, cast a veil over- the fatal mis-
takes of the kings of his forefathers.
R. B.
No. CXLI.
TO MRS. DUNLOP, AT MOREHAM
MAINS.
Mauchline, Nov. 13, 1788.
Madam, — I had the very great
pleasure of dining at Dunlop yester-
day. Men are said to flatter women
because they are weak; if it is so,
poets must be weaker still; for Misses
R and K , and Miss G. M'K ,
with their flattering attentions and art-
ful compliments, absolutely turned
my head. I own they did not lard me
over as many a poet does his patron,
but they so intoxicated me with their
sly insinuations and delicate inuendos,
of compliment, that, if it had not been
for a lucky recollection now much'
additional weight and lustre your,
good opinion and friendship must give
me in that circle, I had certainly
looked upon myself as a person of no
small consequence. I dare not say
one word how much I was charmed
with the major's friendly welcome,
elegant manner, and acute remark,
lest I should be thought to balance
my orientalisms of applause over
4B'3
BUKNS' WORKS.
against tlie finest quey (heifer) in Ayr-
sbire, which he made me a present of
to help and adorn my farming stock.
As it was on hallowday, I am deter-
mined annually as that day returns,
to decorate her horns with an ode of
gratitude to the family of Dunlop.
So soon as I know of your arrival at
Dunlop, I will take the first con-
venience to dedicate a day, or perhaps
two, to you and friendship, under the
guarantee of the majpr's hospitality.
There will soon be threescore and ten
miles of permanent distance between
us; and now that your friendship and
friendly correspondence is entwisted
with the heart-strings of my enjoy-
ment of life, I must indulge myself in
a happy day of "the feast of reason
and the flow of soul."
B. B.
No. CXLII.
TO MB. JAMES JOHNSON,
ENGRAVEB.
Mauchline, Nov. 15, 1788.
My Deak Sm, — I have sent you
two more songs. If you have got any
tunes, or anything to correct, please
send them by return of the carrier.
I can easily see, my dear friend, that
you will very probably have four vol-
umes. Perhaps you may not find your
account lucratively in this business;
but you are a patriot for the music of
your country; and I am certain poster-
ity will look on themselves as highly
indebted to your public spirit. Be not
in a hurry; let us go on correctly, and
your name shall be immortal.
I am preparing a flaming preface for
your third volume. I see every day
new musical publications advertised;
but what are they? Gaudy, hunted
butterflies of a day, and then vanish
for ever : but your work will outlive
the momentary neglects of idle fashion,
and defy the teetli of time.
, Have you never a fair goddess that
leads you a wild-goose chase of amor-
ous devotion ? Let me know a few of
her qualities^ such as whether she be
rather black, or fair; plump, or thin; •
short, or tall, &c. ; and choose your air,.
and I shall task my muse to celebrate
her.
B. B. V
No. CXLIII.
TO DB. BLACKLOCK.
Mauchline, Nov. 15, 1788.
Reverend and deab Sir, — As I
hear nothing of your motions, but that
you are, or were, out of town, I do not
know where this may find you, or-
whether it will find you at all. I
wrote you a long letter, dated from the
land of matrimony, in June; but either
it had not found you, or, what I dread-
more, it found you or Mrs. Blackiock in:
too precarious u, state of health and-
spirits to take notice of an idle packet.:
I have done many little things for
Johnson since I had the pleasure of
seeing you; and have finished one
piece in the way of Pope's "Moral:
Epistles;" but, from your silence, I
have everything to fear, so I have only
sent you two melancholy things, which
I tremble lest they should too well suit
the tone of your present feelings.
In a fortnight I move, hag and bag-
gage, to Nithsdale ; till then my direc-
tion is at this place; after that period
it will be at EUisland, near Dumfries.
It would extremely oblige me, were it
but half a line to let me know how you
are and where you are. Can I be in-
different to the fate of a man to whom.
I owe so much ? A man whom I not
only esteem, but venerate.
My warmest good wishes and most
respectful compliments to Mrs. Black-
lock, and Miss Johnston, if she is with,
you.
I cannot conclude without telling
you that I am more and more pleased
with the step I took respecting "my
Jean." Two things, from my happy
experience, I set down as apophthegms
in life — A wife's head is immaterial
compared with her heart ; and — "Vir-
tue's (for wisdom what poet pretends
to it ?) ways are ways of pleasantness,-,
and all her paths are peace." Adieu I
B. B.„
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE;
■433
[Here follow ' ' The mother's lament
for the loss of her son," and the song
beginning " The lazy mist hanggfrom
the brow of the hill." See pp.114,
313.]
No. CXLIV.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Elusland, Dec. 17, 1788.
Mt DBAR HONOUKBD FniBND, —
Yours, dated Edinburgh, which I have
just read, makes me very unhappy.
"Almost blind and wholly deaf," is
melancholy news of human nature;
but when told of a much-loved and
honoured friend they carry misery in
the sound. Goodness on your part
and gratitude on mine began a tie
which has gradually entwined itself
amongthe dearest chords of my bosom,
and I. tremble at the omens of your
late and present ailing habit and shat-
tered health. You miscalculate mat-
ters widely when you forbid my wait-
ing on you, lest it should hurt my
worldly concerns. My small scale of
farming is exceedingly more simple
and easy than what you have lately
seen at Moreham Mains. But be that
as it may, the heart of the man and
the fancy of the poet are the two grand
considerations for which I live; if miry
ridges and dirty dunghills are to en-
gross the best part of the functions of
my soul immortal, I had better been a
rook or a magpipe at once, and then I
should not have been plagued with
any ideas superior to breaking of clods
and picking up grubs; not to mention
barn-door cocks or mallards, creatures
with which I could almost exchange
lives at any time. If you continue so
deaf, I am afraid a visit will be no great
pleasure to either of us; but if I liear
yoii have got so well again as to be
- able to relish conversation, look you to
it, madam, for I will make my threat-
enings good. I am to be at the New-
year-day fair of Ayr; and, by all that
is sacred in the world, friend, I will
come and see you.
- Your meeting, which you so well
describe, with your old school-fellow
and friend, was tritly interesting. Out
upon the ways of the world! — They
spoil these "social offsprings of the
heart." Two veterans of the "men of
the world " would have met with little
more heart- workings than two old
hacks worn out on the road. Apropos,
is not the Scotch phrase, "auld lang
syne," exceedingly expressive ? There
is an old song and tun5 which have
often thrilled through my soul. You
know I am an enthusist in old Scotch
songs. Ishall give you the verses on the
other sheet,
" Should auld acquaintance be forgot?"*
as I suppose Mr. Ker will save you
the postage.
Light be the turf on the breast of
■the Heaven-inspired poet who com-
posed this 'glorious fragment! There
is more of the fire of native genius in
it than half-a-dozen of modern En-
glish Bacchanalians! Now- I am on
my hobby-horse, 1 cannot help insert-
ing two other old stanzas, which
please me mightily: —
" Go fetch to me a pint of wine." •^
E. B.
No. CXLV.
TO MISS DAVIES.
Dec. 17S8.
Madam, — I understand my very
worthy neighbour, Mr. Riddel, has in-
formed you that I have made you the
subject of some verses. There is some-
thing so provoking in the idea of being
the burthen of a ballad that I do hot
think Job, or Moses, though such pat-
terns of patience and meekness, could
have resisted the curiosity to know
what that ballad was: so my worthy
friend has done me a mischief, which
I daresay he never intended; and re-
duced me to the unf o rtunate alterna-
tive of leaving your curiosity ungrati-
fied, or else disgusting you with foolish
Verses, tlie unfinished production of a
random moment, and never meant to
* See p. 213.
t See p. 214-
434
BXTRNS' WORKS.
have met your eai. I liave heard or
read somewhere of a gentleman who
had some genius, much eccentricity,
and very considerable dexterity with
his pencil. In the accidental group of
life into which one is thrown, wherever
this gentleman met with a character in
a more than ordinary degree congenial
to his heart, he used to'steal a sketch
of the facfe, merely, he said, as
a nota bene, to point out the agreeable
recollection to his memory. Wliat
this gentleman's pencil was to him,
my muse is to me; and the verses I do
myself the honour to send you are a
memento exactly of the same kind that
he indulged in.
It may be more owing to the fastid-
iousness of my caprice than the delica-
cy of my taste ; but I am so often tired,
disgusted, and hurt with the insipidity,
affectation, and pride of mankind, that
when I meet with a person ' ' after my
own heart," I positively feel what an or-
thodox Protestant would call a species
of idolatry, which acts on my fancy like
inspiration; and I can no more resist
rhyming, on the impulse, than an
Eolian harp can refuse its tones to the
&l;reaming air. A distich or two
would bo the consequence, though the
object which hit my fancy were giay-
bearded age; but where my theme is
youth and beauty, a young lady whos^
personal charms, wit, and sehtiment
are equally striking and unaffected —
by heavens! though I had lived three-
score years a married man, and three-
score yearc before I was a married man,
my imagination would hallow the very
idea: and I am truly sorry that the en-
closed stanzas have done such popr
justice to such a subject.* R. 3.,
No. CXLVI.
TO MR. JOHN TENNANT.f
Dec. 22, 1788.
1 YESTERDAY tried my cask of whis-
ky for the first time, and I assure you
* See p. 230,
t Mr. Tennant of Ayr, one of the poet's
early friend;.
it does you great credit. It will bear
five waters, strong; -or .six, , ordinaipr
toddy. The whisky of this country is
a most rascally liquor; and, b^ conse-
quence, only drunk by the most ras-
cally part of the inhabitants. I am
persuaded, if you once get a footing
here, you might do a great deal of
business, in the way of consumpt; and
should you commence distiller again,
this is the native barley country. I
am ignorant if, in your present way of
dealing, you would think it worth your
while to extend your business so far as
this country side. I write you this on the
account of an accident, which I must
take the merit of having partly de-
signed to a neighbour of mine, a John
f^rrie, miller in Carse-milWa man,
who is, in a word, a "very" good
man, even for a £500 bargain. He
and his wife were in my house the
time I broke open the cask. They
keep a country public-house and sell a
great deal of foreign spirits, but all
along thought that whisky would
have degraded their house. They
wereperfectly^astonished at my whisky '
both for its taste and strength; and
by their desire I write you to know if
you could supply them with liquor of
an equal quality and what price.
Please write me by first pest, and di-
rect to me at Ellisland, near Dumfries.
W\-ou could take a jaunt this way your-.
self, I have a spare spoon, knife, and
fork very much at your service. My com-
pliments to Mrs. Tennant, and all the'
good folks in Glenconner and Bar-
quhaTrie^
R. B.
No. CXLVir.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, )
New-year-day Momiogt, 1789. ) ,
This, dear madam, is a morning of'
vrishes, and would to God that I came-
under the apostle James' description^-^-
the prayer of a righteous man availeth
much. In that case, madam, you-
should welcome in a year full of bless.,
ings: everything -that obstructs or dia-
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
425
tnrba ' tranquility and self-enjoyment
should be removed, and every pleasure
that frail humanity can taste should
he -yours. I own myself so little a
Presbyterian that I approve of set
times aiid- seasons of more than ordi-
nary acts of devotion, for breaking in
on that habituated routine of life and
feought which is so apt to reduce our
existence to a kind of instinct, or even
sometimes, and with some minds, to a
state very little superior to mere ma-
chinery.
This day — ^the first Sunday of May
—a breezy, blue-skyed noon some
time about the beginning, and a hoary
ruorning and calm sunny day, about
the end of autumn; these, times out of
mind, have been with me a kind of
holiday.
I believe I owe this to that glorious
paper in the Spectator, " The Vision
of Mirza," a piece that struck my
young fancy before I was capable
of fixing an idea to a word of three
Syllables: "On the 5th day of the
moon, which, according to the custom
of my forefathers, I always keep holy,
after having washed myself, and of-
fered up my morning devotions, I as-
cended the high hill of Bagdad, in or-
der to pass the rest of the day in
meditation and prayer."
We know nothing, or next to noth-
ing, of the substance or structure of
our souls, so cannot account for those
seeming caprices in them that one
should be particularly pleased with
this thing, or struck with that, which,
on minds of a different cast, makes
no extraordinary impression. I have
some favourite flowers in spring,
among which are the inountain- daisy,
tlie harebell, the foxglove, the wild
briar-rose, the budding birch, and the
hoary hawthorn, that I view and hang
over with particular delight. I never
hear the loud, solitary whistle of the
curlew in a summer noon, or the wild
mixing cadence of a troop of gray plov-
ers in an autumnal morning, without
feeling an elevation of soul like the
enthusiasm of devotion or poetry.
Tell me, my dear friend, to what can
this be owing? Are we a piece of ma-
chinery, which, like the Eolian harp,
passive, takes the impression of the
passing accident? Or do these work-
ings argue something within us above
the trodden clod? I own myself par-
tial to such proofs of those awful and
important realities — a God that made
all things — man's immaterial and im-
mortal nature — and a world of weal or
woe beyond death and the grave.
R. B.
No. CXLVIII.
TO DR. MOORE.
Elusland, Jan. 4, 1789.
SlK, — As often as I think of writing
to you, which has been three or four
times every week these six months, it
gives me something so like the idea of
an ordinary-sized statue ofEering at a
conversation with the Rhodian colos-
sus, that my mind mis^ves me, and
the affair always miscarries somewhere,
between purpose and resolve. I have
at last gpt some business with you, and
business letters are written by the.
style-book. 1 say my business is with
you, sir, for you never had any with
me, except the business that benevo-
lence has in the mansion of poverty.
The character and employment of a
poet were formerly my pleasure, but
are now my pride. I know that a very
great deal of my late idat was owing
to the singularity of my situation,
and the honest prejudice of Scotsmen;
but still, as I said in the preface to my
first edition, I do look upon myself as
having some pretensions from nature
to the poetic character. I have not a
doubt but the knack, the aptitude, to,
learn the Muses' trade, is a gift be-
stowed by Him ' ' who forms the .secret
bias of the soul : " — but I as firmly be-
lieve that excellence in the profession
is the fruit of industry, labour, atten-
tion, and pains. At least I am resolved
to try my doctrine by the test of expe-
rience. Another appearance from the
press I put off to a very distant day, a
day that may never arrive — but poesy
I am determined to prosecute with all
my vigour. Nature has given very
42a
BTJKNS' WORKS.
few, if any, of the profession, the tal-
ents of shining in every species of com-
joosition. I shall try (for until trial it
is -impossible to know) whether she has
qualified me to shine in any one. The
Worst of it is, by the time one has fin-
ished a piece, it has been so often
viewed and reviewed before the men-
tal eye, that onel oses, in a good measure,
the powers of critical discrimination.
Here the best criterion I know is a
friend — not only of abilities to judge,
but with good-nature enough, like a
prudent teacher with a young learner,
to praise perhaps a little more than is
exactly just, lest the thin-skinned ani-
mal fall into that most deplorable of
all poetic diseases — heart breaking de-
spondency of himself. — Dare I, sir,
already immensely indebted to your
goodness, ask the additional obligation
of your being that friend to me ? I enclose
you an essay of mine in a walk of poesy
to me entirely new; I mean the epistle
addressed to R. G., Esq., or Robert
Graham, of Fintray, Esq. , a gentleman
of uncommon worth, to whom I lie
under very great obligations. The
story of the poem, like most of my
poems, is connected vrith my Own
story, and to give you the one, I must
give you something of the other. I
caimot boast of Mr. Creech's ingenuous
fair dealing with me. He kept me hang-
ing about Edinburgh from the 7th
August 1787, until the 13th April 1788,
before he would condescend to give
me a statement of affairs; nor had I
got it even then, but for. an angry
letter I wrote him, which irritated his
pride. " I could " not a " tale " but a
detail "unfold," but what am I that
should speak against the Lord's an-
ointed Bailie of Edinburgh ?
I believe I shall, in the whole, (£100
copyriglit included,) clear about £400,
some little odds; and even part of this
depends upon what the gentleman has
yet to settle with me. I give you this
information, because you did me the
honour to interest yourself much in
jny welfare. I give you this informa-
tion, but I give it to yourself only, for
I ;am still much in the .gentleman's
mercy. Perhaps I injure the m^n in
the idea I am sometimes tempted to
have of him — God forbid I should! A
little time will try, for in a month t
shall go to town to wind up the busij
ness if possible.
To give the rest of my story in brief,
I have married ' ' my Jean " and taken
a farm: with the first step I have every
day more and more reason to be satis-
fied: with the last, it is rather the re-
verse. I have a younger brother, who
supports my aged mother; another still
younger brother, and three sist&rs, in-
a farm. On my last return from Edin-
burgh, it cost me about £180 to sav&
them from ruin. Not that I have lostsa
much — I only interposed between my
brother and. his impending fate by the
loan of so much. I give myself no
airs on this, for it was mere selfishness
on my part: I was conscious that the
wrong scale of the balance was pretty
heavily charged, and I thought that
throwing n little filial piety and fra-
ternal aSection into the scale in my
favour, might help to smooth matters
at the grand reckoning. There is still
one thing would make my circumstan-
ces quite easy: I have an Excise offi-
cer's commission, and I live in the
midst of a country division. My re-
quest to Mr. Graham, who is one of
the Commissioners of Excise, was, if
in his power, to procure me that divi-
sion. If I were very sanguine, I might'
hope that some of my great patrons
might procure me a treasury warrant
for supervisor, surveyor-general, &3. ,
Thus, secure of a livelihood, "to
thee, sweet poetry, delightful maid," I
would consecrate my future days.
R. B. -
No. CXLIX.
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE.
Bllisland, Jan. 6, 1789..
Many happy returns of the season
to you, my dear sir! May you be com-
paratively happy up to your compara-
tive worth ariiong the sons of men;
which wish would, I am sure, make
you one of the most blest of the.hu;
man race. , ,
. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
437
I do not know if passing as a writer
to the signet be a trial of scientific
msrit, or a mere business of friends
and interest. However. it be, let me
quote you my two favourite passages,
wliicli, thougli I have repeated tbem
ten thousand times, still they rouse my
manhood and steel my resolution like
inspiration: —
" On reason build resolve,
That column of true majesty in man."
— Young. .
" Hear, Alfred, hero of the state.
Thy genius Heaven's high will declare ;
The triumph of the truly great
Is never, never to despair !
Is never to despair !"
— Masque of Alfreds
I grant you enter the lists of life,
to struggle for bread, business, notice,
and distinctioUj lu common with hun-
dreds.— But who are they ? Men, like
yourself, and of that aggregate body
your compeers, seven- tenths of whom
come short of your advantages natural
and accidental; while two of those
that remain either neglect their parts,
as flowers blooming in a desert,
or misspend their strength, like a bull
goring a bramble bush.
But to change the theme: I am still
catering for Johnson's publication;
Mid among others, I have brushed up
the following old favourite song a lit-
tle, with a view to your worship. I
have only altered a word here and
there; but if you like the humor of it,
we shall think of a stanza or two to
add to it. E. B.
No. CL.
TO PROFESSOR DTTGALD
STEWART.
Ellisland, Jan. 20, T789.
Sir, — The enclosed sealed packet I
sent to Edinburgh a few days after I
had the happiness of meeting you in
Ayrshire, but you were gone for the
Continent. I have now added a few
more of my productions, those for
which I am indebted to the Nitlisdale
Muses. The piece inscribed to R. G. ,
Esq., is a copy of verses I sent Mr.
Graham of Fintray, accompanying a
request for his assistance in a matter,
to me, of very great moment. To tliat
gentleman 1 am already doubly indebt-
ed for deeds of kindness of serious im-
port to my dearest interests — done in
a manner grateful to the delicate feel-
ings of sensibility. This poem is a
species of composition new to me; but
I do not intend it shall be my last
essay of the kind, as you will see by
the "Poet's Progress." These frag-
ments, if my design succeed, are but a
small part of the intended whole. I
propose it shall be the work of my ut-
most exertions, ripened by years; of
course 1 do not wish it much known.
The fragment beginning ' ' A little,
upright, pert, tart,^' &c. , I have not
shown to man living, till I now send it
you. It forms the postulata, the axioms,
the definition of a character, which, if
it appear at all, shall be placed in a
variety of lights. This particular part
I send you merely as a sample ' of my
hand at portrait-sketching; but, lest
idle conjecture should pretend to point
out the original, please to let it be for
your single, sole inspection.
Need I make any apology for this
trouble to a gentleman who has treat- ^
ed me with such marked benevolence
and peculiar kiiadness — who has en-
tered into my interests with so much
zeal, and on whose critical decisions I
can so fully depend ? A poet as I am
by trade, these decisions are to me of
the last consequence. My late tran-
sient acquaintance among some of the
mere rank and file of greatiiess, I re-
sign with ease; biittothe distinguished
champions of genius and learning I
shall be ever ambitious of being-
known. The native genius and accu-
rate discernment in Mr. Stewart's crit-
ical strictures; the justness (iron just-
ness, for he lias no bowels of compas-
sion for a poor poetic sinner) of Dr.
Gregory's remarks,* and the delicacy
of Professor Dalziel's taste, I shall evec
revere.
I shall be in Edinburgh some time
■• The poet alludes to the merciless stric-,
tures of Dr. Gregory on the poem of thq_
'• Wounded Hare."
'436
BURNS' WORKS.
next montli.-^I have the honour to be,
sir, your highly-obliged, and very hum-
ble servant, K. B.
No. CLI.
TO BISHOP GEDDES.*
Ellisland, Feb. 3, 1789.
Venerable Father, — As I am con-
scious that, wherever lam, you do me
the honour to interest yourself in my
welfare, it gives me pleasure to inform
you, that I am here at last, stationary
in the serious business of life, and
have now not only the retii'ed leisure,
but the hearty inclination, to attend
to those great and important questions
— What am I ? where am 1 1 and for
what am I destined?
In that first concern, the conduct ftf
man, there was ever but one side.on
which I was habitually blamable, and
there I have secured myself in the
way pointed out by nature and nature's
God. I was sensible that, to so help-
less a creature as a poor poet, a %ife
and family were encumbrances, which
a species of prudence would bid him
shun; but when the alternative was
being at eternal warfare with my.self
on account of habitual follies, to give
them no worse name, which no gener-
al example, no licentious wit, no so-
phistical Infidelity, would, to me, ever
justify, I must have been a fool to
have hesitated, and a madman to have
made another choice. Besides, I had
in ' ' my Jean " a long and much-loved
fellow-creature's happiness or misery
among my hands — and who could tri-
fle with such a deposit ?
In the affair of a livelihood, I think
myself tolerably secure: I have good
hopes of my farm, but should they
fail, I have an Excise commission,
* Alexander Geddes,a bishop of the Roman
Catholic Church, was a man of undoubtetii
talents, but much too liberal for his Church.;
He was the author of a clever rustic poem,-
beginning,
\' There was a wee wiiielcie, was coming frae
the fair,"
and had translated one of the books of the
Iliad.
which, on my simple petition, will, at
any time, procure me bread. There
is a certain stigma affixed to the char-
acter of an Excise-officer, but 1 do not
pretend to borrow honour from my
profession; and though the salary be
comparatively small, it-is a luxury to
anything that the first twenty-five
years of my life taught me to expect. -
Thus, with a rational aim and meth-
od in life, you may easily guess, my
reverend and much honoured friend,
that my characteristical trade is not
forgotten. I am, if possible, more than
ever an enthusiast to the Muses. I
am determined to study man and na-,
ture, and in that view incessantly;
and to try if the ripening and correc-
tions of years can enable me to pro-
duce something worth preserving.
You will see in your book, which I
beg your pardon for detaining so long,
that I have been tuning my lyire on the
banks of the Nith. Some large poetic
plans that are floating in my imagina-
tion, or partly put in execution, I shall
impart to you when 1 have the pleas-,
ure of meeting with you ; which, if
you are then In Edinburgh, I shall
have about t'-e beginning of March.
That acquaintance, worthy sir, with
which you were pleased to honor me,
you must still allow me to challenge j
for with whatever unconcern I give up
my transient connexion with the merely
great, I cannot lose the patronising
notice of the learned and good, without,
the bitterest regret. 1
R. B.
No. CLII.
TO MR. JAMES BURNESS.
Ellisland, Feb. g, 1789.
My deak Sm,— Why I did not write
to you long ago is what even on the
rack I could not answer. If you can in
your mind form an idea of indolence,
^^ipation, hurry, cares, changn of
Gentry, entering on untried scenes of
life, all combined, you will save me
the trouble of a blushing apology. It
could not be want of regard for a
man for whom I had a high esteem
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
439
before I knew him — an esteem which
has much increased since .1 did know
him ; and, this caveat entered, I shall
plead guilty to any other indictment
with which you shall please to charge
me.
'■After I parted from you, for many
filbnths my life was one continued
scene of dissipation. Here at last I
am become stationary, and have taken
a' farm and — a wife.
The farm is beautifully situated on
the Nith, a large river that runs by
Dumfries, and falls into the Solway
Frith. I have gotten a lease of my
fatm as long as 1 please ; but how it
may turn out is just a guess; and it is
yet to improve and enclose, &c. ; how-
ever, I ha-e good hopes of my bargain
on the whole.
My wifj is my Jean, with whose
Btory you are partly acquainted. I
found I had a much-loved fellow-crea-
ture's happiness or niisery among my
hands, and I durst not trifle with so
sacred a deposit. Indeed I have not
any reason to repent the step I have
lakenT as I liave attached myseir to a,
very good >vife, and have shaken my-
self loose of every bad feeling.
I have found my book a very profit-
able business, and with the profits of
it I have begun life pretty decently.
Should fortune not favour me in
farining, as I have no great faith in
her fickle ladyship, I have provided
myself in another resource, which,
however some folks may affect to de-
spise it, is still a comfortable shift in
the day of misfortune. la the heyday
of ray fame, a gentleman, whose name
at least I daresay you know, u his es-
tate lies somewhere near Dundee, Mr.
Graham of Fintray, one of the Commis-
sioners of Excise, offered me the com-
mission of an Excise-officer. I thoufjht
it-prudent to accept the offer ; and ac-
cordingly I took my instructions, and
have my commission by me. Whether
I may ever do d.ity, or be a penny the
Setter for it, is what I do not know ;
but I have the comfortable assurance
that, come whatever ill fate will, I
can, on my simple petition to the Ex-
cise Board, get into employ.
We have lost poor Uncle Robert this
winter. He has long been very weak,
and, with very little alteration on him,
he expired on the 3d Jan.
His sou William has been with me
this winter, and goes in May to be an
apprentice to a mason. His other son,
the eldest, John, comes to me I expect
in summer. They are both remark-
ably stout young fellows, and promise
to do well. His only daughter, Fanny,
has been with me ever since her
father's death, and I purpose keeping
her in my family till she be quite
woman grown, and fit for better ser-
vice. She is one of the cleverest girls,
and has one of the most amiable dis-
positions, I have ever seen.
All friends in this country and Ayr-
shire are well. Remember me to all
friends in the north. My wife joins
me in compliments to Mrs. B. and
family. I am ever, my dear cousin,
yours sincerely,
R. B.
No. CLin.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, March 4, 1789.
Hebe am I, my honoured friend, re-
turned safe from the capital. "To a
man who has a home, however humble
or remote — if that home is, like mine,
the scene of domestic comfort — the
bustle of Edinburgh will soon be a
business of sickening disgust.
**Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate
you i"
When I must skulk into a corner,
lest the rattling equipage of some gap-
ing blockhead should mangle me in
the mire, I am tempted to exclaim
— ' ' What merits has he had, or what
demerit have I had, in some state of
pre-existence, that he is ushered into
this state of being with the sceptre of
rule, and the key of riches in his puny
fist, ond I am kicked into the worldj
the sport of folly, or the victim of
pride ? " I have read somewhere of a
monarch (in Spain I think it was) who
was so out of humour with the Ptolo-
mean system of astronomy that lie
^30
BURNS' WORKS.
said had he been of tho Creator's coun-
cil, he could have saved Him a great
deal of labour and absurdity; I will
not defend this blasphemous speech;
but often, as I have glided with hum-
ble stealth through tho pomp of
Princess Street, it has suggested itself
to me, as an improvement on the
present human figure, that a man, in
proportion to his own conceit of his
consequence in the world, could have
pushed out the longitude of his com-
mon size, as a snail pushes out his
horns, or as we draw out a perspective.
This trifling alteration, not to mention
the prodigious saving it would be in
the tear and the wear of the neck and
limb sinews of many of his ma-
jesty's liege subjects, in the way of
tossing the head and tiptoe strutting,
would evidently turn out a vast advan-
tage, in enabling us at once to adjust
the ceremonials in malting a bow, or
making way to a great man, and that
too within a second of the precise
.spherical angle of reverence, or an inch
of the j)articular point of respectful
distance, which the important creature
itself requires; as a measuring-glance
at its towering altitude would deter-
mine the affair like instinct.
You arc right, madam, in your idea
61 Mylne's poem, which he has ad-
dressed to me. The piece has a good
deal of merit, but it has one great
fault — it is, by far, too long. Besides,
iuy success has encouraged such a
shoal of ill-spawned monsters to crawl
into public notice, under the title of
Scottish poets, that the very term
Scottish poetry borders on the bur-
lesque. When I write to Mr. Carfrae,
I shall advise him rather to try one of
his deceased friend's English pieces.
I am prodigiously hurried with my own
matters, else I would have requested a
perusal of all Mylne's poetic perform-
ances; and would have offered liis
friends my assistance in either select-
ing or correcting what would be
proper for the press. What it is that
occupies me so much, and perhaps a
little oppresses my spirits, shall fill up
a paragraph in some future letter. In
the meantime, allow me to close this
epistle with a few lines done by a friend
of mine . . . . I give you them,
that, as you have seen the original,
you may guess whether one or two al-
terations I have ventured to make in
them be any real improvement: — ;
" Like the fairplant that from our touch with.-,
draws.
Shrink, mildly fearful, even from applause,
Be all a mother's fondest hope can dream,
And all you are, my charming .... seem.
Straight as the foxglove ere her bells dis-
close, i [blo*s,
Mild as the maiden-blushing; hawthotl.
Fair as the fairest of each lovely kind.
Your form shall be the image of your mind ;
Your manners shall so true your soul' ex-
press, - feiic^T'
That all sliall long to know the worth they
Congenial hearts shall greet with kindred
love,
And even sicVning envy must approve."
R. B.
No. CLIV.
TO THE REV. P. CARFRAE.
March 17S9.
Rev. Sir, — I do not recollect that I
have ever felt a severer pang of shame
than on looking at the date of your
obliging letter which accompanied Mr.
Mylne's poem.
1 am much to blame: the honour
Mr. Mylne has done me. greatly en-
hanced in its value ■; :' the endearing,
though melancholy, circ-mstance of
its being the last production of his
muse, deserved a better return.
I have, as you hint, thought of send-
ing a copy of the poem to some period-
ical publication; but, on second
thdaglits, I am afraid that, in the
present case, it would be an improper
step. My success, perhaps as much'
accidental as merited, has brought an
inundation of nonsense under the name
of Scottish poetry. Subscription-bills
for Scottish poems have so dunned,^
and daily do dun the public, that the
very name is in danger of contempt.
For these reasons, if publishing any of
Mr. Mylne's poems in a magazine, &c. ;
be at all prudent, in my opinion it cer-
tainly should not be a Scottish poem.
The profits -of the labours of a man of
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
431
genius are, I hope, as lionourable as
any profits whatever ; and Mr. Mylne's
relations are most justly entitled to
that honest harvest which fate has
denied liimself to reap. But let the
friends of Mr. Mylne's fame (among
whom I crave the honour of ranking
iflyself ) always keep in eye his respect-
ability as a man and as a poet, and
take no measure that, before the world
knows anything about him, would risk
his name and character being classed
with the fools of the times.
I have, sir, some experience of pub-
lishing ; and the way in which I would
proceed with Mr. Mylne's poems is
this : — I would publish, in two or three
English and Scottish public papers,
any one of his English poems which
should by private judges, be thought
the most excellent, and mention it, at
the same time, as one of the produc-
tions of a Lothian farmer, of respect-
able character, lately deceased, whose
poems his friends had it in idea to pub-
lish soon by subscription, for the sake
of his numerous family: — ^not in pity
to that family, but in justice to what
his friends think the poetic merits of
the deceased ; and to secure, in the
most effectual manner to those tender
connexions, whose right it is, the pe-
cuni ary reward of those merits.
R. B.
No. CLV.
TO DR. MOORE.
Ellislakd, March 23, 1789,
Sm, — The gentleman who will de-
liver you this is a Mr. Nielson, a wor-
thy clergyman in my neighbourhood,
and a very particular acquaintance of
mine. As I have troubled him with
this packet, I must turn him over to
your goodness, to recompense him for
it in a way in which he much needs
your assistance, and where you can
effectually serve him: — Mr. Nielson is
on his way for France, to wait on his
©race of 'Queensberry, on some little
business of a good deal of importance
to him, and he wishes for your instruc-
tions- respecting the most eligible
mode of travelling, &c. , for him, when
he has crossed the Channel. I should
not have dared to talce this liberty,
with you; but that I am told, by those"
who have the honour of your personal
acquaintance, that to be a poor honest
Scotchman is a letter of recommenda-
tiou to you, and that to have it in your
power to serve such a character gives
you much pleasure.
The enclosed ode is a compliment to
the memory of the late Mrs. Oswald of
Auchencruive. You probably knew
her personally, an honour of which I
cannot boast; but I spent my earl/
years in her neighbourhood, and
among her servants and tenants. 1 knoW^
that she was detested with the most
heartfelt cordiality. However, in the
particular part of her conduct which
roused my poetic wrath, she was much
less blamable. In January last, on
my road to Ayrshire, I had put up at
Bailie Wighani's, in Sanquhar, the
only tolerable inn in the place. The
frost was keen, and the grim evening
and howling wind were ushering in a
night of snow and drift. My horse
and I were both much fatigued with
the labours of the day, and just as my
friend the bailie and I were bidding
defiance to the storm over a smoking
bowl, in wheels the funeral pageantry
of the late great Mrs. Oswald, and
poor I was forced to brave all the hor-
rors of the tempestuous night, and jade
my horse, my young favourite horse,
whom I had just christened Pegasus,
twelve miles farther on, through the
wildest moors and hills of 'Ayrshire,
to New Cumnock, the next inn. The
powers of poesy and prose sink under
me, when I would describe wha,t I felt.
Suffice it to say that, when a good fire
at New Cumnock had so far recovered
my frozen sinews, I sat down and
wrote the enclosed ode.
I was at Edinburgh lately, and set-
tled finally with Mr. Creech; and I
must own that, at last, he has been
amicable and fair with me.
R. B.
432
BURNS' WORKS.
No. CLVI.
TO MR. WILLIAM BURNS.
Isle, March 25, 1789.
I HAVE stolen from my ovra com-
Bowing this minute to write a line to
accompany your sliirt and hat, for I
can no more. Your sister Nannie ar-
rived yesternight, and begs to be re-
membered to you. Write me every
opportunity — never mind postage. My
head, too, is as addle as an egg this morn-
ing with dining abroad yesterday. _ 1
received yours by the mason. li'orgive
me this foolish-looking scrawl of an
espistle. — I am ever, my dear William
yours, R. R.
p. S. — If you are not then gone
from Longtown, I'll write you a long
letter by this day se'ennight. If you
should not succeed in your tramps,
don't be dejected, nor take any rash
step — return to us in that case, and we
will court Fortune's better humor.
Remember this, I charge you.
R. B.
No. CLVII.
TO MR. HILL.
Ellisland, April 2, 1789.
I WILL make no excuse, my dear
Bibliopolus, (God forgive me for mur-
dering language !) that I have sat down
to write you on this vile paper.
It is economy, sir; it is that cardinal
virtue, prudence; so 1 beg you will sit
down, and either compose or borrow a
panegyric. If you are going to borrow,
apply to to compose, or rather to
compound, something very clever on
my remarkable frugality ; that I write
to one of my most esteemed friends on
this wretched paper; which was origin-
ally intended for the venal fist of some
drunken exciseman, to take dirty
notes in a miserable vault or an ale-
cellar.
O Frugality! thou mother of ten
thousand blessings — thou cook of fat
beef and dainty greens! — thou manu-
facturer of warm Shetland hose, and
comfortable surtouts ! — thou old house-
wife, darning thy decayed stockings
with thy ancient spectacles on thy
aged nose! — lead me, hand me in thy
clutching palsied fist, up .these heights
and through those thickets, hitherto
inaccessible, and impervious to my
anxious, weary feet:— not those Par-
nassian crags, bleak and barren, where
the hungry worshippers of fame are,
breathless, clambering, hanging be-
tween heaven and hell ; but those glit-
tering cliffs of Potosi, where the all-
sufficient, all-powerful deity, Wealth,
holds his immediate court of joys and
pleasures; where the sunny exposure
of' plenty, and the hot walls of profu-
sion, produce those blissful fruits of
luxury, exotics in tljis world, and
natives of Paradise !-ri./rhou withered
sibyl, my sage conductress, usher me
into thy refulgent, adored presence!-r
The power, splendid and potent as he
now is, was once ■ the puling nursling
of thy faithful care, and tender arms!
— Call me thy son, thy cousin, thy
kinsman, or favourite, and adjure the
god by the scenes of his infant years, .
no longer to repulse me as » stranger,
or an alien, but to favour me with liis
peculiar countenance and protection!
— He daily bestows his greatest kind-
ness on the undeserving andthewortji-
less — assure him that I bring ample doc-,
uments of meritorious demerits! Pledge
yourself for me, that, for the glorious
cause of Lucre, I will -do anything, be
anything — but the horse-leech of pri-
vate oppression, or the vulture of pub-
lic robbery!
But to descend from heroics.
I want a Shakespeare; I want like-
wise an English dictionary — Johnson's,
I suppose, is the best. In these, and
all my prose commissions, the cheapest
is always the best for me. There is a
small debt of honour that I owe Mr.
Robert Cleghorn, in Saughtou Mills,
my worthy friend, and your well-
wisher. Please give him, and urge
him to take it, the first time you see
him, ten shillings' worth of anything
you have to sell, and place it to my ac-
count. The library scheme that I
mentioned to you . is already begun,
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
under the direction of Captain Riddel.
Tliere is anotlier in emulation of it going
on at Closeburn, under tlie auspices of
Mr. Monteitli of Closeburn, wHcli will
be on a greater scale than ours. Cap-
tain Riddel gave his infant society a
great many of his old books, else I
had written you on that subject; but
one of these days I shall trouble you
with a commission for ' ' The Monk-
land Friendly Society"— a copy of the
the Spectator, Mirror, aiiA Lounger,
"Man of Fealiug,"' "Man of the
World," Guthrie's " Geographical
Grammar," with some religious pieces,
will likely be our first order.
When I grow richer, I will write to
you on gilt post, to make amends for
this sheet. At present, every guinea
has a five guinea errand with, my dear
sir, your faithful, poor, but honest
friend, R. B.
No. CLVIII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, April 4, 1789.
I NO sooner hit on a,ny poetic plan of
fancy but I wish to send it to you: and
if knowing and reading these give
half the pleasure to you that commu-
nicating them to you gives to me, I am
satisfied.
I have a poetic whim in my head,
which I at present dedicate, or rather
inscribe, to the Right Hon. Charles
James Fox; but how long the fancy
may hold, I cannot say. A few of the
first lines I have just rough-sketched
as follows.*
On the 20th current I hope to have
the honour of assuring you in person
how sincerely I am
R. B.
No. CLIX.
TO MRS. M'MURDO,
DRUMLANRIG.
Ellisland, May 2, 1789.
Madam:, — I have finished the piece
which had the happy fortune to be
* See the entire sketch at p. 117.
honoured with your approbation; and
never did little Miss with more spark-
ling pleasure show her applauded sam-
pler to partial mama than I now send
ray poem* to you and Mr. M'Murdo, if
he is returned to Drumlanrig. You
cannot easily imagine what thin-skin-
ned animals — what sensitive plants
poor poets are. How do we shriulc in-
to the embittered corner of self-abase-
ment when neglected or condemned
by those to whom we look up ! and
how do we, in erect importance, add
another cubit to our stature, on being
noticed aijd applauded by those whom
we honour and respect ! My late visit
to Drumlanrig has, I can tell you, ma-
dam, given me a balloon waft up Par-
nassus, where on my fancied elevation
I regard my poetic self with no sm^U
degree of complacency. Surely, with
all their sins, the rhyming tribe are
not ungrateful creatures.: — I recollect
your goodness to your humble guesti
I see Mr. M'Murdo adding to the polite-
ness of the gentleman the kindness of
a friend, and my heart swells, as it
would burst with warm emotions and
ardent wishes ! It may be it is not
gratitude — it may be a mixed sensa-
tion. That strange, shitting, doubling
animal man is .so generally at best but
a negative, often a worthless, creature,
that we cannot see real goodness and
native . worth without feeling the
bosom glow with -sympathetic appro-
bation.— With every sentiment of
grateful respect, I have the honour to
be, madam, your obliged and grateful
humble servant,
B. B.
No. CLX.
TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.
Ellislakd, May 4, 1789.
My DBAS Sm, — ^Your duty-free
favor of the 26th April I received two
days ago ; I will not say I perused it
* The poem alluded to is the song entitled
" There was a lass and she was fair," p. 254.
The heroine was the eldest daughter 01 Mrs.
M'Murdo, and sister to Phillis; • ■'
■434
BURNS' WOKKS.
.with pleasure ; that is the cold com-
pliment of ceremony ; I perused it, sir,
With delicious satisfaction ; — in short,
it is such a letter as not you, nor your
_ friend, hut the Legislature, by express
proviso in their postage laws, should
frank. A letter informed with ilie
soul of friendship is such an honour
to human nature, that they should
.Order it free ingress and egress to and
i'rom their bags and mails, as an en-
cDuragement and mark of distinction
to supereminent virtue.
. I have just put the last hand to a
little poem, which I think will be
something to your taste. One morn-
ing lately, as I was out pretty early in
the fields, sowing some grass seeds, I
heard the burst of a shot from a neigh-
bouring plantation, and presently a
poor little wounded hare came crip-
pling by me. You will guess my in-
dignation at the inhuman fellow who
could shoot a hare at this season, when
all of them have young ones. Indeed
there is something in that business of
destroying for our sport individuals in
the animal creation, that do not injure
us materially, which 1 could never re-
concile to my ideas of virtue.
Inhuman man ! curse on thy barb'rous art.
And blasted be thy murder-aiming^ eye !
May never pity soothe thee with a sigh,
Nor ever pleasure glad thycruelhe^tl
Let me know how you like my
poem.* I am doubtful whether it
would not be an improvement to keep
out the last stanza but one altogether.
Cruikshank is a glorious production
of the Author of man. You, he, and
the noble Colonelf of the Crochallan
Fencibles are to me ■
" Dear as the ruddy drops which yvarm my
heart."
I have a good mind to make verses on
you all, to the tune of ' ' Three good
fellows ayont the glen."
R. B.
* The poem on the Wounded Hare. Burns
had also sent a copy to Dr.~ Greg^ory for his
criticism.
+ Mr. WilUam Dunbar, W. S,
No. CLXL
TO MB. SAMUEL BROWN.* .
MossGiEL, May 4, 1789.
De.\r Uncle, — This, I hope, wiU
lind you and your conjugal yoke-fel-
low in your good old way; I am impa-
tient to linow if the Ailsa fowling be
commenced for this season yet, as I want
three or four stones of feathers, and I
hope you will bespeak tliem for me.
It would be a vain attempt for me to
enumerate the various transactions I
have been engaged in since I saw you
last; but this know — I am engaged in
a. smuggling trade, and God knows if
ever any poor man experienced better
returns, two for one; but as freight and
delivery have turned out so dear, I am
thinking of talking out a ligense and
beginning in fair trade. I have taken
a fann on the borders of the Nith,
and, in imitation of the old Patriarchs,
get men-servants and niaid-servants,
and flocks and herds, and beget sons
and daughters.
I'our obedient nephew, E. B.
No. CLXIL
TO RICHARD BROWN.
Mauhcune, May 21, 1789. "
Mt dbab Fbiend,— I was in the
country by accident, and hearing of
your safe arrival, I could not resist the
temptation of wishing you joy on your
return — wishing you would write to
me before you sail again^wishing
you would always set me down as your
bosom friend— wishing you long life
and prosperity, and that every good
thing may attend you — wishing Mrs.
Brown and your little ones as free
of the evils of this world as is con-
sistent with humanity — wishing you
and she were to make two at the en-
"■■ Samuel Brown was brother to the poet's
mother, and seems to have been a joyous and
tolerant sort of person. He appears also to
have been somewhat ignorant o( the poet's
motions, for Ihe license to which he alludes
was taken out nearly a twelvemonth before
this letter was written.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
'435
suing lying-in, with which Mrs. B.
threatens very soon to favour me —
wishing I had longer time to write to
you at present; and, finally, wishing
that, if tliere i^ to be another state of
existence, Mr. B., Mrs. B., our little
ones,And both families, and you and I
in some snug retreat, may malte a
: joTial party to all eternity!
My direction is at Ellisland, near
Djimfries. — Yours. R. B.
No. CLXIII.
TO MR. JAMES HAMILTON.*
Elusland, May 26, 1789.
Dear Sir, — I send you by John
(Jlover, carrier, the above account for
Mr. TurnbuU, as I suppose you know
his address.
I would fain offer, my dear sir, a
word of sympathy with your misfor-
tunes; but it is it tender string, and I
know not how to touch it. It is easy
to.flovirisli a set of high-flown senti-
ments on the subjects that would give
great satisfation to — a breast quite at
ease; but iis one observes who was
very seldom mistaken in the theory of
life, ' ' The heart knoweth its own sor-
rows, and a stranger intermeddleth
not therewith."
Among some distressful emergen-
cies that I have experienced in life, I
ever laid this down as my foundation
of comfort — I'hat he who has lived the
life of an honest man has by no means
Uvedintiainf
With every wish for your welfare
and future success, I am, my dear sir,
sincerely yours, R. B.
No. CLXIV.
TO WILLIAM CREECH, ESQ.
Elusland, May 30, 1789,
Sm, — I had .intended to have trou-
, bled you with a long letter, but at
' *.One, of, the poet's early friends, whose
' misfortunes called forth this letter of condo-
lence from Bums.
present the delightful sensations of an
omnipotent tootliache so engross all my
inner man as to put it out of my power
even to write nonsense. However, as
in duty bound, I approach my booksel-
ler with an offering in my hand — a few
poetic clinches and a song. To expect
any other kind of offering from the
rhyming tribe would be to know them
much less than you do. I do not pretend
that there is much merit in these
morceaux, but I have two reasons for
sending them — Prima, they are most-
ly ill-natured, so are in unison with
my present feelings, while fifty troops
of infernal spirits are driving' post
from ear to ear along my jaw bones;
and secondly, they are so short, that you
cannot leave off in the middle, and so
hurt my pride in the idea that you
found any work of mine too heavy to
get through.
I have a request to beg of you, and
I not only beg of you, but conjure you,
by all your wishes and by all your
hopes that the muse will spare the
satiric wink in the moment of your
foibles; that she will warble the song
of rapture round your hymeneal couch^
and that she will shed on your turf
the honest tear of elegiac gratitude:
grant my request as speedily as possible
— send me by the very first fly or coach
for this place three copies of the last
edition of my poems, which place to
my account.
Now may the good things of prose,
and thegood things of verse, come
among thy hands, until they be filled
with the good things of this life, pray-
eth R. B.
No. CLXV.
TO MR. MACAULAY, OP
DUMBARTON.
Ellisland, June 4, 1789.
Dear Sir, — Though I am not with-
out my fears respecting my fate at
that grand, universal inquest of right
and wrong, commonly callfed the Last
438
BURNS' WORKS.
Day, yet I trust there is one sin, wliich
that arch- vagabond, Satan, who I un-
derstand is to he king's evidence, can-
riot throw in my teeth — I mean ingrat-
-itude. "There is a certain pretty large
quantum of liindness for which I re-
main, and, from inability, I fear must
still remain, your debtor ; but, though
unable to repay the debt, I assure you
sir, I shall ever warmly remember tho
obligation. It gives me the sincerest
-pleasure to hear by my old acquain-
tance, Mr Kennedy, that you are, in
immortal Allan's language, " Hale,
and weel, and living ;" and that your
charming family are well, and promis-
ing to be an amiable and' respectable
addition to the company of performers,
whom the great manager of the drama
of man is bringing into action for the
succeeding age.
With respect to my welfare, a sub-
ject in which you once warmly and
effectively interested yourself, I am
here in my old way, holding my plough ,
marking the growth of my corn, or the
health of my dairy ; and at times saun-
tering by the delightful windings of
the Nitli, on the margin of wliich I
Taave built my humble domicile, pray-
ing for seasonable weather, or holduig
an intrigue with the Muses ; the only
gypsies with whom I have now any in-
'tercourse. As I am entered into the
holy state of matrimony, I trust my
face is turned completely Zion ward ;
and as it is a rule with all honest fel-
lows to repeat no grievances, I hope
that the little poetic licences of former
days will of course fall under the ob-
livious influence of some good-natured
statute of celestial prescription. In
my family devotion, which, like a good
Presbyterian, I occasionally give to my
household folks, I am extremely fond
of the psalm, ' ' Let not the errors of my
youth," &c.; and that other; "Lo!
children are God's heritage," &e. ; in
which last Mrs. Burns, who by the by
has a glorious "wood-note wild" at
either old song or psalmody, joins me
with the pathos of Handel's "Mes-
siah."
R. B.
No. CLXVI.
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE. '
Ellisland, June 8, lySg, •
Mt Dear Friend, — I am perfectly
ashamed of myself when I look at the
date of your last. It is not that I for-
get the friend of my heart and the
companion of my peregrinations; but
I have been condemned to drudgery
beyond sufferance, though not, thank
God, beyond redemption. I have had
a collection of poems by a lady put
into my hands to prepare for the press,
which horrid task, mth sowing corn
with my own hand, a parcel of masons,
Wrights, plasterers, &c., to attend to,
roaming on business through Ayrshire
■ — all this was against me, and the very
first dreadful article was of itself too
much for me.
13i/i. — I have not had a moment to
spare from incessant toil since the 8tli.
Life, my dear sir,is a serious matter. You
know, by experience, that a man's indi-
vidual self is a good deal , but belie ve me,
a mfe and family of children, whenever
you have the honour to be a husband
and a father, will show you that your
present and most anxious hours of Sol-
itude are spent on trifles. The welfare
of those who are very dear to us,
whose only support, hope, and stay
we are — this to a generous mind is
another sort of more important object
of care than any concerns whatever
which centre merely in the individual.
On the other hand, let no young, un-
married, rake-helly dog among you
make a song of his pretended liberty.and
freedom from care. If the relations we
stand in to king, country, kindred, and
friends, be anything but the visionary
fancies of dreariiing metaphysicians; if
religion, virtue, magnanimity, gener-
osity, humanity, and justice, be augut
but empty sounds; then the man' who
may be said to live only for others, for
the beloved, honourable female, whose
tander, faithful embrace endears life,
and for the helpless little innocents who
are to be the men and women, the
worshippers of his God, the subjects
of his king, and the supportj nay the
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
m
very vital existence of his country, in
the ensuing age; — compare such a man
with any tellow whatever, who,
whether he bustle and push in busi-
ness, among labourers, clerks, states-
men; or whether he roar and rant, and
drink and sing in taverns — a fellovvover
whose grave no one will ever breathe
a single " Heigh-ho! " except from
the cob-web tie of what is called good
fellowship — who has no view nor aim
but what terminates in himself — if
there be any grovelling earth-bom
wretch of our species, a renegade to
common sense, who would fain be-
lieve that the noble creature man is no
better than a sort of fungus, generated
out of nothing, nolxidy knows how,
and soon dissipating in nothing, no-
body knows where; such a stupid
-beast, such a crawling reptile, might
halauce the foregoing unexaggerated
comparison, but no one else would
have the patience.
, Fop^ve me, my dear sir, for this
long silence. To make you ame7ids, I
shall send you soon, and more encourag-
ing still, with out any postage, one or
two rhymes of my later manufacture.
R. B.
No. CLXVU.
TO MR. M'MURDO.*
Ellisland, June 19, 1789.
SiK, — A poet and a beggar are in so
many points of view alike, that one
, might take them for the same individ-
ual character under different designa-
tions ; were it not that, though with a
'trifling poetic licence, most poets may
be styled beggars ; yet the converse of
the proposition does not hold — that
eveiy beggar is a poet. In one par-
ticular, however, they remarkably
iigree ; if you help either the one or
the other to a mug of ale, or the pick-
ing of a bone, they will very willingly
repay you with a song. This occurs
to me lit present, as 1 have just dis-
patched a well-lined rib of John Kirk-
patrick's Highlander : a bargain for
which 1 am indebted to you, in the
style of our ballad printers, ' ' Five ex-
cellent new songs." The enclosed is
nearly my newest song, and one that
has cost me some pains, though that
is but an equivocal mark of its excel-
lence. Two or three others, which 1
have by me, shall do themselves the
honour to wait on your after leisure ;
petitioners for admittance into favour
must not harass the condescension of
their benefactor.
You see, sir, what it is to patronise
a poet. "Tis like being a magistrate
in a petty borough ; you do them the
favour to preside in their council for
one year, and your name bears the pre-
fatory stigma of bailie for life.
With, not the compliments, but the
best wishes, the sincerest prayers of
the season for you, that you may see
many and happy years with Mrs.
M'Murdo and your family ; two bles-
sings by the by to which your rank
does not by any means entitle you — a
loving wife and fine family being al-
most the only good things of this life
to which the farm-house and cottage
have an exclusive right. — I have the
honour to be, sir,, your much-indebted
and very humble servant,
R. B.
■ . * John M'Murdo. of Druralanrig was one of
'T3urns' firmest Nithsdale friends, and was
lini'ted with others, at the poet's death, in the
■'management of his affairs, which prospered so
v/ell that two hundred pounds per annum be-
came the widow's portion for many years
. before she was laid in the orave.
No. CLXVIII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, June 21, 1789.
Dear Madam, — ^Will you take the
effusions, the miserable effusions of
low spirits, just as they flow fronl their
bitter spring ? I know not of any
particular cause for this worst of all
my foes besetting me, but for some
tiine my soul has been beclouded with
a thicltening atmosphere of evil im-
aginations and gloomy presages.
MonAay Emning. — I have just heard
Mr. Kirkpatrick preach a sermon. He
BURNS' WORKS.
is a man famous for his benevolence,
and I revere liim, but from such ideas
of my Creator, good Lord, deliver me !
Religion, my honoured friend, is surely
a simple business, as it equally con-
cerns the ignorant and the learned, the
poor and the rich. That there is an
incomprehensible great Being, to whom
I owe my existence, and that He must
be intimately acquainted with the oper-
ations and progress of the internal ma-
chinery, and consequent outward de-
portment of this creature which He
has made — these are, I think, self-evi-
dent propositions. That there is a real
and eternal distinction between virtue
and vice, and consequently, that 1 am
an accountable creature ; that, from the
seeming nature of the human mind,
as well as from the evident imperfec-
tion, nay, positive injustice, in the ad-
ministration of affairs, both in the nat-
ural and moral worlds, there must be
a retributive scene of existence beyond
the grave, must, I think, be allowed
by, every one who will give himself a
moment's reflection. I will go farther,
and affirm that, from the sublimity,
excellence, and purity of His doctrine
and precepts, unparalleled by all the
aggregated wisdom and learning of
many preceding ages, though to wp-
pearance. He himself was theobscur-
est and most illiterate of our species —
therefore Jesus Christ was from God.
Whatever mitigates the woes or in-
creases the happiness of others, this is
my criterion of goodness ; and what-
ever injures society at large or any in-
dividual in it, this is my measure of
iniquity.'
What think you, madam, of my
creed ? I trust that I have said noth-
ing that will lessen me in tlie eye of
one whose good opinion I value almost
next to the approbation of my own
mind. R. B.
No. CLXIX.
TO MISS WILLIAMS.
EllislaNd, Aug. 1789 .
Madam, — Of the many problems in
the nature of that wonderful creature.
man, this is one of the most extraor-
dinary, that he shall go on from day
to day, from week to week, from
month to month, or perhaps from year
to year, suffering a hundred times more
in an hour from the impotent conscious-
ness of neglecting what he ought to do, ;C
than the very doing of it would cost <
him. 1 am deeply indebted to you,
first for a most elegant poetic compli-
ment ; then, for a polite, obliging let-
ter ; and, lastly.for your excellent poem
on the slave trade ; and yet, wretch
that I am ! though the debts were
debts of honour, and the creditor a
lady, I have put ofi and put off even,,,
the very acknowledgment of the obli-
gation, until you must indeed be the
very angel I take you for if you can
forgive me.
Your poem I have read with the
highest pleasure. I have a way when-
ever I read a book — I mean a book in
our own trade, madam, a poetic one — ,
and when it is my own property, that
I take a pencil and mark at the ends of
the verses, or note on margins and odd .
papers, little criticisms of approbation
or disapprobation as I peruse along. I
will make no apology for presenting
you with a few unconnected thoughts
that occurred to me in my repeated
perusals of your poem. I want to.,
show you that I have honesty enough .
to tell you what I take to be truthsi,
even when they are not quite on the
side of'apf)robation; and I do it in the .
firm faith that you have equal great-
ness of mind to hear them with pleasr
ure.
I had lately the honour of a letter
from Dr. Mepre, where he tells me
that he has sent me some books: they
are not yet come to hand, but I hear
they are on the way.
Wishing you all success in your pro-
gress in the path of fame; and that
you may equally escape the danger of
stumbling through incautious speed,
or losing ground through loitering'
neglect, I am, &c.,
R. B.,„.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
4C9
• No. CLXX.
TO MR. JOHN LOGAN.*
ELLISLANDf NEAR DUMFRIES, Aug. 7, 1789.
Dear Sie, — I intended to have writ-
ten you long ere now, and as I told
you I liad gotten three stanzas and a
half on my way in a poetic epistle to
yoii; liut'that old enemy of all good
works, the devil, threw me into a pro-
saic mire, and for the soul of me I can-
not get out of it. I dare not write you
a long letter, as I am going to intrude
on your time with a long ballad. I
have, as you will shortly see, finished
" Tlie Kirk's Alarm; " but now tjiat is
done, and that I have laughed once or
twice at the conceits in some of the
stanzas, I am determined not to let it get
into the public; so I send you this copy,
the first that I have sent to Ayrshire,
except some few of the stanzas, which
I wrote off in embryo for Gavin Hamil-
ton, under the express provision and
request that you will only read it to a
few of us, and do not on any account
give, oT permit to be taken, any copy
ot-the baUad. If I could be of any ser-
vice to Dr. M'Gill, I would do it,
though it should be at much greater
expense than irritating a few bigoted
priests; but I am afraid serving him
in his present embarras is a taslt too
hard for me. I have enemies enow,
God knows, though I do not wantonly
add to the number. Still, as I think
there is some merit in two or three of
the thoughts, I send it to you as a
small but sincere testimony how much
and with what respectful esteem, I
am, dear sir, your obliged humble ser-
vant,
E. B.
No: CLXXl.
TO MR.
Ellisland, Sept. 1785.
!Mt DEAK SrR,^The hurry of a far-
mer in this particular season, and the
indolence of a poet at all times and
* Of Knockshionock, in Glen Afton, Ayr-
shire.
seasons, will, J hope, plead my excuss
for neglecting so long to answer your
obliging letter of the 5th of August.
That you have done well in quitting
your laborious concern in , I do
not doubt; the weighty reasons you
mention were, I hope, very, and de-
servedly indeed, weighty ones, and
your health is a matter of the last im-
portance; but whether the remaining
proprietors of the paper have also
done well is what 1 mnch doubt.
The , so far as 1 was a reader, ex-
hibited such a brilliancy of point,
such an elegance of paragraph, and
such a variety of intelligence, that
I can hardly conceive it possible to
continue a daily paper in the saine de-
gree of excellence: but if there was a
man who had abilitips equal to the
task, that man's assistance the pro^
prietors have lost.
When I received your letter I was
transcribing for my letter to the
magistrates of the Canongate, Edin-
burgh, begging their permission to
place a tombstone over poor Fergus-
son, and their edict in consequence of
my petition, but now I shall send them
to . Poor Fergusson! If there
be a life beyond the grave, which I
trust there is; and if there be a good
God presiding over all nature, which I
am sure there is; thou art now enjoy=-
ing existence in a glorious world;
where worth of the heart alone is dis-
tinction in the man; where riches, de^
prived of all their pleasure-purchasing
powers, return to their native sordid
matter; where titles and honours are
the disregarded reveries of an idle,
dream: and where that heavy virtue,
which is the negative consequence- of
steady dulness,' and those thoughtless,
though often destructive, follies, which
are the unavoidable aberrations of
frail human nature, will be thrown
into equal oblivion as if they had never
been!
Adieu, my dear sir! So soon as
your present views and schemes are
concentrated in an aim, I shall be glad
to hear from you; as your welfare and
happiness is by no means a subject in-
different to yours, R.,B.
440
BURN'S' WORKS.
No. CLXXII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, Sept. 6, 1789.
Dear Madam, — I liave mentioned
in my last my appointment to the Ex-
cise, and the birth of little Frank;
who, by the by, 1 trust will be no dis-
credit to the honourable name of Wal-
lace,* as he has a fine manly counten-
ance, and a figure that mia;ht do credit
to a little fellow two months older;
and likewise an excellent good temper,
though when he pleases he has a pipe
only not quite so loud as the horn that
his immortal namesake blew as a sig-
nal to take out the pin of Stirling
bridge.
I had some time ago an epistle, part
poetic, and part prosaic, from your
poetess, Mrs. J. Little, a very ingeni-
ous but modest composition,! I should
* This child, named Francis Wallace, after
Mrs. Dunlop, died at the early age of four-
teea,
t The following letter accompanied Miss
Janet Little's poetical epistle : —
Loudon House, July 12; 1789.
Sir : — ^Though I have not the happiness of
being personally acquainted with you, yet
amongst the number of those who have read
and admired your publications, may I be per-
mitted to trouble you with this ? Vou must
know» sir, I am somewhat in love with the
Muses, though I cannot boast of any favours
they have deigned to confer upon me as yet ;
my situation in life has been very much
■against me as to that. I have spent some
years in and about Ecclefechan, (where my
parents resided,) in the station of a servant,
and am now come to Loudon House, at pres-
ent possessed by Mrs. ; she is daughter
to Mrs. Dunlop of Dunlop, whom I under-
stand you are particularly acquainted with.
As I had the jileasure of perusing your poems,
I felt a partiality for , the author, which I
should not hpive experienced had you been in
a more dlgilified station. I wrote a few verses
of address to you, which I did not then think
of ever presenting: but as fortune seems to
have favoured me in this, by bringing me in-
to a family by whom you are well known, and
much esteemed, and where, perhaps. T may
rhave an opportunity of seeing you.. I shall, in
hopes of your future friendship, talce theiib-
erty to transcribe them : —
Fair fa' the honest rustic swain.
The pride o' a* our Scottish plain ;
Thou gies us joy to hear thy strain.
And notes cae sweet ;
have written her as she requested, but
for the hurry of this new business.
I have heard of her and her composi-
tions in this country; and I am happy
to add, always to the honour of her
Old Ramsay's shade revived again.
In thee we greet.
Loved Thalia, that delightfu' muse,
Seem'd lan^ shut up as a recluse ;
To all she did her aid refuse.
Since Allan's day ;
Till Burns arose, then did she choose
To grace his lay.
To hear thy sang all ranks desire,
Sae weei you strike the dormant lyre,
Apollo with poetic fire
Thy breast doth warm.
And critics silently admire
Thy art to charm.
Caesar and Luath weel can speak,
'Tis pity e'er their gabs should steekj^
Butinlo human nature keek.
And knots unravel :
To hear their lectures once a week.
Nine miles I'd travel.
Thy dedication to G. H.,
An unco bonnie hame-spun speech,
Wi' winsome glee the heart can teach
A better lesson,
Than servile bards, who fawn and fiee<fi,
Like beggar's messon.
When slighted love becomes your theme.
And woman's faithless vows you blame,
With so much pathos you exclaim.
In your Lament ;
But, glanced by the most frigid dame,
She would relent.
The daisy, too, ye sing wi' skill.
And weel ye praise the whiskjr gill ;
In vain I blunt my feckless quill,
Vour fame to raise ; , >
While echo sounds frae ilka hill,
To Burns' praise.
Did Addison or Pope but hear.
Or Sam, that critic most severe,
A ploughboy sing wi* throat sae clear,
■ - They, in a rage.
Their works would a' in pieces tear.
And curse your page.
Sure Milton's eloquence we're faint.
The beauties of your verse to paint :
My rude unpolish'd strokes but taint
Their bnlliancy :
.The attempt would doubtless vex a saint,
And weel may thee.
The taskTU drop, wi* heart sincere.
To Heaven present my humble prayer,
That all the blessings mortals share.
May be by turns
Dispensed by an indulgent care
To Robert Burns !' . .
genekal' correspondence.
441
eliaracter. The fact is, I know not
well how to write to her ; I should sit
down to a sheet of paper that I knew
not how to stain. I ani no daub at fine-
drawn letter- writing; and, except when
prompted by friendship or gratitude,
or, which happens extremely rarely,
inspired by the Muse (I know not her
name) that presides over epistolary
writing, I sit down, when necessitated
to write, as I would sit down to beat
hemp.
Some parts of your letter of the 20th
August struck me with the most mel-
ancholy, concern for the state of your
mind at present.
Would I could write you a letter of
comfort; I would sit down to it with
as much pleasure as I would to write
an epic poem of my own composition
that should equal the Iliad. Religion,
jny dear friend, is the true comfort !
A strong persuasion in a future state
of existence; a proposition so obviously
probable that, setting revelation aside,
every nation ajid people, so far as
investigation has reached, for at
least near four thousand years, have
in some mode or other firmly believed
it. In vain would we reason and pre-
tend to doubt. I have myself done so
to a very daring pitch; but when I re-
flected that I was opposing the most
ardent wishes and the most darling
hopes of good men, and flying in the
face of all human belief in all ages, I
was shocked at my own conduct.
I know not whether I have ever sent
you the following lines, or if you have
ever seen them; but it is one of my
favourite quotations, which I keep con-
stantly by me in my progress through
life, in the language of the book of
Job,
"Against the day of battle and of war "—
spoken of religion: —
'."Tis this, toy friend) that strealts our morn-
ing bright,
'Tis this that gilds the horror of our night.
When wealth forsakes us, and when friends
are few,
When friends are faithless, or when foes
pursue ; [smart,
'Tis this that wards the blow, or stills the
nisarms affliction, or repels his dart ;
Within the breast bids purest raptures rise,
Bids smiling conscience spread her cloud-
less skies."
I have been busy with "Zeluco."'
The Doctor is so obliging as to request
my opinion of it;' and I have been re-
volving in my mind some kind of
criticisms on novel-writing, but it is a
depth beyond my research. I shall,
however, digest my thoughts on the
subject as well as I can. " Zeluco" is
a most sterling performance.
Farewell ! A IHeu,le bon Dieu,je
vous commende !
R. B.
No. CLXXJII.
TO CAPTAIN RIDDEL, CARSE.
Ellisland, Oct. 16, 1789.
SiK, — Big with -the idea of this im-
portant day at Friars' Carse, I have
watched the elements and skies, in
the full persuasion that they would
announce it to the astonished world
by some phenomena of terrific portent.
Yesternight until a very late hour did
I wait with anxious horror for the ap-
pearance of some comet firing half tlio
sky; or aerial armies of sanguinary.
Scandinavians, darting athwart the
startled heavens, rapid as the ragged
lightning, and horrid as those convul-
sions of natnre that bury nations.
The elements, however, seem to
take the matter very quietly: they did
not even usher in this morning with
triple siins and a shower of blood, sym-
bolical of the three potent heroes, and
the mighty claret-shed of the day. —
For me, as Thomson in his "'Winter"
says of the storm, I shall " Hear aston-
ished, and astonished sing"
The whistle and the man ; I sing
The man that won the whistle, &c.
Here are we met, three merry boys.
Three merry boys I trow are we ;
And mony a night we've merry been«
And mony mae we hope to be.
Wha first shall rise to gang awa,
A cuckold coward loon is he ;
Wha iast beside his chair shall fa"
He is the king amang us three.'^
To leave the heights of Parnassus
and c( ne to the humble vale of prose
* See the poem of " The Whislle," p. 120.
443
BURNS' WORKS.
—I have some misgivings that I take
too much upon me, when I request you
to get your guest, Sir Robert Lawrie,
to frank the two enclosed covers for
me, the one of them to Sir William
Cunningham, of Robertland, Bart., at
Kilmarnock,— the other to Mr. Allan
Masterton, writing-master, Edinburgh.
The first has a kindred claim on Sir
Robert, as being a brother Baronet,
and likewise a keen Foxite; the other
is one of the worthiest men in the
world, and a man of real genius; so,
allow me to say he has a fraternal
claim on you. I want them franked
for to-morrow, as 1 cannot get them to
the post to-night. — I shall send a
servant again for them iu the evening.
Wishing that your head may be crown-
ed with laurels to-night, and free from
aches to-morrow, I have the honour to
be, sir, your deeply-indebted humble
servant,
R. B.
No. CLXXIV.
TO THE SA.ME.
Ellisland, 1789.
Sib, — I wish from my inmost soul
it were in my power to give you a more
substantial gratification and return for
all the goodness to the poet, than tran-
scribing a few of his idle rhymes.
However, "an old song," though to
a proverb an instance of insignificance,
is generally the old coin a poet has
to pay with.
If. my poems which I have tran-
scribed, and mean still to transcribe,
into your book, were equal to the
grateful respect and high esteem I
bear for the gentleman to whom I pre-
sent them, they would be the finest
poems in the language; as they are,
they will at least be a testimony with
what sincerity I have the honour to be,
sir, your devoted humble servant,
R. B.
No. CLXXV.
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE. '
Ellisland, Nov. i, 1789.
My dear Friend, — I had written
you long ere now, could I have guessed
where to find you, for I am sure you
have more good sensethan to waste tlie ;
precious days of vacation time in the
dirt of business and Edinburgh. Wher-
ever you are, God bless you, and' lead
you not into temptation, but deliver '"
you from evil !
I do not know if I have informed you '
that I am now appointed to an Excise
division, in the middle of which my
house and farm lie. In this I was ex- -
tremely lucky. Without (ever having
been an expectant, as they call their
journeymen excisemen, I was directly
planted down to all intents and pur-
poses an officer of Excise; there to
flourish and bring forth fruits worthy
of repentance.
I know not how the word exciseman,
or still more opprobrious ganger, will
sound in your ears. I too have seen
the day when my auditory nerves
would have felt very delicately on this
subject; but a wife and children are
things which have a wonderful power
iu blunting these kind of sensations, v
Fifty pounds a year for life, and a prO'
vision for widows and orphans, you
will allow is no bad settlement for a
poet For the ignominy of the profes- J
sion, I have the encouragement which
I once heard a recruiting-sergeant give
to a numerous, if not to a respectable,. ,
audience, in the streets of Kilmarnock:
" Gentlemen, for your further and bet- ,
ter encouragement, I can assure you
that our regiment is the most black-
guard corps under the Crown, and con-
sequently with us an honest fellow >
has the surest chance of preferment."
You need not doubt that I find sev-
eral very unpleasant and disagreeable
circumstances in my business; but I
am tired with and disgusted at the lan-
guage of complaint against the evils of .
life. Human existence in tlie most •
favourable situations does not abound
with pleasures, and has its inconve'i.
iences and ills; capricious foolish maa
GENEKAn COKRESPONDENCE.
443
mistakes these iuconveoiences and ills
as if they were the peculiar property
of his particular situation; and hence
that eternal fickleness, that love of
change, which has ruined, ajid daily
does ruin many a fine fellow, as well
as many a blockhead, and is almost
without exception a constant source of
disappointment and misery.
I long to hear from you how you go
on-rrOiot so much in business as in life.
Are you pretty well satisfied with your
own exertions,and tolerably at ease in
your internal reflections ? 'Tis much
to be a great character as a j^wyer,
but .beyond comparison more to be a
great' character as a man. , That you
may be both the one and the other is
the earnest wish, and that you will be
both is the firm persuasion, of, my
dear sir, &c.,
E. B.
No. CLXXVI.
TO MR. RICHARD BROWN.
Ellisland, Nov. 4, 1789.
I HAVE been so hurried, my ever-
dear friend, that though I got both
your letters, I have not been able to
command an hour to answer them as I
wished; and even now you are to look
on this as merely confessing debt, and
craving days. Few things could have
given me so much pleasure as the
news that you were once more safe
and sound on terra jwma, and happy
in that place where happiiless is alone
to be found, in the fireside circle.
May the benevolent Director of all
things peculiarly bless you in all those
endearing connexions consequent on
' the tender and venerable names of
husband and father ! I have indeed
been extremely lucky in getting an ad-
ditional income of £50 a year, while
at the same time, the appointment will
not cost me above £10 or £12 per an-
num of expenses more than I must
have inevitably incurred. The worst
circumstance is that the Excise div-
ision which 1 have got is so extensive
—no less than ten parishes to ride over
— and it abounds besides with so much
business, that I can scarcely steal a
spare moment. However, labour en-
dears rest, and both together are ab-
solutely necessary for the proper en-
joyment of human existence. I can-
not meet you anywhere. No less than
an order from the Board of Excise at
Edinburgh is necessary before I can
have so much time a.s to meet you in
Ayrshire. But do you come and see
me. We must have a social day, and
perhaps lengthen it out with half the
night, before you go again to sea.
Tou are the earliest friend I now have
on earth, my brothers excepted: and
is not that an endearing circumstance ?
When you arid I first met, we were at
the green period of human life. The
twig would easily take a bend, but
would as easily return to its former
state. You and I not only took a mu-
tual bent, but, by the melancholy,
though strong influence of being both
of the family of the unfortunate, we
were entwined with one another in
our growth towards advanced age;
and blasted be the sacrilegious hand
that shall attempt to undo the union !
You and I must have one bumper to
my favourite toast, "May the com-
panions of our youth be the friends of
our old age 1" Come and see me one
year; I shall see you at Port Glasgow
the next, and if we can contrive to
have a gossiping between our two bed-
fellows, it will be so much additioiial
pleasure. Mrs. Burns joins me in
kind compliments to you and Mrs.
Brown. Adieu 1^— I am ever, my dear
sir, yohrs,
R. B.
OP
No. CLXXVII.
TO R. GRAHAM, ESQ.
FINTRAY.
Dec, 9, 1789.
Sra,— I have a good while had a
wish to trouble you with a letter, and
had certainly done it long ere now,
but for a humiliating something that
throws cold water on the resolution;
as if one should say, " You have
444
BURNS* WORKS.
found Mr. Gralmm u, very powerful
and kind friend indeed, and that in-
terest lie is so kindly taking in your
concerns you ought, by everything in
your power, to keep alive and cherish."
Now, though since God has thought
proper to make one powerful and an-
other helpless, the connexion of ohliger
and obliged is all fair: and though my
being under your patronage is to me
highly honourable; yet, sir, allow me
to Hatter myself that, as a poet and an
honest man, you first interested your-
self in ray welfare, and principally as
such still you permit me to approach
you.
I have found the Excise business go
on a great deal smoother with me than
1 expected ; owing a good deal to the
generous friendship of Mr. Mitchell,
my collector, and the kind assistance
of Mr. Findlater, my supervisor. I
dare to be honest, and I fear no labour.
Nor do I find my hurried life greatly
inimical to my correspondence with
the Muses. Their visits to me, indeed,
and I believe to most of their acquain-
tance, like the visits of good angels,
are short and far between : but I meet
them now and then, as I jog through
the hills of Nithsdale, jast as I used
to do on the banks of the Ayr. I take
the liberty to enclose yoa a few baga-
telles, all of them the productions of
my leisure thoughts in my Excise
rides.
If you know, or have ever seen Cap-
tain Grose, the antiquary, you will
enter into any humour that is in the
verses on him. Perhaps you have seen
them before, as I sent them to a Lon-
don newspaper. Though I daresay you
have none of the solemu-leagne-and
covenant fire, which shone so conspic-
uous in Lord George Gordon and the
Kilmarnock weavers, yet I think you
m have heard of Dr. M'Qill, one of
the clergymen of Ayr, and his hereti-
cal book. God help him, poor man !
Though he is one of the worthiest, as
well as one of the ablest, of the whole
priesthood of the Kirk of Scotland, in
every sense of that ambiguous term,
yet the poor Doctor and his numerous
family are in imminent danger of being
thrown out to the mercy of the winter-
winds. The enclosed ballad on that
business is, I confess, too local, but 1
laughed myself at some conceits in it,
though I aru convinced in my con-
science that there are a good many
heavy stanzas in it too.
The election ballad, as you will see,
alludes' to the present canvass in onr
string of boroughs. I do not believe
there will be such a hard-run match
in the whole general election.
1 am too little a man to have any po-
litical attachments ; I am deeply indebt-
ed to, ajjd have the warmest veneration
for, individuals of both parties; but a
man who has it in his power to be the
father of a country, and who . . . .,
is a character that one cannot «peak of
with patience.*
Sir J. J. does " what man can do,''
but yet I doubt his fate.f
No. CLXXVIII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, Dec. 13, 1789.
Many thanks, dear madam, for your
sheetful of rhymes. Though at present
I am below the veriest prose, yet from
you everything pleases. I am groaning
under the miseries of a diseased nervous
system; a system, the state of which ■
is most conducive to our happiness?ir
or the most productive of our misery.
For now near three weeks I have been
so ill with a nervous headache that I
have been obliged for a time to give up
my Excise books, being scarce able to
lift my head, much less to ride ome a
week over ten muir parishes. What is
man? To-day, in the luxuriance of
health, exulting in the enjoyment of
existence; in a few days, perhaps in a
few hours, loaded with conscious pain-
ful being, counting the tardy pace of
the lingering moments by the reper-
cussions of anguish, and refusing or
* Dr. Currie h- s here obviously suppressed a
bitttr allusion to the Duke of Queensbury. , -
t The enclosures in this letter were *' The
Kirk's Alarm," the verses on Grose, and the
first ballad on Captain Miller's election.
GENERAL. CORRESPONDENCE.
denied a comforter. Day follows nlglit,
pjid uiglit comes after day, only to
curse liim witli life whicli gives him
no pleasure; and yet the awful, dark
termination of that life is something at
which he recoils.
'* Tell us, ye dead ; will none of you in pity
Disclose the secret
IVhat 'tis you are^ and ive must shortly be ?
'Tis no matter, [are."
A little time will make us learn'd as you
Can it be possible that when I resign
this frail, feverish being, I shall still
find myself in conscious existence V
When the last gasp of agony has an-
nounced that I am no more to those
that knew me; and the few who loved
-me; when the cold, stiffened, uncon-
scious, ^ghastly corse is resigned into
the earth, to be the prey of unsightly
reptiles, and to become in time a trod-
den clod, shall I be yet warm in life,
seeing and seen, enjoying and en-
joyed ? Ye venerable sages, and holy
itiamens, is there probability in your
conjectures, truth in your stories, of
another .world beyond death; or are
they all alike, baseless visions, and
fabricated fables ? If there is another
life, it must be only for the just, the
benevolent, the amiable, and the hu-
mane; what a flattering idea, then, is
a world to come J Would to God I as
firmly believed it as lardently wish it !
• -There I should meet an aged parent,
now at rest from the many buffetings
of an evil world, against which he so
long and so bravely struggled. There
ishould I meet the friend, the disin-
terested friend of my early life; the
man who rejoiced to see me, because
he loved me and could serve me. —
Muir,* thy weaknesses were the aber-
rations of human nature, but thy heart
glowed with everything generous,
inanly, and noble; and if ever emana-
tion from the all-good Being animated
a human form, it was ttiine ! There
should I, with Speechless agony of
rapture, again recognise my lost, my
ever-dear Mary ! whose bosom was
fraught with truth, honour, constancy,
and love.
* Muir was one of the'poet's eafliest friends.
" My Mary, dear departed shade !
Where is thy place of heavenly rest ? .
Seest thou thy lover lowly laid? ■ [brSast?"
Hear'st thou the groans that rend his'
Jesus Christ, tbou amiablest of char-
acters ! I trust Thou art no impostor,
and that thy revelation of blissful
scenes of existence beyond death and
the grave is not one of the many im-
positions which time after tiine' have
been palmed on credulous man-
kind. I trust that in Thee " shall all
the families of th e earth be blessed,"
by being yet connected together in a
better world, where every tie that
bound heart to heart, in this state of
existence, shall be, far beyond our
present conceptions, more endearing.
I am a good deal inclined to think
with those who maintain that what are
called nervous affections are in fact
diseases of the mind. I cannot reason,
I cannot think; and but to you I would
not venture to write anything above an
order to a cobbler. You have felt too
much of the ills of life not to sympa-
thise with a diseased wretch, who has
impaired more than half of any facul-
ties he possessed. Your goodness will
excuse this distracted scrawl, which
the writer dare scarcely read, and
which he would throw into the fire,
were he able to write anything better,
or indeed anything at all.
Rumour told me something of a sort
of yours who was returned from the
East or West Indies. If you have got-
ten news from James or Anthony, it
was cruel in you not to let me know ;
as I promise you, on the sincerity of a
man, who is weary of one world, and
anxious about another, that scarce any-
thing could give me so much pleasure
as to hear of any good thing befalling
my honoured friend.
If you have a minute's leisure, take
up your pen in pity to Ic pauvre mis,
ercAle, E. B.
No. CLXXIX.
TO LADY Wr
LADY WriNIFRED] M[AX-
WELL] CONSTABLE.
Ellisland, Dec. i6, 17S9. '
My Lady, — In vain have I from day
to day expected to hear from Mrs.
446
BUENS' WOEKS.
Young, as she promised me at Dals-
winton tliat slie would do me the hon-
our to introduce me at Tinwald ; and
it was impossible, not from your lady-
ship's accessibility, but from my own
feelings, that I couldgo alone. Lately,
indeed, Mr. Maxwell of Carruchen, in
his usual goodness, ofEered to accom-
pany me, when an unlucky indispooi-
tioa on my part hindered my embrac-
ing the opportunity. To court the
notice or the tables of the great, except
where I sometimes have had a little
matter to ask of them, or more often
the pleasanter task of witnessing my
gratitude to them, is what I never
have done, and I trust never shall do.
But with your ladyship 1 have the
honour to be connected by one of the
strongest and most endearing ties in
the whole moral world. Common suf-
ferers in a cause where even to be un-
fortunate is glorious, the cause of
heroic loyalty ! Though my fathers
had not illustrious honours and vast
properties to hazard in the contest,
though they left their liumble cottso;es
only to add so many units more to thft
unnoted crowd that followed their
leaders, yet what they could they did,
and what they had they lost : with un-
shaken firmness and unconcealed polit-
ical attachments, they shook hands
with ruin for what they esteemed the
cause of their king and their country.
This language and the enclosed verses
are for * for your ladyship's eye alone.
Poets are not very famous for their
prudence : but as I can do nothing for
a cause which is now nearly no more,
I do hot wish to hurt myself. I have
the honour to be, my lady, your lady-
ship's pbliged and obeient humble
servant, B. B.
No. CLXXX.
TO PROVOST MAXWELL, OP
LOCHMABEN.
Ellisland, Dec. 20, 1789.
Dear Provost, — As my friend Mr.
Graham goes for your good town to-
* Those addressed to Mr. William Tytler.-
See p. 110.
morrow, I cannot resist the. tempta-
tion to send you a few lines, and asl
have nothing to say, I have chosen
this sheet of foolscap, and begun 'as
you see at the top of the first page,
because I have ever observed that
when once people have fairly set out
they know not where to stop. Now
that my first sentence is concluded, I
have nothing to do but to pray Heaven
to help me on to another. Shall I
write you on politics or religion,
two master-subjf ets for your sayers of
nothing? Of the fiigt I dare say by
this time you are nearly surfeited ; and
for. the last, vifhenever they may taJk
of it who make it a kind of company
concern, I never could endure it beyond
a soliloquy. I might write you on
farming, on building, on marketing,
but my poor distracted mind is so toruj
so jaded, so racked, and bedeviled
with the task of the superlatively
damned to make one guinea do the busi-
ness of three, that 1 detest, abhor, and
swoon at the very word business,
though no less than four letters of my
very short surname are in it.
Well, to make the matter short, I
shall betake myself to a subject ever
fruitful of themes ; a subject the tur-
tle feast of the sons of Satan, and the
delicious secret sugar plum of the
babes of grace — a subject sparkling
with all the jewels that wit can find in
the mines of genius ; and pregnant
with all the stores of . learning from
Moses and Confucius to Franklin and
Priestley — in short, may^jt please your
lordship, I intend to write. . . .
{Here the poet inserted a song whieh
can only he sung at times when the
punch howl has done its duty, and
wUd wit is setfree.l
If at any time you expect a field-
day * in your town, a day when dukes,
earls, and knights pay their court to
weavers, tailors, ajid cobblers, I should
like to know of it two or three days
beforehand. It is not that I care three
skips of a cur dog for the politics, but
I should like to see such an exhibition
* TJie poet alludes to the Miller and Joliti-
stone contest.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
447
of human nature. If you meet witli
that worthy old veteran in religion and
good fellowship, Mr. Jeffrey,* or any
of his amiable fainily, I beg you will
give them my best compliments.
R. B.
No. CLXXXI.
' TO SIR JOHN SINCLAIR.
1790.
Sm, — The following circumstance
has, I believe, been omitted in the sta-
tistical account transmitted to you of
the parish of Dunscore in Nithsdale.
;I beg leave to send it to you, because
it is n^w and may be useful. How
far it is deserving of a place in your
patriotic publication you are the best
■judge:
■ To store the minds of the lower
elasses with useful knowledge is cer-
tainly of very great importance, both
to them as individuals, and to society
at large. Giving them a turn for
reading and reflection is giving them a
source of innocent and lauda,ble
amusement; and besides, raises them
to a more dignified degree in the scale
of rationality. Impressed with this
idea, a gentleman in this parish,
Robert Riddel, Esq., of Glenriddel,
set on foot a species of circulating li-
brary, on a plan so simple as to be
practicable in any corner of the coun-
try; and so useful as to deserve the
•notice of every country gentleman who
thinks the improvement of that part of
his own species, whom chance has
throvvn into the humble walks of the
peasant and the artisan, a matter
worthy of his attention.
' Mr. Riddel got a number of his own
tenants and farming neighbours to
form themselves into a society for the
purpose of having a library among
themselves. They entered into a legal
engagement to abide by it for three
years; with a saving clause or two, in
"'* The' Reverend Andrew Jeffrey, minister
of Lochmaben, and father of the heroine of
that, exquisite song, " The Blue-Eyed Lass "
(" I gaed a waefu' gate yestreen.")
case of a removal to a distance, or
death. Each member, at his entry,
paid five shillings; and at each of their
meetings, which were held every
fourth Saturday, sixpence more. With
their entry-money, and the credit which
they took on the faith of their future
funds, they laid in a tolerable stock
of books at the commencenJeut. What
authors they Vi^ere to purchase was al-
ways decided by the majority. At
every meeting, all the books, under
certain fines and forfeitures, by way
of penalty were to be produced ; and
the members liad their choice of the
volumes in rotation. He whose name
stood for that night first on the list
had his choice of what volume he
pleased in the whole collection; the
second had his choice after the first;
the third after the second, and so on to
the last. At next meeting, he who
had been first on the list at the pre-
ceding meeting was last at this; he
who had been second weis first; and so
on through the whole three years. At
the expiration of the engagement, the
books were sold by auction, but only
among the members themselves; each
man had his share of the common
stock, in money or in books, as he
chose to be a purchaser or not.
At the breaking up of this little
society, which was formed under Mr.
Riddel's patronage, what with bene-
factions of books from him, and what
with their, own purchases, they had
collected together upwards of one
hundred and fifty volumes. It will
easily be guessed that a good deal of
trash would be bought. Among the
books, however, of this little library,
were Blair's Sermons, Robertson's
Histwy of Scotland, Hume's History 0}
of the Stuarts, the Spectator, Idler,
Adventurer, Mirror, Lounger, Ob-
server, "Man of Peeling," "Man
of the World," " Ghrysal," ' Don
Quixote,'" " Joseph Andrews," <i:c. A
peasant who can read and enjoy such
books is certainly a much superior
being to his neighbour, who perhaps
stalks beside his team, very little re-
moved, except in shape, from the
brutes he drives.
-448
BUKNS' WOEKS.
Wisliing yx)ur patriotic exertions
their somucli-merited success, I am,
■ sir, your humble servant,
A Peasant.
No. CLXXXII.
TO CHARLES SHABPE, ESQ., OF
HODDAM.
(UNDER A FICTITIOUS SIGNATtJIlE,
ENCLOSING A BALLAD.
1790 OE 1791.)
It is true, sir, you are a gentleman
of rank and fortune, and I am a poor
devil; you are a feather in the cap of
society, and I am a very hobnail in his
shoes; yet I have the honour to belong
to the same family with you, and on
that score I now address you. You
will perhaps suspect that I am going
to claim affinity with the ancient and
honorable liouse of Kirkpatrick. No,
no, sir; I cannot indeed be properly
said to belong to any house, or even
any province or kingdom; as my
mother, who for many years was
spouse to a marching regiment, gave
me into this bad world aboard the
packet boat, somewhere between
Ponaghadee and Portpatrick. By our
common family, I mean, sir, the family
of the Muses, I am a fiddler and a
poet; and you, I am told, play an ex-
quisite violin, and have ,a standard
taste in the belles lettres. The other
day, a brother catgut gave me a charm-
ing Scots air of your composition. If
I was pleased with the tune, I was in
raptures with the title you have given
it; and, taking up the idea, I have spun
it into the three stanzas enclosed. Will
you allow me, sir, to present you them,
as the dearest offspring that a misbe-
gotten son of poverty and rhyme has to
give ? I have a longing to take you
by the hand and unburthen my heart
by saying, "Sir, I honour you as a man
who supports the dignity of Imman
nature, amid an age when frivolity
jand avarice have, between them, de-
(based us below the brutes that perish !"
But, alas, sir, to mi; you are .unap-
proachable. It is true, the Muses
baptized me in Castalian streams, but
the thoughtless gipsies forgot to give
me a name. As the sex have served
many a good fellpw, the Nine have
given me a great deal of pleasure,
but, bewitching . jftdes ! they have
beggared me. Would they but spare
me a little of their cast linen ! Were
it only in my power to say that I
have a shirt on my back I But the
idle wenches, like Solomon's lilies,
"they toil not, neither do they spin;"
so I must e'en continue to tie my rem-
nant of a cravat, like the hangman's
rope, round my naljed throat, and
coax my galligaskins to keep together
their many-coloured fragments. As
to the affair of shoes, I have given
that up. My pilgrimages in my bal-
lad trade, from town to town, and on
your stony-hearted turnpikes, too, are
what not even the hide of Job's behe-
moth could beaf. The coat on my
back is no more: I shall not speak evil
of the dead. It would be equally un-
handsome and ungrateful to find fault
with my old suitout, which so kindly
supplies and conceals the want of that
coat. My hat indeed is a great fa-
vourite; and though I got it literally
for an old song, I would not exchange
it for the best beaver in Britain. I
was, during several years, a kind of
factotum servant to a country clergy-
man, where I pickt up a good many
scraps of learning, particularly in
some branches of the mathematics.
Whenever I feel inclined to rest my-
self on my way, I take my seat under
a hedge, laying my poetic wallet on
the ore side, and my fiddle-case on the
other, and placing my hat between my
legs, 1 can by means of its brim, or
rather brims, go through the whole
doctrine of the conic sections.
However, sir, don't let me mislead
you, as if I would interest your pity.
Fortune has so much forsaken me
that she has taught me to live without
her; and, amid all my rags and pov-
erty, I am as independent, and much
more happy than a monarch of the
world. According to the hackneyed
metaphor, I value the several actors
GENERAL COBEESPONDENCE.
*449
intlie great drama of life simply as
they act their parts. I caa look on
a worthless fellow of a duke with un-
qualified contempt, and can regard an
honest scavenger with sincere respect.
As you, sir, go through your r6le with
such distinguished . merit, permit me
to make one in the chorus of universal
applause, and assure you that with the
highest respect, I have the honour to
he, &c.
No. CLXXXIII.
TO MR. GILBERT BURNS.
ELLisuufD, Jan. ii, 1790.
' Deab Bbothek, — I mean to take
advantage of thtj frank, though I have
not in my present frame of mind much
appetite for exertion in writing. My
nerves are in a cursed state. 1 feel
' that horrid hypochondria pervading
every atom of both body and soul.
This farm has undone my enjoyment
of myself. It is a ruinous affair on all
' hands. But let it go to hell ! I'll
"fight it out and be off with it.
I We have gotten a, set of very de-
cent players here just now. I have
seen them an evening or two. David
Campbell, in Ayr, wrote to me by the
manager of the company, a Mr. Suth-
erlajid, who is a man of app3.rent
worth. On New-year-day evening I
gave him the following prologue,*
which he spouted to his audience
with applause.
I can no more. If once I was clear
of this cursed farm, I should respire
more at ease.
E. B.
No. CLXXXIV.
TO WILLIAM DUNBAR, W. S.
EllislaKd, Jan. 14, 1790.
SnfCB we are here creatures of a day,
since " a few summer days, and a few
winter nights, and the life of man is
at an exid.," why, my dear, much-es-
* See prologue,, p. 124.
teemed sir, should you and I let negli-
gent indolence, for I know it is nothing
worse, step in between us and' bar the
enjoyment of a mutual correspondence?
We are not shapen out of the common,
heavy, methodical clod, the elemental
stuff of the ploddmg selfish race, the
sons of arithmetic and prudence; our
feelings and hearts are not benumbed
and poisoned by the cursed influence
of riches, which, whatever blessings
they may be in other respects, are no
f riendis to the nobler qualities of the
heart: in the name of random sensi-
bility, then, let never the moon
change on our silence any more. I
have had a tract of bad health most
pait of the winter, else you had heard
from me long ere now. Thank
Heaven, I am now got so much
better as to be able to partake a little
in the enjoyments of life.
Our friend Cunningham will per-
haps have told you of my going into
the Excise. The truth is, I found it a
very cor(venient business to have £50
per annum, nor have I yet felt'any of
these mortifying circumstances in it
that I was led to fear.»
Jfd). 2. — I have not for sheer hurry
of business, been able to spare five
minutes to finish my letter. Besides
my farm business, I ride on my Excise
matters at least 300 miles every week.
I have not by any means given up the
Muses. You will see in the 3d vol-
ume of Johnson's Scots songs that I
have contributed my mite there.
But, my dear sir, little ones that
look up to you for paternal protection
are an important cliarge. I have al-
ready two fine healthy stout little fel-
lows, and I wish to throw some light
upon them. I have a thousand rev-
eries and schemes about them, and
their future destiny. Not that I am
a Utopian projector in these things.
I am resolved never to breed up a son
of mine to any of the learned profes-
sions. I know the value of ' indepen-
dence; and since I cannot give my
sons an independent fortune, I shall
give them an independent line of life.
What a chaos of hurry, chance, and
changes is tliis world when one sits
430
'BURNS' 'WORKS: "
soberly down to reflect on it ! To-a
father, who himself knows the ■world,
the thought that he shall have sons to
•usher into it must flU him with
dread; but if he have daughters, the
prospect in a thoughtful moment is
apt ta uhock him.
I liope Mrs. Fordyee and the two
. young ladies are -well. Do let me for-
get that they are nieces of yours,
and let me say that I never saw a
more interesting, sweeter pair of sis-
ters in my life. I am the fool of my
feelings and attachments. I often take
up a volume of my Spenser to realise
you to my imagination, and think over
the social scenes we have had together.
God grant that there may be another
■world more congenial to honest fel-
lows beyond- this. A world where
these rubs and jilagues of absence,
distance, misfortunes, ill health, &c.,
shall no more damp hilarity and di-
vide friendship. This I know is your
throng season, but half a page will
much oblige, my dear sir, yours sin-
cerely,
R. B.
No. CLXXXV.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Elljsland, Jan. 25, 1790.
It has been owing to unremitting
hurry of business that I have not writ-
ten to you, madam, long ere now. My
health is greatly lietter, and I now be-
gin once more to share in satisfaction
and enjoyment with the rest of my
fellow -creatures.
Many thanks, my mucli-esteemed
friend, for your kind letters; but why
will you make me run the risk of be-
ing contemptible and mercenary in my
own eyes ? When I pique myself on
my independent spirit, I hope it is
neither poetic licence, nor poetic rant;
and I am so flattered with the honour
you have done me, in making me your
compeer in friendship and friendly
correspondence, that I cannot, without
pain and a degree of mortification, be
reminded of the real inequality be
tween our situations.
Mosfsincerely do I rejoice ■with you,
dear madam, in the good news of An-
thony. Not only your anxiety about
his fate, but my own esteem for such
a noble, warm-hearted, manly young
fellow, in the little I liad of his ac-
quaintance, has interested me deeply
in his fortunes.
Falconer, the unfortunate author of
the " Shipwreck," which you so much
admire, is no more. After witnessing
the dreadful catastrophe he so feel-
ingly describes in his poem, and after
weathering many hard gales of for-
tune, he went to the bottom ^vith the
Aurora frigate!
I forget what part of Scotland had
the honour of giving him- birth; but
he was the son of obscurity and mis-
fortune. He v^as one of those daring
adventurous spirits, which Scotland,
beyond any other country, is remark-
able for producing; Little does the
fond mother think, as she hangs de-
lighted over the sweet little leech at
her bosom, where the poor fellow may
hereafter wander, and what may be his
fate. I remember a stanza in an old
Scottish ballad, which, notwithstand-
ing its rude simplicity, speaks feelingly
to the heart—
" Little did my mother think.
That day she cradled me,-
What land 1 was to travel in.
Or what death I should die !'**
Old Scottish songs are, you know, a
favourite study and pursuit of miiie,
and now I "am bri that subject, allow
me to give you two stanzas of another
old simple ballad, which 1 am surp
will please you. The catastrophe of
the piece is a poor ruined feraale," la-
menting her fate. She concludes with
this pathetic wish: —
" Oh that my father had ne'er on me smiled^-
Oh that my mother had ne'er to me sung !
Oh that my cradle had iievei- been lock'd f
But that 1 had died when 1 -was young!
Oh that the grave it were my bed ;
My blankets were my winding-ateet;'
The clocks and the worms my bed-fellows a'
And, oh, sae sound as 1 should sleep !"
♦This touching sentiment occurs in the Bal-.
lad of the " Queen's Marie," or, as some sets
have it, ^ Mary Hamilton."
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
431
I do not remember, in all my read-
ing, to have met with anything more
truly the language of misery than the
exclamation in the last line. Misery
is like love ; to speak its language truly,
the author must have felt it.
- I am every day expecting the doctor
to give your little godson* the small-
pox. They are n/c in the coiintry,
.jind I tremble for his fate. Hy the way,
I cannot help congratulating you on
his looks and spixit. Every person
who sees him acknowledges him to be
the finest, handsomest child he has
.ever seen. I am myself delighted with
the manly ^well of his little chest, and
a certain miniature dignity in the car-
riage of his head, and the glance of
his fine black eye, which promise the
undaunted gallantry of an independent
inind. .
I ,tlionght to have sent you some
rhymes, but time forbids. 1 promise
you poetry until you are tijted of it,
next time I have the honour of assur-
ing you how truly I am, &c,
R. B.
No. CLXXXVI.
TO MR. PETER HILL,
BOOKSELLER, EDINBURGH.
Ellislakd, Feh. 2, 1790.
No ! I will not say one word about
apologies or excuses for not writing —
-I am a poor rascally ganger, condemn-
,ed to gallop at least 300 miles every
week to inspect dirty ponds and yeasty
barrels, and where can I find time to
■write to, or importance to interest any-
body? The upbraidings of my con-
science, nay, the upbraidings of my
wife, have persecuted me on your ac-
count these two or three months past.
I wish to God I was a great man, that
my correspondence might throw light
upon you, to let the world see what
you, leally are; and then I would make
.your fortune, without puttingmy hand
in my pocket for you, which, like all
-fither great men, 1 suppose I would
* The bard's second son, Francis,
avoid as much as possible. . What i^re
you doing, and how are you. doing 1!
Have you lately seen any of my few
friends? What has become of the
BOROUGH KEFOKM, OX how is the fate
of my poor namesake. Mademoiselle
Bums decided ? 0 man ! but for thee
and thy selfish appetites, end dishonest
artifices, that beauteous form, and that
once innocent and still ingenuous mind,
might have shone conspicuous and
lovely in the faithful wife, and the af-
fectionate mother; and shall the un-
fortunate sacrifice to thy pleasures have
no claim on thy humanity 1 *
I saw lately in a review some ex-
tracts from a new poem, called the
" Village Curate ;" send- it me. I want
likewise a cheap copy of ' ' The, World. "
Mr. Armstrong, the young poet, who
does me the honour to mention me so
kindly in his works, please give him
my best thanks for the copy of his
book — I shall write him my first leisure
hour. I like his poetry much, but I
think his style in prose quite astonish-
ing.
Your book came safe, and I am go-
ing to trouble you with further com-
missions. I. call it troubling you—
because I want only books ; the cheap-
est way, the best; so you may have to
hunt for them in the evening auctions.
I want Smollett's Works, for the sake
of his incomparable humour. I have
already "Roderick Random," and
"Humphrey Clinker." "Peregrine
Pickle," " Laiincelot Greaves," and
"Ferdinand, Count Fatliohi," I still
want; but as I said, the veriest ordi-
nary copies will serve me. I am nice
only in the appearance of my poets. I
forget the price of Cowper's Poems,
but, I believe, I must have them. I
saw the other day proposals for a pub-
lication, entitled, " Banks' New and
Complete Christian's Family Bible,"
printed for C. Cooke, Paternoster Row,
London. He promises, at least, to give
in the work, I think it is three hun-
dred and odd engravings, to which he
* The frail female Here alluded to had been
the subject.oi .some rather oppressive magisi
terial proceedings, which took their char^ctei
from Creechiakia roused some public feeling id
I ber behalf.
BUKNS' WOEKS.
has put the names of the first a.rtists in
London. You will know the character
of the performance, as some numbers
of it are published; and, if it is really
what it pretends to be, set me down as.a
subscriber, and send me the published
numbers.
Let me hear from you, your first lei-
sure minute, and trust me you shall
in future have no reason to complain
of my silence. The dazzling perplex-
ity of novelty will dissipate, and leave
me to pursue my course in the quiet
path of methodical routine.
R. B.
No. CLXXXVII.
TO MR. W. NICOL.
Ellisland, Feb. g, 1790.
My dear Str, — That (lamned mare
of yours is dead. I would freely have
given her price to have saved her: she
has vexed me beyond description. In-
debted as I was to your goodness beyond
what I can ever repay, I eagerly grasp-
ed at your offer to have the mare with
me. That I might at least show my
readiness in wishing to be grateful, I
took every care of her in my power.
She was never crossed for riding above
halt a score of times by me, or in my
keeping. I drew her in the plough,
one of three, for one poor week. I re •
fused fifty-fiveshillings for her, which
was the highest bode I could squeeze
for her. I fed her up and had her in
fine order for Dumfries fair; when,
four or five days before the fair, she
was seized with an unaccountable dis-
order in the sinews, or somewhere in
the bones of the neck, with a weakness
or total want of power in her fillets,
and in short the whole vertebrae of
her spine seemed to be diseased and
unhinged, and in eight-and- forty hours,
■in spite of the two best farriers in the
country, she died, and be damned to
her ! The farriers said that she had
been quite strained in the fillets be-
yond cure before you had bought her ;
and that the poor devil, though she
might keep a little flesh, had been
jaded and quite worn out with fatigue.
and oppression. While she was with
me, she was under my own eye, and I
assure you, my much-valued friend^
everything was done for her that could
be done; and the accident has vexed
me to the heart. In fact I could not
pluck up spirits to write to you, on
account of the unfortunate business.
There is little new in this country.
Our theatrical company, of which you
must have heard, leave us this week.
Their merit and character are indeed
very great, both on the stage and in
private life; not a worthless creature
among them; and their encouragement
has been accordingly. Their usual run
is from eighteen to twenty-five pounds
anight; seldom less than the one, and
the house will hdlii no more than the
other. There Imve been repeated in-
stances of sending away six, and eight,
and ten pounds a night for want of
room. A new theatre is to be built by
subscription; the first stone is to be
laid on Friday first to come. Three
hundred guineas have been raised by
thirty subscribers, and thirty more
might have been got if wanted. The
manager, Mr. Sutherland, '-was intro-
duced to me by a friend from Ayr; and
a worthier or cleverer fellow I have
rarely met with. Some of our clergy
have slipt in by stealth now and then;
but they have got up a farce of their
own. You must have heard how the
Rev. Mr. Lawson, of Kirkinahoe,
seconded by the Rev. Mr. Kirkpatricfc,
of Dunscore, and the rest of that fac-
tion, have accused, in formal process,
the unfortunate and Rev. Mr. Herqir,
of Kirkgunzeon, that, in ordaining
Mr. Nieleon to the cure of souls in
Kirkbean, he, the said Heron, feloni-
ously and treasonably bound the said
NielsQn to the confession of faith, so
far as it was agreeable to reason and
the word of God !
Mrs. B. begs to be remembered most
gratefully to you. Little Bobby and
Frank are charmingly well and healthy.
I am jaded to death with fatigue. For
these two or three months, on an aver-
age, I have not ridden less than two
hundred miles per week. I have done
little in the poetic way.. I have given
GENERAL tTORRESPONDENCE.
^53
Mr. Sutherland two Prologues; one of
which was delivered last week. I have
likewise strung fcur or five barbarous
stanzas, to 'the tune of " Chevy Chase,"
by way of Elegy on your poor unfor-
tuna<.a mare, beginning (the name she
got nere was Peg- Nicholson.)
" Peg Nicholson was a good bay mare.
As ever trode on aim ;
But now she's floating down the Nith,
And past the mouth o' Cairn."
(Seep. 127.)
My best compliments to Mrs. Nicol,
and little Neddy, and all the fariiily; I
hope Ned is a good scholar, and will
come out to gather nuts and apples
with mo next harvest.
R. B.
No. CLXXXVIII.
TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.
Ellisland, Feb. 13, 1790.
I BEG your pardon, my dear and
much- valued friend, for writing to you
on this very unfashionable, unsightly
sheet — ,
" My poverty, but not my will, consents."
But to make amends, since of modish
post I have none, except one poor
widowed half-sheet of gilt, which lies
in my drawer among my plebeian fools-
cap pages, like the widow of a man of
fashion, whom that unpolite scoundrel,
iJecessity, has driven from Burgundy
a.nd pineapple, to a dish of Bohea, with
the scandsil-bearing helpmate of a vil-
lage priest; or a glass of whiskey -tod-
dy, with a ruby-nosed yoke-fellow of a
foot-padding exciseman — I make a vow
to enclose this sheetful of epistolary
jfragments in that my only scrap of
gilt paper.
I am indeed your unworthy debtor
for three friendly letters. I ought to
have written to you long ere now, but
it is a literal fact I have scarcely a
spare moment. It is not that I imll not
write to you; M'ss Burnet is not more
dear to her guardian angel, nor his
grace the Duke of Queensberry to the
powers of darkness, than my friend
Cunningham to me. It is not that I
cannot write to you; should you doubt
it, take the following fragment, which
was intended for you some time ago,
and be convinced that 1 can antitliisite
sentiment, and circumvolute periods,
as well as any coiner of phrase in the
regions of philology: —
December, 1789.
My deab Cunningham, — Where
are you ? And what are you doing 1
Can you be that son of levity, who
takes up a friendship as he takes up a
fashion; or are you, like some other of
the worthiest fellows in the world,
the victim of indolence, laden with
letters of ever-increasing weight ?
What strange beings we are ! Since
we have a, portion of conscious ex-
istence, equally capable of enjoying
pleasure, happiness, and rapture, or
of suffering pain, wretchedness, and
inisery, it is surely worthy of an in-
quiry, whether there be not such a,
thing as a science of life; whether
method, economy, and fertility of ex-
pedients, be not applicable to enjoy-
ment: and whether there be not a
want of dexterity in pleasure, which
renders our little scantling of happi-
ness still less; and a profuseness, an
intoxication in bliss, which leads to
satiety, disgust, and self-abhorrence.
There is not a doubt but that health,
talents, character, decent competency,
respectable friends, are real substantial
blessings, and yet do we not daily see
those who enjoy many or all of these
good things contrive notwithstanding
to be as unhappy as others to whose
lot few of them have fallen ? I believe
one great source of this mistake or
misconduct is owing to a certain stim-
ulus, with us called ambition, which
goads us up the hill of life, not as we
ascend other eminences, for the laud-
able curiosity of viewing an extended
landscape, but rather for the dishonest
pride of looking down on others of our
fellow-creatures, seemingly diminutive
in humbler stations, &c.
Sunday, Feb. 14, 1790.
God help me I I am now obliged to
join
*' Night to-day, and Sunday to the week."
434
BUHXS' WORKS.
If tliere be any tnitli in the ortliodox
faith of these churches, I am damned
past redemption, and what is worse,
damned to all eternity. I am deeply
read in Boston's Fourfold State, Mar-
shall on Sanotification, Guthrie's Trial
of a Saving Interest, &c. ; but "there
is no balni in Gilead, there is no
physician there,'' for me; so I shall
e'en turn Arminian, and trust to " sin-
cere though imperfect obedience. "
Tuesday, i6th.
Ltjckilt for me, I was prevented from
the discussion of the knotty point at
which I had just made a full stop. All
my fears and cares are of this world:
if there is another; an honest man has
nothing to fear from it. I hate a man
that wishes to be a Deist; but I fear
every fair unprejudiced inquirer must
in some degree be a sceptic. It is not
that there are any very staggering ar-
guments against the immortality of
man; but, like electricity, phlogiston,
&c., the subject is so involved in dark-
ness that we want data to go upon.
One thing frightens me much; that we
are to live forever, seems too good news
to he true. That we are to enter into
^ new scene of existence, where, ex-
empt from want and pain, we shall en-
joy ourselves and our friends without
satiety or separation — how much
should I be indebted to any one who
could fully assure me that this was
certain !
My time is once more expired. I
will write to Mr. Gleghorn soon.
God bless him and all his concerns !
And may all the powers that preside
over conviviality and friendship be
present with all their kindest influ-
ence, when the bearer of this, Mr.
Syme, and you meet ! I wish I could
also make one.
Finally, brethren, farewell ! What-
soever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are gentle, whatsoever things
are charitable, whatsoever things, are
kind, think on these things and think
on
K. B.
No. CLXXXIX.
TO MR. HILL.
Ellisland, March a, 1790.
At a late meeting of the Monkland
Friendly Society, it was resolved to
augment their library by the following
books, which you are to send us as
soon as possible: — The Mirror, 'l^e
Lounger, " Man of Feeling," " Man of
the World,", (these, for my own salve,
I wish to have by. the first carrier,)
Knox's History of the Reformation f
Rae's History of the Rebellion in 17151
any good History of the Rebellion j^
1745 ; A Display of the Secession Afi
and Testimony, by Mr;'Gilj)b; Hervey's
Meditations; Beveridge's'., Thojights;
and another copy of tVitsbn's Body of
Divinity.
I wrote to Mr. A. Masterton, three or
four months ago, to pay some money
he owed me into your hands, .and
lately I wrote to you to the same pur-
pose, but I have heard from neither
one nor other of you.
In addition to the books I commisr
sioned in my last, I want very much
an Index to the Excise Laws, or an
Abridgment of all the Statutes now in
force, relative to the Excise, by Jel-
linger Symons; I want three copies of
this book : if it is now to be had, cheap
or dear, get it for me. An honest
country neighbour of mine wants, too,
a Family Bible, the larger the better,
but second-handed, for he does not
choose to give above ten shillings for
the book. I want likewise for myself,
as you can pick them up, second-
handed or cheap, copies of Otway's
Dramatic Works, Ben Jonson's, Dry-
den's, Congreve's, Wycherley's, Van-
brugh's, Cibber's, or any Dramatic
Works of the more modern Macklin,
Garrick, Foote, Colman, or Sheridan.
A good copy, too, of Moliere, m
French, I much want. Any otlier
good dramatic authors in that lan-
guage I want also; but comic authors
chiefly, though 1 should wish to have
Racine, Corneille, and Voltaire too.
lam in no* hurry for all, or any of
these, but if you accidentally meet
OENERAIi COERESPONDENCE.
455
with, them very cheap, get them for
me.
And now, to quit the dry walk of
business, how do you do, my dear
friend ? and how is Mrs. Hill ? I
^rust, if now and then not so elegantly
handsome, at least as amiable, and
sings as divinely as ever. My good
wife, too, has a charming ' ' wood-note
wild;" now could we four
I am out of all patience with this
vile world, for one thing. Mankind
are hy nature benevolent creatures, ex-
cept" in a few scoundrelly instances.
I dp not think that avarice of the good
things we chance to have is born with
us; bat we are placed here amidst so
much nakedness, and hunger, and
poverty, and want, that we are under
(f cursed necessity of stiidying selfish-
ness, In order that we may exist !
Still there ure, in every age, u, few
sbills that all the wants and woes of
life cannot debase to' selfishness, or
even to the necessary alloy of caution
and prudence. If ever I am in danger
of vanity, it is when I contemplate
myself on this side of my disposition
and character. God knows I am no
saint; I have a whole host of follies
and sins to answer for, but if 1 could,
and I believe I do it as far as I can, I
would wipe away all tears from all
byes. Adieu !
R. B.
No. CXC.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, April lo, 1790.
I HAVE just now, my ever-honoured
friend, enjoyed a very high luxury,
in reading a paper of the Lounger.
Tfou know iny national prejudices. I
had often read and admired the Spec-
tator, Adventurer, Rambler, and
World; but still with a certain regret
that they were so thoroughly and en-
..tirely English. Alas ! have I often
said to myself , what are all the boasted
advantages which my country reaps
from the union, thatcan counterbalance
■tlieannyiilation of her independence.
and even her very name ! I often re-
peat that couplet of my favourite poet,
(loldsuiith —
, "States, of native liberty pdssest,
1 hough very poor may yet be very blest."
Nothing can reconcile me to the
common terms, "English Ambassador,
English Court," &c. And I am out of
all patience to see that equivocal char-
acter, Hastings, impeached by " the
Commons of England." Tell me, my
friend, is this weak prejudice ? I be-'
lieve in my conscience such ideas as
"my country; her independence; her
honour; the illuatrious names that
mark the history of my native land;"
&c. I believe these, among your
men of- the 'world, men who in fact
guide for the most part and govern
our world, are looked on as so many
modifications of wrong-headedness.'
They know the use of bawling out
such terms, to rouse or lead the kab-
BLE; but for their own private use;
with almost all the able statesmen that
ever existed, or now exist, when they
talk of right and wrong, they oiily"
mean proper and improper; and theii*
measure of conduct is, not what they
OUGHT, but what they dare. For
the truth of this I shall not ransack
the history of nations, but appeal to
one of the ablest judges of men that
ever lived — the celebrated Earl of
Chesterfield. In fact, a man who
could thoroughly control his vices
whenever they interfered with his
interests, and who could completely
put on the appearance of every vir-
tue as often as it suited his pur-
poses, is, on the Stanhopian plan, the
perfect man; a man to lead nations.
But are great abilities, complete with-
out a flaw, and polished without a
blemish, the standard of human ex-
cellence ? This is certainly the stanch
opinion of m&n of the world; but I call
on honour, virtue, and worih, to give
the S'rgian doctrine a loiid negative I
Ho\^ovor, this must be allowed, that,
if you abstract from man the idea of
an existence beyond the grave, then
the true measnreof human conduct is
proper and improper: virtue and vice,
as dispositions of the heart, are, in
45S
BtTEj^fS' WOEKS.
that case, of scarcely the ^ame import
and value to the world at large as har-
mony and discord in the modifications
of sound; and a delicate sense of honour,
liite a nice ear for music, though it
may sometimes give the possessor an
ocstacy unknown to the coarser organs
of the herd, yet, considering the harsh
gratings, and inharmonic jars, ia this
ill-tuned state of being, it is odds hut
the individual would be as happy, and
certainly would be as much respected
by the true judges of society as it would
then stand, without either a good ear,
or a good heart.
You must know I have just met
with the Mirror aud Lounger for the
first time, and I am. quite in raptures
with them; I should bo glad to have
your opinion of some of the papers.
The one I have just read. Lounger,
No. 61, has cost me more honest tears
than anything I have read of a long
time.* Mackenzie has been called the
Addison of the Scots, and, in my
opinion, Addison would not be hurt at
the comparison. If ■ he has not Addi-
son's exquisite humour, he as certainly
outdoes Mm in the tender and the pa-
thetic. His " Man of Feeling " (but I
am not counsel learned in the laws of
criticism) I estimate as the first per-
formance in its kind I ever saw. From
what book, moral or even pious, will
the susceptible young mind receive im-
pressions more congenial to humanity
and kindness, generosity and benevo-
lence; in short, more of all that en-
nobles the soul to herself, or endears
her to others— than from the simple
affecting tale of poor Harley ?
Still, with all my admiration of
Mackenzie's writings, I do not know if
they are the fittest reading for a young
man who is about to set out, as the
phrase is, to make his way into life.
Do not you think, madam, that among
the few favoured of Heaven in the
structure of their minds, (for such
there certainly are) there may be a
purity, a tenderness, a dignity, and
elegenee of soul which are of no use,
* This paper relates to attachments between
servants and masters, and concludes with the
story of Albert Blane,
nay, in some degree, absolutely dis-
qualifying for the truly important
business fff making u, man's way into
life ? If I am not much mistaken, my
gallant young friend, A ,* is very
much under these disqualifications;
and for the young females of a famiiy
I could mention, well may they excite
pai-ental solicitude, for I, a common ac-
quaintance, or as my vanity will have
it, an humble friend, have often
trembled for u, turn of mind which
may render them eminently happy or
peculiarly miiierable.
I have been manufacturing some
verses lately; but as I have got the
most hurried season of Excise business
over, I hope to have morelelsure to
transcribe anything that niay show
how much I have the honout to bej
madam, yours, &c.,
E. B.
No. CXCI.
TO COLLECTOE MITCIIELL. f-
Elusland, 179?. '-*■
SiE, — I shall not fail to wait on
Captain Eiddel to-night — I wish and
pray that the goddess of justice her;
self would appear to-morrow among
our lion, gentlemen, merely to .give
them a word in their ear that mercy to
the thief is injustice to the honest man.
For my part I have galloped over ray
ten parishes these four cla-ys, until this
moment that I am just alighted, or
rather, tha,t my poor jackass-skeleton
of a horse has let me down; for the
miserable devil has been on his knees
half a score of times within the last
twenty miles, telling me in his own
way, " Behold, am not I thy faithful
jade of a horse, on which thou liast
ridden these many years t "
In sliort, sir, I have broke my horse's^
wind, and almost broke my own neck;
besides some injuries in a part that
shall be nameless, owing to a hard-
hearted stone for a saddle. I find that
every offender has so many great men
* Supposed to be Anthony, a' son of Mre.
Dun lop s. - . - . .
GENERAL COKRESPOiSDENCE.
45T
to espoase liis cause tllat I shall not be
swfprised if am committed to the
strong hold of the law to-morrow for
insolence to the dear friends of the
gentleuien of the country. I have the
honour to be, sir, your obliged and
obedient humble, R. B.
No. CXCII.
TO DR. MOORE.
Excise-Office, Dumfries, July 14, 1790.
Sib, — Coming into town this morn-
ing to attend my duty in this office, it
being collection-day, I met with a
gentleman who tells mo he is on his
way to London; so I take the oppor-
tunity of writing to yon, as franking
is at present under a temporary death'.
I shall have some snatches of leisure
through the day, amid our horrid busi-
ness and bustle, and I shall improve
them as well as I can; but let my let-
ter be as stupid as , as miscella-
neous as a newspaper, as short as a
hungry grace before meat, or as long
as a law-paper in the Douglass cause;
as ill spelt as country John's billet-
doux, or as unsightly a scrawl as Betty
Byre-Mucker's answer to it; I hope,
considering circumstances, you will
forgive it; and as it will put you to no
expanse of postage, I shall have the
less reflection about it.
I am sadly ungrateful in not return-
ing you my thanks for your most
valuable present, "Zeluco." In fact,
you are in some degree blamable for
my neglect. You were pleased to ex-
press a wish for my opinion of the
work, which so flattered me that noth-
ing less would serve my overweening
fancy than u, formal criticism on the
book. In fact, I have gravely planned
a comparative view of you, Fielding,
iRichardson, and Smollett, in your dif-
ferent qualities and merits as novel-
Writers. This, I own, betrays my
ridiculous vanity, and I may probably
never bring the business to bear; -but
I am fond of the spirit young Blihu
shows In the book of Job — " And I
said, I willalso declare my opinion."
I have quite disfigured my copy of the
book with my annotations. I never
take it up without at the same time
taking my pencil, and marking witlj
asterisms, parentheses, &c, where-
ever I meet with an original thought,
a nervous remarJt on life and manners,
a remarkably well-turned period, or a
character sketched with uilcommon
precision.
Though I should hardly think of
fairly writing out my ' ' Comparative
View," I shall certainly trouble you
with my remarks, such as they are. .,
I have just received from my gentle^
man that horrid summons in the book
of Revelation — " That time shall be no
more 1"
The little collection of sonnets* have
some charming poetry in them. If
indeed I am indebted to the fair author
for the book, and not, as 1 rather sus-
pect, to- a celebrated author of the
other sex, I should certainly have
written to the lady, with my grateful
acknowledgments, and my own ideas
of the comparative excellence of her
pieces. I weiild do this last, not frojn
any -vanity of thinking that my re:;
marks could be of. much consequence
to Mrs. Smith, but merely from my
own feelings as an author, doing as I
would be done by. R. B. .
No. CXCIII.
TO MR. MURDOCH, TEACHER OP
FRENCH,' LONDON.
Ellisland, July 16, 1790.
My dear Sir,^ received a let:
ter from you a long time ago, but
* The sonnets to which Burns alludes were
those of Charlotte Smith , in the volume which
belong^ed to the. poet one note alone intimates
that the bop^ passed through his hands ; the
fair authoress, in giving the source of line 14,
in the 8th sonnet —
" Have power to cure all sadness but despair,"
quotes Milton —
" Vernal delight and joy, able to drive
All sadness but despair." :
To this Burns added with the pen •
" He sang sae sweet as might dispel '
A' rage but fell despair."
These lines are to be found in one version at
least of the fine ballad of Gil Moric'e. — ^Cun-
ningham. , -- -;-^
45&
BUENS' WORKS.
unfortunately as it was in the time of
my peregrinations and journeyings
tlirougli Scotland, I mislaid or lost it,
and by consequence your direction
along with it. Luckily my good star
brought me acquainted with Mr.
Kennedy, who, I understand, is an ac-
quaintance of yours : and by his means
and mediation I hope to replace that
link which my unfortunate negligence
had so unluckily broken in the chain
of our correspondence. 1 was the more
vexed at the vile accident as my
brother William, a journeyman sad-
dler, has been for some time in Lon-
don ; and wished above all things for
your direction, that he might have paid
his respects to his father's friend.
His last address he sent me was,
"Wm. Burns, at Mr. Barbers, saddler,
No. 181, Strand." I wrote him by
Mr. Kennedy, but neglected to ask him
fox your address; so, if you find a
spare half minute, please let my brother
know by a card where and when he
will find you, and the poor fellow will
joyfully wait on you, as one of the few
surviving friends of the man whose
name, and Christian name too, he has
the honour to bear.
The next letter I write you shall be
a long one. I have much to tell you of
" hairbreadth 'scapes in th' imminent
deadly breach," with all the eventful
history of a life, the early years of
which owed so much to your kind
tutorage; but this at an hour of
leisure. My kindest compliments to
Mrs. Murdoch and family. I am ever,
my dear sir, your obliged friend,
E. B.
You knew Henderson — I have not
flattered his memory. I have the hon-
our to be, sir, your obliged humble
servant,
E. B.*
No. CXCIV.
TO MR. M'MURDO.
Ellisland, Aug. 2, 1790.
Sir, — Now that you are over with
the sirens of Flattery, the harpies of
Corruption, and the furies of Ambition,
these infernal deities, that on all sides,
and in all parties, preside over the
villanous business of politics, permit
a rustic muse of your acquaintance to
do her best to soothe you with a song; .
No. CXCV.
TO MBS. DUNLOP. :
Aug. 8, 1790.' '
Dear Madam, — After a long day's
toil, plague and care, I sit down to.
write to you. Ask me not why riiax^
delayed it so long ! It was .owing to
hurry, indolence, and fifty other things;
in short to anything — but for^etful-
ness of la plus aimabk'di! son sexe^ By
the by, ybii are indebted your best
couit3sy to me for this la^' compliment j
as I pay it from my sincere conviction
of its truth — a quality rather rare in
compliments of these griniiing, bow-
ing, scraping times.
Well, I hope writing to i/ou will
ejse a little my troubled soul. Sorely
has it been bruised to-day ! A d-devant
friend of mine, and an intimate ac-
quaintance of yours, has given my
feelings a wound that I perceive will
gangrene dangerously ere it cure. He
has wounded my pride !
B. B.
No. cxcvr.
TO ME. CUNNINGHAM.
ElXlSLAMD, Aug. 8, 179a
FoKGivE me, my once dear, and evet
dear, friend, my seeming negligence.
You cannot sit down and fancy the
busy life I lead.
I laid down my goose feather to beat
my brains for an apt simile, and had
some thoughts of a country grannurn.
at a family christening; a bride on the
market-day before her marriage; . .'
or a tavern-keeper at an election din-
* This brief letter enclosed the poem on the
death of Captain Matthew Henderson, whoiti
the poet had frequently met while in Edin-
burgh.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
459.
ner; bat tlie resemblance that hits my
fancy best is that blackguard miscre-
amt>' SataUj who roams about lilce a
roaring lion, seeking, searching whom
he may devour. However, tossed about
as I am, if I choose (and who would not
choose) to bind down with the crampets
of attention the brazen foundation of
integrity, I may rear up the super-
structure of 'independence, and, from
its dariijg turrets, bid defiance to the
storms of fate. And is not this a ' ' con-
summation devoutly to be wished ?"
*' Thy spirit. Independence, let me share :
Lord of the lion-heart, and eagle-eye !
Thy steps I-fbUpw with my bospm bare.
Nor heed tHe storm that howls along the
. " skyl"
, Are not these noble verses ? They
are the introduction of SmoUet's "Ode
to Iudependence;"-if you have not seen
the poem, I will send it to you. How
wretched is the man that hangs on by
the favours of the great ! To shrink
from every dignity of man, at the ap-
proach of a lordly piece of self -conse-
quence, who amid all his tinsel glitter,
and stately '^Mtewr, is but a creature
formed as thou art — and perhaps not
so well formed as thou art — came into
the world a puling infant as thou
didst; and must go out of it as all men
must, a naked corse.
B. B.
No. CXCVII.
TO DR. ANDERSON.
[1790-]
Sir, — ^I am much indebted to my
worthy friend Dr. Blacklock for intro-
• ducingmeto a gentleman of Dr. An-
derson's celebrity; but when you do
me the honour to ask my assistance in
your proposed publication, alas, sir !
you might as well think to cheapen a
little honesty at the sign of an advo-
cate's wig, or humility under the Ge-
neva baud. I am a miserable hurried
devil, worn to the marrow in the fric-
tion of holding the noses of the poor
' publicans to the grindstone of the Ex-
-" cise I and like Milton's Satan, for pri-
vate reasons, am forced
>' To da what yet, thou^ damn'd, I would
abhor i'
— and except a couplet or two of honest
execration,
B. B.
No. cxcvin.
TO CRAWFORD TAIT, ESQ.,
EDINBURGH.
ELUSLANDjOct. IS, I79O, .
Deae Sir, — Allow me to introduce
to your acquaintance the bearer, Mr.
Wm. Duncan, a friend of mine, whom
I have long known and long loved.
His father, whose only son he is, has
a decent little property in Ayrshire,
and has bred the young man to the law,
in which department he comes up an
adventurer to your good town. I
shall give you my friend's character
in two words: as to his head, he has
talents enough, and niore than enough,
for common life; as to his heart, when'
nature had kneaded the kindly clay
that composes it, she said, ' ' I can no'
more."
You, my good sir, were bom under
kinder stars; but your fraternal sym-"
pathy I well know, can enter into the
feelings of the young man, who goes
into life with the laudable ambition to
do something, and to te something'
a,mong his fellow -creatures: but whom
the consciousness of friendless ob-
scurity presses to the earth; and^
wounds to the soul !
Even the fairest of his virtues are
against him. That independent spirit,
and that ingenuous modesty, qualities
inseparable from a noble mind, are,
with the million, circumstances not a
little disqualifying. What pleasure
is in the power of the fortunate and
the happy, by their notice and patron-
age, to brighten the countenance and
glad the heart of such depressed
youth I I am not so angry with man-
kind for their deaf economy of the
purse — the goods of this world cannot
be divided without being lessened; —
but why be a niggard of that which
bestows bliss on a fellow-creatiire,
yet takes nothing from our own means
of enjoyment? We wrap ourselves
up in a cloak of our own better for-
460
3URNS' WORKS.
tune, ahd turn away our eyes, lest the
wants and woes of our brotlier mor-
tals sliould disturb the selfish apathy
of our souls !
I am the worst hand in the world at
asking a f a vour. That indirect address,
that insinuating implication,, which,
without any positive request, plainly ex-
presses your wisli, is a talent not to be
acquired at a plough-tail. Tell me
then, for you can, in what periphrasis
of language, in what circumvolution
of phrase, I shall envelop, yet not con-
ceal this plain story. — "My dear
Mr. Tait, . my friend Mr. Duncan,
whom I have the pleasure of intro-
ducing to you, is a young lad of your
profession, and » gentleman of much
modesty, and great worth. Perhaps
it may be in your power to assist him
in the, to him, important considera-
tion of getting a place; but at all
events your notice and acquaintance
will be a very great acquisition to himi
and I dare pledge myself that he will
never disgrace your favour."
. You maypossibly be surprised, sir,
at such a letter from me ; 'tis, I own,
in the usual way of calculating these
matters, more than our acquaintance
entitles me to; but my answer is short:
Of all the men at your time of life,
whom I knew in Edinburgh, you are
the most accessible on the side on
which I have assailed you. You are
very much altered indeed from what
you were when I knew you, if gener-
osity point the path you \yill not tread,
or humanity call to you in vain.
As to myself, a being to whose in-
terest I believe you are still a well-
wisher, I am here, breathing at all
times, thinking sometimes, and rhym-
ing now and then. Every situation
has its share of the cares and pains of
life, aud my situation, I am persuaded,
has a full ordinary allowance of its
pleasures and enjoyments.
My best compliments to your Tather
and Miss Tait. if you have an oppor-
tunity, please remember me in the
solemn-league-and-covenant of friend-
ship to Mrs. Lewis Hay.* I am a
* Formerly Miss Margraret Chalmers.
wretch for not writing her; but I am
so hackneyed with self- accusation in
that way that my conscience lies in
my bosom with scarce the sensibility
of an oyster in its shell. Where is
Lady M'Kenzie ? wherever she is, God
bless her ! I likewise beg leave to
trouble you with compliments to Mr.
Wm. Hamilton; Mrs. Hamilton and
family; and Mrs. Chalmers, when
you are in that country. Should you
meet with Miss Nimmo, please remem-
ber me kindly to her.
R. B.
No. CXCIX.
TO
Ellisland, !■
793.
De.411 Sih, — Whether in the way
of my trade, I can be of any service
to the Rev. Doctor, is, I fear, very
doubtful. Ajax's shield consisted, I
think, of seven bull hides and a plate
of brass, which altogether set Hector's
utmost force at defiance. Alas ! I am
not a Hector, and the worthy Doctor's
foes are as securely armed as Ajax
was. Ignorance, superstition, bigotry,
stupidity, malevolence, self-conceit,
envy — all strongly bound in a massy
frame of brazen impudence ! Good Uod,
sir ! to such a shield, humour is the
peck of a sparrow, and satire the pop-
gun of a schoolboy. Creation-disgrac-
ing scelsrats such as they, God only
cau mend, and the devil only can
punish. In the comprehending way
of Caligula, I wish they all had but
one neck. I feel imix)tent as a child
to the ardour of my wishes ! Oh for
a withering curse to blast the germins
of their wicked machinations ! Ohfor
a poisonous tornado, winged from the
torrid zone of Tartarus, to sweep the
spreading crop of their villanous con,-
trivances to the lowest hell!*
R. B.
* Mr. Cunningham surmises that this letter,
which contained a copy c£ "The Kirk's
Alarm," was addressed to Gavin Hamilton.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
461
No. CC.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, Nov. 1790.
^'As cold waters to a thirsty soul,
BO is good news from a far country."
Fate has long owed me a letter of
good news from you, in return for the
inany tidings of sorrow wliicli I have
received. In this instance I most cor-
dially obey the apostle — " Rejoice with
them that do rejoice " — for me, to sing
for joy, is no new thing; but to preach
for joy, as I have done in the com-
mencement of this epistle, is a pitch of
extravagant rapture to which I never
rose before.
I read your letter — ^I literally jump-
ed for joy. How could such a mercu-
rial creature as a poetlumpishly keep
his seat, on the receipt of the best news
from his best friend ? I seized my
gilt-headed wangee rod, an instrument
indispensably necessary in my left
hapd, in the moment of inspiration and
rapture; and stridti, stride — quick and
quipker — out skipt I among the broomy
banks of Nith to muse over my joy by
retail. To keep within the bounds of
prose was impossible. Mrs. Little's is
a more elegant, but not a more sincere,
compUment to the sweet little fellow
than I, extempore almost, poured out
to him in the following verses: —
"Sweet flow'ret, pledge o' meikle love,
-", And ward o' mony a-prayer,
^hat heart o' stane wad thou na move,
Sae helpless, sweet, and fair ! "
(See p. 134.)
I am much flattered by your appro-
bation of my " Tarn o' Shanter," which
you express in your former letter;
though, by the by, you load me in that
said letter witli accusations heavy and
many; to all which I plead, not guilty !
Your book is, I hear, on the road to
reach me. As to printing of jjoetry,
when you prepare it for the press, you
have only to spell it right, and place
the capital letters properly; as to the
punctuation, the printers do that them-
selves.
I-have a copy of " Tarn o' Shanter"
ready to send you the first opportu-
nity; it is-too heavy to send by post.
I heard of Mr. Corbet* lately. He,
in consequence of your recommenda-
tion, is mo§t zealous to serve me.
Please favour me soon with an ac
count of your good folks; if Mrs. H. is
recovering, and the young gentlemen
domg well.
R. B.
No. CCL
TO LADY W. M. CONSTABLE.
Ellisland, Jan. 11, 1791.
Mt Lady, — Nothing less than the
unlucky accident of having lately
broken my right arm could have pre-
vented me, the moment I received your
ladyship's elegant present by Mrs.
Miller, from returning you my warm-
est and most grateful acknowledg-
ments; I assure your ladyship, I shall
set it apart: the symbols of religion
shall only be more sacred. In the mo-
ment of poetic composition, the box
shall be lay inspiring genius. When
I would breathe the comprehensive
wish of benevolence for the happiness
of others, I shall recollect your lady-
ship; when 1 would interest my fancy
in the distresses incident to humanity;
I shall remember the unfortunate
Mary.f
R. B.
No. ccn.
TO WILLIAM DUNBAR, W. S.
Ellisland, Jan. 17, 1791.
I AM not going to Elysium, most
noble colonel, J but am still here in
this sublunary world, serving my God
by propagating his image, and honour-
ing my king by begetting him loyal
subjects.
* One of the general supervisors of Excise,
+ This letter was written acknowledgingf
the present of a valuable snuff-box, with
a fine picture of Mary Queen of Scots on the
lid. This was the gift of Lady Winifred
Maxwell Constable, in grateful return for the
Poet's " Lament " of that ill-starred Princess.
t So styled as President of the Convivial
Society, known hy the name of The Crochal-
lan Fencibles. -• '
462
13UENS' WORKS.
, Many happy returns 6i the season
■await my friend. May the thorns of
care never beset his path ! May peace
be aa inmate to his bosonij and rapture
a frequent visitor of his soul 1 May
the blood-hounds of misfortune never
track his steps, nor the screech-owl of
sorrow alarm his dwelling ! May en-
joyment tell thy hours, and pleasure
number thy days, thou friend of the
bard! "Blessed be he that blesseth
thee, and cursed he he that curseth
thee ! ! ! "
As a further proof that I am still in
the land of existence, I send you a
poem, the latest I have composed. I
have a particular reason for wishing
you only to shov/ it to select friends,
should you think it worthy a friend's
perusal ; but if, at your first leisure
hour, you will favour me with your
opinion of, and strictures on, the per-
formance, it will be an additional ob-
ligation on, dear sir, your deeply in-
debted humble servant,
R. B.
No. CCIII.
TO MRS. GRAHAM OF FINTEAY.
Elusland, Jan. 1791.
Madam, — Whether it is that the
story of our Mary Queen of Scots has
a peculiar effect on the feelings of a
poet, or whether I have, in the enclosed
ballad, succeeded beyond my usual
poetic success, I know not; but it has
pleased me beyond any effort of my
muse for a good while past; on that
account I enclose it particularly to you.
It is true, the purity of my motives
may be suspected. I am already deep-
ly indebted to Mr. Graham's goodness;
and what, in the usual ways of men. is
of infinitely greater importance, Mr.
G. can do me service of the utmost im-
portance in time to come. I was born
a poor dog; and however 1 may occa-
sionally pick a better bone than I used
to do, Iknow I must live and die poor:
but I will indulge the flattering faith
that ray poetry will considerably out-
live my poverty; and, without any fus-
tian affectation,of spirit, I can promise
and affirm that it must bo no ordinary
craving of the latter shall ever malce
iije do anything injurious to the honest
fame of the former. Whatever, may
be my failings, for failings are a fSart
of human nature, may they ever be
those of a generous heart, and an in-'
dependent niind ! It is no fault of mine
that I was born to dependence; nor is
it Mr. Graham's chiefest praise that he
can command influence; but it is his
merit to bestow, not only with the
kindness of a brother, but with the po-
liteness of a gentleman ; and I trust it
shall be mine to receive with thank-
fulness, and remember with undimin-
ished gratitude.
K. B,
No. CCIV.
TO MR. PETER HILL.
Ellisland, Jan. 17, 1791. -
Take these two guineas, and place
them over against that damned account
of yours ! which has gagged my moutii
these five or six months ! I can as little
write good things as apologies to the'
man I owe money to. Oh, the supreme
curse of making, three guineas do the
business of five ! Not all the labours
of Hercules ; not all the Hebrews'-,
three centuries of Egyptian bondage,
were such an insuperable business',
such an infernal task ! ! Poverty; thou
half-sister of death, thou cousin-ger-
man of hell ! where shall I find force
of execration equal to the amplitude
of thy demerits ? Oppressed by thee,
the venerable ancient, grown hoary in
the practice of every virtue, laden with
years and wretchedness, implores a lit-
tle— ^little aid to support his existence,
from a stony-hearted son of Mammon,
whose sun of prosperity never knew a
cloud; and is by him denied and insult-
ed. Oppressed by thee, the man of
sentiment, whose heart glows with in-
dependence, and melts with sensibility,
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
463
iniy pines under the neglect, or writhes
in bitterness of soul under the con-
tumely, of arrogant, unfeeling wealth.
Oppressed by thee, the sou of genius^
whose ill-starred ambition plants him
at the tables of the fashionable and
polite, must see, in suffering silence,
his remarks neglected, and his person
despised, while shallow greatness, in
his idiot attempts at wit, shall meet
with countenance and applause. Nor
Is it only the family of worth that have
reason to complain of thee: the chil-
dren of folly and vice, though in com-
mon with thfie the offspring of evil,
smart equally under thy rod. Owing
to. thee, the man of unfortunate dis-
position and neglected education is
condemned as a fool for his dissipation,
despised and shunned as a needy
wretch, when his follies, as usual,
' .bring him to want; and when his un-
principled necessities drive him to dis-
honest practices, he is abhorred as a
miscreant, and perishes by the justice
of his country. But far otherwise is
the lot of the man of family and for-
tune. His 'early follies and extrava-
gance are spirit and fire; hU consequent
wants are the embarrassments of an
honest fellow; and when, to remedy
the matter, he has gained a legal com-
mission to plunder distant provinces,
or massacre peaceful nations, he re-
turns, perhaps, laden with the spoils
of rapine and murder; lives wicked
and Mspeeted, and dies a scoundrel,
and a lord. Nay, worst of all, alas
for helpless woman ! the needy prosti-
tute, who has shivered at the corner of
tlie street, waiting to earn the wages
of casual prostitution, is left neglected
and insulted, ridden down by tlie char-
iot wheels of the coroneted ElP, hurry-
ing on to the guilty assignation ; she,
who, without the same necessities to
plead, riots nightly in the same guilty
trade.
Well ! divines may say of it what
tljey please; but execration is to the
ipind wliat phlebotomy is to the body:
the vital sluices of both are wonderful-
ly relieved by their respective evacua-
tions.
E..B.
No. CCV.
TO MR. ALEX. CUNNINGHAM.
Ellisland; Jan. 23, 17(31.
Many happy returns of the season
to you, my dear friend ! As many of
the good things of this life as are con-
sistent with the usual mixture of good
and evil in the cup of Being !
I have just finished a poem (" Tanj
o' Shanter ") which ypu will receive
enclosed. It is my first essay in the
way of tales.
I have these several months been
hammering, at an elegy on the amiable
and accomplished Miss Bamet. I have
got, and can get, no further than the
following fragment, on which please
give me your stricftires. In all kind?
of poetic composition, I set great store
by your opinion; but in sentimental
verses, in the poetry of the heart, no
Boman Catholic ever set more value on
the infallibility of the Holy Father
than I do on yours.
I mean the in.troductory couplets as
text verses. . ^
[Here follows a portion of the elegy
on Miss Burnetj.f or the whole of which
see p. 134]
Let me hear from you soon. Adieu 1
E. B.
No. CCVL
TO A. F. TXTLER, ESQ.
Bllisland, Feb, 1791.
Sib, — Nothing less than the unfor-:
tunate accident I have met with could
have prevented my grateful acknowlt
edgments for your letter. His own
favourite poem, and that an essay in
the walk of the Muses entiraly new to
him, where consequently his- hope?
and fears were on the most anxious
alarm for his success in the attempt;
to have that poem so much applauded
by one of the first judges, was the
most delicious vitutition that ever
thrilled along the heart-strings of a '
poor poet. However, Providence, to
keep up the proper proportion of evij
464
BURNS' WORKS.
with the good, which it seems is ne-
cessary in this sublunary state, thought
proper to check my exultation by a
very serious, misfortune. A day or
two after I received your letter, my
horsa came down with me and broke
ray right arm. As this is the first ser-
vice my arm has done me since its dis-
aster, I find myself unable to do more
than just, in general terms thank you
for this additional instance of your
patronage and friendship. As to the
faults you detected in the piece, they
are truly there: one of them, the hit
at the lawyer and priest, I shall cut
out; as to the falling ofE in the catas-
trophe, for the reason you justly ad-
duce, it cannot easily be remedied.
Your approbation, sir, has given me
such additional spirits to persevere in
this species of poetic composition that
I am already revolving two or three
stories in my fancy. If I can bring
these floating ideas to bear any kind
of embodied form, it will give me an
additional opportunity of assuring you
how much I have the honour to be,
&c.
R. B.
No. CCVII.
TO MBS. DUNLOP.
Elusland, Feb. 7, 1791.
When I tell you, madam, that by a
fall, not from my horse, but with my
horse, I have been a cripple some
time, and that this is the first day my
arm and my hand have been able to
serve me in writing; you will allow
that it is too good an apology for my
seemingly ungrateful silence. I am
now getting better, and am able to
rhyme a little, which implies some tol-
erable ease; as I cannot think that the
most poetic genius is able to compose
on the rack.
I do not remember if ever I men-
tioned to you my -having an, idea of
composing an elegy on the late Miss
Burnet of Monboddo. I had the hon-
our of being pretty well acquainted
with her, and have seldom felt so much
at the loss of an acquaintance as when
I heard that so amiable and accom-
plished a piece of God's work was no
more. I have, as yet, gone no further
than the following fragment, of wnich
please let me have your opinion. You
know that elegy is a subject so much
exhausted that any new idea on the
business is not to be expected: 'tis well
if we can place an old idea in a new
light. How far I have succeeded as
to this last, you wUl judge from what
follows:— (See the "Elegy," p. 134.)
I have proceeded no further.
Your kind letter, with your kind re-
membrance of your godson came safe.
This last, madam, is scarcely what my
pride can bear. As to the little fellow,
he is, partiality apart, the finest boy I
have for a long time seen. He is now
seventeen months old, has the small-
pox and measles over, has cut several
teeth, and never had a grain of doctor's '
drugs in his bowels.
I am truly happy to hear that the
"little flowret" is blooming so fresh
and fair, and that the " mother plant"
is rather recovering her drooping head.
Soon and well may her " cruel
wounds " be healed ! I have written
thus far with a good deal of difficulty.
When I get a little abler you shall hear
further from, madam, yours,
K B.
No. CCVIII.
TO THE REV. ARCH. ALISON.*
Ellisland, near Dumfries, 1
Feb. 14, 1791. f
Sir, — ^You must by this time have
set me down as one of the most un-
grateful of men. You did me the hon-
our to present me with a book, which
does honour to science and the intel-
lectual powers of men, and I have not
even so much as acknowledged the re-
ceipt of it. The fact is, you yourself
are to blame for it. Flattered as I was
by your telling me that you wished to
'* The Rev. Archibald Alison, author of
Essays on the Principles of Taste." was the
father of the historian of Europe
GENERA-Ii' CORRESPONDENCE.
'465
Itave my. opinion of the work, the old
•apiritual enemy of mankind, who
knows well that vanity is one of the
sins that most easily beset me, put it
into my head to ponder over the per-
formance with the look-oat of a critic,
and to draw up, forsooth, a deep learn-
ed digest of strictures on a composition,
of wliich, in fact, until I read the book,
I did not even know the first principles.
I own, sir, that at first glance, several
of your propositions startled me as
paradoxical. That the martial clangor
of a-triimpet had something in it vast-
ly, more grand, heroic, and sublime,
than the twii^le twangle of a Jew's
liarp; that the delicate flexure of a
rose-twig, when the half -blown flower
is heavy with the tears of the dawn,
was infinitely more beautiful and ele-
gant than the upright stock of a bur-
dock; and that from something innate
and independent of all associations of
ideas ;-^these I had set down as irre-
fragable, orthodox truths, until per-
using your book shook my faith. In
short, sir, except Euclid's Elements of
Geometry, which I made a shift to un-
ravel by my father's fireside, in the
winter evening of the first season I
held the plough, I never read a book
whicli gave me such a quantum of in-
formation, and added so much to my
Stock of ideas, as your " Essays on the
Principles of Taste." One thing, sir,
you must forgive my mentioning as an
uncommon merit in the work, I mean
the language. To clothe abstract phi-
losophy in elegance of style sounds
something like a contradiction in terms;
but you have convinced me that they
are qoite compatible.
I enclose you some poetic bagatelles
of my late composition. The one in
print is my first essay in the way of
telling a tala — I am,, sir, &c.,
B. B.
No. GCIX.
TO THE REV. G. BAIBD.
Ellisland, Feb. 1791.
J^^^Bevebend Sir,— Why did you, my
dear sir, write to me in such a hesita-
ting style on the business of poor
Bruce? Don't I know, and have 1 not-
felt, the many ills, the peculiar ills,
that poetic flesh is heir to 1 You shall
have your choice of all the unpublish-
ed poems I have; and, had your letter
had my direction so as to have reached
me sooner, (it only came to my hand
this moment,) I should have directly
put yoii out of suspense on the subject.
1 only ask that some prefatory adver-
tisement in the book, as well as the
subscription bills, may bear that the
publication is solely for the benefit of
Bruco's mother. I would not put it
into the power of ignorance to surmise,
or malice to insinuate, that I cljibhed
a share in the Work froni mercenary
motives. Nor need you give me credit
for any remarkable generosity in my
part of the business. . I have such a
host of peccadilloes, failings, follies,
and backslidings, (anybody but myself
might perhaps give some of them a
worse appellation,) that by way of
some balance, however trifling, in the
account, I am fain to do any good that
occurs in my very limited power to a
fellow-creature, just for the selfish
purpose of clearing a little of the vista
of retrospection.
B. B.
No. CCX.
TO DR. MOORE.
Ellisland, Feb. 28, 1791.
I DO not know, sir, whether you are
a subscriber to Grose's " Antiquities of
Scotland." If you are, the enclosed
poem will not be altogether new to
you. Captain Grose did me the fav-
our to send ine a dozen copies "of the
proof sheet ' of which this is one.
Should you have read the piece before,
still this will answer the principal end
I have in view; it will give me another
opportunity of thanking you for all
your goodness to the rustic bard; and
also of showing you that the abilities
you have been pleaded to commend
466
BURNS' WORKS.
and patronise are still employed in the
way you wish.
■ The "Elegy on Captain Henderson"
is a tribute to the memory of a man I
loved much. Poets have in this the
same advantage as Roman Catholics;
they can be of service to their friends
after they have passed that bourn
where all other kindness ceases to be
of avail. Whether, after all, either
the one or the other be of any real ser-
vice to the dead is, I fear, very prob-
lematical; but I am sure they are
highly gratifying to the living: and as
a very orthodox text, I forget where in
Scripture, says, " whatsoever is not of
faith is sin;" so say I, whatsoever is
not detrimental to society, and is of
positive enjoyment, is of God, the
giver of all good things, and ought to
be received and enjoyed by His crea-
tures with thankful delight. As
almost all my religious tenets origi-
nate from my heart, I am wonderfully
pleased with the idea that I can still
keep up a tender intercourse with the
dearly-beloved friend, or still more
dearly-beloved mistress, who is gone
to the world of spirits.
The ballad on Queen Mary was be-
gun while I was busy with Percy's
" Reliques of English Poetry." By
the way, how much is every honest
heart, which has a tincture of Cale-
donian prejudice, obliged to you for
your glorious story of Buchanan and
Targe ! 'Twas an unequivocal proof
of your loyal gallantry of soul giving
Targe the victory. I should have
been mortified to the ground if you
had not.
I have just read over, once more of
many times, your " Zeluco." , I marked
with- my pencil, as I went along,
every passage that pleased me partic-
ularly above the rest; and one or two,
I think, which, with humble defer-
ence, I am disposed to think unequal
to the merits of the book. I have
sometimes thought to transcribe these
marked passages, or at least so much
of them as to point where they are,
and send them to you. Original
strokes that strongly depict the human
heart is your and Fielding's province.
beyond any other novelist I have ever
perused. Richardson indeed might,
perhaps, be excepted; but unhappily,
his dramatis personw are beings "of
another world; and, however they
may captivate the inexperienced, ro-
mantic fancy of a boy or a girl, they
will ever, in proportion as we have
made human nature our study, dis-
satisfy our riper years.
As to my private concerns, I am
going on, a mighty tax-gatherer be-,
fore the Lord, and have lately had the
interest to get myself ranked on the
list of Excise as a supervisor. I am
not yet employed as such, but in a few
years I shall fall into the file of super-
visorship by seniority. I have had an
immense loss in the death of the Earl
of Glencairn; the patron from whom
all my fame and fortune took its rise.
Independent of my grateful attach-
ment to him, which was indeed so
strong that it pervaded my very soul,,
and was entwined with the thread of
my existence; as soon as the prince's
friends had got in, (and every dog you
know has his day,) my getting for-
ward in the Excise would have been
an easier business than otherwise it
will be. Though this was a consum-
mation devoutly to be wished, yet,
thank Heaven, I can live and rhyme as
I am 1 and as to my boys, poor little
fellows ! if I cannot place them on as
high an elevation in life as I could'
wish, I shall, if I am favoured so
much by the Disposer of events as to
see that period, fix them on as broad
and independent a, basis as possible.
Among the many wise adages which
have been treasured up by our Scottish
ancestors, this is one of the best.
Better be the head o' the commov/iUy
than the tail o' the gentry.
But I am got on a subject which,
however interesting to me. Is of no man-
ner of consequence to you; so I shall
give you a short poem on the other
page, and close this with assuring you
how sincerely I have the honour to be,
yours, &c.,
R. B.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
467
CCXI.
TO MR. ALEX. CUNNINGHAM.
Ellisland, March 12, 1791.
If the foregoing piece he worth your
Btriotures, let me have them. For my
own part, a thing that I have just com-
posed always appears through a double
portion of that partial medium in
which an author will ever view his
own works. I believe, in general,
novelty has something in it that in-
ebriates the fancy, and not unfrequont-
]y dissipates and fumes away like
other intoxication, and leaves the poor
patientj as usual, with an aching heart.
A striking instance of this might be
adduced, in the revolution of many a
hymeneal honeymoon. But lest I sink
into stupid prose, and so sacrilegiously
intrude on the office of my parish
priest, I shall fiU up the page in iny
own way, and give you another song
of my late composition, which will ap-
pear perhaps in Johnson's work, as well
as the former.
You must know a beautiful Jacobite
air, " There'll never be peace till Jamie
comes hame." When political com-
bustion ceases to be the object of
princes and patriots, it then, you know,
becomes the lawful prey of historians
and poets.
"By yon castle wa" at the close of the day,
I heard a man sing, though his head it was
gray, [came —
And as he was singing, the tears fast down
There'll never be peace till Jamie comes
hame."*
(See p- 230.]
, If you like the air, and if the stanza
hit your fancy, you cannot imagine,
my dear friend, how much you would
oblige me if, by the charms of your
* This beautiful little Jacobite ditty having
appeared in Johnlsor's Museujn with the old
Efcing mark at it, it has I een received as an old
song all over Scotland. There ivas an old
sbdg, but I do not know where to find it. I
remember only two lines :
"My heart it is sair, and will soon break in
. tvva j [awa."
For -there's few good fellflws sin' Jamie's
This last line is the name of the air in the
very old collections of Scottish tunes. — Hogg.
delightful voice, you would give my
honest effusion to "the memory of
joys that are past," to the few friends
whom you indulge in that pleasure.
But I have scribbled on till I hear the
clock has intimated the near approach
of —
" That hour o' night's black arch the key-
stane."
So good night to you I Sound be your
sleep, and delectable your dreams I
Apropos, how do you like this thought
in a ballad I have just now on the
tapis 1
" I look to the west when I gae to rest.
That happy my dreams and my slumbers
may be ;
Far, far in the west is he I lo'e best,
The lad that is dear to my babie and me ! "
Good night, once more, and God
bless you !
R. B.
CCXII.
TO MR. ALEXANDER DALZEL,
FACTOR, FINDLAYSTON.
Ellisland, March ig, 1791.
My deab Sir, — I have taken the
liberty to frank this letter to you, as it
encloses an idle poem of mine, which
I send you; and God knows you may
perhaps pay dear enough for it if you
read it through. Not that this is my
own opinion; but the author, by the'
time he has composed and corrected
his work, has quite pored away all his
powers of critical discrimination.
I can easily guess from my own
heart what you have felt on a late
most melancholy event. God knows
what I have suffered, at the loss of my
best friend, my first and dearest patron
and benefactor; the man to whom I owe
all that I am and have ! I am gone into
mourning for him, and with more sin-
cerity of grief than I fear some will,
who by nature's ties ought to feel on
the occasion.
I will be exceedingly obliged to you
indeed, to let me know the news of the
noble family, how the poor mother
and the two sistors support their loss.
469
BURNS' WOEKS.
I had a packet of poetic bagatelles
ready to send to Lady Betty, wlien I
saw the fatal tidings in the newspaper.
I see by the same cliannel that the hon-
oured REMAINS of my noble patron are
designed to be brought to the family
burial-place. Dare I trouble you to let
me know privately before the day of
interment thati may cross the country,
and steal among the crowd, to pay a
tear to the last sight of my ever re-
vered benefactor? It will oblige me
beyond expression.
R. B.
No. ccxrii.
TO — .
Ellisi-and, March 1791.
Deab Sib, — I am exceedingly to
blame in not writing you long ago;
but the truth is that I am the most in-
dolent of all human beings; and when
I matriculate iutlie herald's office, I in-
tend that my supporters shall be two
sloths, my crest a slowworm, and the
motto, "Deil tak the foremost." So
much by way of apology for not thank-
ing you sooner for your kind execution
of my commission.
I would have sent you the poem;
but some how or other it found its
way into the public papers, where you
must have seen it.* — I am ever, dear
sir, youra sincerely,
R. B.
No. CCXIV.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Klusland, April 11, 1791.
I AM once more able, my honoured
friend, to return you, with my own
hand, thanks for the many instances of
your friendship, and particularly for
your kind anxiety in this last disaster
that my evil genius had in store for
me. However, life is chequered — joy
and sorrow^ for on Saturday morning
* The' poem to which the' poet alludes is'the
Lament of Mary Queen 01 Scots."
last, Mrs. Burns made me a present of
a fine boy; rather stouter, but not so
handsome as your godson was at his
time of life. Indeed I look on yoiir
little namesake to be my chef-d'muvre
in that species of manufacture, as I
look on ' ' Tarn o' Shanter" to be mj
standard performance in the poetical
line. 'Tis true, both the one and the
•other discover a spice of roguish wag-
gery tjiat might perhaps be as well
spared; but then they also show, in
my opinion, a force of genius, and a
finishing polish, that I despair of
ever excelling. Mrs. Bums is getting
stout again, and laid as lustily about
her to-day at breakfast as a reaper
from the corn-ridge. That is the
peculiar privilege and blessing of our
hale, sprightly damsels, that are bred
among the hay and heather. We can-
not hope for that highly-polished
mind, that charming delicacy of soul,
which is found among the female
world in the more elevated stations of
life, and which is certainly by far the
most bewitching charm in the famous
cestus of Venus. < It is indeed such an
inestimable treasure that, where it can
be had in its native heavenly purity,
unstained by some one or other of the
many shades of affectation, and unal-
loyed by some one or other of the
many species of caprice, I declare to
heaven, I should think it cheaply pur-
chased at the expense of every other
earthly good ! But as this angelic
creature is, I am afraid, extremely
rare in any station and rank of life,
and totally denied to such a humble
one as mine, we meaner mortals must
put up with the next rank of female
excellence — as fine a figure and face
we can produce as any rank of life
whatever; rustic, native grace; unaf-
fected modesty, and unsullied purity;
nature's mother-wit, and the rudi-
ments of taste; a simplicity of soul,
unsuspicious of, because unacquainted
with, the crooked ways of a selfish, in-
terested, disingenuous world; and the
dearest charm of all the rest, a yield-
ing sweetness of disposition, and a
generous warmth of heart, grateful
for love on our part, and ardently
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
glowing with a more tha,n equal xe-
tftrn; these, with a healthy frame; a
^ound, vigorous constitution, which
your higher ranks can scarcely ever
hope to enjoy, are the charms of lovely
woman in my liumble walk of life.
This is the greatest effort my broken
arm has yet made. Do let me hear,
by the first post, how cher getit Mon-
sieur* comes on with the small-pox.
May Almighty Goodness preserve and
restore him 1
R. B.
No. CCXV.
TO MR. ALEX. CUNNINGHAM.
June n, 1791.
Let me interest you, my dear Cun- •
ningham, in behalf of the gentleman
who waits on you with this. He is a
Mr. Clarke, of Moffat, principal school-
master there, and is at present suffer-
ing severely under the persecution of
one or two powerful-uidividuals of his
employers. He is accused of harshness
to boys that were placed under his
care. God help the teacher, if a man
of sensibility and genius, and such is
my friend Clarke, when a booby father
presents him with his booby son, and
insists on lighting up the rays of
science in a fellow's head whose skull
is impervious and inaccessible by any
other way than a positive fracture with
a cudgel: a fellow whom in fact it
savours of impiety to attempt making
a scholar of, as he has been marked a
blockhead in the book of fate, at the
almighty fiat of his Creator.
The patrons of Moffat School are,
the ministers, magistrates, and Town
Council of Edinburgh, and as the busi-
ness comes now before them, let me
beg my dearest friend to do everything
in his power to serve the interests of a
man of genius and worth, and » man
"Whom I particularly respect and es-
teem. You know some good fellows
ainong the magistracy and council, hut
particularly you have much to say
* Mrs. Henri's child, and the grandchild of
Mrs..Dunlop.
with a reverend gentleman to whom
you have the honour of being very
nearly related, and whom this country
and age have had the honour to pro-
duce. I need not name the historian
of Charles V.* I tell him, through
the medium of his nephew's influence,
that Mr. Clarke is a gentleman who
will not disgrace even his patronage.
I know the merits of the cause
thoroughly, and say it, that my friend
is falling a sacrifice to prejudiced ig-
norance.
God help the children of depend-
ence I Hated and persecuted by their
enemies, and too often, alas ! almost
unexceptionably, received hy their
friends with disrespect and reproach,
under the thin disguise of cold civility
and humiliating advice. Oh to be a
sturdy savage, stalking in the pride of
his independence, amid the solitary
wilds of his deserts, ratherthan in civil
ized life, helplessly to tremble for a
subsistence, precarious as the caprice of
a fellow-creature 1 Every man has.his
virtues, and no man is w^ithout his
failings; and curse on that privileged
plain-dealing of friendship which, in
the hour of my calamity, cannot reach
forth the helping hand without at the
same time pointing out those failings,
and apportioning them their share in
procuring my present distress. My
friends, for such the world calls ye,
and such ye thinlc yourselves to be,
pass by my virtues, if you please, but
do, also, spare my follies; the first
will witness in my breast for them-
selves, and the last will give pain
enough to the ingenuous mind without
you. And, since deviating more or
less from the paths of propriety and
rectitude must be incident to human
nature, do thou, Fortune, put it in my
power always from myself and of my-
self to bear the consequence of those
errors I I do not want to be independ-
ent that I may sin, but I want to be
independent in my sinning.
To return in this ramhling letter to
the subject I set out with, let me re-
* Dr. Robertsao was uncle to Mr. Alex.
Cunningham.
470
BtJRJsS' WORKS.
commend my friend, Mr. Clarke, to
your acquaintance and good offices;
his worth entitles him to the one, and
his gratitude will merit the other.*
I long much to hear from you. Adiea !
E. B.
No. CCXVI.
TO THE EARL OP BUCHAN.
Ei.LiSLAND, June 1791.
My Lokd, — Language sinks under
the ardour of my feelings when I would
thank your lordship for the honour
you have done me in inviting me to
make one at the coronation of the hust
of Thomson. In my first enthusiasm
in reading the card you did me the
honour to write me, I overlooked
every obstacle, and determined to go;
hut I fear it will not be in my power.
A week or two's absence, in the very
middle of toy harvest, is what I much
doubt I dare not venture on. I once
already made a pilgrimage up the
whole course of the Tweed, and fondly
would I take the same delightful jour-
ney down the windings of that de-
lightful stream.
Your lordship hints at an ode for
the occasion: but who would write
after CoUius ? I read over his verses
to the memory of Thomson, and de-
spaired. I got indeed to the length of
three or four stanzas, in the way of
address to the shade of the bard; on
crowning his bust I shall trouble your
lordship with the subjoined copy of
them, whicli, I am afraid, will be but
too convincing a proof how unequal I
am to the task. However, it affords
me an opportunity of approaching your
lordship, and declaring how sincerely
and gratefully I have the honour to
be, &c.,
R. B.
[Here follow the verses, for which see
p. 137.]
* The poet addressed many letters to Mr.
Clarke. After the death of her husband, Mrs.
Clarke, taking offence at some freedom of ex-
pression -in them, coramitjed them to the
No. CCXVII.
TO MR. THOMAS SLOAN.
Ellisland, Sept. z, 1791.
My dear Sloan,— Siispense is worse
than disappointment; for that reason I
hurry to tell you that I just now learn
that Mr. Ballantine does not choose to
interfere more in the business. I am
truly sorry for it, but cannot help it.
You blame me for not writing you
sooner, but you will please to recollect
that you omitted one little necessary
piece of information — your address.
However, you know equally well
my hurried life, indolent temper, and
strength of attachment. It must be a
longer period than the longest life "in
the world's hale and, undegenerate
days," that will make me forget so
dear a friend as Mr. Sloan. I am
prodigal enough at times, but I will
not part with such a treasure as that.
I can easily enter into the embarras
of your present situation. You know
my favourite quotation from Young —
" On Reason build Resolve !
That column of true majesty in man."
And that other favourite one froni
Thomson's Alfred —
" What proves the hero truly great,
Is never, never, to despair.'
Or shall I quote you an author of
your acquaintance ?
'' Whether doing, suffering, or forbearing,
You may do miracles by — persevering."
I have nothing new to tell you. The
few friends we have are going, on in
the old way. I sold my crop on this
day se'ennight, and sold it very well.
A guinea an acre, on an average, above
value. But such a scene of drunken-
ness was hardly ever seen in this
country. After the roup was over,
about thirty people engaged in a bat-
tle, every man for his own hand, and
fought it out for three hours. Nor was
the scene much better in the house.
No fighting; indeed, but folks lying
drunk on the floor, and decanting, un-
til both my dogs got so drunk by at-
tending them that they could not
stand. You will easily guess how I
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
471
enjoyed the scene; as I was no further
over than yon used to see me.
Mrs. B. and family have been in
Ayrshire this many weeks.
' Farewell! and God bless you, my
dear friend !
E. B.
No. CCXVIII.
TO LADY B. CUNNINGHAM.*
Elusland, Sept. i/gj.
My Lady, — I would, as usual, have
availed myself of the privilege your
goodness has allowed me, of sending
you anything I composed in my poet-
ical way; but as I had resolved so soon
as the shock of my irreparable loss
would allow me, to pay a tribute to
my late benefactor, I determined to
make that the first piece I should do
myself the honour of sending you.
Had the wing of my fancy been equal
to the ardour of my heart, the enclosed
Lad been much more worthy your pe-
rusal; as it is, I beg leave to lay it at
your ladyship's feet. As all the world
knows my obligations to the late Earl
of Glencairn, I would wish to show, as
openly, that my heart glows, and shall
ever glow, with the most grateful
sense and remembrance of his lord-
ship's goodness. The sables I did my-
self the honour to wear to his lord-
ship's memory were not the " mockery
pf woe." Nor shall my gratitude perish
with me ! If, among my children, I
shall have a son that has a heart, he
shall hand it down to his child as a
family honour, and a family debt, that
my dearest existence I owe to the noble
house of Glencairn 1
I was about to say, my lady, that if
yea think the poem may venture to
see the light, I would, in some way or
other, give it to th3 world, f
E. B.
* Sister of the Earl of Glencairn. Her lady-
ship died unmarried, in August 1804.
' t " The Lament for James, Earl of Glen-
cairn *' See p. 135.
No. CCXIX.
TO COLONEL FULLARTOX, OF
FULLAETON.*
El^ISLAND, Oct. 3, 1791.
Sm, — I have just this minute got
the frank, and next minute must send
it to post, else I purposed to have sent
you two or three other bagatelles that
might have amused a vacant hour.about
as well as " Six excellent new Songs,"
or the ' ' Aberdeen prognostications for
the year to come." 1 shall probably
trouble you soon with another packet,
about the gloomy month of November,
when the people of England hang and
drown themselves — anything general-
ly is better than one's own thoughts.
Fond as I may be of my own pro-
ductions, it is not for their sake that I
am so anxious to send you them. I
am ambitious, covetously ambitious,-
of being known to a gentleman whom
I am proud to call my countryman ; a
gentleman who was a foreign ambas-
sador as soon as he was a man; and a
leader of armies as soon as he was a
soldier; and that with an eclat un-
known to the usual minions of a court
— men who, with all the adventitious
advantages of princely connexions and
princely fortunes, must yet, like the
caterpillar, labour a whole lifetime
before they reach the wishedrfor
height, there to roost a stupid chrysa-
lis, and doze out the remaining glim-
mering existence of old age. '
If the gentleman that accompanied
you when you did me the honour of
calling on me is with you, I beg to be
respectfully remembered to him. I
have the honour to be your highly-
obliged and most devoted humble ser-
vant,
E. B.
No. CCXX.
TO MR. AINSLIE.
ELL-.i-i,A:;i, ir,-
My dear Ainslie, — Can you min-
ister to a mind diseased ? Can - you,
* Colonel Fullarlon is lionourably men-
tioned in " The Vision."
47*
BURNS' WOEKS.
amid tlie horrors of penitence, regret,
remorse, headache, nausea, and all the
rest of the damned hounds of hell that
beset a poor wretch who has been
guilty of the sin of drunkenness — can
you speak peace to a troubled soul ?
Miserable perdu that I am, I have
tried everything that used to amuse
me, but in vain: here must I sit, a
monument of the vengeance laid up in
store for the wiclied, slowly counting
every chick of the clock as it slowly,
slowly numbers over these lazy scoun-
drels of hours; who, damn them, are
ranked up before me, every one at his
neighbour's backside, and every one
with a burthen of anguish on his back,
to pour on my devoted head — and there
is none to pity me. My wife scolds
me; my business torments me, and my
sins come staring me in the face, every
one telling a more bitter tale than his
fellow. When I tell you even
has lost its power to please, you will
guess something of my liell within,
and all around me — I began "Eli-
banks and Elibraes," but the stanzas
fell unenjoyed and unfinished from
my listless tongue: at last I luclcily
thought of reading over an old letter
of yours, that lay by me in my book-
case, and I felt something, for the
first time since I opened my eyes,
of pleasurable existence. Well — I
begin to breathe a little, since I began
to write to you. How are you, and
what are you doing ? How goes Law ?
Apropos, for connexion's sake do not
address to me supervisor, for that is
an honour I cannot pretend to — I am
on the list, as we call it, for a super-
visor, and will be called out by and by
to act as one; but at. present, lama
simple ganger, though t'other day I got
an appointment to an excise division
of £35 per annum better than the rest.
My present income, down money, is
£70 per annum.
. I have one or two good fellows here
whom you would be glad to know.
R. B.
No. CCXXI.
TO MISS DAVIE8.*
It is impossible, madam, that the
generous warmth and angelic purity of
* Those who remember the pleasing society
which, in the yeariygii-Dumfries afforded,
cannot have forgotten " the charming lovely;
Davies " of the lyrics of Burns. Her maiden,
name was Deborah, and she was the youngest
daughter of Dr. Davies of Tenby in Pem-
brokeshire ; between her and the Riddels
of Friar^s Carse there were ties of blood or
friendship, and her eldest sister, Harriet, was
married to Captain Adam Gordon of the noble
family of Kenmure. Her education was
superior to that of most young ladies of her
station of life ; she was equally agreei.ble and
witty ; her company was much courted in
Nithsdale, and others than Burns respected
her talents in poetic composition. She was
then in her twentieth year, and so little and so
handsome that some one, who desired to com-
pliment her, welcomed her to the Vale of Nith
as one of the Graces in miniature.
It was the destiny of Miss Davies to become
acquainted with Captain Delany, a pleasant
and sightly man, who made himself acceptable
to her by sympathising in her pursuits, and
by writing verses to her, calling her _ his
^' Stella," — an ominous name, which might
have brought the memory of Swift's unhappy,
mistress to her mind. An offer of marriage
was made and accepted ; but Delany's cir-
cumstances were urged as an obstacle ; delays
ensued ; a coldness on the lover's part follow-
ed ; his regiment was called abroad — he ent
with it ; she heard from him once and no
more, and was left to mourn tlie change of
affection — to droop and die. He perished in
battle, or by a foreign climate, soon after the
death of the young lady of whose love he was
unworthy. . .-
The following verses on this unfortunate
attachment form part of a poem found among
her papers at her death; she takes Delany's
portrait from her bosom, presses it to her lipsj
and says,
" Next to thyself 'tis all on earth
Thy Stella dear doth hold.
The glass is clouded with my breath,
And as my bosom cold : ■ -
That bosom which so oft has glowed
With love and friendship's name,
Where you the seed of love first sowed,
That kindled into flame.
" You there neglected let it burn.
It seized the vital part.
And left my bosom as an um
To" hold a broken heart :
I once had thought I should have been -
A tender happy wife,
And past my future days serene-
With thee, my James, through life."
The information contained in this note Was
obligingly communicated by H. P. Davies,
Esq., nephew of the lady.— CunSingha.\i.' '
GENERAL C0EEE9P0NDENCE.
47J
your youthful mind can have any idea.
of that moral disease under wliich I
unhappily must rank as the chief of
sinners; I mean a torpitude of the
moral powers, and that may be called
a lethargy of conscience. In vain Re-
morse rears her horrent crest, and
rouses all her snakes: beneath the
deadly-flxed eye and leaden hand of
Indolence, their wildest ire is charmed
iiito the torpor of the bat, slumbering
out the rigours of winter in the chink
of a ruined wall. Nothing loss, mad-
am, could have made me so long neg-
lect your obliging commands. Indeed
I had one apology — the bagatelle was
not worth presenting. Besides, so
strongly am I interested in Miss l)av-
ies' fate and welfare in the serious
business of life, amid its chances and
changes, that to malce her the subject
of a silly ballad is downright mockery
of these ardent feelings; 'tis like an
impertinent jest to a dying friend.
Gracious Heaven ! why this dis-
parity between our wishes and our
powers ? Wliy is the most generous
wish to make others blest impotent
tni inefEectual — as the idle breeze that
crosses the pathless desert? In my
walks of life I have met with a few
people to whom how gladly would I
have said — " Go, be happy ! I know
that your hearts have been wounded
by the scorn of the proud, whom acci-
dent has placed above you — or worse
still, in whose hands are, perhaps,
placed many of the comforts of your
life. But there ! ascend that rock. In-
dependence, and look justly down on
their littleness of soul. Make the
■worthless tremble under your indigna-
tion, and the foolish sink before your
contempt; and largely impart that
happiness to others which I am cer-
tain, will give yourselves so mUcli
pleasure to bestow!"
Why, dear madam, must I, wake
from this delightful reverie, and find
it all a dream ? Why, amid my gen-
erous enthusiasm, must I find myself
poor and powerless, incapable of
wiping'one tear from the eye of pity,
or of adding one comfort to the friend
riove ! Out upon the world ! say I,
that its affairs are administered so ill I
They talk of reform; — good Heaven!
what a reform would I m^ke among
the sons, and even the daughters, oi
men ! Down, immediately, should go
fools from the high places where mis-
begotten chance has perked them up,
and through life should thfey skulk,
over haunted by their native insig-
nificance, as the body marches accom-
panied by its shadow. As for a much
more formidable class, the knaves, I
am at a loss what to do with them:
had I a world, there should not be a
knave in it.
But the hand that could give ' I
would liberally fill : and I would pour
delight on the heart that could Riudly
forgive, and generously love.
Still the inequalities of life are,
among men, comparatively tolerable —
but there is a delicacy, a. tender-
ness, accompanying every view in
v/hich we can place lovely wo-
man, that are grated an shocked
at the rude, capricious distinctions of
Fortune. Woman is the blood-royal
of life: let there be slight degrees of
precedency among them — but let them
be ALL sacred. — Whether this last sen-
timent be right or wrong, I am not ac-
countable; it is an original component
feature of my mind.
E. B.
No. CCXXII.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Ellisland, Dec. 17, 1791,
Many thanks to you, madam, for
your good news respecting the iittl6
floweret and the mother plant. I hope
my poetic prayers have been heard,
and will be answered up to the warm-
eat sincerity of their fullest extent;
and then -Mrs. Henri will find her lit-
tle darling the representative of his
late parent, in every thing but his
abi-idged existence.
I have just finished the following
song which, to, a. lady the descendant
of Wallace — and many heroes of his
truly illustrious line — and herself tho
474
BURNS' WORKS.
mother of several soldiers, needs
neither preface nor apology.
" Scene — Afield of battle — tiim of the
day, evening; tJie wounded and dying
of the metorious army are supposed
to join in the foV
SONG OF DEATH.
" Farewell, thou ^air day, thou sreen earth,
and ye skies, ■
Now gay with the bright setting sun :
Farewell, loves and friendships, ye dear, ten-
der ties —
Our race of existence is run ! "
(See p. 231.)
The circumstance that gave rise to
the foregoing verses was — looking over
with a musical friend M'Donald's col-
lection of Highland airs, I was struck
with one, an Isle of Skye tune, enti-
tled, ' ' Oran an Aoig, or, the Song of
Death," to the measure of which I
have adapted my stanzas. I liave of
late composed two or three other little
pieces, which, ere yon full-orhed moon,
whose broad impudent face now stares
at old mother earth all night, shall
have shrunk into a modest crescent,
just peeping forth at dewy dawn, I
shall find an hour to transcribe for you.
A Dieuje vous commende.
R. B.
No. CCXXIII.
TO MR. WILLIAM SMELLIE,
PRINTER.
Dumfries, Jan. 22, 1792.
I SIT down, my dear sir, to intro-
duce a young lady to you, and a lady
in the first ranks of fashion too. What
a taslc I to you — who care no more
for the herd of animals called young
ladies than you do for the herd
of animals called young gentlemen.
To you — who despise and detest the
groupings and combinations of fashion,
as an idiot painter that seems indus-
trious to please staring fools and
unprincipled knaves in the foreground
of his picture, while men of sense and
honesty are too often thrown in the
dimmest shades. Mrs. Riddel,* who
will take this letter to town with her,
and send it to you, is a character that,
even in your own way, as a naturalist
and a philosopher, would be an acqui-
sition to your acquaintance. The lady,
too, is a votary of the muses; and, as
I think myself somewhat of a judg6,in
my own trade, I assure you that her
verses, always correct, and often ele-
gant, are much beyond the common
run of the lady -poetesses ot the day.
She is a great admirer of your book;f
and, hearing me say that I was
acquainted with you, she begged to be
known to you, as she is just going to
pay her first visit to our Caledonian
capital. I told lier that her best way
was to desire her near relation, and
your intimate friend, Craigdarroch,
to have you at his house while she was
there; and, lest you might think of a
lively West Indian girl of eighteen, as
girls of eighteen too often deserve
to be thought of, I should take care to
remove that prejudice. To be impar-
tial, however, in appreciating the
lady's merits, she has one unlucky
failing: a failing which you will easily
discover, as she seems rather pleased
with indulging in it; and a failing that
you will easily pardon, as it is a sin
which very much besets yourself;—
where she dislikes, or despises, she is
apt to make no more a secret of it than
where she esteems and respects.
I will not present you with the
unmeaning compliments of the season^
but I will send you my warmest wishes
and most ardent prayers, that Fortune
may never throw your subsistence to
the mercy of a knave, nor set your
CHAKACTBE on the judgment of a
fool; but, that, upright and erect, you
may walk to an honest grave, where
men of letters shall say, ' ' Here lies a
man who did honour to science," and
men of worth shall say, "Here lies a
man who did honour to human
nature."
E. B.
* Mrs. Riddel of Woodley Park, near Dum-
fries. She. is to be carefully distinguished
from Mrs. Riddel, of Friar's Carse, another
friend of the poet's. — Chambers.
t The Philosophy of Natural History.
GENERAL COREESPONDBNCB.
475
No. CCXXIV.
TO MR. PETER HILL, BOOK-
SELLER, EDINBURGH.
Dumfries, Feb. 5, 1792.
My dbak Friend, — I send you by
the bearer, (Mr. Clark, a particular
friend of mine,) sis pounds and a
shilling, whicb. you will dispose of
as follows: — Five pounds ten shillings,
per account I owe Mr. R. Burn, archi-
tect, for erecting the stone over tho
grave of poor Fergusson. He was two
years in erecting it, after I had com-
missioned him for it; and I have been
two years in paying him, after he sent
me his account; so he and I are quits.
He had the hardiesse to ask me
interest on the sum; but, considering
that the money was due by one poet
for putting a tombstone over the
grave of another, he may, with grate-
fiil surprise, thank Heaven that ever
he saw a farthing of it.
With the remainder of the money
pay yourself for the " Office of a Mes-
senger," that I bought of you; and
send me by Mr. Clark a note of its
price. Send me, likewise, the fifth
volume of the "Observer," by Mr.
Clark ; and if any money remain let
it stand to account.
My best compliments to Mrs. Hill.
I sent you a maukin by last week's
fly, which I hope you received. — Yours
most sincerely,
R. B,
No. CCXXV.
TO MR. W. NICOL.
Feb. 20, 1732.
0 THOTJ, wisest among the wise,
meridian blaze of prudence, full moon
of discretion, and chief of many coun-
sellors ! How infinitely is thy puddle-
headed, rattle-headed, wrong-headed,
round-headed slave indebted to thy
super-eminent goodness, that from the
luminous path of thy own right-lined
rectitude, thou lookest benignly down
on an erring wretch, of whom the zig-
zag wanderings defy all the powers of
calculation, from the simple copula-
tion of units, up to the hidden myste-
ries of fluxions ! May one feeble ray
of that light of wisdom which darts
from thy sensorium, straight as the
arrow of heaven, and bright as the
meteor of inspirrtion, may it be my
portion, so that it may be less un-
worthy of the face and favour of that
father of proverbs, and master of max
ims, that antipode of folly, and mag-
net among the sages, the wise and witty
Willie Nicol ! Amen ! Amen 1 Yes, so
belt!
For me ! I am a beast, a reptile, and
know nothing ! From the cave of my
ignorance, amid the fogs of my dul-
ness, and pestilential fumes of my po-
litical heresies, I look up to thee, as
doth a toad through the iron-barred
lucerne of a pestiferous dungeon, to
the cloudless glory of a summer sun !
Sorely sighing in bitterness of soul, I
say, when shall my name be the quo-
tation of the wise, and my countenance
be the delight of the godly, like the
illustrious lord of Laggan's many hills ?
As for him, his works are perfect !
never did the pen of calumny blur the
fair page of his reputation; nor the
blot of hatred fly at his dwelling.
Thou mirror of purity, when shall
the elfin lamp of my glimmerous
understanding, purged from sensual
appetites and gross desires, shine like
the constellation of thy intellectual
powers ! As for thee, thy thoughts
are pure, and thy lips are holy. Never
did the unhallowed breath of the
powers of darkness, and the pleasures
of darkness, pollute the sacred flame
of thy sky-descended and heaven-bound
desires: never did the vapours of im-
purity stain the unclouded serene of
thy cerulean imagination. Oh, that
like thine were the tenor of my life,
like thine the tenor of my conversa-
tion !— then should no friend fear for
my strength, no enemy rejoice in my
weakness ! Then should I lie down
and rise up, and none to make me
afraid. May thy pity and thy prayer
be exercised for, 0 thou lamp of wis-
4T6
EURNS' WORKS.
dom and mirror of morality ! thy de-
voted slave,"
R. B.
No. CCXXVI.
TO FRANCIS GROSE, ESQ., F. O.A.t
Dumfries, 1792.
Sir, — I believe among all our Scots
literati you have not met with Profes-
sor Dugald Stewart, who fills the
moral philosophy chair in the Univer-
sity of Edinburgli. To say that he is
a man of the first parts, and, what is
more, a man of the first worth, to a
gentleman of your general acquaint-
ance, and who so much enjoys the lux-
ury of unencumbered freedom and un-
disturbed privacy, is not perhaps re-
commendation enough: — but when I
inform you that Mr. Stewart's princi-
pal characteristic is your favourite
feature; that sterling independence of
mind, which, though every man's
right, so few men have the courage to
claim, and fewer still the magnanimity
to support; when I tell you that, un-
seduced by splendour, and undisgusted
by wretchedness, ho appreciates the
merits of the various actors in the
great drama of life, merely as they
perform their parts — in short, he is a
man after your own heart, and I com-
ply witli his eai-nest request in letting
you know that he wishes above all
things to meet with you. His house,
Catrine, is within less than a mile of
Sorn Castle, which you proposed visit-
ing; or, if you could transmit him the
* Mr. Nicol in a letter to the poet had given
him much good advice, lience the irony of h:s
reply.
t Mr. Grose, in the introduction to his
'•Antiquities of Scotland," acknowledges his
obligations to Burns in the following para-
obligations to Burns in the following para-
graph, some of the terms of which will scarce-
ly fail to amuse the modern reader ;
" To my ingenious friend, Mr. Robert Bums,
I have been seriously obligated ; he was not-
only at the pains of malting out what was
most worthy of notice in Ayrshire, the coun-
try honoured by; his birth, but he also wrote,
expressly for this work, the/rf«j/ inle annex-
ed to Alloway Church. "•
This "pretty tele" being " Tam o' Slianter !"
enclosed, ho would with the greatest
pleasure meet you anywhere in the
neighbourhood. I write to Ayrshire to
infonu Mr. Stewart that I have acquit-
ted myself of my promise. Should
your time and spirits permit j-our
meeting with Mr. Stewart, 'tiswell; if
not, I hope you will forgive this 'lib-
erty, and I have at least an opportti-
nity of assuring you with what truth
and respect, I am, sir, your great ad-
mirer, and very humble servant,
R. B.
No. ecxxvii.
TO THE SAME.
Dumfries, 1792.
Among the many witch stories . I
have heard, relating to Alloway kirk,
I distinctly remember only two or
three.
Upon a stormy night, amid whistling
squalls of wind, and bitter blasts of
hail; in short, on such a night as the
devil would choose to take the air in:
a farmer or farmer's servant was plod-
ding and plashing homeward with his
plough-irons on his shoulder, having'
been getting some repairs on them at
a neighbouring smithy. His way lay
by the kirk of Allov/ay, and, being
rather on the anxious look-out in
approaching a place so well Imown to
be a favourite haunt of the devil, and
the devil's friends and emissaries, he
was struck aghast by discovering
through the horrors of the storm and
stormy night, a light, -which on his
nearer approach plainly showed itself
to proceed from the haunted edifice.
"Whether he had been fortified from
above on his devout supplication, as is
customary with people when they sus-
pect the immediate presence of Satan;
or whether, according to another
custom, he had got courageously drunk
at the smithy, I will not pretend to de-
termine; but so it was that he ventur-
ed to go up to, nay, into, the very kirk:
As luck would have it, his temerity
came off unpunished.
The members of the infernal junto
were all out on some midnight business
GENERAIi COREBSPONDENCE.
477
or .other, and he saw nothing but
a Itind of kettle or caldron, depending
f I'oni the roofj over the fire, simmering
some heads of unchristened children,
limbs of executed malefactors, &c.,
foj the husintsj of the night. It was
in for a penny in for a pound with the
honest ploughman: so without cere-
mony he unliooked the caldron from
off the fire, and pouring out the dam-
nable ingredients, inverted it on his
head, and carried it fairly home, where
it remained long in the family, a living
evidence of the truth of the story.
Another story, which I can prove to
be equally autlientic, was as follows : —
On a market day in the town of Ayr,
a farmer from Carrick, and conse-
quently whose way lay by the very
gate of Alloway kirkyard, in order to
cross the river Doon at the old bridge,
which is about two or three hundred
yards farther on than the said gate,
had been detained by his business, till
by the time he reached Alloway it was
the wizard hour, between night and
morning.
Though he was terrified with a
blaze streaming from the kirk, yet it
is a well-known fact that to turn back
on these occasions is running by far
the greatest tisk of mischief, — ^he pru-
dently advanced on his road. When
ho had reached the gate of the kirk-
yard, he was surprised and entertain-
ed, through the ribs and arches of an
old Gothic window, which still faces
the highway, to see a dance of witches
merrily footing it round their old sooty
blackguard master, who was keeping
them all alive with the power of his
bagpipe. The farmer, stopping his
horse to observe them a little, could
plainly descry the faces of many old
women of his acquaintance and
neighbourhood. How the gentleman
was dressed tradition docs not say,
but that the ladies were all in their
smocks: and one of them happening
unluckily to have a smock which was
considerably too short to answer all
tlie purpose of that piece of dress, onr
fanner was so tickled that he invo-
luntarily burst out, with a loud laugh,
V. Weellnppcu, Maggy wi' the short
sark 1" and, recollecting himself, in-
stantly spurred his horse to the top of
his speed. 1 need not mention the uni-
versally known fact that no diabolical
power can pursue you beyond the mid-
dle of a running stream. Lucidly it
was for the poor farmer that the river
Doon was so near, for notwithstanding
the speed of his horse, which was a
good one, against he reached the mid-
dle of the arch of the bridge, and con-
sequently the middle of the stream,
the pureuing, vengeful hags, were so
close at his heels that one of them ac-
tually sprung to seize him; but it was
too late, nothing was on her side of
the stream but the horse's tail, which
immediately gave way at her infernal
grip, as if blasted by a stroke of light-
ning; but the farmer was beyond her
reach. However, the unsightly, tail-
less condition of the vigorous steed
was, to the last hour of the noble crea-
ture's life, an awful warning to the
Carrick farmers not to stay too late in
Ayr markets.
The last relation I .shall give, though
equally true, is not so well identified
as the two former, with regard to the
scene, but, as the best authorities give
it for Alloway, I shall relate it.
On a summer's evening, about the
time that nature puts on her sables to
mourn the expiry of the cheerful day,
a shepherd |3oy belonging to a farmer
in the immediate neighbourhood of
Alloway kirk had just folded his
charge, and was returning home. As
he passed the kirk, in the adjoining
field, he fell in with a crew of men
and women, who were busy pulling
stems of the plant Kagwort. He ob-
served that, as each person pulled a
Ragwort, he or she got astride of it,
and called out, " Up hgrsiel " on which
the Ragwort flew off, like Pegasus,
through the air with its rider. The
foolish boy likewise pulled his Rag-
wort, and cried with the rest, "Up
horsie !" and, strange to tell, away he
flew with the company. The first
stage at which the cavalcade .stopt was
a merchant's wine cellar in Bordeaux,
where, without saying, "By your
leave," they quaffed away at the best the
478'
BURNS' WORKS.
cellar could afford, until the morning,
foe to the imps and works of darkness,
threatened to throw light on the mat-
ter, and frightened them from their
carousals.
The poor shepherd lad, being
equally a stranger to the scene and
the liquor, heedlessly got himself
drunk; and when the rest took horse,
he "fell asleep, and was found so next
day by some of the people belonging
to the merchant. Somebody, that un-
derstood Scotch, asking him what he
was, he said such-a-one's lierd in
Allovvay, and, by some means or other
getting home again, he lived long to
tell the world the wondrous tale. — I
am,&c.,
K. B.
No. CCXXVIII.
TO MR. J. CLARKE, EDINBURGH.
July i6, 1792,
Mr. Burns begs leave to present his
most respectful compliments to Mr.
Clarke. — Mr. B. some time ago did
liimself the honour of writing Mr. C.
respecting coming out to the country,
to, give a little musical instruction in a
highly respectable family,* where Mr.
C. may have his own terms, and may
be as happy as indolence, the devil,
and the gout will permit him. Mr. B.
knows well how Mr. C. is engaged
with another family; but cannot Mr.
C. find two or three weeks to spare to
each of them? Mr. B. is deeply im-
pressed with, and awfully conscious of,
the high importance of Mr. C.'s time,
whether in the winged moments of
symphonious exhibition, at the keys of
harmony, while listening seraphs cease
their own less -delightful strains; or in
the drowsy arms of slumberous repose,
in the arms of his dearly-beloved
elbow-chair, where the frowsy, but
potent power of indolence circumfuses
her vapours round, and sheds her
dews on the head of her darling son.
But half a line conveying half a meau-
* The family to whom this letter refers was
that of M'Murdo's of Drumlanrig.
ing from Mr. C. would make Mr. B.
the happiest of mortals.
No. CCXXIX.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Annan Water Foot, Aug, 22, 1792. '
Do not blame me for it madam — my-
own conscience, hackneyed and;
weather-beaten as it is, in watching,
and reproving my vagaries, follies, in-
dolence, &c., has continued to punish
me suflSciently.
Do you think it possible, my dear
and honoured friend, that I could be so
lost to gratitude for many favours, to
esteem for much worth, and tQ the
honest, kind, pleasurable tie of now
old acquaintance, and I hope and am
sure of progressive, increasing friend--
ship as for a single day not to think of '
you — to ask the Fates what they are
doing and about to do with my much-
loved friend and her wide scattered'
connexions, and to beg of them to be
as kind to you and youi-s as they
possibly can ?
Apropos, (though how it is apropos,
I have not leisure to explain,) do you,
know that I am almost in love with au
acquaintance of yours ? Almost ! said.
I — I am in love, souse, over head and:
ears, deep as the unfathomable abyss
of the boundless ocean; but the word
love, owing to the intermingledorm of
the good and the bad, the pure and the .
impure in this world, being rather
an equivocal term for expressing one's
sentiments and sensations, I must do
justice to the sacred purity of my
attachment. Know, then, "that the
heart-struck awe; the distant humble
approach; the delight we should have
in gazing upon and listening to a
messenger of Heaven, appearing in
all the unspotted purity of his celestial
home, among- the coarse, polluted, far
inferior sons of men, to deliver to them
tidings that make their hearts swim in
joy, and their imaginations soar in
transport— such, so delighting and so
pure, were the emotions of my soiil oa'
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
479
meeting the other day -with ' Miss
Lesley Baillie, your neighbour, at
M . Mr. B. with his two daugh-
ters, accompanied by Mr. H. of U.,
passing through Dumfries a few days
ago, on their way to England, did me
the honour of calling on me; on which
I took my horse, (though God Itnows I
could ill spare the time,) and accom-
panied them fourteen or fifteen miles,
and dined and spent the day with
them. 'Twas about nine, I think,
when I left them, and, riding home, I
composed the following ballad, of
which you will probably think you
have a dear bargain, as it will cost you
another groat of postage. You must
know that there is an old ballad
beginning with —
" My bonnie Lizzie Baillie,
I'll rowe thee in my plaidie," &c.
So I parodied it as follows, which
is literally the first copy, " uuauointed,
unanneal'd," as Hamlet says —
" O saw ye bonny Lesley
As she gaed o'er the Border?
She's grane like Alexander,
To spread her conquests farther."
(See p. 234.)
So much for ballads. I regret that
you are gone to the east country, as I
am to be in Ayrehire in about a fort-
night. This world of ours, notwith-
standing it has many good things in it,
yet it lias ever had this curse, that two
or three people, who would be the hap-
pier the oftener they met together, are,
almost without exception, always so
placed as never to meet but once or
twice a year, which considering the
few years of a man's life, is a very
great "evil under the sun," which
I do not recollect that Solomon has
mentioned in his catalogue of the
miseries of man. I hope and believe
that there is a state of existence beyond
the grave, where the worthy of this
life will renew their former intimacies,
with this endearing addition, that,
" we meet to part no more ! "
" Tell us, ye dead,
Wrll none of you in pity disclose the secret
What 'lisyoli -are, ind we must-shortly be ? '
A thousand times have I made this
apostrophe to the departed sons of
men, but not one of them has ever
thought fit to answer the question.
" Oh that some courtous ghost would
blab it out!" but it cannot be; you
and I, my friend, must make the
experiment by ourselves, and for our-
selves. However, I am so convinced
that an unshalsen faith in the doctrines
of religion is not only necessary, by
jnaking us better men, but also by
malting us happier men, that I should
take every care that your little godson,
and every little creature that shall call
me father, shall be taught them.
So ends this heterogeneous letter,
written at this wild place of the world,
in the intervals of my labour of dis-
charging a vessel of rum from An-
tigua. R. B.
No. CCXXX.
TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.
Dumfries, Sept. 10, 1792.
No I I will not attempt an apology.-
Amid all my hurry of business, grind-
ing the faces of the publican and the
sinner-on the merciless wheels of tho
Excise; making ballads, and then
drinking, and then singing them;
and, over and above all, the correcting
the press- work of two different pub-
lications; still, still ■ I might have
stolen five minutes to dedicate to one
of the first of my friends and fellow-
creatures. I might have done, as I do
at present, snatched an hour near
" witching time of night," a..d
scrawled a page or two. I might
have congratulated my friend on his
marriage; or I might have thanked
the Caledonian archers for the honour
they have done me, (though to do my-
self justice, I intended to have done
both in rhyme, else I had done both
long ere now.) Well, then, here is to
yoiir good health ! for you must know
I have set a-nipperkin of toddy by me,
just by way of spell, to keep away the
meikle-homed deil, or any of his sub-
altern imps who may be on their
nightly rounds.
480
BURNS' WORKS.
But wliat sliall I write to you? —
"The voice said, Cry," and I said,
" What shall I cry ?"— 0 thou spirit ?
■whatever thou art, or wherever thou
makest thyself visible ! be thou a bo-
gle by the eerie side of an auld thorn,
in the dreary glen through which the
herd-callan maun bicker in his gloam-
in' route frae the fauld ! — be thou a
brownie, set, at dead of night, to thy
task by- the blazing ingle, or in the
solitary barn, where the repercussions
of thy iron flail half affright thyself,
as thou performest the work of twenty
of the sons of men, ere the cock-crow-
ing summon thee to thy ample cog of
substantial brose — be thou a kelpie,
haunting the ford or ferry, in the
starless night, mixing thy laughing
yell with the howling of the storm
and the roaring of the flood, as thou
viewest the perils and miseries of
man on the foundering horse, or in the
tumbling boat ! — or, lastly, be thou a
ghost, paying thy nocturnal visits to
the hoary ruins of decayed grandeur;
or performing thy mystic rites in the
shadow of the time-worn church,
while the moon looks, without a cloud,
on the silent, ghastly dwellings of the
dead around thee; or taking thy stand
by the bedside of the villain, or the
murderer, portraying on his' dreaming
fancy, pictures, dreadful as the hor-
rors of unveiled hell, and terrible as
the wrath of incensed Deity ! — Come,
thou spirit, but not in these horrid
forms; come with fhe milder, gentle,
easy inspirations, which thou breathest
round the wig of a prating advocate,
or the tete of a tea-sipping gossip,
while their tongues run at the .light-
horse gallop of clish-ma-claver forever
and ever — come and assist a poor devil
who is quite jaded in the attempt to
share half an idea among half a hun-
dred words; to fill up four quarto
pages, while he has not got one single
sentence of recollection, information,
or remark, worth putting pen to paper
for.
. I feel, I feel the presence of super-
natural assistance ! circled in the em-
brace of my elbow-chair, my breast
labours, like the bloated Sybil on her
tliree-footed stool, and like her, too,
labours with Nonsense. — Nonsense,
auspicious name 1 Tutor, friend, and
finger-post in the mystic mazes of law;
the cadaverous paths of physic; and
particularly in the sightless soarings
of SCHOOL, DIVINITY, who, leaving .
Common Sense confounded at his
strength of pinion, Reason, delirious
with eyeing his giddy flight; and
Truth creeping back into the bottom
of her well, cursing the hour that ever
she offered her scorned alliance to the
wizard power of Theologic vision — •
raves abroad on all the winds. " On.
earth discord ! a gloomy heaven above,
opening lier jealous gates to the nine-
teen thousandth part of the tithe of
mankind I and below, an "inescapable
and inexorable-^hell, expanding its le-
viathan jaws for the vast residue of
mortals ! ! ! " — 0 doctrine ! comfortable
and healing to the weary, wounded
soul of man ! Ye sons and daughters
of affliction, yepauvres miser aMes, to
whom day brings no pleasure, and
night yields no rest, be comforted !
"'Tis but one to nineteen hundred
thousand that your situation will mend
in this world;" so, alas, the experience
of the poor and the needy too often sf-
firms; and 'tis nineteen hundred thou-
sand to one, by the dog-mas of ,
that you will be damned eternally in
the world to come !
But of all nonsense, religious non-
sense is the most nonsensical; so
enough, and more than enough of it.
Only, by the by, will you, or can you,
tell me, my dear Cunningham, why a
sectarian turn of mind has always a
tendency to narrow and illiberalise
the heart? They are orderly; they
may be just; nay, I have known them
merciful; but still your children of
sanctity move among their fellow-
creatures with a nostril-snuffing pu-
trescence, and a foot-spurning filth, in
short, with a conceited dignity that
your titled . . , . .or any other
of your Scottish lordlings of seven cen-
turies' standing display, when they ac-
cidentally mix among the" many -apron-
ed, sons of mechanical life. 1 remem-
ber, in my ploughboy days, I could not
GENERAL CORRBSPONDENCE.
481
conceiye it possible that a noble lord
could be a fool or a godly man could
be a knave, — How ignorant are plough-
boys ! — Nay, I have since discovered
that a g<my woman may be a ! —
■But hold — Here's t'ye again — this rum
is generous Antigua, so a very uniit
menstruum for scandal.
' Apropos, how do you like, I mean
v'eally like, the married life ? Ah, my
friend ! matrimony is qiiite a different
thing from what your lovesick youths
and sighing girls talie it to be ! But
marriage, we are told, is appointed by
God, and I shall never quarrel with
any of his ' institutions. 1 am a 1ms-
band of older standing than you, and
shall give you my ideas of the conju-
gal state (ere ^a««a«</ you know. I am
no. Latinist, is not conjugal derived
iiora jugttm, ayolte?) Well then, the
scale of good wifeship I divide into ten
parts. — Goodnature, four; Good Sense,
two; Wit, one; Personal Charms,
viz. , a sweet face, eloquent eyes, fine
limbs, graceful carriage, (I would
add a fine waist too, but that is so soon
spoilt, you know,) all these one: as
for the other qualities belonging to, or
attending on a wife, such as fortune,
connexion, education, (I mean educa-
tion extraordinary,) family blood, &c.,
divide the two remaining degrees
among them as you please; only re-
member that all these minor proper-
ties must be expressed hj fractions,
for there is not any one of them in
the aforesaid scale, entitled to the dig-
nity of an integer.
As for the rest of my fancies and
reveries — how I lately met with Miss
Lesley Baillie, the most beautiful, ele-
gant woman in the world- — how I
accompanied her and her father's fam ■
ily fifteen miles on their journey, out
of pure devotion, to admire the loveli-
ness of the works of God in such an
unequalled display of them — how in
galloping home at niglit, I made a bal-
lad on her, of which these two stanzas
! a part —
•-"Thou, bonnie Lesley,art a queen.
Thy subjects we before thee ;
Thou, bonnie Lesley, art divine,
The hearts o' men" adore thee.
The very Dtil he couldna scathe
Whatever wad belang thee !
He'd look into thy bonnie -face,
And say, ' I canna wrang^ thee.' "
—behold, all these things are written
in the chronicles of my imagination,
and shall be read by thee, my dear
friend, and by thy beloved spouse, my
other dear friend, at a more convenient
season.
Now, to thee, and to thy before-de-
signed 6o«o»i-companion, be given the
precious things brought forth by the
sun, and the precious things brought
forth by the moon, and the benignest
influences of the stars, and the living
streams which flow from the fountains
of life, and by the tree of life, for ever
and ever 1 Amen !
R. B.
No. CCXXXL
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Dumfries, Sept. 24, 1792.
1 HAVT? this moment, my dear mad-
am, yours of the 33d. All your other
kind reproaches, your news, &c. , are
out of my head when I read and think
on Mrs. Henri's situation. Good God !
a heart- wounded helpless young wo-
man—rin a strange, foreign land, and
that land convulsed with every horror
that can harrow the human feelings —
sick — looking, longing for a comforter,
but finding hoiie — a mother's feelings,
too: but.it is too much: lie who
wounded (He only can) may He heal !
I wish the farmer great joy of his
new acquisition to his family. — — !
I cannot say that 1 give him joy of his
life as a farmer. 'Tis, as a farmer
paying a deaT, unconscionable rent, a
cursed life ! As to a laird farming his
own property: sowing his own corn in
hope; and reaping it, in spite of brit;
tie weather, in gladness; knowing
that none can say unto him, " What
dost thou?" — fattening his herds;
shearing his flocks; rejoicing at Christ'
mas; and begetting sons and daugh-
ters, until he be the venerated, gray-
haired leader of a little tribe — 'tis a
4S3
BURNS' WOKKS.
heavenly life I but devil take tlie life
of reaping the fruits that another
jtniist eat.
, Well, your kind wishes will he
gratified, as to seeing me when I
make my Ayrshire visit. I cannot
leave Mrs. B. \mtil her . nine months'
race is run, which may perhaps be in
three or four weeks. She, too, seems
determined to make me the patriarchal
leader of a band. However, if Heaven
will be so obliging as to let me have
them in the proportion of three boys
to one girl, I shall be so much the
more pleased. I hope, if I am spared
with them, to show a set of boys that
will do honour to my cares and name;
but I am not equal to the task of rear-
ing; girls. Besides I am too poor; a
girl should always have a fortune!
Apropos, your little godson is thriving
charmingly, but is a very devil. He,
though two years younger, has com-
pletely mastered his brother. Bobert
is indeed the mildest, gentlest creature
I ever saw. He has a most surprising
memory, and is quite the pride of his
schoolmaster.
You know how readily we get into
prattle upon a, subject dear to our
heart — you can excuse it. God bless
you and yours I
K. B.
No. ccxxxn.
TO THE SAME.
SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN ON THE
DEATH OF MRf. HENRI, HER DAUGHTER.*
Dumfries, Sept. 1792.
1 HAD been from home, and did not
receive your letter until my return the
other day. — What shall -I say to com-
fort you, ray much-valued, much-af-
flicted friend ! I can but grieve with
you ; consolation I have none to offer,
except that which religion holds out
to the children of affliction — children
of affliction ! — ^how just the expres-
* Mrs. Henri,, daughter of Mrs, Dunlop,
died at Muges^ near Aiguillon^ September
i5tli, 1792. The above letter is one of condo-
'lence on this melancholy event.
sion I and, like every other family,
they have matters among them which
they hear, see, and feel in a serious,
all-important manner, of which the
world has not, nor cares to have, any
idea. The world looks indifferently
on, makes the passing remark, and
proceeds to the next novel occurrence.
Alas, madam ! who would wish for
many years ? What is it but to drag
existence until our joys gradually ex-
pire, and leave us in a night of misery
— like the gloom which blots out the
stars one by one, from the face of
night, and leaves us, without a ray of
comfort, in the howling waste.
I am interrupted and must leave
off. You shall soon hear from ma
again.
E. B.
No. CCXXXIII.
TO CAPTAIN JOHNSTON, EDITOR
OF THE EDINBURaH QAZET-^
TEEB*
Dumfries, Nov. 13, 1792.
SiR,^I have just read your pro-
spectus of the Edinburgh Gazetteer. If
you go on in your paper with the sam6
spirit, it will, beyond all comparison,"
be the first composition of the kind, in
Europe. I beg leave to insert my name
as a subscriber, and, if you have al-.
ready published any papers, pleasS
send me them from the beginning;
Point out your own way of settling
payments in this place, or I shall set-
tle with you. through the medium of
my friend, Peter Hill, bookseller, in
Edinburgh.
Go on, sir ! Lay bare with undaunti
ed heart and steady hand, that horrid
mass of corruption called politics and
state-craft. — Dare to draw in their na-
tive colours these —
" Calm, thinking villains whom no faith caii
fix," —
* Captain Johnston originated, and for some
time conducted the Gazetteer alluded to
above; but having, in the spring of 1793,
ottended the Government, he was seized and
imprisoned, and the paper was shortlv after-
wards discontinued.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
183
whatever be the shibholeth of their
pretendfed pferty.
The address to me at Dumfries will
find, sir, your very humble servant,
EOBBKT Burns.
No. CCXXXIV.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Dumfries, Dec. 6, 1792.
I SHALL be in Ayrshire, I think,
next week; and, if at all possible, I
shall certainly, my much-esteemed
friend, have the pleasure of visiting
at Dunlop House.
Alas, madam I how seldom do we
meet in this world, that we have rea-
son to congratulate ourselves on acces-
sions of happiness I I have not passed
half the ordinary term of an old man's
life, and yet I scarcely look over the
obituary of a newspaper that I do -not
see some names that I have known,
and which I and other acquaintances
little thought to meet with there so
sqon. Every other instance of the
mortality of our kind makes uS cast an
anxious look into the dreadful abyss of
uncertainty, and shudder with appre-
hension for our own fate. — But of how
different an importance are the lives
of different individuals 1 Nay^ of what
importance is one period of the same
IHe, more than another ! A few years
ago, I could have laid down in the
dust, "careless of the voice of the
morning;" and now not a few, and
tljesemost helpless individuals, would,
on losing me and my exertions, lose
bpth their ." staff and shield." By the
way, these helpless ones have lately
got an addition; Mrs. B. having given
me a fine girl since I wrote you. There
is a charming passage in Thomson's
" Edward and Eleanora:"
"The valiant, in /timsel/,yh^t can he suffer?
Or what need he regard his single woes ? " &c.
As I am got in the way of quota-
tions, I shall give you another from
tbe same piece, peculiarly, alas ! too
peculiarly apposite, my dear madam,
to your present frame of mind :
*' Who so unworthy but may proudly deck
him
With his fair-weather virtue, that exults
Glad o'er the summer main ? the tempest
. comes, [helm
The rough winds rage aloud ; when from the
This virtue shrmks, and in a corner lies
Lamenting — Heavens ! if privileged from trial
How cheap a thing were virtue !
I do not remember to have heard
you mention Thomson's dramas. I
pick up favourite quotations, and
store them in my mind as ready ar-
mour, offensive or defensive, amid the
struggle of this turbulent existence.
Of these is one, a very favourite one,
from his "Alfred:"
" Attach thee firmly to the virtuous deeds
And oflfices of life ; to life itself,
With all its vain and transient joys, sirigpse.'-^
Probably I have quoted some of
these to you formerly, as indeed',
when I write from the heart, I am apt
to be guilty of suah repetitions. The
compass of the heart, in the musical
style of expression, is much more
bounded than that of the imagination;
so the notes of the former are ex^
tremely apt to run into one another;
but in return for the paucity of its com
pass, its few notes are much more
sweet. I must still give you another
quotation, which I am almost sure I have
given you before, but 1 cannot resist
the temptation. The subject is re-
ligion— speaking of its importance to
mankind, the author says,
'* 'Tis this, my friend, that streaks our morn-
ing bright."
I see you are in for double postage,
so I shall e'en scribble out t'other
sheet. We, in this country here,
have many alarms of the reforming,
or rather the republican, spirit of your
part of the kingdom. Indeed, we are
a good deal in commotion ourselves.
For me, I am a placeman, you know;
a very humble one indeed. Heaven
knows, but still so much as to gag me.
What my private sentiments are, you
will find out without an interpreter.
I have taken up the subject, and the
other day, for a pretty actress' benefit
night, I wrote an address, which I will
484
BURNS' WORKS.
give on the otlier page, called " The
Rights of Woman:"
"While Europe's eye is fix'd on mighty
things."
(See p. 139.)
I shall have the honour of receiving
your criticisms in person at Dunlop.
H. R.
No. CCXXXV.
TO R. GRAHAM, ESQ., FINTRAY.
December 1792.
SiK, — 1 have been surprised, con-
founded, and distracted by Mr. Mit-
chell, the collector, telling me that he
has received an order from your
Board to inquire into my political con-
duct, and blaming me as a person dis-
affected to government.
Sir, you are a husband — and a
father. — Ton know wliat you would
leel to see the " much-loved wife of
your bosom, and your helpless, prat-
tling little ones turned adrift into the
world, degraded and disgraced from a
situation in which they had been re-
spectable and respected, and left al-
most without the necessary support of
a miserable exi.stence. Alas, sir ! must
1 think tliat such, soon, will be my
lot 1 and from the damned, dark insin-
uations of hellish, groundless envy
too ! I believe, sir, I may aver it, and
in the sight of Omnisciefice, that I
would not tell a deliberate falsehood,
no, not though even worse horrors, if
worse can be, than those I have men-
tioned, hung over my head; and I say
that the allegation, whatever villain
has made it, is a lie ! To the British
Constitution, on revolution principles,
next after my God, I am most devout-
ly attached; you, sir, have been much
and generously my frined. — Heaven
knows how warmly I have felt the ob-
ligation, and how gratefully I have
thanked you. Fortune, sir, has made
you powerful, and me impotent; has
given you patronage, and me depend-
ence.— I'would not' for my single self,
call on your humanity; were such my
insular, unconnected situation, I would
despise the tear that now swells in my
eye I could brave misfortune, I could
face ruin; for at the worst, "Death's
thousand doors stand open;" but good
God ! the tender concerns that I have
mentioned, the claims and ties that I
see at this moment, and feel around
me, how they unnerve courage, and
wither resolution ! To your patronage,
as a man of some genius, you have al-
lowed me a claim; and your esteem, as
an honest man, I know is my due. To
these, sir, permit me to appeal; by
these may I adjure you to save me
from that misery which threatens to
overwhelm me, and wjiich, with my
latest breath I will say it, I have not
deserved.
R. B.
No. CCXXXVI.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
DUiMFRIES, Dec. 31, 1792.
Dear m.\dam, — A hurry of busi-
ness, thrown in heaps by my absence,
has until now prevented my returning
my grateful acknowledgments to the
good family of Dunlop, and you in par-
ticular for that hospitable kindness
which rendered the four days I spent
under that genial roof, four of the
pleasantest I ever enjoyed. — Alas, my
dearest friend ! how few and fleeting
are those things we call pleasures ! on
my road to Ayrshire, I spent a night
with a friend whom I much valued; a
man whose days promised to be many;
and on Saturday last we laid him in
the dust !
Jan. 2, 1793.
I HAVE just received yours of the
30th, and feel much for your situation.
However, I heartily rejoice in youi:
prospect of recovery from that vile
jaundice. As to myself, I am better,
though not quite free of my com-
plaint.— Yon must not think, as yoii
seem to insinuate, that in my way of
life I want exercise. Of that I have
enough; but occasional hard drinking
is the devil to me. Against this I have
.again and again bent my resolution,
and have greatly succeeded. Taverns
1 have totally abandoned; it is the pri-
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
483
vate parties in the family way, among
tlie liard drinldng gentlemen of this
country, that do me the mischief — but
even this, I have more than half given
over.*
Mr. Corbet can be of little service to
me at present; at least, I should be
gliy of applying. I cannot possibly be
Settled as a supervisor for several
years. I must wait the rotation of the
list, and there are twenty names be-
fore .mine. — I might indeed get a job
of officiating, wbere a settled super-
visor was ill, or aged; but that hauls
me from my family, as 1 could not re-
move them on such an uncertainty.
Besides, some envious, malicious devil
has raised a little demur on my polit-
ical principles, and I wish to let that
matter settle before I offer myself too
much in the eye of my supervisors. I
have set, henceforth, a seal on my
lips, as to these' unlucky politics; but
to you I must breath my sentiments.
*"The following -extract," says Cromek,
"from a letter Addressed by Robert Bloom-
field to.lhe Earl of Buchan, contains so inter-
esting an exhibition of the modesty inherent
in real worth, and so philosophical, and at the
same time so poetical an estimate of the differ-
ent characters and destinies of Burns and its
author, that I should esteem myself culpable
were I to withhold it from the public view.
' '• * The illustrious soul that has left amongst
us the name of Burns, has often been lowered
down to a comparison with me ; but the com-
parison exists more in circumstances than in
essetitials. -That man stood up with the
stamp of superior intellect on his brow ; a
visible greatness; and great and patriotic
.'silbjects would only have called into action
tlte powers of his mind, which lay inactive,
■Jyhile he played calmly and exquisitely the
pastoral pipe.
" * The letters to which I have alluded in my
preface to the " Rural Tales " were friendly
warnings, pointed with immediate reference
to the fate of that extraordinary man. " Re-
merhber Burns !" has been the watchword of
my friends. ■ I do remember Burns: but I tijji
not Burns ' neither have I his fire to fan or to
quench ; nor his passions to control ! Where
t^en is my merit if I make a peaceful voyage
on a smooth sea, and with no mutiny on
board? To a lady (I have it from herself).
who remonstrated with him on his danger
from drink, and the pursuits of some of his
Associates, he replied, " Madame, they would
not thank me for myxompany, if I did not
drink with them. — I must give them a slice of
niy,c;9::stitution." How much to be regretted
that he did not give them thinner slices of his
"Constitution, that it might have lasted
longer!'"
In this, as in everything else. I shall
show the undisguised emotions of my
soul. War I deprecate: misery and
ruin to thousands are in the blast that
announces the destructive demon.
R. B.
No. CCXXXVII.
TO THE SAME.
Jan. s, 1793.
You see my hurried life, madam; I
can only command starts of time; how-
ever, I am glad of one thing; since I
finished the other sheet, the political
blast that threatened my welfare is,
overblown. I have corresponded with
Commissioner Graham, for the Board
had made me the subject of their ani-
madversions; and now I have the
pleasure of informing you that all is
set to rights in that quarter. Now as
to these informers, may the devil be
let loose to but, hold 1
I was praying most fervently in my
last siieet, and I must not so soon fall
a swearing in this. •
Alas ! how little do the wantonly or
idly oflBcious think what mischief they
do by their malicious insinuations, in-,
direct impertinence, or thoughtless,
blabbings ! What a difference there
is in intrinsic worth, candour, benevo-
lence, generosity, kindness, — in all the
charities and all the virtues — between
one class of huiuan beings and another.-
For instance, the amiable circle I so
lately mixed with in the hospitable
hall of Dunlop, their generous hearts
— their uncontaminated dignified
minds — their informed and polished
understandings what a. contrast,
when compared — if such comparing
were not downright sacrilege — with
the soul of the miscreant who can de-
liberately plot the destruction of an
honest man that never offended him,
and with a grin of satisfaction see the
unfortunate being, his faithful wife,
and' prattling' innocents, turned Over
to beggary and ruin !
Your citp, my dear madam, arrived
safe. I had two worthy fellows din.
ing with me the other day, when I.
488
- BURNS' WORKS.
with great formality j produced my
wliigraaleerie cup, and told them that
it had been a family-piece among the
descendeuts of William Wallace.
This roused such an enthusiasm that
they insisted on bumpering the punch
round in it, and, by and by, never did
your great ancestor lay a Suthron
more completely to rest than for a
.time did your cup my two friends.
Apropos, this is the season of wishing.
May God bless you, my dear friend,
and bless me, the humblest and sin-
cerest of your friends, by granting you
yet many returns of the season ! May
all good things attend you and yours
wherever they are scattered over the
earth !
R. B.
No. CCXXXVIII.
TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.
March 3, 1793.
Since I wrote to you the la.st lugu-
brious sheet, I have not had time to
write farther. When I say that I had
not tiine, that as usual means that the
three demons, indolence, business,
and ennui, have so completely shared
my hours among them as not to leave
me a five minutes' fragment to take
up a pen in.
Thank heaven, I feel my spirits
buoying upwards with the renovating
year. Now I shall in good earnest
take up Thomson's songs. 1 daresay
he thinks I have used him unkindly,
and, I must own, with too much ap-
pearance of truth. Apropos, do you
know the much admired old Highland
air called "The Sutor's Dochter ?" It
is a first-rate favourite of mine, and I
have written what I reckon one of my
best songs to it. I will send it to you,
as it was sung with great applause in
some fashionable circles by Major
Robertson, of Lude, who was here
with his corps.
There is one commission that I must
trouble you with. I lately lost a val-
uable seal, a present from a departed
friend, which vexes me much.
I have gotten one of your Highland
pebbles, which I fancy would make a
very decent one; and I want to cut
my armorial bearing on it; will you be
so obliging as inquire what will be the
expense of such a business ? I do not
know that my name is matriculated^
as the heralds call it, at all ; but I
have invented arms for myself, so
you know I shall be chief of the
name; and, by courtesy of Scotland,
will likewise be entitled to supporters.
These, however, I do not intend hav~
ing on my seal. I am a bit of a herald,
and shall give you, secundum, artem,
my arms. On a field, azure, a holly
bush, seeded, proper, in base; a shep-
herd's pipe and crook, saltier-wise,
also proper, in chief. On a wreath of
the colours, a wood-lark perching on a
sprig df bay-tree, proper, for crest.
Two mottoes; round the top of the
crest. Wood notes mid; at the bottom
of the shield, in the usual place. Bet-
ter a wee hush t/ian nae beild.* By
the shepherd's pipe and crook I do not
mean the nonsense of painters of Ar-
cadia, but a Stoch and Horn, and a
Clui, such as you see at the head of
Allan Ramsay, in Allan's quarto edi-
tion of the " Gentle Shepherd." By
the by, do you know Allan ? He must
be a man of very great genius — Why
is he not more known? — Has he no
patrons? or do " Poverty's cold wind
and crushing rain beat keen and
heavy" on him ? I once, and but
once, got a glance of that noble edi-
tion of the noblest pastoral in the
world; and dear as it was, I mean,
dear as to my pocket, I would have
bought it; but I was told that it was
printed and engraved for subscribers
only. He is the only artist who has
his genuine pastoral costume. What,
my dear Cunningham, is there in
riches, that they narrow and harden
the heart so ? I think that, were I as
rich as the sun, I should be as gener-
ous as the day, but as I have no rea
son to imagine my soul a nobler one
* The seal with the anns which the inge-
nius poet invented was carefully, cut in Edin-
burgh, and used by him for the i:«mainder',il'f
his life. ■ - " ^
GENEEiaj CORRESPONDENCE.
487
titan any other man's, I must conclude
that wealth Imparts a bird-lime qual-
ity to the possessor, at which the man,
in his native poverty, would have re-
volted. What has led me to this is
the idea of such merit as Mr. Allan
possesses, and such riches as a nahob
or government contractor possesses,
and why they do not form a mutual
league. Let wealth shelter and cher-
ish unprotected merit, and the grati-
tude and celebrity of that merit will
richly repay it.
R. B.
No. CCXXXIX.
TO MISS BENSON, AFTERWARDS
MRS. BASIL MONTAGU.
Dumfries, March 21, 1793.
Madam, — Among many things for
which I envy those bale, long-lived
old fellows before the flood, is this
in pa,rticular, that, when they met
with any body after their own heart,
they had a charming long prospect of
many, many happy meetings with
them in after-life.
Now, in this short, stormy, winter
day of our fleeting existence, when you
now and then, in the chapter of acci^
dents, meet an individual whose ac-
quaintance is a real acquisition, there
are all the probabilities against you
that you shall never meet with that
valued character more. On the other
hand, brief as this miserable being is,
it is none of the least of the miseries
belonging to it, that if there is any
miscreant whom you liate, or creature
whom you despise, the ill-run of the
chances shall be so against you that,
in the overtakings, turnings, and jost-
lings of life, pop, at some unlucky
corner, eternally comes the wretch upon
you, and vrill not allow your indignation
qr contempt a moment's repose. As I am
a sturdy believer in the powers of dark-
ness, I take these to be the doings of
that old author of mischief, the devil.
It is well-known that he has some
kind of short-hand way of taking down
our thoughts, and I make no doubt
that he is perfectly acquainted with
my sentiments respecting Miss Benson:
how much I admired her abilities and
valued her worth, and how very fortu-
nate I thought myself in her acquaint-
ance. For this last reason, my dear
madam, I must entertain no hopes of
the very great pleasure of meeting
with you again."
Miss. Hamilton tells me that she is
sending a packet to you, and \l beg
leave to send you. the enclosed sonnet,
though, to tell you the real truth, the
sonnet is a mere pretence, that I may
have the opportunity of declaring with
how much respectful esteem, 1 have
the honour to be, &c,,
R. B.
No. CCXL.
TO PATRICK MILLER, ESQ. OP
DAJ;SWINTON.
Dumfries, April 1793.
SiK, — ^My poems having just come
out in another edition — will you do me
the honour to accept of a copy ? A mark
of my gratitude to you, as, a gentleman
to whose goodness I have been much
indebted; of my respect for you, as a
patriot who, in a venal, sliding age,
stands forth the champion of the lib-
erties of my country; and of piy ven-
eration for you, as a man whose be-
nevolence of heart does honour to
human nature.
There was a time, sir, when I was
your dependant: this language then
would have been like the vile incense
of flattery — I could not have used it.^
Now that connexion is at an end, do
me the honour to accept of this Iwnest
tribute of respect from, sir, your much-
indebted humble servant,
R. B.
No. CCXLI.
TO JOHN FRANCIS ERSKINE,.
ESQ., OF MAR.
Dumfries, April 13, 1793.
. SlB,^-Degenerate as human nature
is said to bftr-and, in many instances.
EUENS' WORKS.
■wortliless and unprincipled it is — still
there are briglit examples to the con-
trary : examples that, even in the eyes
of superior beings, must shed a lustre
on the name of man.
Such an example have I now before
me, when you, sir, cqjne forward to
patronize and befriend a distant ob-
scure stranger, merely because poverty
had made him helpless, and his British
hardihood of mind had provoked the
arbitrary wantonness of power. My
much esteemed friend, Mr. Riddel of
Glenriddel, has just read me a para-
graph, of a letter he had from you.
Accept, sir, of the silent throb of grat-
itude; for words would but mock the
emotions of my soul.
You have been misinformed as to
my final dismission from the Excise ; I
am still in the service; — Indeed, but
for the exertions of a gentleman who
must be known to you, Mr. Graham of
Fintray — a gentleman who has ever
been my warm and generous friend — I
l^ad, without so much as a hearing,
or the sliglitest previous intimation,
been turned adrift, with my helpless
family, to all the horrors of want. —
Had I had any other resource, proba-
bly I might have saved t^em the
trouble of a dismission; but the little
money I gained by my publication is
almost every guinea embarked, lo save
from ruin an only brother, who, though
one of the worthiest, is by no means
one of the most fortunate of men.
In my defence to their accusations, I
said tliat whatever might be my sen-
timents of republics, ancient or mod-
em, as to Britain, I abjure the idea:
^-That a. constitdtion, which, in its
original principles, experience had
proved to be in every way fitted for
our happiness in society, it would be
insanity to sacriiice to an untried vis-
ionary theory: — That, in consideration
of my being situated in a department,
however humble, immediately in the
hands of people in power, I had for-
borne taking any active part, either
personally, or as an author, in the
present business of Rbfoem. But
that, where I must declare my senti-
ments, I wQuld say there existed a sys-
tem of corruption between the execu-
tive power and the representative part
of the legislature, which boded no
good to our glorious CONSTITUTIOST ;
and which every patriotic Briton must
wish to see amended.— Some such sen-
timents as these, I stated in a letter to
my generous patron Mr. Graham,
whicu he laid before the Board at
large; w^here, it seems, iny last remark,
gave great offence; and one of our
supervisors-general, a Mr. Corbet, was
instructed to inquire on the spot, and-
to document me — "that my business
was to act, not to tliinh; and that,
whatever might be men or measures,
it was for mc to be silent and obedient."
Mr. Corbet was likewise my steady;
friend; so between Mr. Graham and
him, 1 have been partly forgiven; only
I understand "that all hopes of my get-
ting officially forward are blasted.
Now, sir, to the business in which'
I would more immediately interest
you. The partiality of my COUKTKY-
MEN has brought me forward as a
man of genius, and has given me
a character to support. In the
Poet I have avowed manly and
independent sentiments, which - 1
trast will be found in the man. Rea-
sons of no less weigbt than the sup-
port of a wife and family, have pointed
out as the eligible, smd, situated as I
was, the only eligible, line of life for
me, my present occupation. Still my
honest fame is my dearest concern ;!
and a thousand times have I trembled
at the idea of those degrading epithets
that malice or misrepresentation may
affix to my name. I have often, in
blasted anticipation, listened to some
future hackney scribbler, with the
heavy malice of savage stupidity ex-
ulting in his hireling paragraphs —
"Burns, notwithstanding i\ie fanfar-
onade of independence to be found in
his works, and after having been held
forth to public view and to public es-
timation as a man of some genius, yet,
quite destitute of resources within
himself to support his borrowed dig-,
nity, he dwindled into a paltry excise-
man, and slunk out the rest of his in-'
significaat existence in the meanest of
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
48^
pursuits, and among tlie vilest of man-
kind."
•' In your illustrious hands, sir, per-
Jnlt mo to lodge my disavowal and de-
fiance of tliese slanderous falsehoods.
Burns was a poor man from birth,
and an exciseman by necessity: but —
I will say it ! the sterling of his honest
worth no poverty could debase, and
his independent British mind oppres-
sion might bend, but could not subdue.
— Have not I, to me, a more precious
stake in my country's welfare, than
the'richest dukedom in it? I have a
large family of children, and the pros-
pect of many more. I have three
sons, who, I see already, liave brought
into the world souls ill -qualified to in-
habit the bodies of slaves. — Can I
look tamely on, and see any machina-
tion to wrest from them the birthright
of my boys, — the little independent
BKfTONS in whose veins runs my own
blood ?— No ! I will not ! should my
heart's blood stream around my attempt
to defend it !
Does any man tell m3 that my full
efforts can be of no service; and that it
does not belong to my humble station
to meddle with the concern of a na-
tion?
I can tell him that it is on such in-
dividuals as I that a nation has to rest,
both for the hand of support and the
eye of intelUgence. The uninformed
MOB may swell a nation's bulk; and
the titled, tinsel, courtly throng may
be its feathered ornament; but the
number of those who are elevated
enough, in life to reason and to reflect,
yet low enough to keep clear of the
venal contagion of a Court — these are
a nation's strength !
I know not how to apologise for the
impertinent length of this epistle; but
one small request I must ask of you
further — When you have honoured
this letter with a perusal, please to
commit it to the flames. Buhns, in
whose behalf you have so generously
interested j-ourself, I have here, in his
native colours, drawn as he is: but
should any of the people in whose
hands is the very bread he eats get
the least knowledge of the picture, it
would ruin the poor saud for ever !
My poems have just come out in
another edition, I beg leave to present
you with a copy as a small mark of
that high esteem and ardent gratitude
with which 1 have the honour to be,,
sir, your deeply-indebted, and ever
devoted humble servant,
R. B. '
No. CCXLII.
TO MR. ROBERT AINSLIE.
April 26th, 1793.
I AM damnably out of humour, my
dear Ainslie, and that is the reason
why I take up the pen to you: 'tis the
nearest way (probatum est) to recover
my spirits again.
I received your last, and was much
entertained with it; but I will not
at this time, nor at any other time,
answer it. — Answer a letter I I never
could answer a letter in my life — I
have written many.a letter in return for
letters I have received; but then — they
were original matter — spurt away ! zig
here; zag there; as if the devil, that
my grannie (an old woman indeed)
often told me, rode on will-o'-'visp, or
in her more classic phrase, Spunkie,
were looking over my elbow. — Happy
thought that idea has engendered in
my head ! Spunkie — thou shalt hence :
forth be my symbol, signature, and
tutelary genius ! Like thee, hap-step-
and-loup, here-awa-there-awa higgle-
ty-pigglety, pell-mell, hither- and-yont,
ram-stam, happy-go-lucky, up tails-a'-
by-the-light-o'-the-moon — has been, is,
and shall be, my progress through the
mosses and moors of this vile, bleak,
barren wilderness of a life of ours.
Come then, my guardian spirit ! like
thee, may I skip away, amusing myself
by and at my own light ! and if
any opaque-Souled lubber of mankind
complain that my elfin, lambent, glim-
merous wanderings have misled his
stupid steps over precipices, or Into
bogS; let the thick-headed Blunderbuss
430
BURKS' WORKS.
recollect that lie is not Spunkie:-
that
Spunkie's wanderings could not copied be :
Amid these perils none durst walk but he.
I have no doubt, but scholar craft
may be cauglit, as a Scotsman
catclies the itch, — by friction. How
else can you account for it that born
blocldieads, by mere dint of handling
books, grow so wise that even they
themselves are equally convinced of
and surprised at their own parts? I
once carried this philosophy to that
degree that in a knot of country-folks
who had a library amongst them, and
who, to the honour of their good sense,
made me factotum in the business;
one of our members, a little, wise-
looking, squat, upright, jabbering
body of a tailor, I advised him, instead
of turning over the leaves, to hind the
hook on his back. — Johnnie took the
hint; and, as our meetings were every
fourth Saturday, and Pricklouse hav-
ing a good Scots mile to walk in
coming, and of course, another in
returning. Bodkin was sure to lay liis
hand on some heavy quarto, or ponder-
ous folio, with, and nnder which,
wrapt up in his gray plaid, he grew
wise, as he grew weary, all the way
home. Hj3 carried this so far that an
old musty Hebrew Concordance, which
we had in a present from a neighbour-
ing priest, by mere dint of applying it,
as doctors do a blistering plaster, be-
tween his shoulders, Stitch, in a dozen
pilgrimages, acquired as much rational
theology as the said priest had done by
forty years' perusal of the pages.
Tell me, and tell me truly, what you
think of this theory. — Yours,
Spunkie.
No. CCXLIII.
TO MISS KENNEDY,
EDINBTJRGH.
Madam, — ^Permit me to present you
with the enclosed song* as a small,
* " The Banks o' Doon."
though grateful tribute, for the hon-
our of your acquaintance. I have in
these verses, attempted some faint
sketches of your portrait in the unem-
bellished simple manner of descriptive
TRUTH. — Flattery, I leave to your
LOVEKS, whose exaggerating fancies
may malie them imagine you still-
nearer perfection than you reaHy are.
Poets, madam, of all mankind, feel
most forcibly the powere of bbauty{
as, if they are really poets of nature^s
making, their feelings must be finer,
and their taste more delicate than
most of the world. In the cheerful
bloom of SPRING, or the pensive mild-
ness of AUTUMN; the grandeur of
BUMMER, or the hoary majesty of win-
ter, the poet feels a charm unknown
to the rest of Ms species. Even the
sight of a fine flower, or the company
of a fine woman, (by far the finest
part of God's works below,) have sen-
sations for the poetic heart that 'the
herd of man are strangers to. — On
this last account, madam, I am, as, in
many other things, indebted to Mr.
Hamilton's kindness in introducing me
to you. Your lovers' may view you
with a wish, I look on you with
pleasure: their hearts, in your pres-
ence, may glow with desire, mine rises
with admiration.
That the arrows of misfortune, how-
ever they should, as incident to hu-
manity, glance a slight wound, may
never reach your Jieart — that the
snares of villany may never beset
you in the road of life — that inno-
cence may hand you by the path of
HONOUR to the dwelling of peace, is,
the sincere wish of him who has the
honour to be, &o.,
R. B.
No. CCXLIV.
TO MISS CRAIK.
Dumfries, Aug. 1793.
Madam, — Some rather unlooked-for
accidents have prevented my doing
myself the honour of a second
visit to Arbigland, as I was so hos-
pitably invited, and so positively
GENERAL COERESPONDENCE.
491
meant to have done. However, I still
hope to have that pleasure before the
busy months of liarvest begin.
I, enclose you two of my late pieces,
as some kind of return for the pleasure
I have received in perusing a certain
MS. volume of poems in the pos-
session of Captain Riddel. To repay
one with an old song, is a proverb,
whose force, you, madam, 1 know,
will not allow. What is said of illus-
trious descent is, I believe, equally
true of a talent for poetry, none ever
despised it who -had pretensions to it.
The fates and characters of the rhym-
ing tribe often employ my thoughts
when I am disposed to be melancholy.
There is not, among all the martyrolo-
gies thai ever were penned, so rueful
a narrative as the lives of the poets.—
In the comparative view of wretches,
the criterion is not what they are
doomed to suffer, but how they are
formed to bear. Take a biing of our
kind; give him a stronger imagination
and a more delicate sensibility, —
which, between them, will ever en-
gender a more ungovernable set of
passions than are the usual lot of
man; implant in him an irresistible
impulse to some idle vagary, such as
arranging wild flowers in fantastical
nosegays, tiaring the grasshopper to
his haiint by his chirping song, watch-
ing the frisks of the little minnows in
tile sunny pool, or hunting after
tlie intrigues of butterflies — in short,
send him adrift after some pursuit
which shall eternally mislead him
from the paths of lucre, and yet curse
him with a keener relish than any man
living for the pleasures that lucre can
purchase; lastly, fill up the measure
of his woes by bestowing on him a
spurning sense of his own dignity, and
you have created a wight nearly as
miserable as a poet. To you, madam,
I need not recount the fairy pleasures
the muse bestows to counterbalance
this catalogue of evils. Bewitching
poetry is like be witching woman : she
4^ in all ages been accused of mis-
leading mankind from the councils of
wisdom and the patlis of prudence, in-
volving them in difficulties, baiting
them with poverty, branding them
with infamy, and plunging them in
the wliirling vortex of ruin; yet,
where is the man but must own that
all cur happiness on earth is not wor-
thy the name — that even the holy
hermit's solitary prospect of paradi-
siacal bliss is but the glitter of a north-
ern sun,' rising over a frozen region,^
compared witli the many pleasures,
the nameless raptures that we owe to
the lovely queen of the heart of man !
R. B.
No. CCXLV.
TO LADY GLENCAIRN.
My Lady, — The honour you have
done your poor poet, in writing him
so very obliging a letter, and the
pleasure the enclosed beautiful verses
have given him, came v^jy seasonably
to his aid amid the cheerless gloom-
and sinking despondency of diseased
nerves and December weather. As to
forgetting the family of Glencaim,
Heaven is my witness with what siu'
cerity I could use those old verses
which please me more in their rude
simplicity than the most elegant lines
I ever saw : —
" If thee, Jerusalem, I forget,
Skill part from my right hand.
" My tongue to my mouth's roof let cleave,
If I do thee forget,
Jerusalem and thee above
My chief joy do not set."
When I am tempted to do anything
improper, I dare not, because X look
on myself as accountable to your lady-
ship, and family. Now and then,
when I have the honour to be called
to the tables of the great, if I happen
to meet with any mortification from
the stately stupidity of self-sufficient
squires, or the luxurious insolence
of upstart nabobs, I get above the crea-
tures by calling to remembrance that I
am patronized by the noble house
of Glencaim: and at gala-times, such
as New-year's day, a christening, or
the kirn-night, when my punch-bowl
is brought from its dusty corner and
filled up in honour of the occasion.
493
BURNS' WORKS.
I begin with,— The Countess of Qlen-
cairn! My good woman, with the
enthusiasm of a grateful heart, next
cries. My Lord! and so the t6ast goes
on until I end with Lcidy Harriefs
little angel,* whose epithalamium I
have pledged myself to write.
When I received your ladyship's
letter, I was just in the act of tran-
scribing for you some verses I have
lately composed; and meant to have
sent them my first leisure hour, and
acquainted you with my late change of
life. I mentioned to my lord my fears
concerning my farm. -Those fears
were indeed too true; it is a bargain
would have ruined me, but for the
lucky circumstance of my having an
Excise commission.
People may talk as they please of
the ignominy of the Excise; fifty
pounds a year will support my wife
and children,' and keep me indepen-
dent of the world; and I would much
rather have it said that my profession
borrowed credit from me than that
T borrowed credit from my profession.
Another advantage I have in this busi-
ness, is the knowledge it gives me of
the various shades of human character,
consequently assisting me vastly in my
poetic pursuits. 1 had the most
ardent enthusiasm for the muses when
nobody knew me but myself, and that
ardour is by no means cooled now that
my lord Olencairn's goodness has
introduced me to all the world. Not
that I am in haste for the press. I
have no idea of publishing, else I cer-
tainly had consulted my noble gener-
ous jjatron; but after acting the part
of an honest man, and supporting my
family, my whole wishes and views
are directed to poetic pursuits. I
am aware that though I were to give
performances to the world superior to
my former works, still, if they were of
the same kind with those, the compar-
ative reception they would meet with
would mortify me. I have turned my
thoughts oa the drama. 1 do not
» Lady Harriet Don was the daughter of
Lady G'encdirn.
mean the stately buskin of the tragic
muse. ' '- '■
Does not your ladyship think that
an Edinburgh theatre would be more
amused with affectation , folly, and whim
of true Scottish growth, than manners,
which by far the greatest part of the
audience can only know at second
hand ?— I have the honour to be, your
ladyship's ever-devoted and grateful
humble servant,
E. B.
No. CCXLVI.
TO JOHN M'MURDO, ESQ.
Dumfries, Dec. 1793.
Sir, — It is said that we take the
greatest liberties with our greatest
friends, and I pay myself a very high
compliment in the manner in which I
am going to apply the remark. I have
owed you money longer than I have
owed it to any man. — Jlere is Ker's ac-
count, and here are six guineas; and
now, I don't owe a shilling to man— -
nor woman either. But for these damn-
ed dirty, dog's-ear'd little pages,* I
had done myself the honour to have
waited on you long ago. Independent
of the obligations your hospitality has
laid me under; the consciousnegs'.of
your superiority in the rank of mail
and gentleman, of itself was fully as
much as I ever could make head
against; but to owe you money, too,
was more than I could face.
I think I once mentioned something
of a collection of Scots song I have for
some years been making: I send you a
perusal of what I have got together.
I could not conveniently spare them
above five or six days, and five or six
glances of them will probably more
than suffice you. A very few of them
are my own. When you are tired of
them, please leave them with Mr.
Clint, of the King's Arms. There is
not another copy of the collection in
the world; and 1 should be sorry that
any unfortun.ate negligence should de.
-* Scottish bank-notes.
GENERAL. CORRESPONDENCE.
prive me of what lias cost me a good
deal of pains.*
E. B.
No. CCXLVII.
TO JOHN M'MURDO, ESQ.,
DRUMLANRIG.
Dumfries, 1793.
Will Mr. M'Murdo do me the
favour to accept of these volumes; a,
trifling but sincere marlc of the very
high respect I bear for his worth as a
man, his manners as a gentleman, and
his liindness as a friend ? However in-
ferior, now, or afterwards, I may rank
as a poet; one honest virtue to which
few poets can pretend, I trust I shall
ever claim as mine: — to no man, what-
ever his station in life, or his power to
serve me, have I ever paid a compli-
ment at the expense of truth, f
The A0THOH.
No. CCXLVIIL
TO CAPTAIN
Dumfries, Dec. 5, 1793.
Sin, — ^Heated as I was with wine
yesterniglit, I was perhaps, rather
seemingly impertinent in my anxious
■«ish to be honoured with your ac-
quaintance. You will forgive it: it
was tlie impulse of heartfelt respect.
"He is the fatlier of the Scottish
county reform, and is a man who does
honour to the business at the same
time that the. business does lionour to
him," said my worthy friend Glen-
* The collection of songs mentioned in this
letter is not unknown ■ to the curious in such
loose lore. They were printed by an obscure
.b.QQkseller v-nen death had secured him
against the indignation of Burns. It was of
SQdi compositicins that the poet thus entreat-
ed the world— "The author begs whoever
into whose hands they may fall, thst they will
,do him the justice not to publish what he him-
self thought propei- ^ suppress.
t These words are written on the blank leaf
of the poet's works, published in two small
volumes m 1793 : the handwriting is bold and
free— the pen seems tc have been conscious
that if was making a declaration of indepen-
dence.— Cunningham. ; .
riddel to somebody by me who was
talking of your coming to this country
with your corps. " Then," 1 said, " I
have a woman's longing to take him
by the hand, and say to him, ' Sir, I
honour you as a. man to whom the
interests of humanity are dear, and as
a patriot to whom the rights of your
country are sacred. ' "
In times like these, sir, when our
commoners are barely able, by the glim-
mer of their own twilight understand-
ings, to scrawl a frank, and when lords -
are what gentlemen would be ashamed,
to be, to whom shall a sinking country
call for help? To the independent
country gentleman. To liim who has
too deep a stake in his country not to
be in earnest for her welfare; and who
in the honest pride of man can view
with equal contempt the insolence
of oflBce and the allurements of cor-
ruption.
I mentioned to you a -Scots ode or
song I had lately composed, and which
I think has some inerit. Allow me to
enclose it. Wlien I fall in with you
at tlie theatre, I shall be glad to liave
your opinion of it. Accept of it, sir,
as a very liumble, but most sincere,
tribute of respect from a man wlio,
dear as he prizes poetic fame, yet
holds dearer an ' independent mind. — I
have the honour to be, R. B.
No. CCXLIX.
TO MRS. RIDDEL,
WHO WAS ABOUT TO BESPEAK A PLAY
ONE EVENING AT THE DUMPBIES
THEATHE.
I AM thinlcing to send my "Address"
to some periodical publication, but
it has not got your sanction,, so pray
look over it.
As- to the Tuesday's play, let me beg
of you, my dear madam, to . give
us, "The Wonder, a Woman Keeps a
Secret'" to which jjlease add, "The
Spoilt Cliild " — you will highly oblige
mo by so doing. .
494
EUliNS' WORKa
■ Ah, what an enviable creature you
are I Tliere now, this cursed gloomy
blue devil day, you are going to a
party of choice spirits —
" To play the shapes
Of frolic fancy, and incess^t form
Those rapid pictures, assembled train
Of fleet ideas, never j'oined before,
Wherfe lively lOtt excites to gay surprise ;
Or folly-painting humour^ grave himself.
Calls laughter forth, deep-shaking every
nerve."
But as you rejoice with them that
do rejoice, do also remember to weep
with them that weep, and pity your
melancholy friend.
R. B.
No. OCL.
TO A LADY,
IN FAVOTIR OP A PLAYER'S BENEFIT.
Dumfries, 1794.
Madam, — You were so very good as
to promise me to honour my friend
with your presence on his benefit
night. That night is fixed for Friday
first; the play a most interesting one —
"The Way to Keep Him." I have
the pleasure to know Mr. G. well.
His merit as an actor is geiicr-illy
acknowledged. He has genius and
worth which would do honour to
patronage: he is a poor and modest
man; claims which from their very
silence have the' lb ore forcible power
on the generous heart. Alas, for pity !
that from the indolence of those who
have the good things of this life
in their gift, too often does brazen-
fronted importunity snatch that boon,
tlie rightful due of retiring, humble
want 1 Of all the qualities we assign
to, the Author and Director of nature,
by far the most enviable is^o be able
"To wipe away all tears from all
eye's." Oh, what insignificant, sordid
wretches are they, however chance
may have loaded'them with wealth,
■yyho go to their graves, to their mag-
nificent mausoleums, with hardly the
consciousness of having made one poor
honest heart happy !
But 1 crave your pardon, madam; I
came to beg, not to preach. R. B.
No. CCLI.
TO THE EARL OP BUCHAN,\
),;!J
WITH A COPY OF BBUCE'S ADDRESS TO
HIS TROOPS AT BANNOCKBIXKN.
Dumfries, Jan. 12, 1794.
My Lord, — Will your lordship
allow me to present you with the en-
closed little composition of mine, as a
small tribute of gratitude for the
acquaintance with which you have
been pleased to honour me? Indepen-
dent of my enthusiasm as u, Scotsman,
I have rarely met with anything in-
history which interests my feelings as
a man equal with the story of Bannock-
burn. • On the one hand, -a cruel, but
able, usurper, leading on the finest-
army in Europe to extinguish the last,
spark of freedom among a greatly-:
daring and rrcatly-injured people; on
the other hand, the desperate relics of;
a gallant nation devoting themselves
to rescue their bleeding country, or
perish with her.
Liberty 1 thou art a prize truly and
indeed invaluable ! for never canst
thou be too dearly bought !
If my little ode has the honour of
your lordship's approbation, it mil
gratify my highest ambition. — I have-
the honour to be, &c. ,
R. B.
No. CCLII.
TO CAPTAIN MILLER,
DALSWINTON.
Dear Sir, — The following ode* is
on a subject which I know you by no
means regard with indifEerence. 0
Liberty,
" Thou mak'st the gloomy face of nature gay,!
Giv'st beauty to the sun, and pleasure to the'
day.''
It does me much good to meet with
a man whose honest bosom glows with
the generous enthusiasm, the heroic
daring of liberty, that I could not-
forbear sending you a composition of,
* Bruce's Address. ; >
GENERAL- CORRESPONDENCE.
499
my own on the subject, ■which I really
think is in my best manner. I have
the honour to be, dear sir, &c.,
R. B.
. No. CCLIII.
TO MRS. RIDDEL.*
• Dkar Madam, — I meant to have
sailed on you yesternight, but as I
edged up to your box-door, the first
object wliich greeted ray view was
one of those lobster-coated puppies,
Bitting' like another dragon, guarding
1)lie Hesperian fruit. On the conditions
and capitulations you so obligingly of-
fer, I sha,ll certainly make my weath-
er-beaten rustic phiz a part of your
box-furniture on Tuesday; when we
maj arrange the business of the visit.
Among the profusion of idle com-
]^liments, which insidious craft, or
unmeaning folly, incessantly offer at
your shrine — a shrine, how far exalt-
ed above such adoration — permit me,
were it but for rarity's sake, to pay
you the honest tribute of a wann
heart and an independent mind; and
to assure you, that I am, thou most
amiable, and most accomplished of
thy sex, with the most respectful es-
teem, and fervent regard, thine, &c.,
R. B.
No. CCLIV.
TO THE SAME.
I WILL wait on you, my ever- valued
triend, but whether in the morning I
am not sure. Sunday closes u, period
of our curst revenue business, and may
probably keep me employed with my
pen uutU noon. Fine employment for
a poet's pen ! There is a species of
tlie human genus that I call the gin-
. j»* The following five letters to Mrs. Riddel,
aa& 'those marked' 267-8, evideiitly relate to
iBS-paet's quarrel with that lady : but, being
^itnouVdate, Dr. Currie has inextricably con-
teed them.. Probably No. 249 should be
printed first, and the rest after an interval, as
*ell~as "in a different arrangement.— Cham-
liorse-dasi : what enviable dogs they
are ! Round, and round, and round
they go,-^MundeirB ox, that drives
his cotton mill, is their exact proto-
type — without an idea or wish be-
yond their circle; fat, sleek, stupid,
patient, quiet, and contented; while
here I sit, altogether Novemberish, a
damned melange of fretfulness and'
melancholy; not enough of the one to
rouse me to passion, nor of the other
to repose me in torpor: my soul floun-
cing and fluttering round her tene-
ment, like a wild finch, caught amid
the horrors of winter, and newly thrust
into a cage. Well, I am persuaded
that it was of me the Hebrew sage
prophesied, when he foretold — "And
behold, on whatsoever this man doth
set his heart, it shall not prosper !" If
my resentment is awaked, it is sure to
be where it dare not squeak; and if
Pray what wisdom and bliss be more
frequent visitors of
R. B.
No. CCLV.
TO THE SAME.
I HAVE this moment got the song
from Syme, and I am sorry to see that
he has spoilt it a good deal. It shall
be a lesson to me how I lend him any-
thing again.
I have sent you "Werter," truly
happy to have any the smallest op-
portunity of obliging you.
'Tib true, madam, I saw yon once
since I was at Woodlee: and that once
froze the very life-blood of my heart.
Your reception of me was such that a
wretch meeting the eye of his judge,
about to pronounce sentence of death
on him, could only have envied my
feelings and situation. Bat I hate the
theme, and never more shall write of
speak on it.
One thing I shall proudly say, that
I can pay Mrs. R. a higheir tribute of
esteem, and appreciate her amiable
worth more truly, than any man whom
I have seen approach her.
- ' - R. B.
496
BURNS' WORKS.
No. CCLVI;
TO THE SAME.
I HAVE often told you, my dear
friend, that you had a spice of caprice
in your composition, and you have as
often disavowed it; even perhaps while
your opinions were, at tlie moment,
irrefragably proving it. Could any-
thing estrange me from a friend such
as you ? — No ! To-morrow I shall have
the honour of waiting on you.
Farewell, thou first of friends, and
most accomplished of women; even
v^ith all thy little caprices 1
E. B.
No. CCLVII.
TO THE SAME.
Madam, — I return your Common-
place Book. I have perused it with
much pleasure, and would have con-
tinued my criticisms, but, as it seems
the critic has forfeited your esteem, his
strictures must lose their value.
If it is true that ' ' offences come
only from the heart," before you I am
guiltless. To admire, esteem, and
prize you, as the most accomplished
of women, and the first of friends — if
these are crimes, I am the most offend-
ing thing alive.
In a face where I used to meet the
kmd complacency of friendly confi-
dence, now to find cold neglect and con-
temptuous scorn — is a wrench that my
heart can ill bear. It is, however,
some kind of miserable good luck,
that while de-lmut- en-has rigour may
depress an imoffending wretch to the
ground, it has a tendency to rouse a
stubborn something in his bosom
which, though it cannot heal the
wounds of his soul, is at least an opiate
to blunt their poignancy.
With the profoundest respect for
your abilities; the most sincere es-
teem, and ardent regard for your gen-
tle heart aud amiable manners; and
the most fervent wish and prayer for
your welfare, peace, and' bliss, I have J
the honour to be, madam, your most
devoted humble servant,
B. B.*
No. CCLVIIL
TO JOHN SYME, ESQ.f
You know that, among other high
dignities, you have the honour to bo
my supreme court of critical judica-
ture, from which there is ii"o appeal.
I enclose you a song which I composed
since I saw you, and I am going to
give you the history of it. Do you know-
that among much that I admire in the
characters and manners of those great
folks whom I have now the honour to
call my acquaintances, the Oswald
family, there is nothing charms me
more than Mr. Oswald's unconcealable
attachment to that incomparable wo-
man. Did you ever, my dear Syme,-
meet with a man who owed more to
the Divine Giver of all good things
than Mr. O. ? A fine fortune; a pleas-
ing exterior; self-evident amiable dis--
positions, and an ingenuous upright
mind, aud that informed, too, much be-
yond the usual run of young fellows
of his rank and fortune: and to all-
this, such a woman ! — but of her I
shall say nothing at all, in despair ot
saying anything adequate : in my song,
I have endeavoured to do justice to
what would be his feelings, on seeing,,
in the scene I'have drawn, the habita-
tion of his Lucy. As I am a good deal
pleased with my performance, I in my
first fervour thought of sending it to
Mrs. Oswald, but on second thoughts,
perhaps wlialt I offer as the honest in-
cense of genuine respect might, from
the well-known character of poverty
and poetry, be construed into some
modification or other of that servility
which my soul abhors.
R. B.
* The offended lady was soothed by this
letter, and forgave any offence the poet had
given her. . . . •
t This gentleman held the office of distribu-
tor of stainps at Duihfries.
GBNERA-L GORRESPONDENCE.
497
No. CCLIX.
TO MISS
Dumfries, 1794.
Madam, — Nothing short of a kind
of absolute necessity could have made
me trouble you with this letter. Ex-
cept my ardent and just esteem for
your sense, taste, and worth, every
sentiment arising in my breast, as 1
put pen to paj)er to you, is painful.
The scenes I have psissed with the
friend of my soul and his amiable con-
nexioJis ! the wrench at my heart to
think that he has gone, for ever gone
from me, never more to meet in the
wanderings of a weary world ! and
the cutting reflection of all, that I had
most unfortunately, though most un-
deservedly, lost the confidence of that
soul of worth, ere it took its flight !
Tliese, madam, are sensations of no
ordinary r njuish. — However, you also
may be offended with some imputed
improprieties of mine; sensibility you
know I possess, and sincerity none will
deny me.
To oppos3 these prejudices, which
have been raised against me, is not the
business of this letter. Indeed it is a,
warfare I know not how to wage. The
powers of positive vice I can in some
degree calculate, and against direct
malevolence I can be on my guard ;
but who can estimate the fatuity of
giddy caprice, or ward off the unthink-
ing mischief of precipitate folly ?
I have a favour to request of you,
madam; and of j-our sister, Mrs. ,
through your means. You know that,
at the wish of my late friend, I made
a collection of all my trifles in versa
which I had ever written. They are
many of them local, .some of them
puerile and silly, and all of them unfit
for the public eye. As I have some little
fame at stake — a fame that I trust
may live when the hate of those who
" watch for my halting," and the
contumelious sneer of those whom ac-
cident has made my superiors, will,
with themselves, be gone to the regions
of oblivion — I am uneasy now for the
fate of those manuscripts. Will Mrs.
have the goodness to destroy
them, or return them to me ? As a
pledge of friendship they were be-
stowed; and that circumstance indeed
was all their merit. Most unhappily
for me, that merit they no longer pos-,
sess; and I hope that Mrs. 's good-
ness, which I well know, and ever will
revere, will not refuse this favour to a
man whom she once held in some de-
gree of estimation.
With the sincerest esteem, I havei
the honour to be, madam, &c.,
R. B.
No. CCLX.
TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.
Feb. 26, 1794.
Canst thou minister to a mind dis-
eased? Canst thou speak peace and
rest to a soul tost on a sea of troubles,
without one friendly star to guide hei
course, and dreading that the next
surge may overwhelm her? Canst
thou give to a frame tremblingly alive'
as the tortures of suspense, the stabil-
ity and hardihood of the rock that
braves the blast ? If thou canst not
do the least of these, why wouldst thou
disturb me in my miseries, with thy
inquiries after me ?
> • • • • *
For these two months I have not
been able to lift a pen. My constitu-
tion and frame were, ab origine, blast-
ed with a deep incurable taint of hypo-
chondria, which poisons my existence.-
Of late a number of domestic vexa-
tions, and some pecuniary share in the
ruin of these cursed times — losses
which, though trifling, were yet what
I could ill bear — have so irritated me
that my feelings at times could not be
envied by a reprobate spirit listening
to the sentence that dooms it to per-
dition.
Are you deep in the language of
consolation ? I have exhausted in re-
flection every topic of comfort. A
heart at ease would have been charmed
with my sentiments and reasoninga;
but as to myself, I was like Judas Is-'
498
BURNS' WORKS.
cariot preacliing the gospel; lie might
melt and mould the hearts of those
around him, but his own kept its na-
tive incorrigibility.
Still there are two great pillars that
bear us up, amid the wreck of misfor-
tune and misery. The one is com-
posed of the different modifications of
a certain noble, stubborn something in
. man, known by the names of courage,
fortitude, magnanimity. The othek
is made up of those feelings and senti-
ments which, however the sceptic may
deny them, or the enthusiast disfigure
them, are yet, I am convinced, original
and component parts of the human
soul; those senses of the mind — if I
may be allowed the expression — ^which
connect us with, and link us to, those
awful obscure realities — an all-power-
ful, and equally beneficent God, and
a world to come, beyond death and the
grave. The first gives the nerve of
combat, while a ray of hope beams on
the field: the last poui-s the balm of
comfort into the wound which time
can never cure.
I do not remember, my dear'-Gun-
ningham, that you and I ever talked
on the subject of religion at all. I
know some who laugh at it, as the
trick of the crafty few, to lead the
undiscerning many; or at the most as
an uncertain obsbwrity, which mankind
can never know anything of, and with
which they are fools if they give them-
selves much to do. Nor would I
quarrel with a man for his irreligion,
any more than I would for his want of
a musical ear. I would regret that
he was shut out from what, to me and
to others, were such superlative sources
of enjoyment. It is in this point of
view, and for this reason, that I will
deeply imbue the mind of every child
of mine with religion. If my son
should happen to be a man of feeling,
sentiment and taste, I shall thus add
largely to his enjoyments. Let me
flatter uiyself that this sweet little fel-
low, who is just now running about
my desk, will be a man of a melting,
ardent, glowing heart; and an imagi-
nation, delighted with the painter, and
rapt with the poet. Let me figure him
wandering out in a sweet evening, to
inhale the balmy gales, and enjoythe
growing luxuriance of the spring; hilh-
self the while in the blooming youth
of life. He looks abroad on all nattire,
and through nature up to nature's
God. His soul, -by swift, delighting
degrees, is rapt above tliis sublunary
sphere until he can be silent no longer,
and bursts out into, the glorious enthu-
siasm of Thomson —
"These, as they change, Almij^hty Father,
these
Are but the varie4 God.— The rolling year
Is full of thee ; "
and so on, in all the spirit and ardour
of that charming hymn. These are no
ideal pleasures, they are real delights;
and I ask, what of the delights among
the sons of men are superior, not to
say, equal to them ! And they have
this precious, vast addition — that con-
scions virtue stamps them for her own;
and lays hold on them to bring herself
into the presence of a witnessing, judg-
ing and approving God.
K. B.
No. CCLXI.
TO THE EARL OF GLENCAIRN.
J May T794.
My Lord, — When you cast your
eye on the name at the bottom of this
letter, and on the title-page of the
book I do myself the honour to send
j'our lordship, a more pleasurable feel-
ing than my vanity tells me that it
must be a name not entirely unknown
to you. The generous patronage of
your late illtistrious brother found me
in the lowest obscurity : he introduced
my rustic muse to the partiality of my
country; and to him I owe all. My
sense of his goodness, and the anguish
of my soul at losing my truly noble
protector and friend, 1 have endeav-
oured to express in a poem to hismem-
ory, which I have now published.
This edition is just from the pre^;
and in my gratitude to the dead, and
my respect for the living, (fame belies
yoii, my lord, if you possess not the
same dignity of man which was your
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
499
noble brother's characteristic feature,)
I' had destined a copy for the Earl of
Glencairn. 1 learut just-rrow that you
are in town: — allow me to present it
you.
I know, my lord, such is the vile,
venal contagion which pervades the
world of letters, that professions of
Tespect from an author, particularly
from a poet to a lord, are more than
suspicious. I claim my by-past con-
duct, and my feelings at this moment,
as exceptions to the too just conclusion.
Exalted as are the honours of your
lordship's name, and unnoted as is the
obscurity of mine; with the upright-
ness of an honest man, I come before
your lordship, with an offering, how-
ever humble — 'tis all I have to give —
of my grateful respect; and to beg of
you, my lord, — 'tis all I have to ask of
you — that you will do me the honour
to accept of it. — I have the honour to
be, R. B.
No. CCLXII.
TO DAVID MACCULLOCH, ESQ.
Dumfries, Juae 21, 1794.
My dear Sir, — My long projected
journey through your country is at
last fixed: and on Wednesday next, if
you have nothing of more importance
to do, take a saunter down to Gate-
house about two or three o'clock. I
shall be happy to take a draught of
M'Kune's best with you. Collector
Syme will be at Glens about that time,
and will meet us about dish-of-tea
' hour. Syme goes also to Kerrough-
tree, and let me remind you of your
kind promise to accompany me there;
I will need all the friends I can muster,
tor I am indeed ill at ease whenever I
approach your honou rabies and right
honourables. — Yours sincerely,
R. B.*
* The endorsement on the back of the
original letter shows what is felt about Burns
in far distant lands.
" Given to me by David M'CuUoch, Penang,
- , 1801. A. Fraser."
.!, 'Received rsth December, 1823, in Calcutta,
'from Captain Fraser's widow by me,_
'■" " Thomas Rankine."
No. CCLXIII.
TO MRS. &UNLOP.
Castle Douglas, June 23, 1794.
HuRE, in a solitary inn, in a solitary
village, am I set by myself, to amuse
my brooding fancy as I may. ^Solitary
confinement, you know, is Howard's
favourite idea of reclaiming sinners;
so let me consider by what fatality
it happens that I have so long been
so exceeding sinful as to neglect the
correspondence of the most valued
friend I have on earth. To tell you
that I have been in poor health will
not be excuse enough, though it is
true. I am afraid that I am about
to suffer for the follies of my youth.
My medical friends threaten me with
a fiying gout; but I trust they are
mistaken. ,
I am just going to trouble your
critical patience with the first sketch
of a stanza I have been framing as I
passed along the road. The subject-is
liberty: you know, my honoured friend,
how dear the theme is to me. I design
it as an irregular ode for General
Washington's birth-day. After hav-
ing mentioned the degeneracy of other
kingdoms, I come to Scotland thus: —
•'Thee, Caledonia, thy wild heaths among,
Thee, famed for martial deed and sacred song.
To thee I turn with swimming eyes ;
Where is that soul of Freedom fled ?
Immingled with the mighty dead ! [lies !
Beneath the hallowed turf where Wallace
Hear it not, Wallace, in thy bed of death !
Ye babbling winds in silence sweep,
Disturb not ye the hero's sleep."
with the additions of
" That arm which, nerved with thundering
fate.
Braved usurpation's boldest daring!* [star,
One quenched in darkness, like the sinking
And one the palsied arm oif tottering power-
less age."
(See Fragment on Liberty, p. 144.)
You will probably have another
scrawl from me in a stage or two.
R. B.
•'Transmitted to Archibald Hastie, Esq.,
London ; March 27th, 1S24, fi'om Bom-
bay."
* Sir William Wallace.
530
BURNS' WORKS.
No. CCLXIV.
TO MR. JAMES JOHNSON.
Dumfries, 1794.
Mt deab Friend, — You sliould
liave heard from me long ago; but
over and above some vexatious share
in the pecuniary losses of these accurs-
ed times, I have all this winter been
plagued with low spirits and blue
devils, so that / Iw/oe almost hung my
7ia/rp on the imUow trees.
I am just now busy correcting a new
edition of my poems, and this, with
my ordinary business, finds me in full
employment.
I send you by my friend, Mr. Wa:!-
lace, forty-one songs for your fifth
volume; if we cannot finish it in any
other way, what would you think
of Scots words to some beautiful Irish
airs ? In the meantime, at your leisure,
give a copy of the Museum to my
worthy friend, Mr. Peter Hill, book-
seller, to bind for me, interleaved with
blank leaves, exactly as he did the
Laird of Glenriddel's, that I may insert
every anecdote I can learn, together
with my own criticisms and remarks
on the songs. A copy of this kind,
I shall leave with you, the editor,
to publish at some after period, by way
of making the Museum a book famous
to the end of tirae, and you renowned
for ever.*
I have got a Highland dirk, for
which I have great veneration; as
it once was the dirk of Lord Balmerino.
It fell into bad hands, who stripped it
of the silver mounting, as well as the
knife and fork. I have some thoughts
of sending it to your care, to get it
mounted anew.
Thauk you for the copies of my
Volunteer Ballad. — Our friend Clarke
has done indeed well ! 'tis chaste and
beautiful. I have not met with any-
thing that has pleased me so much.
* Burns' anxiety with regard to the correct-
ness of his writings was very great. Being
questioned as to his mode of composition, he
.replied, 'I AU my poetry is the effect of easy
composition, but of lai)'orious correciiony —
-Ckomeis.
You luiow I am no connoisseur: but
that I am an amateur, will be allowed
me. R. B.
No. CCLXV.
TO PETER MILLER, JUN., ESQ.,
OF DALSWINTON.
Dumfries, Nov. 1794.
De.\b Sm,^Your offer is indeed
truly generous, and most sincerely
do I thank you for it; but, in my
present situation, I find that I dare not
accept it. You well know my political
sentiments; and were I an insular
individual, unconnected with a wife
and family of children, with, the most
fervid enthusiasm 1 would have volun-
teered my services; I then could and
would have despised all consequences
that might have ensued.
My prospect in the Excise is some-
thing; at least, it is, encumbered as I
am with the welfare, the very exist-
ence of near half-a-score of helpless
individuals, what I dare not sport
with.
In the meantime, they are most
welcome to my Ode; only, let them in-
sert it as a thing they have met with
by accident and unknown to me. Nay,
if Mr. Perry, whose honour, after
your character of him I cannot doubt,
if he will give me an address and chan-
nel by which anything will come safe
from those spies with which he may
be certain that his correspondence is
beset, I will now and then send him a
bagatelle that I may write. In the
present hurry of Europe, nothing but
news and politics will be regarded;
but against the days of peace, which
Heaven send soon, my little assistance
may perhaps fill up an idle column of
a newspaper. I have long had it in
rny head to try my hand in the way of
little prose essays, which I propose
sending into the world through the
medium of some newspaper ; and
should these be worth his while, to
these Mr. Perry shall be welcome; and
all my reward shall be his treating me
with his paper, which, by the' by, ■ to
anybody who has the least relish 'for
GENEEAL CORRESPONDENCE.
601
wit, is a liigli treat indeed.* — With
tlie most grateful esteem, I am ever,
dear sir,
E. B.
No. CCLXVl.
TO MR. SAMUEL CLARKE, JUN.,
DUMFRIES.
Sunday Morning.
Dear Sir, — I was, I know, drunk
last night, but I am sober this morn-
ing. From the expressions Capt.
made use of to me, had I had nobody's
welfare to care for but my own, we
,should certainly have come, according
to the manners of the world, to the
necessity of murdering one another
about the business. The words were
such as generally, I believe, end in a
brace of pistols; tat I am still pleased
to think that I did not ruin the peace
and welfare of a wife and a family of
children in a drunken squabble. Fur-
ther you know that the report of cer-
tain political opinions being mine has
already once before brought me to the
brink of destruction. ^ dread lest last
night's business may be misrepresent-
ed in the same way. Yda, I beg, will
take care to prevent it. I tax your
wish for Mr. Burns' welfare, with the
task of waiting, as soon as possible, on
every gentleman who was present, and
state this to him ;nl, as you please,
show bim this letter. What, after all,
was the obnoxious toast? " May our
success in the present war be equal to
the justice of our cause " — a toast that
the most outrageous frenzy of loyalty
cannot object to. I request and beg
*.Ia a conversation with his friend Mr.
Perirjr, (the proprietor of the Morning
■Chronicle^ Mr. Miller represented to that
.gentleman. the insufficiency of Burns' salary
to answer the Imperious demands of a numer-
ous family.' In their sympathy for his misfor-
tunes, and in their regret that his talents were
nearly lost to the world, of letters, these gen-
-jtlemen agreed on the plan of settling him in
' London. To accomplish this most desirable
object, Mr. Perry, very spiritedly, made the
poet a handsome offer of an annual stipend
for the exercise of his talents in his news-
paper. . Burns' reasons for refusing this
'Difer are- stated in the- present" letter. — ■
Cromrk,
that this morning you will wait on the
parties present at the foolish dispute.
I shall only add that I am truly sorry
that a man who stood so high in my
estimation as Mr. , should use me
in the manner in which I conceive he
has done.
R. B.
No. CCLXVn.
TO MRS. RIDDEL.
SUPPOSES HmSELP TO BE WRITING
FROM THE DEAD TO THE LIVING.
Dumfries, 1795-
Madam, — I daresay that this is the
iirst epistle you ever received from
tills nether world. I write you from
the regions of hell, amid the horrors
of the damned. The time and -man-
ner of my leaving your earth I do not
exactly know, as I took my departure
in the heat of afever of intoxication,
contracted at your too hospitable man-
sion; but, on my arrival here, I was
fairly tried, and sentenced to endure
the purgatjiial tortures of this infernal
confine for the space of ninety-nine
years, eleven months, and twenty-nine
days, and all on account of the impro-
priety of my conduct yesternight un-
der your roof. Here am I, laid on a
bed of pitiless furze, with my aching
head reclined on a pillow of ever-
piercing thorn, while an infernal tor-
mentor, wrinkled, and old, and cruel,
his name I think is Itecollectian, with
a whip of scorpions, foruids peace or
rest to approach me, and keeps an-
guish eternally awake. Still, madam,
if I could in any measure be reinstated
in the good opinion of the fair circle
whom my conduct last night so much
injured, I think it would be an allevia-
tion to my torments. For this reason
I trouble you with this letter. To the
men of the company I will make no
apology. Your husband, who insisted
on my drinking more than I chose,
has no right to blanio me;' and the
other gentlemen were partakers of my
guilt. But to you, madam, I have to
apologise. Your good opinion I val-
503'
BURNS' WORKS.
ued as one of the greatest acquisitions
I had made on eartli, and I was truly
a tieast to forfeit it. There was a Miss
I , too, a woman of fine sense, gen-
tle and unassuming manners — do
make, on my part, a miserable damned
wretch's best apology to her. A Mrs.
Q- . a charming woman, did me the
honour to be prejudiced in my favour;
this makes me hope that 1 have not
outraged her beyond all forgiveness.
To all the other ladies please present
my humblest contrition for my con-
duct, and my petition for their gra-
cious pardon. 0 all ye powers of de-
cency and decorum ! whisper to them
that my errors, though great, were in-
voluntary— that an intoxicated man is
the vilest of beasts — ^that it was not in
my nature to be brutal to any one —
that to be rude to a woman, when in
my senses, was impossible with me —
but^"
Regret ! Remorse ! Shame I ye three
heil-hounds that ever dog my steps
and bay at my heels, spare me ! spare
mo !
Forgive the ofEences, and pity the
perdition of, madam, your humble
slave, K. B.
No. CCLXVIII.
TO MRS. RIDDEL.
Dumfries, 1795.
Mr. Bubns' compliments to Mrs.
Riddel — is much obliged to her for
her polite attention in sending him the
book. Owing to Mr. B. being at present
acting as supervisor of Excise, a de-
partment that occiipies his every
hour of the day, he has not that time
to spare which is necessary for any
belles-lettres pursuit; but, as he will,
in a week or two, again return to his
wontedleisure, he will then pay that
attention to Mrs. R. 's beautiful song,
" To thee, loved Nijli" — which it so
well deserves.* When " Anacliarsis'
* In the song alluded to, there are some
fine verses.
" And now your banks and bonnie braes
But waken sad remembrance' smart :
Travels " come to hand, wliich Mrs.
Riddel mentioned as her gift to the pub-
lic library, Mr. B. will feel honoured
by the indulgence of a perusal of them
before presentation; it is a book he has
never yet seen, and the regulations of
the library allow too little leisure for
deliberate reading.
Friday Evening.
P. S. — Mr. Burns will be much
obliged to Mrs. Riddel if she will
favour him vrith a perusal of any of
her poetical pieces which he may not
have seen.
No. CCLXIX.
TO MISS FONTENELLE.
Dumfries, 1795.
Madam, — In such a bad world as
ours, those who add to the scanty sum
of our pleasures are positively our ben-
efactors. To you, madam, on our
humble Dumfries boards, I have been
more indebted for entertainment than
ever I was in prouder theatres. Tour
charms as a woman would insure ap-
plause to the most indifferent actress,
and your theatrical talents would in-
sure admiration to the plainest figure.
This, madam, is not the unmeaning or
insiduous compliment of the frivolous,,
or interested; I pay it from the same
honest impulse that the sublime of
nature excites my admiration, or her'
beauties give me delight.
Will the foregoing lines* be of any
service to you in your approaching'
benefit night ? If they will I shall be
The very shades I held most dear
Now strike fresh anguish to my heart :
Deserted bower ! where are they now ?
Ah ! where the garlands that I wove
With faithful care — each mom to deck
The altars of ungrateful love ?
" The flowers of sprin.^how gay they bloom'd
When last with him I wander'd here,
The flowers of spring are past away
For wintry horrors dark and.drear.
Yon osier'd stream, by whose lone banks
My son^s have luU'd him oft to rest,
Is now in icy fetters lock'd —
Cold as my false love's frozen breast."
* See "Address spoken by Miss Fbntenelle,"
p. 147.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
503
prouder of my miisG than eye^. They
are nearl;' extempore: I know they
have no great merit; bat though they
should add but little to the entertain-
ment of the evening, they give me tlie
happiness of an opportunity to declare
how much I have the honour to be,
&c., R. B.
No. CCLXX.
■.' TO. MRS. DUNIiOP.
Dec. 15, 1795.
My deak Friend, -7- As I am in
a complete Decemberish humour,
gloomy, sullen, stupid, as even the
d^ty of dulness herself could wish, I
shall not drawl out a heavy letter with
a number of heavier apologies for my
late silence. Only one 1 shall mention,
because I know you will sympathise in
it: these four months a sweet little
girl, my youngest child, has been so
ill that every day, a week, or less,
threatened to terminate her existence.
There had much need bo many pleas-
ures annexed to the states of husband
and father, for, God knows, they have
many peculiar cares. ' I cannot de-
scribe to you the anxious, sleepless
hours these ties frequently give me.
I see a train of helpless little folks:
me and my exertions all their stay:
anji on what a brittle thread does the
life of man hang ! If I am nipt off at
the command of fate ! even in all the
vigour of manhood as I am — such
things happen every day — Gracious
Go'd ! what would become of my little
flock ! 'TiS here that J. envy your peo-
ple of fortune. — A father on his death-
bed, taking an everlasting leave of his
children, lias indeed woe enough; but
the man of competent fortune leaves
his sons and daughters independency
and friends; while I — but I shall run
distracted if I think any longer on the
subject.
To leave talking of the matter so
gravely, I shall sing with the old Scots
ballad —
- . *' O that I had ne'er been married,
'' ' I would never had nae care ;
Now I've gotten wife and bairns,
They cry crowdie evermair,
"Crowdie ance: crowdie twice ;
Crowdie three times in a day ;
An ye crowdie ony mair,
Ye'll crowdie a' my meal away."
December 24.
We have had a brilliant theatre here
this season; only, as all other business
does, it experienced a stagnation of
trade from the epidemical complaint
of the country, want of cash, I men-
tioned our theatre merely to lug in an
occasional Address which I wrote for
the benefit-night of one of the ac-
tresses, and- which is as follows —
(Sec p. 147.)
2sth, Christmas Morning.
This, my much-loved friend, is a
morning of wishes; accept mine — so.
Heaven hear mo as they are sincere !
— ^that blessings may attend your steps,,
and affliction know you not ! In the
charming words of my favourite.
author, ' ' The Man of Feeling," ' ' May
the great Spirit bear up the weight of
thy gray hairs, and blunt the arrow
that brings them rest !"
Now that I talk of authors, how do
you like Cowper? Is not the '■ Task"
a glorious poem 'I The religion of the
"Task," bating a few scraps of C'al-
vinistic divinity, is the religion of
God and nature; the religion that ex-
alts, that ennoi)les man. Were not
you to send mc your " Zeluco," in re-
turn for mine ? Tell me how yoi^ke
my marks and notes through the
book. I would jiot give a farthing for
a book, unless I were at liberty to
blot it with my criticisms. .
I have lately collected, for a friend's
perusal, all my letters ; I mean those
which I first sketched, in a, rough
draught, and afterwards wrote out
fair. On looking over some old musty
papers, which, from time to time, I
had parcelled by, as trash that were
scarce worth preservings and which
yet at the same time I did not care to
destroy; I discovered many of these
rude sketches, and have written, and
am writing them out, in a bound MS.
for my friend's library. As I wrote
504
BURNS' WORKS.
always to you tlie rliapsody of tlie mo-
ment, I cannot find a single scroll to
you, except one, about the commence-
ment of our acquaintance. If there
were any possible conveyance, I
■would send you a perusal of my
book.
R. B.
No. CCLXXI.
TO MR. ALEXANDER FIND-
LATER, SUPERVISOR OP
EXCISE,. DUMFRIES.
Sm, — ^Enclosed are the two schemes.
I would not have troubled you with the
collector's one, but for suspicion lest it
be not right. Mr. Erskine promised
me to make it right, if you will have
the goodness to show him how. As I
have no copy of the scheme for my-
self, and the alterations being very
considerable from what it was for-
merly, I hope that I shall have access
to tliis scheme I send you, when I
come to face up my new books. So
much for schemes. — And that no
scheme to betray a friend, or mis-
lead a STRANGER; to seduce a youNG
GIRL, or rob a hen -BOOST; to subvert
LIBERTY, or bribe an exciseman; to
disturb the general assembly, or
annoy a gossiping; to overthrow the
credit of orthodoxy, or tlie authority
of OLD SONGS; to oppose your wishes,
or toustrate my hopes — may prosper
— is me sincere wish and prayer -of
R. B.
No. CCLXXII.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE
MOBNINQ GHBONIOLE.''
Dumfries, 1795.
Sir, — You will .see by your sub-
scribers' list that I have been about
nine months of thatnumber.
I am sorry to inform you that in
that time seven or eight of your
papers either have never been sent
* James Perry, a native of Aberdeen.
me, or else have never reached me.
To be deprived of any one number of
the first newspaper in Great Britain
for information, ability, and independ-
ence, is what I can ill brook and bear;
but to be deprived of that most admi-
rable oration of the Marquis of Lans-
downe; when he made the great,
though ineffectual attempt (in the lan-
guage of the poet, I fear too true) • ' to
save a sinking STATE"^^this was a
loss that I neither can nor will for-
give you. — That paper, sir, nevfir
reached me; but I demand it of you.
I am a Briton; and must be interested
in the cause of libbbty, — I am a man;
and the rights of hximan natxjre
cannot be indifferent to me. However,
do not let me mislead you: I am not a
man in that situation of life which, as
your subscriber, can be of any conse-
quence to you, in the eyes of those to
whom SITUATION op life alone is
the criterion of man. — I am but a
plain tradesman, in this distant, ob-
scure country town : but that humble
domicile in which I shelter my wife
and children is the Castelltim of a
Briton; and that scanty, hard-earned
income which supports them is as
truly my property as the most mag-
nificent fortune of the most puissant
member of your house of nobles.
These, sir, are my sentiments; and
to them I subscribe my name: and,
were I a man of ability and conse-
quence enough to address the public,
with that name should they appear, —
I am, &c.*
* " This letter," says Cromek, " owes its
origin to the following circumstance : — A
neighbour of the poet at Dumfries, called on
him and complained that he had been greatly
disappointed in the irregular delivery of the
Morning- Chronicle. Burns asked, *Why do
not you write to the editors of the paper?"
' Good God, sir, can / presume to write to the
learned editors of a newspaper ? ' ' Well, if
yott are afraid of writing to the editors of a
newsp ' ' ■* ' ■ '
per. I 11 draw up a
may copy.'
" Burns tore a leaf from his excise book,
and instantly produced the sketch which I
have transcribed, and which is here printed.
The poor man thanked him, and took the
letter home. However, that caution which
the watchfulness of his enemies had taught
him to exfcrcise prompted him to the prudence
I'spaper, / am not ; and, if you think pro-
. 1 11 draw up a sketch of aletter which you
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
•50s
No. CCLXXni.
TO COLONEL W. DUNBAR.*
I AM not gone to Elysium, most no-
lale Colonel, but am still here in tliis
sublunary world, serving my God by
propagating his image, and honouring
my lung by begetting hhu loyal sub-
jects. Many happy returns of the sea-
son await my friend I May the thorns
of care never beset his path ! May
peace be an inmate of his bosom, and
rapture a frequent visitor of his soul !
May the bloodhounds of misfortune
never trace his steps, nor the screech-
owl of sorrow alarm his dwelling !
May enjoyment tell thy hours, and
pleasure number thy days, thou
friend of the Bard ! Blessed be he
that blesseth thee, and cursed be he
that curseth thee !
R. B.
No. CCLXXIV.
TO MR. HERON, OF HERON.
Dumfries, 1795.
Sir, — I enclose you some copies of
a couple of political ballads; one of
which, I believe, you have never seen.f
Would to Heaven I could make you
master of as many votes in the Stew-
artry — but —
" Who does the utmost that he can,
Does well, ^cts nobly — angels could no more."
In order to bring my humble efforts
to bear with more efEect on the foe, I
have privately printed a good many
copies of both ballads, and have sent
them among friends all about the
country.
To pillory on Parnassus the rank
of begging a friend to wait on the person for
whom It was written, and request the favour
to have it returned. This request was com-
plied with, and the paper never appeared in
print."
* William Dunbar was an Edinburgh friend
of the poet's; and the title of Colonel here
given refers to his position in " the Croch-
allfin Fencibles," a club of choice spirits.
t For these ballads which related to Mr.
Heron's contest for the representation of the
Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, see p. 279.
reprobation of character, the utter de-
reliction of all principle, in a profligate
junto which has not only outraged
virtue, but violated common decency;
which, spurning even hypocrisy as
paltry iniquity below their daring; —
to unmask their flag^tiousness to the
broadest day — to deliver such over to
their merited fate — is surely not mere-
ly innocent, but laudable; is not only
propriety, but virtue. You have al-
ready, as your auxiliary, the sober
detestation of mankind on the heads of
your opponents; and I swear by the
lyre of Thalia to muster on your side
all the votaries of honest laughter, and
fair, candid ridicule !
I am extremely obliged to you for
your kind mention of my interests in
a letter which Mr. Syme showed me.
At present, my situation in life must
be in a great measure stationary, at
least for two or three years. The
statement is this — I am on the su^r-
visor's list; and, as we come on there
by precedency, in two or three years I
shall be at the head of that list, and
be appointed of course. 37i6?iariiiEND
might be of service to me in getting mo
into a place of the kingdom which I
would like. A supervisor's income va-
ries from about a hundred and twenty to
two hundred a year; but the business
is an incessant drudgery, and would
be nearly a complete bar to every
species of literary pursuit. The mo-
ment I am appointed supervisor, in
the common routine, I may be nomi-
nated on the collector's list; and this
is always a business purely of political
patronage. A collectorship varies
much, from better than two hundred a
a year, to near a thousand. They also
come forward by precedency on the
list; and have, besides a handsome
income, a life of complete leisure. A
life of literary leisure, with a decent
competency, is the summit of my
wishes. It would be the prudish af-
fectation of silly pride in me to say
that I do not need, or would not be
iiJdebted to, a political friend; at the
same time, sir, I by no means lay my
affairs before you thus to hook my de-
pendent situation on your benevolence;
506
BURNS' WORKS.
If, in my progress of life, an opening
sliould occur where the good offices of
a gejntleman of your public character
and political consequence might bring
me forward, I shall petition your good-
ness with the same frankness as I now
do myself the honour to subscribe
myself,
R. B.
No. CCLXXV.
TO MRS. DUNLOP, IN LONDON.
Dumfries, Dec, 20, 1795.
I HAVE been prodigiously disappoint-
ed in this London journey of yours. In
the first place, when your last to me
reached Dumfries, I was in the
country, and did not return until too
late to answer your letter; in the nest
place, I thought you would certainly
take this route; and now I know not
what is become of you, or whether this
may reach you at all. — God grant that
this may iind you and yours in pros-
pering health and good spirits ! Do
let me hear from you the soonest pos-
sible.
As I hope to get a frank from my
friend. Captain Miller, I shall every
leisure hour take up the pen, and gos-
sip away whatever comes first, prose
or poetry, sermon or song. — In this
last article I have abounded of late. I
have often mentioned to you a superb
publication of Scottisli songs, which is
making its appearance in your great
metropolis, and where I have the hon-
our to preside over the Scottish verse,
as no less a personage than Peter Pin-
dar does over the English.
Dec. 29.
Since I began this letter, I have
been appointed to act in the capacity
of supei'visor here, and I assure you,
what with the load of business, and
what with that business being new to
me, I could scarcely have commanded
ten minutes to have spoken to you,
had you been in town, much less to
have written you an epistle. This ap-
pointment is only temporary, and
during the illness of the present in-
cumbent; but I look forward to an
early period when I shall be appointed
in full form: a consummation devout-
ly to be wished ! My political sins
seem to be forgiven me.
This is the season (New-year's-day ia
now my date) of wishing; and mine
are most fervently offered up for you !
May life to you be a positive blessing
while it lasts, for your own sake, and
that it may yet be greatly prolonged is
my wish for my own sake, and for the
sake of the rest of your friends ! What
a transient business is life ! . Very late-
ly I was a boy; but t'other day I was a
young man ; and already I begin to
feel the rigid fibre and stiffening
joints of old age coming fast o'er my
frame. With all my follies of youth,
and, I fear, a f ew vicfe of manhood,
still I congratulate myself on . having
had in early days religion strongly
impressed on my mind. I have noth-
ing to say to any one as to which sect
he belongs to, or what creed he be- .
lieves; but I looic on the man who is,
firmly persuaded cif infinite wisdom
and goodness, superintending and di-
recting every circumstance that can
happen in his lot — I felicitate such a
man as having a solid foundation for
his mental enjoyment; a firm prop and ,
sure stay in the hour of difficulty,
trouble, and distress; and a never-fail-
ing anchor of hope, when he looks be- ^
yond the grave.
Jan. 12,
You will have seen our worthy and
ingenious friend, the Doctor, long ere
this. I hope he is well, and beg to be
remembered to him. I have just been
reading over again, I daresay for the
hundred and fiftieth time, his "View
of Society and Manners;" and still I
read it with delight. His humour is
perfectly original — it is neither the
humour of Addison, nor Swift, nor
Sterne, nor of anybody but Dr. Moorel
— By the by, you have deprived me of
" Zeluco;" remember that, when you
are disposed to rake up the sins of "rby
neglect from among the ashes of my' '
laziness.
He has paid me a pretty compli-
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
D07>
ment, by quoting me in his last publi-
cation.* R. B.
No. CCLXXVI.
ADDRESS OP THE SCOTCH
DISTILLERS
TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM PITT.
Sir, — While pursy burgesses crowd
yoiir gate, sweating under the weight
of heavy addresses, permit us, the
quondam distillers in that part of
Great Britain called Scotland, to ap-
proach you, not with venal approba-
tion, but with fraternal condolence;
not as what you are just now, or
forsome time have been; but as
what in all probability, you will
shortly be. — We shall have the merit
of not deserting our friends in the day
of their calamity, and you wiU have
the satisfaction of perusing at least
one holiest address. You are well ac-
quainted with the dissection of human
nature; nor do you need the assistance
of a fellow-creature's bosom to inform
you that man is always a selfish, often
a perfidious being. — This assertion,
however the hasty conclusions of
superficial observation may doubt of
it, or the raw inexperience of youth
may deny it, those who make the fatal
experiment we have done will feel. —
Tou are a statesman, and consequently
are not ignorant of the traflBc of these
corporation compliments. — The little
great man who drives the borough to
market, and the very great man who
buys the borough in that market, they
two do the whole business: and, you
well know; they, likewise, have their
price: With that sullen disdain
which you can so well assume, rise,
illustrious sir, and spurn these hire-
ling ef^rts of venal stupidity. At
hest they are the compliments of a
man's friends on the morning of his
execution: they take a decent fare-
well; resign. you to your fate: and
hurry away from your approaching
hour.
* The novel entitled " Edward."
If fame say true, and omens be not
very much mistalven, you are about to
make your exit from that world where,
the sun of gladness gilds the paths of
prosperous men; permit us, great sir,
with the sympathy of fellow-feeling,
to haU your passage to the realms of
ruin.
Whether the sentiment proceed
from the selfishness or cowardice of
mankind is immaterial ; but to point
out to a child of misfortune those who
are still more unliappy is to give him
some degree of positive enjoyment,
lathis light, sir, our downfall may be
again useful to you: — Though not ex-
actly in the same way, it is not per-
haps the first time it has gratified your
feelings. It is true, the triumph of
your evil star is exceedingly despite-
ful.— At an age when others are the
votaries of pleasure, or underlings in
business, you had attained the highest
wish of a British statesman; and with
the ordinary date of human life, what
a prospect was before you ! Deeply
rooted in Boyal Fa/oour, you over-
shadowed the land. The birds of pas-
sage, which follow ministerial sun-
shine through every clime of political
faith and manners, flocked to your
branches; and the beasts of the field
(the lordly possessors of hills and val-
leys,) crowded under your shade.
"But behold a watcher, a holy One,
came down from heaven, and cried
aloud, and said thus: Hew down the
tree, and cut off his branches; shake
off his leaves, and scatter his fruit;
let the beasts get away from under it,
and the fowls from his branches 1"
A blow from an unthought of quarter,
one of those terrible accidents which
peculiai-ly mark the hand of Omnipo-
tence, overset your career, and laid all
your fancied honours in the dust.
But turn your eyes, sir, to the tragic
scenes of our fate. — An ancient nation
that for many ages had gallantly main-
tained the unequal struggle for inde-
pendence with her much more power-
ful neighbour, at last agrees to an
union v/hich should ever after make
them one jieople. In consideration of
certain circumstances, it 'was covenant-
508
BURNS' WORKS.
ed that the former should enjoy a
stipulated alleviation in her share of
the public burdens, particularly in
that branch of the revenue called the
Excise. This just privilege has of
late given great umbrage to some in-
terested, powerful individuals of the
more potent part of the empire, and
they have spared no wicked pains,
under insidious pratexts, to subvert
what they dared not openly to attack,
from the dread vfhich they yet enter-
tained of the spirit of their ancient
enemies.
In this conspiracy we fell ; ■ nor did
vre alone snffer — our country was
deeply wounded. A number of (we
•will say) respectable individuals,
largely engaged in trade, where we
were not only useful, but absolutely
necessary, to our country in her dear-
est interests; we, with all that was
near and. dear to us, wece sacrificed
without remorsa, to the infernal deity
of political expediency I We fell to
gratify the wishes of dark envy, and
the views of unprincipled ambition.
Your foes, sir, were avowed; were too
brive to take an ungenerous advan-
tage; you fell in the face of day. — On
the contrary, our enemies, to complete
our overthrow, contrived to make
their guilt appear the villainy of a na-
tion. Your downfall only drags with
you your private friends and partisans :
in our misery are more or less involved
the most numerous and most valuable
part of the community — all those who
immediately depend on the cultivation
of the soil, from the landlord of a prov-
ince down to his lowest hind.
Allow us, sir, yet further, just
to hint at another rich vein of
comfort in the dreary regions of ad-
versity; the gratulations of an ap-
proving conscience. — In a certain great
assembly, of which you are a distin-
guished member, panegyrics on pri-
vate virtues have so often wounded
your delicacy that we shall not dis-
tress you with anything on the sub-
ject. There is, however, one part of
your public conduct which our feel-
ings will not permit us to pass in
silence; our gratitude must trespass on
your modesty; we mean, worthy sir,
your whole behaviour to the Scots Dis-
tillers.— In evil hours, when obtrusive
recollection presses bitterly on the
sense, let that, sir, come like a healing
angel, and speak the peace to your
soul which the world can neither give
nor take away. — We have the honour
to be, sir, your sympathising fellow-
sufferers, and grateful humble ser-
vants.
John Baeletcorn — Prseses.*
No. CCLXXVUi
TO THE HON. THE PROVOST,
BAILIES, AND TOWN COUNCIL
OF DUMFRIES.
Gentlemen, — The literary taste and
liberal spirit of your good town has so
ably filled the various departments of
your schools as to make it a very great
object for a parent to have his children
educated in them. Still to me, a
stranger, with my large family, and
very stinted income, to give my young
ones that education I wish, at the high
school fees which a stranger pays, will
bear hard upon me.
Some years ago your good town did
me the honour of making me an hon-
orary Burgess. — Will you allow me to
request that this mark of distinction
may extend so far as to put me on a
footing of a real freeman of the town,
iu the schools ?
If you are so very kind as to grant
my request, it will certainly be a con-
stant incentive to me to strain every
nerve where I can officially serve you;
and will, if possible, increase that
grateful respect with which I have the
honour to be, gentlemen, your devoted
humble servant,
R. B.f
* This ironical address was found among
the papers of the poet.
t The Provost and Bailies complied at once
with the humble request of the poet.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
509
No. CCLXXVm.
TO MRS. RIDDEL.
Dumfries, Jan. 20, 1796.
I CANNOT express my gratitude to
you for allowing me a longer perusal
jof " Anarcliarsis." In fact, I never
met with a book that bewitched me so
much; and I, as a member of the
library, must warmly feel the obliga-
tion you have laid us under. Indeed,
to me, the obligation is stronger than
to any other individual of our society,
as " Anarcharsis " is an indispensable
desideratum to a son of the muses.
The health you wished me in your
morning's card is, I think, flown from
me for ever. I have not been able to
leave my bed to-day till about an hour
ago. These Wickedly unlucky adver-
tisements I lent (I did wrong) to a
friend, and I am ill able to go in quest
of him.
The muses have not quite forsaken
me. The following detached stanzas
I intend to interweave in some disas-
trous tale of a shepherd.
R. B.
No. CCLXXIX.
TO MRS. DTJNLOP.
Dumfries, Jan. 31, 1796.
These many months you have been
two packets in my debt — what sin of
ignorance I have committed against so
highly valued a friend I am utterly at
jB, loss to guess. Alas ! madam, -ill can
I afford, at this time, to be deprived
of any of the small remnant of my
pleasures. I have lately drunk deep of
the cup of aflBiction. The autumn
robbed me of my only daughter and
darling child, and that at a distance,
too,* and so rapidly, as to put it out of
my power to pay the last duties to her.
I had scarcely begun to recover from
that shock when I became myself the
victim of a most severe rheumatic
fever, and long the die spun doubtful ;
until, after many weeks of a sick bed,
it seems to have turned up life, and I
* The child died at Mauchiine.
am beginning to crawl across my room,
and once indeed have been before my
own door in the street.
" When pleasure fascinates the mental sight,
Affliction purifies the visual ray,
Religion hails the drear, the untried night,
And shuts, for ever shuts ! life's doubtful
day."
R. B.
No. CCLXXX.
TO MRS. RIDDEL,
WHO HAD DESIRED HIM TO GO TO THE BIRTH-
DAY ASSEMBLY ON THAT DAY TO SHOW HI?
LOYALTY.
Dumfries, June 4, 1796.
I AM in such miserable health as to
be utterly incapable of showing my
loyalty in any way. Rackt as I am
with rheumatisms, I meet every face
with a greeting, like that of Balak to
Balaam — "Come, curse me, Jacob;
and come, defy me, Israel !'' So say I
— Come, curse me that east wind; and
come, defy me the north ! Would you
have me in such circumstances copy
you out a love-song ?
I may perhaps see you on Saturday,
but I will not he at the hall — Why
should I? "man delights not me, nor
woman either !" Can you supply me
with the song, " Let us all be unhap-
py together ?" — do if you can, and
ablige le pauvre miserable.'^
R. B.
* Mr. Cunningham says : — '■' This is the last
letter which Burns addressed to the beautiful
and accomphshed Mrs. Riddel. In addition
to the composition of a very admirable memoir
of the poet, that lady bestirred herself much
in rousing his friends both in Scotland and
England to raise a monument at Dumfries to
his memory. She subscribed largely herself :
she induced others to do the same, and she
corresponded with both Banks and Flaxman
on the subject of designs. The following
letter will suffice to show the reader that Mrs.
Riddel had forgiven the bard forall his lam-
poons, and was earnest in doing his memory
honour: " —
Richmond, May 20, 1799.
Sir— In answer to youra of the loth of last
month, I will trouble you with a few lines on
the subject of the bard's monument, having
corresponded with several persons (Dr.
Currie, &c,) respecting it, whose judgment is
very far preferable to mine, and we all agree
510
BURNS' WORKS.
No. CCLXXXI.
TO MR. CLARKE, SCHOOL-
MASTER, FORFAR.
Dumfries, June s6, 1796.
My deak Clarke, — Still, still the
victim of affliction ! Were you to see
the emaciated figure who now holds
the pen to you, you would not know
your old friend. Whether I shall ever
get about again, is only known to Him,
the Great Unknown, whose creature I
am. Alas, Clarke ! I begin to fear
the worst. As to my individual .self,
1 am tranquil, and would despise my-
self if 1 were not; but Burns' poor
widow, and half-a-dozen of his dear
little ones — helpless orphans ! — there
I am weak as a woman's tear. Enough
of this ! 'Tis half of my disease.
I duly received your last, enclosing
the note. It came extremely in time,
and I am much obliged by your punc-
tuality. Again I must request you to
do me the same kindness. Be so very
good as, by return of post, to enclose
me another note. I trust you can do
it without inconvenience, and it will
that the first thingr to be done is to collect
what money can be got for that purpose, in
which we will aU do what service we can, as
soon as the posthumous works are published ;
but those who are at all saddled with that
business must get it off their hands before
they commence another undertaking. Per-
haps an application, or at any rate the consult-
ing with Mr. Flaxman on the subject of the
design, &c., might answer better from and
with persons he is already acquainted with,
and -mor; heads than one should be called in
counsel on the occasion. If, therefore, you or
the other gentlemen concerned in this project
think it proper, I will talk it over with Mr.
Flaxman and some other artists, friends of his,
whom I know, and Mr. F. can then let you
know his ideas on the subject. The monu-
ment should be characteristic of him to whom
it is raised,- and the artist must somehow be
made acquamted with him and his ivorks^
which it is possible he may not be at present.
The inscription should be first rate. I think
either Roscoe or Dr. Darwin would contri-
bute their talents for the purpose, and it
could not be given into better hands. I have
no names to add to your list ; but whenever
-that for the posthumous works is closed., I will
set to work m earnest. Pray remember me to
Mr. Syme when you see \i\va^J'romtvkom. I
know not ivhy., I never hear now. — I am, sir,
your humble servant,
• -■ Makia RidPel.
seriously oblige me. If I must go, I
shall leave a few friends behind me,
whom I shall regret while conscious-
ness remains. 1 know I shall live in
their remembrance. Adieu, dear
Clarke; That I shall ever see you
again is, I am afraid, highly improb-
able. '
R. B.
No. CCLXXXII.
TO MR. JAMES JOHNSON,
EDINBURGH.
Dumfries, July 4, 1796.
How are you, my dear friends aad
how comes on )our fifth volume?
You may probably think that for some
time past I have neglected you and
your work; but, alas ! the hand of
pain, and sorrow, and care, has these
many mouths lain heavy on me ! Per-
sonal and domestic affliction have
almost entirely banished that alacrity
and life with which I used to woo the
rural muse of Scotia.
Vou are a good, worthy honest fel-
low, and have a good right to live in
this world — because you deserve it.
Many a merry meeting this publica-
tion has given us, and possibly it njay
give us more, though, alas ! I fear it.
'rhis protracting, slow, consuming ill-
ness which hangs over me, will, I
doubt much, my ever dear friend, ar-
rest my sun before he has well reached
his middle career, and will turn over
the poet to far more important con-
cerns than studying the brilliancy of
wit, or the pathos of sentiment ! How-
ever, liope is the cordial of the human
heart, and I endeavour to cherish it as
well as I can.
Let me hear from you as soon as
convenient. — Your work is a great one;
and now that it is finished, I see, if we
were to begin again, two or three
things that might be mended; yet I
will venture to prophesy that to futilre
ages your publicatioa will be the text-
book and standard of Scottish songaiid
music. ■ ■
GENERAL CORRESPONbENCE.
5U
; I am ashamed to ask another favour
Qfryou, because you have been so very
Jgpodfliready; but my wife has a very
.particular friend of hers, a young lady
ijffho sings well, to whom she wishes
to present the Scots Musical Museum.
If you have a spare copy, will you be
so obliging as to send It by the very
first fiy, as I am anxious to have it
soon.* — Yours ever,
R. B.
No. CCLXXXIII.
TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.
Brow, Sea-Bathing.Quakteks, 1
July 7, 179b. i
, My DBAS CcKto*GHAM, — I received
yours here this [moment, and am in-
deed highly flattered with the appro-
bation of the literary circle you men-
.tion; a literary circle inferior to none
in the two kingdoms. Alas ! my
friend, I fear the voice of the bard will
soon be heard among you no more !
For these eight or ten months I have
been ailing, sometimes bedfast, and
sometimes not; but these last three
months I have been tortured with an
excruciating rheumatism, which has
reduced me to nearly the last stage.
You actually would not know me if you
saw me. Pale, emaciated, and so feeble
as occasionally to need help from my
Jchair — ^my spirits fled ! fled ! — but I
can no more on the subject — only the
medical folks tell me that my last and
only chance is bathing and country
quarters and riding. — ^The deuce of the
matter is this; when an Exciseman is
off duty, his salary is reduced to £35
instead' of £50. — What way, in the
name of "thrift, shall I maintain my-
self, and keep a horse in country
quarters — with a wife and five children
■at home, on £35 ? I mention this, be-
cause I had intended to beg your ut-
* In this humble and delicate manner did
"poor Burns ask for a copy of a work oi which
he was principally the founder, and to which
he had cotHrWmted, gratuitausfy, not less than
184 (rHginal^ altered^ and corrected songs I
The- editor has seen 180 transcribed by his
own hand for the AfaifK"'-— Cromek.
most interest, and that of all the
friends you can muster, to move our
Commissioners of Excise to grant me
the full salary; I dare say you know
them all personally. If they do not
grant it me, I must lay my account
with an exit truly en poeie — If 1 die
not of disease, 1 must perish with
hunger.*
. I have sent you one of the songs;
the other my memory does not serve
me with, and I have no copy here; but
I shall be at home soon, when I will
send it you. — Apropos to being at
home, Mrs. Burns threatens, in a week
or two, to add one more to my paternal
charge, which, if of the right gender,
I intend shall be introduced to the
world by the respectable designation
of Alexander Cunningham Burns. My
last was Jamss Oleneairn, so you can
have no objection to the company of
nobility. — ^Farewell.
R.B.
No. CCLXXXIV.
TO MR. GILBERT BURNS.
July 10, 1796.
Dear Bkothek, — ^Itwill be no very
pleasing news to you to be told that I
am dangerously ill, and not likely to
get better. An inveterate rheumatism
has reduced me to such a state of de-
bility, and my appetite is so totally
gone, that I can scarcely stand on my
legs. 1 have been a week at sea-bath-
ing, and I will continue there, or in a
friend's house in the country, all the
summer. God keep my wife and.
children: if I am taken from their
head, they will be poor indeed. I
have contracted one or two serious
debts, partly from my illness these
many months, partly from too much
thoughtlessness as to expense when I
came to town, that will cut in too
* Mr. Cunningham very properly says : — It
is truly painful to mention— and with indigna-
tion we record it — that the poet's . humble
request of the continuance of his full .salary
was «<>/ granted ! "The Commissioners," says
Currie, "were guilty of no such weakness."
To be merciful was no part of their duty.
■513
BURNS' WOBKS.
mucli on tlie little I leave them in
your hands. Bemeniber me to my
mother. — Yours,
E. B.
No. GCLXXXV.
TO MRS. BURNS.
Crow,* Thursday.
My DEAitEST LovK, — I delayed
■writing until I could tell you ^vhat
effect sea-l)athiug was likely to pro-
duce. It would be iiijustico to deny
that it has eased my pains, and I think
has strengthened mo; but my appetite
is still extremely bad. No flesh nor
fish can I swallow ; porridge and milk
are the only thing I can taste. I am
very happy to hear, by Miss Jesse Le-
■wars, that you are all well. . My very
best and kindest compliments to her,
and to all the children. I will see
you on Sunday. — Your affectionate
husband,
R. B.
No. CCLXXXVI.
TO MRS. DUNLOP.
Crow, Saturday, July 12, 1796.
Madam, — . have written you so
often, .without receiving any answer,
that I vrould not trouble you again,
but for the circumstances in which I
am. An i ' .less which has long hung
about me, in all probability will speed-
ily send me ' eyond that bourn whence
no traveller returns. Your friendship,
with which for many years you hon-
oured me, was a friendship dearest to
my soul. Your conversation, and es-
pecially your' correspondence, were at
once highly entertaining and instruc-
tive. With what pleasure did I use
to break up the seal I The remem-
brance yet adds one pulse more to my
poor palpitating heart. Farewell ! ! !*
* One evening- during Burns' stay at the
Brow, he was visited by two young laHies who
lived in the neighbourhood and who sympa-
thised in his sufiEennss. During their stay,'
the sun setting on tlie western hills, threw
a strong lierhtupon him through the viindow :
a child perceived this, and proceeded to draw
the curtain. " Let me look at the sun, my
love," said the sinking poet; " it will be long
before he will shine for me again ! "
No. CCLXXXVII.
TO MR. JAMES BURNESS,
WRITER, MONTROSE.
Dumfries, July 13.
My dear Cousiiir,^-When you of-
fered me money assistance,- little did I
think I should want it so soon. A
rascal of a haberdasher, to whom I
owe a considerable bill ,' taking it into
his head that I am dying, has com-
menced a process against me, and will
infallibly put my emaciated body into
jail. Will you be so good as to ac-
commodate me, and that by return of
post, with ten pounds ? O James ! did
you know the j ide of my heart, you
would feel doubly for me ! Alas ! I
am not used to beg ! The worst of it
is, my health was coming about fine-
ly; you know, and my physician as-
sured me, that melancholy and low
spirits are half my disease : guess, then,
my horrors since tuis business began.
If 1 had it settled, I would be, I
think, quite well in a manner. How
shall I use the language to you ? O do
not disappoint me ! but strong uecesi-
sity's curst command.
I have been thinking over and over
my brother's affairs, and I fear I must
cut him up; — but on this I will corres-
* " Burns had, however, the pleasure," says
Currie, " of receivings a satisfactory explana-
ti Lk. his friend's silence, and an assurance
of the continuance of her friendship to his
widow and children ; an assurance that has
been amply fulfilled. It is. probable that the
greater part of her letters to him were
destroyed by our bard aboutthetime that this
last was written. He did not foresee that his
own letters to her were to appear in print,-
nor conceive the disappointment that will 'be
felt that aiew of this excellent lady's epistles:
have not served 10 enrich and adorn the ■
collection. The above letter is supposed to
be the last production of Robert Burns, who
died on the 21st of the month, nine days
afterwards."
There are, however, others of a date still
later.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Dia
poud at another time, particularly as I
shall [require] your advice.
Forgive me for once more mention-
ing by return of post; — save me from
the horrors of a jail !
My compliments to my friend James,
and to all the rest. I do not know
what I have written. The subject is
BO horrible, I dare not look it over
aeain. Farewell.*
^ R. B.
* James Burness sent his cousin ten pounds
the moment he received his letter, thoug^h lie
could ili Spare the money, and concealed his
kindness from the world;, till, on reading- the
life and letiers^pf the poet, he was constrain-
ed, in support ^of his own good name, to
conceal it ixo longer. I was informed by
my friend, Dr, Burness, that his grandfather
now in his eighty-fourth year, was touched
by the dubious way in which I had left the
subject, in the poet's life, and felt that he was
liable to the imputation of coldness of heart.
In a matter of such delicacy, I could not ask
the family, and accordingly had left it as I
found it, without comment or remark. The
following letters will make all as clear as day,
and right my venerable friend in a matter
respectmg which he cannot be but anxious. —
A1.1.AN Cunningham.
TO MR. BURNESS, MONTROSE.
Sir— At the desire of Mrs. Bums, I have to
acquaint you with the melancholy and much
regretted event of your friend's degth. He
expired on the mornms of the 21st, about five
o'clock. The situation of the unfortunate
Mrs. Bums and her charminfj boys, your
feeling heart can easily paint. It is, however,
much to her consolation that a few of his
friends, particularly Mr. John Syme, collector
ot the stamps, and Dr. William Maxwell, both
gentlemen of the first respectability and con-
nexions, have stepped forward with their
assistance and advice; and I think there can
be no doubt but that a very handsome provi-
sion will be raised for the widow and family.
"The former of these gentlemen has written to
most of the Edinburgh professors with whom
either he or Mr. Burns were acquainted, and
to several other particular friends. You will
easily excuse your not having sooner an
answer to your very kind letter, with an
acknowledgment of the contents, for, at the
time it was received, Mr. Burns was totally
unable either to write or dictate a letter, and
Mrs. Bums wished to^defer answering it till
she saw what turn affairs took.
I am, with much respect, your most obedi-
ent and very humble servant,
John Lewars.
Dumfries, July 23, 1796.
No. CCLXXXVIIL
TO JAMES GRACIE, ESQ.
Brow, Wednesday Morning, I
July 16, 1796. f
My DEAU Sm, — It would [be] doing
high injustice to this place uot to ac-
knowledge that my rheumatisms have
TO MRS. ROBERT BURNS, DUMFRIES.
My dear Cousin, — It was with much con^
cejcn I received the melancholy news of the
death of your husband. Little ,did I expect,
when I had the pleasure of seeing you and
hira, that a change so sudden would have
happened.
I sincerely sympathise with you in your
affliction, and will be very ready to do any-
thing in my power to alleviate it.
I am sensible that the education of his
family was the object nearest to my cousin's,
heart, and I hope you will make it your study
to follow up his wish by carefully attending
to that object, so far as maj be possible for
you ; or, if you think of parting with your son
Robert, and will allow me to take charge
of him, I v/iU endeavour to discharge towards
liim the duty of a father and educate him with
my own sons.
I am happy to hear that something is to be
done for you and the family : but as that may
take some time to carry into effect, I beg-ytm
will accept of the enclosed five pounds to
supply your present necessities.
My friend mentioned to me that any little
thing he had was in the hands of his brother
Gilbert, and that the payment of it, at present,
would be hard upon him ; I have therefore to
entreat that, so far asi your circumstances will
permit, you will use lenity in setthng with
him.
I have further to request that you will offer
my best thanks to Mr- Lewars for his very
fnendly letter to me on this melancholy
event, with my sincere wishes that such a
warm heart as his may never want a friend.
I shall be glad to hear of your welfare, and
your resolution in regard to your son, and
I remain, dear cousin, your affectionate
friend, James Burness.
Montrose, July 29, 1796.
TO MR. BURNESS, MONTROSE.
Dear Sir,— I was duly favoured with your
letter of the 29th July. Your goodness is
such as to render it wholly out of my power
to make any suitable acknowledgment, or to
express what I feel for so much kindness.
With regard to my son Robert, I cannot as
yet determine ; the gentlemen here (particu-
larly Dr. Maxwell and Mr. Syme, who have
so much interested themselves for me and the
family) do not wish that I should come to any
resolution as to partings v ith any of them,
and I own my own feelings ra'.her incline me
to keep them with me. I think they will be a
514
CORRESPONDENCE OP BURNS
derived great benefits from it already;
but, alas 1 my loss of appetite still
continues. I shall not need your kind
offer this week, and I return to town
the beginning of next week, it not
being a tide week. I am detaining a
man in a. burning hurry. So, Sod
bless you.
R. B.
comfort to me, and my most agreeable com-
panions ; but should any of them ever leave
me, you, sir, would be. of all others, the
gentleman under whose charge I should wish
to see any of them, and I am perfectly sensible
of your very obliging offer.
Since Mr. Lewars wrote you, I have got a
young son, who, as well as myself is doing
well.
, What you mention about my brother, Mr.
Gilbert BumSf is what accords with my own
Opinion, and every respect shall be p^d to
your advice— I am, dear sir, with the greatest
respect and regard, your very much obliged
friend, Jean Burns.
Dumfries, Aug. 3, 1796,
No. CCLXXXIX.
TO JAMES ARMOUR, MASON,
MAUCHLINE,*
Dumfries, July 18, 1796.
Mt deak Sir, — Do, for Heaven's
sake, send Mrs. Armour here immedi-
ately. My wife is hourly expecting
to be put to bed. Good God ! wbat a
situation for lier to be in, poor girl,
■without a friend ! I returned, from .
sea-bathing quarters to-day, and my
medical friends would almost per-
suade me that I am better, but I
think and feel that my strength is so
gone that the disorder will ^ove fatal
to me.f — Your son-in-law,f^
^~^ B.
* The father of Mrs. Burh^
t This is the last of all the c^offpoS^i^ons of
the great poet of Scotland, being'written only
three days before his death.— CSjnningham.
1834.
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
WITH
GEORGE THOMSON.
In 1793 George Thomson announced
the -work which was henceforward to
associate his name with that of Robert
Burns in the memory of his country-
men ; he entitled it, "A Select Col-
lection of Original Scottish Airs for
the Voice :to which are Added Intro-
ductory and Concluding Symphonies
and Accompaniments for the Piano-
forte and Violin, by Pleyel and Kose-
luck, with Select and Characteristic
Verses by the most Admired Scottish
Poets." As Burns was the only poet
of the period who could worthily assist
him in his ambitious undertaking, he
was immediately applied to, and he re-
sponded to the call with the utmost
enthusiasm. We shall allow Mr.
Thomson to speak for himself as to
his own personal history and his con-
nexion with the poet — the latter at
one time a subject of fierce discussion.
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
B*15
The letter we reprint was addressed to
Mr. Robert Cliambers, and first ap-
peared in tlie " Land of Burns:" —
*'Trustees' Office Edinburgh, f
March 29, 1838. j
"Deae Sir, — To your request that
I should furnish you with a few par-
ticulars respecting my personal history,
I really know not well what to say, be-
cause my life has been too unimportant
to merit much notice. It is in con-
nexion with national music and song,
and my correspondence on that subject
with Burns chiefly, that I can have
any reasonable hope of being occasion-
ally spoken of. I shall therefore con-
tent myself with a brief sketch of
what belongs to my personal history,
and. then proceed to the subject of
Scottish music and Burns.
" I was born at Limekilns, in Fife,
■ about the year 1759, as I was inform-
ed, for I scarce can believe I am so
old. My father taught a school there,
and having been invited in that capa-
city to the town of Banff, he carried
me thither in my very early years, in-
structed me in the elementary branches
of knowledge, and sent me to learn the
dead languages at what was called Jie
grammar school. He had a hard
struggle to maintain an increasing
family, and, after trying some mer-
cantile means of enlarging his income
without success, he moved with his
family to Edinburgh when I was about
seventeen. In a short time I got into
a writer to the signet's oflBce, as a
clerk, and remained in that capacity
with him, and another W. S., till
the year 1780, when, through the
influence of Mr. John Home, author
of ' Dpuglas,' with one of the mem-
bers of the Honourable Board of Trus-
'tees.I was recommended to that Board,
and became their junior clerk. Not
long after, upon the death of their
principal clerk, I succeeded to his sit-
uation, Mr. Robert Arbuthnot being
then their secretary; under whom, and
afterwards under Sir William, his son
and successor. I have served the Board
for upwards of half a century; enjoy-
ing their fullest confidence, and the
entire approbation of both secretaries,
whose gentlemanly manners and kind
dispositions were such (for I never saw
a frown on their brows, nor heard an
angry word escape from their lips)
that I can say, with heartfelt gratitude
to their memory, and to all my superi-
ors, in this the 58th year of my clerk-
ship, that I never have felt the word
servitude to mean anything in the least
niortifying or unpleasant, but quite
the reverse.
' ' In my twenty-fifth year, I married
Miss Miller, whose father was a lieu-
tenant in the 50tli Regiment, and her
mother the daughter of a most re-
spectable gentleman in Berwickshire,
George Peter, Esq., of Chapel, and
this was the wisest act of my life. She
is happily still living, and has pre-
sented me with six daughters and two
sons, the elder of the two being now
a lieutenant-colonel of Engineers, and
the other an assistant-commissary-
general.
" From my boyhood I had a passion
for the sister arts of music and paint-
ing, which I have ever since continued
to cherish in the society of the ablest
professors of both arts. Having studied
the violin , it was my custom, after the
hours of business, to con over our
Scottish melodies, and to devour the
choruses of Handel's oratorios; in
which, when performed at St. Cecilia's
Hall, I generally took a part, along
with a few other gentlemen, Mr. Alex-
ander Wight, one of the most eminent
counsel at the bar, Mr. Gilbert Innes
of Stow, Mr. John Russel, W. S., Mr.
John Hutton, &c. ; it being then not
uncommon for grave amateurs to as-
sist at the St. Cecilia concerts, one of
the most interesting and liberal musi-
cal institutions that ever existed in
Scotland, or indeed in any country. 1
had so much delight in singing
those matchless choruses, and in
practising the violin quartettes ol
Pleyel and Haydn that it was with joy
I hailed the hour when, like the young
amateur in the good old Scotch song, J
could hie me hame to my Cremona,
and enjoy Haydn's admirable fancies.
6ie
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
*I stiM was pleased where'er I wem; and
when I was alone,
I screw'd my pegs and pleased myself with
John o' Badenyon.*
' ' At the St. Cecilia concerts I lieard
Scottisli songs sung in a style of ex-
cellence far surpassing any idea which
I had previously had of their beauty,
anj that, too, from Italians, Signor
Tenducci the one, and Signora Dome-
nica Corri the other. Tenducoi's 'I'll
never leave thee,' and ' Braes o' Bal-
lenden,' and the Siguora's 'Ewebughts,
Marion,' and ' Waly, waly,' so delight-
ed every hearer, that in the most
crowded room not a whisper was to be
heard, so entirely did they rivet the at-
tention and admiration of the audience.
Tenducci's singing was full of passion,
feeling, and taste: and, what we hear
very rarely from singers, his articula-
tion of the words was no less perfect
than his expression of the music. It
was in consequence of my hearing
him and Signora Corri sing a number
of our songs so charmingly, that I
conceived the idea of collecting all our
best melodies and songs, and of obtain-
ing accompaniments to them worthy
of .their merit.
"On examining with great atten-
tion the various collections on which I
could by any means lay my hands, I
found them all more or less exception-
able, a sad mixture of good and evil,
the pure and the impure. The mel-
odies in general were without any
symphonies to introduce and conclude
them; and the accompaniments (for
the piano only) meagre and common-
place:— while the verses united with
the melodies were in a great many in-
stances coarse and vulgar, the produc-
tions of a rude age, and such as could
not be tolerated or sung in good so-
ciety.
"Many copies of the same melody
both in print and manuscript, differ-
ing more or less from each other, came
! under my view: and after a minute
comparison of copies, and hearing
them sung over and over by such of
my fair friends as I knew to be most
conversant with them, I chose that set
or copy of each air which I found the
most simple and beautiful.
" For obtaining, accompaniments to
the airs, and also symphonies to intro-
duce and conclude each air — a most in-
teresting appendage to the airs that
had not before graced any of the col-
lections— I turned my eyes first on
Pleyel, whose compositions were re-
marltably popular and pleasing; and
afterwards, when I had resolved to ex-
tend my work into a complete collec-
tion of all the airs that were^worthy of
preservation, I divided thein into diff-
erent portions, and sent them from
time to time to Hadyn, to Beethoven,
to Weber, Hummell, &c. , the greatest
musicians then flourishing in Europe.
These artists, to my inexpressible sat-
isfaction, proceeded con amore with
their respective portions of the work,
and in the symphonies, which are orig-
inal and characteristic creations of their
own, as well as in their judicious and
delicate accompaniments for. the piano-
forte, and for the violin, flute and violon ■
cello, they exceeded my most sanguine
expectations, and obtained the decided
approval of the best judges. Their
compositions have been pronounced by
the Bdinburgh Review to be wholly
unrivalled for originality and beauty.
' ' The poetry became next the sub-
ject of my anxious consideration, and
engaged me in a far more extensive
correspondence than I had ever anti-
cipated, which occupied nearly the
whole of my leisure for many years;
For, although a small portion of the
melodies had long been united with
excellent songs, yet a much greator
number stood matched with such un-
worthy associates as to render a
divorce and a new union absolutely
necessary.
"Fortunately for the melodies, I
turned my eyes towards Robert Burns,
who no sooner was infoi-med of my
plan and wishes, than, with all the
frankness, generosity, and enthusiasm
which marked his character, he under-
took to write whatever songs I wanted
for my work; but in answer to my
promise of remuneration, he declared,
in the most emphatic terms, that he
would receive nothing of the kind. He
proceeded with the utmost alacrity- to
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
517
execute what he had undertaken, and
from tlie year 1793 till the tune of his
death in 1796, I continued to receive
his exquisitely-beautiful compositions
for the melodies I had sent him from
time to time: and, in order that noth-
ing should be wanting which m^ight
suit my work, he empowered me to
make use of all the other songs that
he had Avritten for Johnson's Scots-
Musical Museum, &c. My work thus
contains above one hundred and twenty
of his inimitable songs; besides many
of uncommon beauty that I obtained
from Thomas Campbell, Professor
Smyth, Sir Walter Scott, Joanna Bail-
lie, and other admired poets : together
with the best songs of the olden time.
" Upon, my publishing the first
twenty-five melodies with Pleyel's
symphonies and accompaniments, and
songs by different authors, six of
Burns' songs being of the number,
(and those sis were all I published in
his lifetime,) I, of course, sent a copy
of this half volume to the poet; and as
a mark of my gratitude for his exces-
sive kindness, I ventured, with all
possible delicacy, to send him a small
pecuniary present, notwithstanding
what he had said on the subject. He
retained it after much hesitation, but
wrote me (Letter XXIV.) that, if I
presumed to repeat it, he would, , on
the least motion of it, indignantly
spurn what was past, and commence
entire stranger to me.
" Who that reads the letter above
referred to, and the first one which the
poet sent me, can think I have deserv-
ed the abuse which anonymous scrib-
blers have poured upon me for not en-
deavouring to remunerate the poet?
If I had dared to go further than I did,
in sending him money, is it not per-
fectly clear that he would have deem-
ed it an insult, and ceased to write
another song for me?
. <' Had I been a selfish or avaricious
man, I had a fair opportunity, upon
the death of the poet, to put money
in my pocket; for I might then have
published, for my own behoof, all tlie
beautiful lyrics he had written for me,
i-the loriginal manuscripts of which
were in my possession. But instead
of doing this, I was no sooner inform-
ed that the friends of the poet's family
had^come to a resolution to collect liis
works, and to publish them for the
benefit of the family, and that they
thought it of importance to include my
MSS., as being lilvely, from their
number, their novelty, and beauty, to
grove an attraction to subscribers, than
I felt it at once my duty to put them
in possession of all the songs and of
the correspondence between the poet
and myself, and accordingly, through
Mr. John Syme of Ryedale, 1 transmit-
ted the whole to Dr. Currie,-who had
been prevailed on, immensely for the
advantage of Mrs. Burns and her chil-
dren, to take on himself the task of
editor.
' ' For thus . surrendering the manu-
scripts, I received both verbally and
in writing, the warm thanks of the
trustees for the family, Mr. John
Syme and Mr. Gilbert Burns; who
considered what I had done as a fair
return for the poet's generosity of con-
duct to mei.
" If anytliing more were wanting to
set me right, with respect to the
anonymous calumnies circulated to iny
prejudice in regard to the poet, I have
it in my power to refer to a most re-
spectable testimonial which, to my
very agreeable surprise, was sent me
by Professor Josiah Walker, one of
the poet's biographers: and, had I not
been reluctant to obtrude myself ga
the public, I should long since ha^fe
given it publicity. The professdr
wrote me as follows : —
" ' Perth, April 14, 1811.
" ' Dear Sih,— Before I left Edin-
burgh, I sent a copy of my account of
Burns to Lord Woodhouselee; and
since my return I have had a letter
from his lordship, which among other
passages, contains one that I cannot
withhold from you 1 Ho writes thus:
— " I am glad that you have embraced
the occasion which lay in your way of
doing full justice to Mr. George Thom-
son, who, I agree with you in think-
ing, was most harshly and illiberally
treated by aa anqnymoua doll calura-
518
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
niator. I have always regarded Mr.
Thomson as a man of great worth and
most respectable character: andl have
every reason to believe that poor Burns
felt himself as much indebted to his
good counsels and active friendship as
a man as the public is sensible he was
to his good taste and judgment as a
critic !"
" ' Of the unbiassed opinion of such
a highly respectable gentleman and
accomplished scholar as Lord Wood-
houselee, I certainly feel not a little
proud: it is of itself nioi'e than suffi-
cient to silence the calumnies by which
I have been assailed, first, anonymous-
ly, and afterwards, to my great sur-
prise, by some writers who might have
been expected to possess sufficient
judgment to see the matter in its truo
light. . G. T.'"
"To this letter of my excellent
friend Mr. Thomson," says Chambers,
" little can be addei His work, the
labour of his lifetime, has long been
held the classical depository of Scot-
tish memory and song, and is
extensively known. His own char-
acter, in the city where he has
spent' so many years, has ever stood
iiigh. It was scarcely necessary that
Mr. Thomson should enter into a de-
fence of himself against the inconsid-
erate charges which have been brought
against him.
"When Burns refused remunera-
tion from one whom he knew to be,
like himself, of the generation of
Apollo, rather than of Plutus, and
while his musical friend was only en-
tering upon a task, the results of
which no one could tell, how can Mr
Thomson be fairly blamed ?
" If a moderate success ultimately
crowned his enterprise and toil — and
the success has probably been much
more moderate than Mr. Thomson's
assailants suppose — long after the
poor bard was beyond the reach of
money, and all superior consolations,
who can envy it, or who can say that it
offers aiiy offence to the manes of the
unhappy poet? The charge was indeed
never preferred but in ignorance, and
would be totally unworthy of notice,
if ignorant parties were stUl apt to be
imposed upon by it."
No. I.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, September 1792.
SiK, — For some years past I have,
with a friend or two, employed many
leisure hours in selecting and collating
the most favourite of our national mel-
odies for publication. We have en-
gaged Pleyel, the most agreeable com-
poser living, to put accompaniments
to these, and also to compose an in-
strumental prelude and conclusion to
each air, the better to fit them for con-
certs, both public and private. To
render thiswork perfect we are desir-
ous to have the poetry improved wher-
ever it seems unworthy of the music;
and that it is so in many instances is
allowed by every one conversant with
our musical collections. The editors
of these seem in general to have de-
pended on the music proving an ex-
cuse for the verses; and henco some
charming melodies are united to mere
nonsense and doggerel, while others
are accommodated with rhymes so loose
and indelicate as cannot be sung in
decent company. To remove this re-
proach would be an easy task to the
author of the ' ' Cotter's Saturday
Night;'' and, for the honour of Cale-
donia, I would fain hope he may be
induced to take up the pen. If so, we
shall be enabled to present the publio
with a collection infinitely more inter-
esting than any that has yet appeared,
and acceptable to all persons of taste,
whether they wish for correct melo-
dies, delicate accompaniments, or char-
acteristic verses. — We will esteem
your poetical assistance a particular
favour, besides paying any reasonable
price you shall please to demand for it.
— Profit is quite a secondary considera-
tion with us, and we are resolved to
spare neither pains nor expense on the
publication. Tell me frankly, then,
whether you will devote your leisure
to •writing twenty or twenty-five songs;
WITH GEOROE THOMSON;
519
suited to the particular melodies
wlxich I am prepared to send you. A
few songs, exceptionable only in some
of their verses, I will likewise submit
to your consideration; leaving it to
you either to mend these, or make new
songs in their stead. It is superfluous
to assure you that I have no intention
to displace any of the sterling old
songs; those only will be removed
which appear quite silly, or absolutely
indecent. Even these shall be all ex-
amined by Mr. Burns, and, if he is of
opinion that any of them are deserving
of the music, in such cases no divorce
shall take place.
Belying on the letter accompanying
this, to be forgiven for the liberty
I have taken in addressing you, I am,
with great esteem, sir, your ' most
obedient humble servant,
a. Thomson.
No. n.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Dumfries, i6th Sept. 1792.
Sir, — I have just this moment got
your letter. As the request you make
to me will positively add to my enjoy-
ments in complying with it, I shall
enter into your undertaking with all
the small portion of abilities I have,
strained to their utmost exertion by
the impulse of enthusiasm. — Only,
don't hurry me: "Deil take the hind-
most " is by no means the eri de guerre
of my muse. Will you, as I am in-
ferior to none of you in enthusiastic
attachment to the poetry and music of
old Caledonia, and, since you request
it, have cheerfully promised my mite
of assistance — will you let me have a
list of your airs with the first line
of the printed verses you intend for
them, that I may have an opportunity
of suggesting any alteration that may
occur to me? You know 'tis in the
way of my trade; still leaving you,
gentlemen, the undoubted right of
publisliers to approve or reject at your
pleasure for your own publication. —
Apropos ! if you are for English verses,
there is, on my part, an end of the
matter. Whether in the simplicity of
the ballad or the pathos of the song, I
can only hope to please myself in being
allowed at least a sprinkling of our
native tongue. English verses par-
ticularly the works of Scotsmen, that
have merit, are certainly very eligible.
" Tweedside 1 " — " Ah 1 the poor shep-
herd's mournful fate!" — "AIil
Chloris, could I now but sit," &c., you
cannot mend: but such insipid stuff as
" To Fanny fair could I impart," &c.,
usually set to " The Mill, Mill, 0 ! " is
a disgrace to the collections in which it
has already appeared, and would
doubly disgrace a collection tliat will
have the very superior merit of yours.
But more of this in the further prose-
cution of the business, if I am called
on for my strictures and amendment^
— I say amendments; for I will not
alter except where I myself at least
think that I amend.
As to any remuneration, you may
think my songs either above or below
price; for they shall absolutely be the
one or the other. In the honest enthu-
siasm with which I embark in your
undertaking, to talk of money, wages;
fee, hire, &c., would be downrigjit
prostitution* of soul I A proof of each
of the songs that I compose or amend,
I shall receive as a favour. In the
rustic phrase of the season, " Gude
speed the wark ! " — I am, sir, your
very humble servant,
B. BUKNS.
p. 8. — I have some particular
reasons for wishing my interference
to be known as little as possible.
No. III.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Oct. 13, 1792.
Deae Sir, — I received with much
satisfaction your pleasant and obliging
letter, and I return my warmest ac-
knowledgments for the enthusiasm
*Wc have been Informed that Burns marked
his loathing of remuneration by the use of
even a stronger term than this, which was
substituted by the original editor. — Chambers.
530
COHKESPONDENCE OF BURNS
■with which you have entered into our
undertaking. We have now no doubt
of heing able to produce a collection
highly deserving of public attention in
all respects.
I agree with you in thinking Eng-
lish verees that have merit very eligi-
ble wherever new verses are necessary;
because the English becomes every
year more and more the langauge of
Scotland; but if you mean that no
English verses except those by Scot-
tish authors ought to be admitted, I
am hall inclined to differ from- you. I
should consider it unpardonable to
sacrifice one good song in the Scottish
dialect, to make room for English
verses; but if we can select a few ex-
cellent ones suited to the unprovided
or ill-provided airs, would it not be
the very bigotry of literary patriotism
to reject such merely because the au-
thors were born south of the Tweed ?
Our sweet air, " My Nannie, 0," which
in the collections is joined to the poor-
est stuff that Allan Ramsay ever
wrote, beginning, "While some for
pleasure pawn their health," answers
so finely to Dr. Percy's beautiful song,
"O Nancy, wilt thou go with me?"
that one would think he wrote it on
purpose for the air. However, it is
not at all our wish to confine you to
English verses: you shall freely be al-
lowed a sprinkling of your native
tongue, as you elegantly express it;
and moreover we will patiently await
your own time. One thing only I beg,
which is, that however gay and sport-
ive tlie muse may b6, she may always
be decent. Let her not write what
beauty would blush to speak, nor
wound that charming delicacy which
forms the most precious dowry of our
daughters. I do not conceive the
sOng to be the most proper vehicle for
witty and brilliant conceits: simpli-
city, I believe, should be its prominent
feature; but in some of our songs
the writers have confounded simpli-
city with coarseness and vulgarity; al-
though between the one and the other,
as Br. Beattie well observes, there is as
great'a difference as between a plain suit
of clothes and a bundle of rags. The
humourous ballad, or pathetic com-
plaint, is best suited to our artless
melodies; and more interesting, in-
deed, in all songs, than the most
pointed wit, dazzling descriptions, and
flowery fancies.
With these trite observations, I send
you eleven of the songs for which it is
my wish to substitute others of your
writing. I shall soon transmit -the
rest, and at the same time a prospec-
tus of the whole collection ; and yon
may believe we will receive any hints
that you are so kind as to give for im-
proving the work with the greatest
pleasure and thankfulness. — 1 remain,
dear sir, &e.,
G. Thomson.
No. IV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Friday Night.
My dear Sik, — Letme tell you that
you are too fastidious in youi ideas of
songs' and ballads. I own that your
criticisms are just; the songs you
specify in your list have, all Ijut one,
the faults you remark in them; but
who shall mend the matter? Who
shall rise up and say — Go to, I will
make abetter? For instance, on read-
ing over "The Lea-Rig," I immedi-
ately set about trying my hand on it,
and, after all, I could make nothing
more of it than the following, which.
Heaven knows, is poor enough : — [See
"My ain kind dearie, O," p. 242.]
Your observation as to the aptitude
of Dr. Percy's ballad to the air, " Nan-
nie, O," is just. It is besides, perhaps,
the most beautiful ballad in the Eng-
lish language. But let me remark to
you, that in the sentiment and style of
our Scottish airs there is a pastoral sim-
plicity, a something that one may call
the Doric style and dialect of vocal
music, to which a dash of our native
tongue and manners is particularly,
nay, peculiarly, apposite. For this
reason, and upon my honour, for this
reason alone, I am of opinion (but, as I
told you before, my opinion is yours,
freely yours, to approve or reject, as
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
521
you please) .that my ballad of "Nan-
nie, 0 !" miglit perhaps do for one set
of verses to the tune. Now don't let it
enter into your head that you are un-
der any necessity of taking my verses.
I have long ago made up my mind as
to my own reputation in the business
of authorship; and have nothing to be
pleased or offended at in your adoption
or rejection of my verses. Though you
should reject one half of what I give
you, I shall be pleased with your
adopting the other half, and shall
continue to serve you with the same
■assiduity.
In the printed copy of my "Nannie,
0," the name of the river is horridly
prosaic. I wUl alter it —
'' Behind yon hills where Lugar flows."
Girvan is the name of the river that
suits the idea of the stanza best, but
Lugar is the most agreeable modula-
tion of syllables.
I will soon give you a great many
more remarks on this business; but I
have just now an opportunity of con-
veying you this scrawl, free of post-
age, an expense that it is ill able to pay:
so, with my best compliments to l^n-
est Allan, Gude be wi' ye, &c.,
R. B.
Saturday Morning.
As I find I have still an hour to spare
this morning before my conveyance
goes away, I will give yoii "Nannie,
0 !" at length.
Your remarks on "Ewe-bughts,
Marion," are just; still it has obtained
a place among our more classical
Scottish songs; and, what with many
beauties in its composition, and more
prejudices in its favour, you will not
find it easy to supplant it.
In my very early years, when I was
thinlting of going to the West Indies,
I took the following farewell of a dear
girl. [See " Will you go to tlie In-
dies, my Mary 1 " p. 200. J It is quite
trifling, and has nothing of the merits
of. "Ewe-bughts;" but it will fill up
tys-page. You must know that all
my earlier love-songs were the breath-
;.ings, of. ardent pasaioi), and though
it might have been easy in aftertimes
to have given them a polish, yet that
polish, to me, whose they were, and
who perhaps alone cared' for them,
would have defaced the legend, of my
heart, which was so faithfully inscrib-
ed on them. Their uncouth simpli-
city was, as they say of wines, their
race.
'.'Gala Water," and "Auld Rob
Morris," I think, will most probably
be the next subject of my musings.
However, even on my verses,, speak
out your criticisms with equal frank-
ness. My wish is, not to stand aloof,
the uncomplying bigot of opinidtrete,
but cordially to join issue with you in
the furtherance of the work.
No. V.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Nov. 8, 1792.
If you mean my dear sir, that all
the songs in your collection shall
be poetry of the first merit, I am
afraid you will find more difficulty in
the undertakingthan you are aware of.
There is a peculiar rhythraus in many
of our airs, and a necessity for adapt-
ing syllables to the emphasis, or what
1 would call the feature-notes of the
tune, that cramp the poet, and lay him
under almost insuperable difficulties.
For instance, in the air, " My wife's a
wanton wee thing," if a few lines
smooth and pretty can be adapted to
it, it is all you can expect. The fol-
lowing ["My wife's a winsome wee
thing," p. 342] were made extempore
to it; and though, on further study, I
might give you something more pro-
found, yet it might not suit the ligUt-
horse gallop of the air so well as this
random clink.
1 have just been looking over tlie
" Collier's Bonny Poehter;" and if the
following rhapsody, which I composed
the other day, on a charming Ayrshire
girl. Miss Lesley BaUlie (afterwards
Mrs. Gumming of Logic,) as she passed
through this place to England, will
suit your taste better than the " Collie*
523
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
—fall on and welcome: — [See
" Bonnie Lesley," p. 334.]
I have hitherto deferred the sub-
limer, more pathetic airs, until more
leisure, as they will take, and deserve,
a greater effort. However, they are
all put into your hands, as clay into
the hands of the potter, to make one
vessel to honour, and another to dis-
honour.— Farewell, &c., B. B.
No. vr.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Nov. 14, 1792.
My bear sib, — I agree with you
that the song, " Katherine Ogie," is
very poor stuff, and unworthy, alto-
gether unworthy, of so beautiful an
air. I tried to mend it; but the awk-
ward sound, Ogie, recurring so often
in the rhyme, spoils every attempt at
introducing sentiment into the piece.
The foregoing song [" Highland
Mary," p. 343] pleases myself; 1 think
it is in my happiest manner: yoa will
see at first glance that it suits the air.
The subject of the song is one of the
most interesting passages of my youth-
ful days; and I own that I should be
much flattered to see the verses set to
an air which would insure celebrity.
Perhaps, after all, 'tis the still glow-
ing prejudice of my heart that throws
a borrowed lustre over the merits of
the composition.
I have partly taken your idea of
" Auld Rob Morris." I have adopted
the first two verses, and am going on
with the song on a new plan, which
promises pretty well. I take up one
or another, just as the bee of the mo-
ment buzzes in my bonnet-lug; and do
you, sans eeremonie, make what use
you choose of the productions. — Adieu,
&c. R. B.
No. VII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Nov. 1792.
Dear Sir, — I was just going to
write to you, that on meeting .with
your Nannie, I had fallen violently in
love with her. I thank you, there-
fore, in sending the charming rustic to
me in the dress you wish her to ap-
pear before the public. She does you
great credit, and will soon be admit-
ted into the best company.
I regret that your song for the
"Lea-Rig" is so short; the air is easy,
soon sung, and very pleasing: so that,
if the singer stops at the end of two
stanzas, it is a pleasure lost ere it is
well possessed.
Although a dash of our native
tongue and manners is doubtless pecu-
liarly congenial and appropriate to our
melodies, yet I shall be able to present
a considerable number of the vei^.
Flowers of English Song, well adapt-
ed to these melodies, which, in Eng-
land at least, will be the means of
recommending them to still greater
attention than they have procured
there. But, you will observe, my
plan is, that every air shall in the first
place have verses wholly by Scottish
poets; and that those of English
writers shall follow as additional
songs, for the choice of the singer.
What you say of the " Ewe-bughts",
is just; I admire it, and never meant
to supplant it. — All I requested was,
that you would try your hand on some
of the inferior stanzas, which are ap-
parently no part of the original song;
but this I do not urge, because the
song is of sufficient length, though
those inferior stanzas be omitted, as
they will be by the singer of taste. You
must not think I expect all the songs
to be of superlative merit: that were
an unreasonable expectation. I am
sensible that no poet can sit down dog-
gedly to pen verses, and succeed well,
at all times.
I am highly pleased with your
humorous and amorous rhapsody on
" Bonnie Lesley;" it is a thousand
times Jjetter than the "Collier's Las-
sie." " The deil he cou'd na scaith
thee," &c., is an eccentric and happy
thought. Do you not think, however,
that the names of such old heroes as
Alexander sound rather queer, unless
in pompous or mere burlesque verse ?
WITH GEOEGE TH0MS0:N.
523
Instead of the line, " And never
made anither," I would humbly
suggest, " And ne'er made sic
anither," and I woiild fain have you
substitute some other line for "Re-
turn to Caledonie," in the last verse,
because I think this alteration of the
orthography, and of the sound of Cal-
edonia, disfigures the word, and
renders it Hudibrastic.
Of the other song — "My wife's a
winsome wee thing," I think the first
eight lines very good: but I do not ad-
mire the other eight, because four of
them are a bare repetition of the first
verse. I have been trying to spin a
stanza, but could make nothing better
than the following: do you mend it,
or, as Yorick did with the love-letter,
whip it up in your way : —
O leeze me on my wee things.
My bonnie blithesome wee thing ;
Sae land's 1 hae my wee thing,
I'll thmk my lot divine.
Though warld's care we share o't,
And may see meikle mair o't,
Wi' her I'll blithely bear it,
And ne'er a word repine.
Tou perceive, my dear sir, I avail
myself of the liberty, which you con-
descend to allow me, by speaking
freely what I think. Be assured, it is
not my disposition to pick out the
faults of any poem or picture I see:
my first andchief object is to discover
and be delighted with the beauties ,of
the piece. If I sit down to examine
critically, and at leisure, what perhaps,
you have written in haste, I may hap-
pen to observe careless lines, the re-
perusal of which might lead you to
improve them. The wren will often
see what has been overlooked by the
eagle. — I remain yours faithfully, &c.,
P. S. — Your verses upon " High-
land Mary" are just come to hand;
they breathe the genuine spirit of
poetry, and, like the music, will last
for ever. Such verses, united to such
an air, with the delicate harmony of
Pleyel superadded, might form a
treat worthy of being presented to
Apollo himself. I have heard the
sad story of your Mary: you always
seem inspired when yoa write of her.
No. vm.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Dumfries, Dec. i, 1792.
Your alterations of my " Nannie,
0," are perfectly right. So are those
of " My wife's a winsome wee thing."
Your alteration of the second stanza is
a positive improvement. Now, my
dear sir, with the freedom which
characterises our correspondence, I
must not, cannot, alter "Bonnie Les-
ley." You are right, the word "Alex-
ander " makes the line a little uncouth,
but I thinli the thought is pretty. Of
Alexander, beyond all other heroes,
it may be said, in the sublime language
of Scripture, that " he went forth con-
quering and to conquer. "
" For nature made, her what she is,
And never made anither." (Such a person
as she is.)
This is, in my opinion, more poeti-
cal than "ne'er made sic anither."
However, it is immaterial: make it
either way. " Caledonie," I agree
with you, is not so good a word as
could be wished, though it is sanction-
ed in three or four instances by Allan
Ramsay: but I cannot help it. In
short, that species of stanza is the
most difficult that I have ever tried.
The "Lea-Rig" is as follows. — ;
(Here the poet repeats the first two
stanzas, and adds an additional one.)
I am interrupted. — Yours, &c.
No. IX.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
December 4, 1792.
The foregoing [" Auld Rob Morris,"
p. 343, and " Duncan Gray," p. 343] I
submit, my dear sir, to your better
judgment. Acquit them, or condemn
them, as seemeth good in your sight.
" Duncan Gray" is that kind of light-
horse gallop of an air which precludes
sentiment. The ludicrous is its rulilig
feature,
524
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
No. X.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Jan. 1793.
Many returns of the season to you,
my dear sir. How comes on your pub-
lication? will tliese two foregoing [" O
poortitli, cauld, and restless love," p.
349, and " Gala Water," p. 350] he of
any service to you ? I should like to
know what songs you print to each
tune, besides the verses to which it is
set. In short, I would wish to give
you my opinion on all the poetry you
publish. You know it is my trade,
^nd a man in the way of his trade may
suggest useful hints that escape men
of much superior parts and endow-
ments in other things.
If you meet with my dear and much-
valued Cunningham, greet him, in my
name, with the compliments of the
season. — Yours, &c.
No. XI.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Jan. 20, 1793.
YoTJ make me happy, my dear sir,
and thousands will be happy to see
the charming songs you have sent me.
Many merry returns of the season to
you, and may you long continue,
among' the sons and daughters of Cal-
edonia, to delight them and to honour
yourself.
The last four songs with which you
favoured me, viz., "Auld Rob Mor-
ris," " Duncan Gray," "Gala Water,"
and " Cauld Kail," are admirable.
Duncan is indeed a lad of grace, and
his humour will endear him to every-
body.
The distracted loverin "Auld Rob,"
and the happy shepherdess in "Gala
Water," exhibit an .excellent contrast:
they speak from genuine feeling, and
powerfully touch the heart.
The number of songs which I had
originally in view was limited; but I
now resolve to include every. Scotch
air and song worth singing; leaving
none behind but mere gleanings, to
which the publishers of omnium-
gatlierum are welcome. I would rather
be the editor of a collection from which
nothing could be taken away, than of
one to which nothing could be added.
We intend presenting the subscribers
with two beautiful stroke engravings;
the one characteristic of the plaintive,
and the other of the lively, songs; and
I have Dr. Beattie's promise of an es-
say upon the subject of our national-
music, if his health will permit him.
to write it. As a number of our songs
have doubtless been called forth by
particular events, or by the charms of
peerless damsels, there must be many
curious anecdotes relating to them.
The late Mr. Tytler of Woodhouse-
lee, I believe, knew more of this than
anybody; for he joined to the pursuits
of an antiquary a taste for poetry, be-
sides being a man of the world, and
possessing an enthusiasm for music
beyond most of his contemporaries.
He was quite pleased with -this plan of
mine, for I may say it has been solely
managed by me, and we had several
long conversations about it when it
was in embryo. If I could simply
mention the name of the heroine of
each song, and the incident which oc-
casioned the verses, it would be grati-
fying. Pray, will you send me any
information of this sort, as well with
regard to your own songs, as the old
ones ?
To all the favourite songs of the
plaintive or pastoral kind, will be
joined the delicate accompaniments,
&c. , of Pleyel. To those of the comic
and humorous class, I think accom-
paniments scarcely necessary ; they are
chiefly fitted for the conviviality of the
festive board, and a tuneful voice,
with a proper delivery of the words,
renders them perfect. Nevertheless,
to these I propose adding bass accom-
paniments, because then they are fit-
ted either for singing, or for instru-
mental performance, when there hap-
pens to be no singer. I mean to em-
ploy our right trusty-friend Mr. Clarke^
I to set the bass to these, which he as-
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
535
Bures me lie will do core amore, and
with much greater attention tliau he
ever bestowed on anything of the kind.
But for this last class of airs I will not
attempt to find more than one set of
verses.
That eccentric bard, Peter Pindar,
lias started I know not how many
diflSculties about writing- for the airs I
sent to him, because of the peculiarity
of their measure, and the trammels they
impose on his flying Pegasus. I subjoin
for your perusal the only one I have
yet got from him, being for the fine air
" Lord Gregory." The Scots verses
printed with that air, are taken from
the middle of an old ballad, called
"The Lass of Lochroyan," which I do
not admire. I have set down the air,
therefore, as a creditor of yours.
Many of the Jacobite songs are re-
plete with wit and humour : might
not the best of these be included in
our volume of comic songs t
POSTSCRffT.
FROM THE HON. A. ERSKINE.
Mr. Thomson has been so obliging
as to give me a perusal of your songs.
"Highland Mary" is most euchantingly
pathetic, and "Duncan Gray" pos-
sesess native genuine humour: " Spak
o' lowpin o'er a linn," is a line of itself
that should make you immortal. I
sometimes hear of you from our mu-
tual friend Cunningham, who is a
most excellent fellow, and possesses,
above all men I know, the charm of a
most obliging disposition. You kindly
promised me, about a year ago, a col-
lection of your unpublished produc-
tions, religious and amorous; I know
from experience how irksome it is to
copy. If you will get any trusty per-
son in Dumfries to write them over
fair, I will give Peter Hill whatever
money he asks for his trouble, and I
certainly shall not betray your con-
fidence.— ^I am your hearty admirer,
Andrew Ebskine.
No. XH.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Jan. 26, 1793.
I APPROVE greatly, my dear sir, of
your plans. Dr. Beattie's essay will of
itself be a treasure. On my part, I
mean to draw up an appendix to the
Doctor's essay, containing my stock of
anecdotes, &c., of our Scots songs.
All the late Mr. Tytler's anecdotes I
have by me, taken down in the course
of my acquaintance with him, from
his own mouth. I am such an enthu-
siast that, in the course of my several
peregrinations through. Scotland, I
made a pilgrimage to the individual-
spot from which every song took its
rise, "Lochaber" and the " Braes of
Ballenden" excepted. So far as the
locality either from the title of the air,
or the tenor of the song, could be as-
certained, I have paid my devotions
at the particular shrine of every Scots
muse.
I do not doubt but you might make
a very valuable collection of Jacobite
songs; but would it give no offence?
In the meantime, do not you think
that some of them, particularly "The
sow's tail to Geordie," as an air, with
other words, might be well worth a
place in your collection of lively
songs ?
If it were possible to procure songs
of merit, it would be proper to have
one set of Scots words to every air,
and that the set of words to which the
notes ought to be set. There is a
naweU, a pastoral simplicity, in a
slight intermixture of Scots words and
phraseology, which is more in unison
(at least to my taste, and, I will add,
to every genuine Caledonian taste)
with the simple pathos, or rustic
sprightliness of our native music, than
any English verses whatever.
The very name of Peter Pindar is an
acquisition to your work. His " Greg-
ory " is beautiful. I have tried to
give you a set of stanzas in Scots, on
the same subject, which are at your
service. [See the ballad of ' ' Lord
Gregory," p. 250.] Not that I intend
536
CORRESPONDENCE OP BURNS
t,o enter the lists with Peter: that
would be ; presumption indeed. My
liong, though much inferior in poetic
merit, lias, I thinli, more of the ballad
i5iriiplicity in it.
My most respectful compliments to
tlie lionourable gentleman who favour-
ed me with a postscript in your last.
He shall hear from me and receive his
MSS. soon. K. B.
No. XIII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
March 20, 1793.
My dear Sir, — The song prefixed
["Mary Morison "] is one of my ju-
venile works. I leave it in your hands.
[ do not thinlc it very remarkable,
either for its merits or demerits. It is
impossible (at least I feel it so in my
Btinted powers) to be always original,
entertauiing, and witty.
What is become of the list, &c. , of
your songs ? I shall be out of all
temper with you by and by. I have
always looked on myself as the prince
of indolent correspondents, and valued
myself accordingly; and I will not,
cannot bear rivalship from you, nor
anybody else. R. B.
No. XIV.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, April 2, 1793.
I WILL not recognize the title you
give yourself, ' ' the prince of indolent
correspondents;" but if the adjective
were taken away, I thinli the title
would then fit you exactly. It gives
me pleasure to find you ca,n furnish
anecdotes with respect to most of the
songs: these will be a literary curios-
ity.
I now send you my list of the songs,
which I believe will be found nearly
complete. I have put down the first
lines of all the English songs which I
propose giving in addition to the
Scotch verses. If any others occur to
you, better adapted to the character of
the airs, pray mention them, when you
favour me with your strictures upon
everything else relating to the work.
Pleyel has lately sent me a number
of the songs, with his symphonies and
accompaniments added to them. I
wish you were here, that I might serve
up some of them to you with your own
verses, by way of dessert after dinner.
There is so much delightful fancy in
the symphonies, and such a delicate
simplicity in the accompaniments —
they are, indeed, beyond all praise.
I am very much pleased with the
several last productions of your muse:
your "Lord Gregory," in my estima-
tion, is more interesting than Peter's,
beautiful as his is. Your ' ' Here awa,
Willie,"must undergo some alterations
to suit the air. Mr. Erskine and I
have been conning it over: he will
suggest what is necessary to make
them a fit match. The gentleman I
have mentioned, whose fine taste you
are no stranger to, is so well pleased,
both with the musical and poetical
part of our work, that he has volun-
teered his assistance, and has already
written four songs for it, which, by
his own desire, I send you for your
perusal. G. T.
No. XV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
April 7, 1793.
Thakk you, my dear sir, for your
packet. You cannot imagine how
much this business of composing for
your publication has added to my en-
joyments. What with my early at-
tachment to ballads, your book, &c.,
ballad-making is now as completely
my hobbyhorse as ever fortification
was Uncle Toby's; so I'll e'en canter
it away till I come to the limit of ray
race, (God grant that I may take the
right side of the winning-post !) and
then, cheerfully looking back on the
honest folks with wliom I have been
happy, I shall say, or sing, " Sae
merry as we a' hae been," and, raising
my last looks to the whole human race,
the last words of the voice of-Cou«
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
527
shall be ' ' Good night, and joy be wi'
you a' 1" So much for my last words:
now lor a few present remarks, as
they have occured at random on look-
ing over your list.
The first lines of " The last time I
came o'er the moor," and several other
lines in it, are beautiful; but in my
opinion — pardon me, revered shade of
Kamsay ! the song is unworthy the
divine air. I shall try to malre or
mend. " For ever, Fortune, wilt thou
prove," is a charming song; but " Lo-
gan Burn and Logan Braes " are sweet-
ly susceptible of rural imagery: I'll
try that likewise, and, if I succeed,
the other song may class among the
English ones. I remember the two
last lines of a verse in some of the old
songs of "liOgan Water" (for I know
a good many difEerent ones) which I
think pretty: — ■
*' Now my dear lad maun face his faes,
Far, far frae me and Logan braes."
"My Patie is a lover gay" is un-
equal. ' ' His mind is never muddy, "
is a muddy expression indeed.
" Then I'll resign and marry Pate,
And syne my cockernony ! "
This is surely far unworthy of Kam-
say or your book. My song, " Rigs of
Barley," to the same tune, does not al-
together please me; but if I can mend
it and thrash a few loose sentiments
out of it, I will submit it to your con-
sideration. " The Lass o' Patie'sMill"
is one of Ramsay's best songs; but
there is one loose sentiment in it,
which my much-valued friend, Mr.
Erskine, will take into his critical
consideration. In Sir J. Sinclair's
Statistical volumes are two claims;
one, I think, from Aberdeenshire, and
the other from Ayrshire, for the hon-
our of this song. 'The follovnng anec-
dote, which I had from the present
Sir William Cunningham of Robert-
land, who had it of the late John, Earl
of Loudon, I can, on such authorities,
believe: —
Allan Ramsay was residing at Lou-
don Castle with the then Earl, father
to Earl John; and one forenoon riding
or walking out together, his lordship
and Allan passed a sweet, romantic
spot on Irvine Water, still called
"Patie's Mill," where a bonny lass
was "tedding hay, bareheaded, on the
green." My lord observed to Allan
that it would be a fine theme for a
song. Ramsay took the hint, and lin-
gering behind, he composed the first
sketch of it, which he produced at
dinner.
" One day I heard Mary say," is a
fine song; but, for consistency's sake,
alter the name "Adonis." Were
there ever such banns published as a
purpose of marriage between Adonis
and Mary? I agree with you that my
song, "There's nought but care on
every hand," is much superior to
" Poortith cauld." The original song,
" The Mill, Mill, O," though excellent,
is, on account of delicacy, inadmis-
sible ; still I like the title, and think a
Scottish song would suit the notes
best; and let your chosen song, which
is very pretty, follow, as an English
set. " I'he banks of the Dee" is, you
know, literally, ".Langolee," to slow
time. The song is well enoughs hut
has some false imagery in it; for in-
stance,
"And sweetly the nightingale sung from
the tree"
In the first place, the ■ nightingale
sings in a low bush, but never from a
tree; and in the second place, there
never was a nightingale seen, or heard,
on the banks of the Dee, or on the
banks of any other river in Scotland.
Exotic rural imagery is always com-
paratively flat. If I could hit on an-
other stanza, equal to ' ' The small
birds rejoice," &c. I do myself hon-
estly avow that I think it a superior
song. " John Anderson, my Jo," the
song to this tune in Johnson's Museum
is my composition, and I think it not
my worst: if it suit you, take it and
welcome. Your, collection of senti-
mental and pathetic songs is, in my
opinion, very complete; but not so
your comic ones. Where are " Tul-
iochgorum," "Lumps o' puddin',"
"Tibbie Fowler," and several others,
which in my humble judgment, are
well worthy of preservation? There
528
COBEESPONDENCE OF BURNS
is also one sentimental song of mine
in the Museum, which never was
known out of the immediate neigh-
bourhood, until I got it taken down
from a country girl's singing. It is
called " Craigieburn Wood;" and in
the opinion of Mr Clarke, is one of the
sweetest Scottish songs. He is quite
an enthusiast about it; and I would
take his taste in Scottish music against
the taste of most connoisseurs.
You are quite right in inserting the
last five in your list, thougli they are
certainly Irish. "Shepherds, I have
lost my love !" is to me a heavenly air
— what would you think of a set of
Scottish verses to it ? I have made one
to it a good while ago, but in its orig-
inal state it is not quite a lady's song.
I enclose an altered, not amended,
copy for you, if you choose to set the
tune to it, and let the Irish verses fol-
low.
Mr. Erskine's songs are all pretty,
but his " Lone Vale" is divine. —
Yours, &c.,
E. B.
Let me know just how you like
these random hints.
No. XVI.
G. THOMSON TO BUENS.
Edinburgh, April 1793.
I REJOICE to find, my dear sir, that
ballad-making continues to be your
hobbyhorse. — Great pity 'twould be
were it otherwise. I hope you will
amble it away for many a year, and
" witch thoTvorld with your horseman-
ship."
I know there are a good many lively
songs of merit that I have not put
down in the list sent you; but I have
them all in my eye. — "My Patie is a
lover gay," though a little unequal, is
a iiatural and very pleasing song, and
I humbly think we ought not to dis-
. place or alter it, except the last stahza.
No. XVII.
BUENS TO G. THOMSON.
April 1793.
I HAVE yours, my dear sir, this mo-
ment. I shall answer it and your for-
mer letter in my desultory way of say-
ing wliatever comes uppermost.
The business of many of our tunes,
wanting at tlie beginning what fiddlers
call a starting note, is often a rub to
us poor rhymers.
" There's braw, braw lads on Yarrow braes.
That wander through the blooming
heather,"
you may alter to
" Braw, braw lads on Yarrow braefe.
Ye wander," &c.
My song, " Here ' awa, there awa,"
as amended by Mr. Erskiiie, I eutireiy
approve of, and return you.
Give me leave to criticise your taste
in the only thing in which it is, in my
opinion, reprehensible. You know I
ought to know something of my own
trade. Of pathos, sentiment, and
point, you are a complete judge; but
there is a quality more necessary than
either in a song, and which is the very
essence of a ballad; I mean simplicity:
now, if I mistake not, this last feature
you are a little apt to sacrifice to the
foregoing.
Eamsay, as every, other poet, has not
been always equally happy in his
pieces: still I cannot approve of
taking such liberties with an author
as Mr. W. proposes doing with " The
last time I came o'er the moor." Let
a poet, if he chooses, take up the idea
of another, and work it into a piece of
his own; but to mangle the works of
the poor bard, whose tuneful tongue
is now mute for ever, in the dark and
narrow house,— by Heaven, 'twould be
sacrilege t I grant that Mr. W.'s ver-
sion is an improvement; but I know
Mr. W. well, and esteem him much;
let him mend the song as the High-
lander mended his gun: he gave it a
new stock, a new lock, and a new barrel.
I do not, by this, object to leavino-
out improper stanzas, where that can
be done without spoiling the whole.
One stanza in "The Lass o' Patio's
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
Mill" must be left out: the song will
he notliing worse for it. 1 am not
sure if we can take the same liberty
with " Corn rigs are bonnie." Per-
liaps it migUt want the last stanza,
and be the better for it. " Cauld
Kail in Aberdeen" you must leave
with mo yet a while. I have vowed
to have a song to that air, on the lady
whoin I atteuipted to celebrate in the
verses, ' ' Poortith cauld and restless
love." At anyrato, my other song,
" Green grow the liashes" will never
suit. That song is current in Scotland
under the old title, and to the merry
old tune of that name; which, of
course, would mar the progress of your
song to celebrity. Your booic will be
the standard of Scot? songs for the fu-
ture: let this idea ever keep your
judgment on the alarji.
1 send a._sODg on a celebrated toast
in this country, to suit ' ' Bonnie Dun-
dee." I send you also a ballad to the
" Mill, Mill, O."
" The last time I came o'er the
moor" I would faiu attempt to make a
Scots song for, and let Ramsay's be the
English set. You shall hear from me
soon. When you go to London on
this business, can you come by Dum-
fries ? 1 haye still several MS. Scots
airs by me, which I have picked up,
mostly from the singing of country
lasses. They, please me vastly; but
your learned lugs would perhaps be
displeased with the very feature for
which I like them. I call them sim-
ple; you would pronounce them silly.
Do you know a fine air called " Jackie
Hume's Lament ?" I have a song of
considerable merit to that air. I'll en-
plose you both the song and tune, as
I had them ready to send to John-
son's Museum. I send you likewise,
to me, a beautiful little air, which I
had taken down from viva Doee. —
Adieu! E. B.
when I took up the subject of ' ' The
last time I came o'er the moor," and
ere I slept drew the outlines of the
foregoing. How far I have succeeded,
I leave on this, as on every other, oc-
casion, to you to decide. I own my
vanity is flattered when j'ou give my
songs a place in your elegant and su-
perb work; but to be o'f service to the
work is my first wish. As I have
often told you, I do not in a single in-
stance wish you, cut of compliment
to me, to insert anything of mine.
One hint let me ^ve yon — whatever
Mr. Pleyel does, let him not alter one
iota of the priginal Scottish airs: I
mean in the song department; but let
our national music preserve its native
features. They are, I own, frequently
wild and irreducible to the more mod-
ern rules; but on that very eccentri-
city, perhaps, depends a great part of
their effect.
R. B.
No. xvin.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
April 1791.
My DB.\ii SiK,— I had scarcely put
my last letter into the post-oftce,
No. XIX.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, April 26, 1793,
I HEARTILY thank you, my dear sir,
for your last two letters, and the songs
wliich accompanied them. I am
always both instructed and entertained
by your observations; and the frank-
ness with which you speak out your
mind is to me highly agreeable. It is
very possible I may not have the true
idea of simplicity in composition. I
confess there are several songs, of
Allan Ramsay's for example, that I
think silly enough, which another
person, more conversant than I have
been witli country people, would per-
liaps call simple and natural. But the
lowest scenes of simple nature will not
please generally, if copied precisely as
they are. The poet, like the painter,
must select what will form an agree-
able, as well as a natural picture. On
this subject it were easy to enlarge;
but at present suffice it to say that 1
consider simplicity, rightly under-
stood, as a most essential quality in
composition, and the groundwork of
530
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
■beauty in all tlie arts. I will gladly
appropriate your most interesting- new
ballad, "Wlien wild war's deadly
Wast," &c. , to the "Mill, Mill, 0,"
as well as the two otber songs to their
respective airs; but the third and
fourth lines of the first verse must un-
dergo some little alteration in order
to suit the music. Pleyel does not
alter a single note of the songs. That
would he absurd indeed ! With the
airs which he introduces into the sona-
tas, I allow him to take such liberties
as lie pleases, bat that has nothing to
do with the songs.
P. S. — I wish you would do as you
proposed with your " Rigs of Barley."
If the loose sentiments are thrashed
out of it, I will find an air for it; but
as to this there is no hurry.
G. T.
No. XX.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
June 1793.
When I tell you, my dear sir, that
a friend of mine, in whom I am much
interested, has fallen a sacrifice to
these accursed times, you will easily
allow that it might unhing« me for
doing any good among ballads. My
own loss as to pecuniary matters, is
trifling: but the total ruin of a much-
loved friend is a loss indeed. Pardon
my seeming inattention to your last
commands.
1 can not alter the disputed lines in
the "Mill, MiU, O." What you
think a defect, I esteem as a positive
beauty: so you see how doctor s differ.
I shall now, with as much alacrity as
I can muster, go on with your com-
mands.
You know Fraser, the hautboy player
in Edinburgh — he is here, instructing
a band of music for a fencible corps
quartered in this country. Among
many of his airs that please me, there
is one, well Itnown as a reel by the
name of "The Quaker's Wife," and
which I remember a grandaiint of mine
used to sing, by the name of " Lig-
geram Cosh, my- bonny wee lass."
Mr. Fraser plays it slow, and with an
expression that quite charms me. I
became such an enthusiast about it
that I made a song of it, which I here
subjoin, and enclose Fraser'sset of the
tune. [See "Blithe hae I been," p.
253.] If they hit your fancy they are
at your service; if not, return me the
tune, and I will put it in Johnson's
Museum. I think the song is not in
my worst manner. I should wish to
hear how this pleases you.
R. B.
No. XXI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
June 25, 179J.
Have you ever, my dear sir, felt
your bosom ready to burst with indig-
nation on reading of those mighty vil-
lains who divide kingdom against
kingdom, desolate provinces, and lay
nations waste, out of the wantonness of
ambition, or often from still more ig-
noble passions ? In a mood of tlus
kind to-day, I recollected the air of
"liogan Water," and it occurred to
me that its querulous melody prob-
ably had its origin from the plaintive
indignation of some swelling, suffer-
ing heart, fired at the tyrannic strides
of some public destroyer; and over-
whelmed with private distress, the
consequence of a country's ruin. If I
have done anything at all like justice
to my feelings, the following song,
composed in three-quarters of an
hour's meditation in my elbow-chair,
ought to have some merit:— [" Logan
Braes," p. 253.]
Do you know the following beautiful
little fragment, in Witherspoon's col-
lection of Scots songs t
^/r— "Hughie Graham."
" Oh, gin my love were yon red rose,
That grows upon the castle wa*:
And I mysel a drap o' dew.
Into her bonny breast to fa' !
" Oh, there beyond expression blest,
I'd feast on beauty a' the night ;
Seal'd on her silk-saft faulds to rest.
Till fley'd awa by PhcEbus' light."
This thought is inexpressibly beauti-
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
581
f ul ; and quite, so far as I know, orig-
inal. It is too sliort for a soUg, else I
would forswear you altogether, unless
you gave it a place. X have often
tried to eke a stanza to it, but in vain.
After balancing myself for a musing
five minutes, on the hind-legs of my
elbow-chair, I produced the following.
The verses are far inferior to the
foregoing, I frankly confess; but, if
worthy of insertion at all they might
be first in place; as every poet, who
knows anything of his trade, will hus-
band his best thaughts for a conclud-
ing stroke: —
Oh were my love yon lilac fair
Wi' purple blossoms to the spring ;
And I, a bird to shelter there.
When wearied on my little wing I
How I wad mourn, when it was torn
By autumn wild, and winter rude !
But I would sing on wanton wing,
When youthfu' May its bloom renew'd.
R. B.
No. XXII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Monday, July i, 1793.
I AM extremely sorry, my good sir,
that anything should happen to un-
hinge you. The times are terribly out
of tune, and when harmony will be re-
stored. Heaven knows.
The first book of songs, just pub-
lished, will be despatched to you along
with this. Let me be favoured with
your opinion of it, frankly and freely.
X. shall certainly give a place to the
song you have written for the ' ' Qua-
ker's Wife;" it is quite enchanting.
Pray will you return the list of songs,
with such airs added to it as you think
ought to be included? The business
now rests entirely on myself, the
gentleman who originally agreed to
join the speculation having requested
to be off. No matter, a loser I cannot
be. The superior excellence of the
work will create a general demand for
it, as soon as it is properly known.
And, were the sale even slower than it
promises to be, I should be somewhat
compensated for my labour by the
pleasure I shall receive from the
music. I cannot express how much I
am obliged to you for the exquisite
new songs you are sending me; but
thanks, my friend", are a poor return
for what you have done: as I shall be
benefited by the publication, you must
suffer me to enclose a small mark of my
gratitude, and to repeat it afterwards,
when I find it convenient. Do not
return it, for, by Heaven ! if you do,
our correspondence is at an end : and,
though this would be no loss to you,
it would mar the publication, which,
under your auspices, cannot fail to be
respectable and interesting,
Wednesday Morning. •
I thank you for your delicate addi-
tional verses to the old fragment, and
for your excellent song to " Logjin
Water: " Thomson's truly elegant one
will follow for the English singer.
Your apostrophe to statesmen is admi-
rable, but I am not stare if it is quite
suitable to the supposed gentle charac-
ter of the fair mourner who speaks it.
G. T.
No. xxm.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
July 2, 1793.
Mt DBAii Sm,— I have just finished
the following ballad: — [" There was a
lass, and she was fair," p. 254,] and,
as I do think it in my best style, I send
it you. Mr. Clarke, wlio wrote
down the air from Mrs. Burns' wood-
note wild, is very fond of it; and
has given it a celebrity by teaching
it to some young ladies of the first
fashion here. If you do not like the
air enough to give it a place in your
collection, please return it. The song
you may keep, as I remember it.
I have some thoughts of inserting in
your index, or in my notes, the names
of the fair ones, the themes of my
songs. I do not mean the name- at
full;,but dashes or asterisms, so as
ingenuity may find them out.
■The heroine of the foregoing is Miss
M , daughter to Mr. M . of
D , one of your subscribers. ,1
532
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
have not painted lier in the rank which
she holds in life, but in the dress and
character of a cottager.
R. B.
No. XXIV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
July 1793.
I ASSURE you, my dear sir, that you
truly hurt me with your pecuniary
parcel. It degrades me in my own
eyes. However, to return it would
savour of affectation; but as to any
more traffic of that debtor and creditor
kind, I swear, by that Honour which
crowns the upright statue of ROBBRT
BoKNS' Integrity — on the least
motion of it, I will indignantly spurn
the by-past transaction, and from that
moment commence entire stranger to
you ! Burns' character for generosity
of sentiment and independence of mind
will, [ trust, long outlive any of his
wants, which the cold unfeeling ore
can supply: at least, I will take care
that such a character he shall deserve.
Thank you for my copy of your pub-
lication. Never did my eyes behold,
in any musical work, such elegance
and correctness. Your preface, too, is
admirably writteft: only your partial-
ity to jne lins made you say too much:
■however, it will bind me down to
double every effort in the future pro-
gress of the work. The following are
a few remarks on the songs in the
list you sent me. I never copy what 1
write to you, so I may be often tauto-
logical or perhaps contradictory.
"The Flowers o' the Forest" is
charming as a poem; and should be,
and must be, set to the notes, but,
though out of your rule, the three
stanzas, beginning
" I hae seen the smiling o' fortune begfuiling,"
are worthy of a place, were it but to
immortalise the author of them, who
is an old lady of my acquaintance, and
at this moment living in Edinburgh.
She is a Mrs. Cockburn; I forget of
what place; but from Roxburghshire.
-What a diarming apostrophe is
" O fickle fortune, why this cruel sporting;, __
Why, why torment us— poor sons of a day ! '
The old ballad, "I wish I were
where Helen lies," is silly to contempti-
bility. My alteration of it in John-
son is not much better. Mr. Pinker-
ton, in his, what he calls, ancient bal-
lads (many of them notorious, though
beautiful enough, forgeries) has the
best set. It is full of his own inter-
polations,— but no matter.
In my next I will suggest to your
consideration a few songs which may
have escaped your Imrried notice. In
the meantime allow me to congratulate
you now, as a brother of the quill.
You have committed your character
and fame ; which will now be tried, for
ages to come, by the illustiious jury of
the Sons and Daughters of Taste
— all whom poesy can please, or music
charm.
Being a bard of Nature, I have some
pretensions to second sight; and I am
warranted by the spirit to foretell and
affirm that yomr great-grandchild will
hold up your volumes, and say, with
honest pride, " This so much admired
selection was the work of my ances-
tor !"
No. XXV.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, August i, 1793.
Dear Sir, — I had the pleasure of
receiving your last two letters, and am
happy to find you are quite pleased
with the appearance of the first book.
When you come to hear the songs sung
and accompanied, you will be charmed
with them.
' ' The Bonny Brucket Lassie " cer-
tainly deserves better verses, and I
hope you vidll match her. " Cauld
Kail in Aberdeen," " Let me in this ae
night," and several of the livelier airs,
wait the muse's leisure: these are pe-
culiarly worthy of her choice gifts:
besides, you'll notice that, in airs of
this sort, the singer can always do
greater justice to the poet than in the
slower airs of " The bush aboon Tra-
quair," "Lord Gregory," and the like;
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
€33
for, in the manner the latter are fre-
quently sung, you must be contented
with the sound without the sense. In-
deed, both the airs and words are
disguised by the very slow, languid,
psalni-singing style in which they are
too often performed: they lose anima-
tion and expression altogether, and in-
stead of speaking to the mind, or
touching the heart, they cloy upon the
ear, and set us a yawning !
Your bsfllad, " There was a lass, end
she was fair," is simple and beautiful,
and shall undoubtedly grace my col-
lection. G. T.
No. XXVI.
BUENS TO G. THOMSON.
August 1793.
Your objection, my dear sir, to the
passage in my song of ' ' Logan
Water," is right in one instance; but
it is difficult to mend it; if I can I
will. The other passage you object to
does not appear in the same light to
me.
I have tried "my hand on " Eobin
Adair," [See " Phillis the Fair," p.
354] and, you will probably think, with
little success: but it is such a cursed,
cramp, out-of-the-way measure that I
despair of doing anything better to it.
So much for namby-pamby. I may,
after all, try my hand on it in Scots
verse. There I always find myself
most at home.
I have just put the last hand to the
song I meant for " Oauld Kail in Aber-
deen." If it suits you to insert it, I
shall be pleased, as the heroine is a
favourite of mine: if not, I shall also
Jje pleased; because I wish, and will
be glad, to see you act decidedly on the
business. 'Tis a tribute as a man of
taste, and as an editor, which you owe
yourself. E. B.
attending this publication of mine tliat
it has procured me so many of your
much-valued epistles. Pray make my
acknowledgments to St. Stephen for
the tunes: tell him' I admit the just-
ness of his complaint on my staircase
conveyed in his laconic postscript to
your jeu d^espritj which I perused
more than once, without discovering
exactly whether your discussion was
music, astronomy, or politics: though
a sagacious friend, acquainted with the
convivial habits of the poet and the
musician, offered me a bet, of two to
one, you were just, drowning care
together, that an empty bowl was thp
only thing that would deeply affect
you, and the only matter you could
then study how to remedy !
I shall be glad to see you give
"Eobin Adair" a Scottish dress.
Peter is furnishing him with an Eng-
lish suit for a change, and you are
well matched together. Eobin's air is
excellent,, though he certainly has
an out-of-the-way measure as ever poor
Parnassian wight was plagued with.
I wish you would invoke the muse for
a single elegant stanza to be substituted
for the concluding objectionable verses
of " Down the burn, Davie," so that
this most exquisite song may no longer
be excluded from good company.
Mr. Allan has made an inimitable
drawing froni your "John Anderson,
my Jo," which I am to have engraved
as a frontispiece to the humorous class
of songs; you will be quite charmed
witli it, I promise you. The old
couple are seated by the fireside. Mrs.
Anderson, in great good-humour, is
clapping John's shoulders, while he
smiles and looks at her with such glee
as to' show that he fully recollects
the pleasant days and nights when
they were " first acquent." . The draw-
ing would do honour to the pencil
of Teniers. G. T.
No. XXVII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
August, 1793.
My good Sni, — I consider it one of
the most agreeable circumstances
No. XXVIII.
BUENS TO G. THOMSON.
August 1793.
That crinkum-crankum tune "Robin
Adair", lias run so in niy head, and
634
CORRESPONDENCE OP BURNS
I succeeded so ill in my last attempt,
that I have ventured, in this morning's
walk, one essay more. You, my dear
sir, will remember an unfortunate part
of our worthy friend Cunningham's
story, which happened about three
years ago. That struck my fancy, and
I endeavoured to do the idea justice,
as follows: — [See "Had I a cave,"
p. 255.]
By the way, I have met with a musi-
cal Highlander, in Breadalbane's Fen-
"cibles, which are quartered here, who
assures me that he well remembers his
mother singing Gaelic songs to both
"Robin Adair" and " Gramachree. "
They certainly have more of the Scotch
than the Irish taste in them.
This man comes from the vicinity
of Inverness; so it could not be any
intercourse with Ireland that could
bring them; — except, what I shrewd-
ly suspect to be the case, the wander-
ing minstrels, harpers, and pipers,
used to go frequently errant through
the wilds both of Scotland and Ireland,
and so some favourite airs might be com-
mon to both. A case in point — they have
lately, in Ireland, published an Irish
air, as they say, called ' ' Caun du de-
lish." The fact is, in a publication of
Corri's a great while ago, you will find
the same air, called a Highland one,
with a Gaelic song set to it. Its name
there, I think, is " Oran Gaoil," and a
fine air it is. Do ask honest Allan, or
the reverend Gaelic parson,- about
these matters.
R. B.
No. XXIX.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Aug:ust 1793.
Mt dear Sir, — " Let me in this ae
night " I will re-consider. I am glad
that you are pleased with my song,
" Had I a cave," &c., as I liked it my-
self.
. I walked out yesterday evening,
with a volume of the Museum in my
* The Gaelic parson referred to was the
Rev. Joseph Robertson Macgregor. ^.^
hand; when, turning up " All£in
Water," " What numbers shall the
muse repeat," &c., as the words ap-
peared to me rather unworthy of so
fine an air, and recollecting that it is
on your list, I sat and raved under the
shade of an old thorn, till I wrote one
to suit the measure. [See " By Allan
stream," p. 255] I may be wrong; but
I think it not in my worst style. Toa
must know, that in Ramsay's " Tea
Table," where the modern* song first
appeared, the ancient name of the
tune, Allan says, is "Allan Water;"
or, "My love Annie's very bonny."
This last has certainly been a line of
the original song; so I took up the
idea, and, as you will see, have intro-
duced the line in its place, which, I
presume, it formerly occupied; though
I likewise give you a choosing line, if
it should not hit the cut of your fancy.
Bravo! say I: it is a good song.
Should you think so too, (not else,)
you can set the music to it, and let the
other follow as English verses.
Autumn is my propitious season. I
make more verses in it than all the
year else. — God bless you !
R. B.
No. XXX
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
August 1793.
Is " Whistle, and I'll come to you,
my lad," one of your airs? I admire
it much; and yesterday I set the fol-
lowing verses to it. [See " Oh, whis-
tle, and I'll come to you, my lad," p.
255.] Urbani, whom I have met with
here, begged them of me, as he ad-
mires the air much; but, as I under-
stand that he looks with rather an evil
eye on your work, I did not choose to
comply. However, if the song does
not suit your taste, I may possibly
send it him. The set of the air which
I had in my eye is in Johnson's Mu-
seum.
Another favourite air of mine is,
" The muckin' o' Geordie's byre."
When sung slow, with expression.
I have wished that it had had better
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
535
poetry: that I liave endeavoured to
supply, as follows. [See "Adown
■winding Nith," p. 256.]
Mr. Clarke begs you to give Miss
Pliillis a corner in your book, as sb.e is
a particular iiame of his. She is a
Miss P. M. , sister to ' ' Bonny Jean. "
Tliey are both pupils of his. You
shall hear from me, the very first grist
I get from my rhyming-mill.
R. B.
No. XXXI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
August 1793.
That tune, " Cauld Kail," is such a
favourite of yours that I once more
roved out yesterday for a gloamin-
shot at the muses: when the muse that
presides o'er the shores of Nith, or
rather my old inspiring dearest nympli,
Coila, whispered me the following.
["Come, let me take thee," p. 256.]
1 have two reasons for thinking that it
was my early, sweet simple inspirer
that was by my v.lbo w, " smooth glid-
ing without step," and pouring the
song on my glowing fancy. In the
first place, since I left Coila's native
haunts, not a fragment of a poet has
arisen to cheer her solitary musings,
by catching inspiration from her; so I
more than suspect that she has follow-
ed me hither, or at least makes me
occasional visits: secondly, the last
stanza of this song I send you is the
very words that Coila taught me many
years ago, and which I set to an
old Scots reel in Johnson's Museum.
If you think the above will suit your
idea of your favourite air, I shall
be highly pleased. "The last time
I came o'er the moor" I cannot
meddle with, as to mending it; and
the musical world have been so long
accustomed to Ramsay's words that
a different song, though positively
superior, would not be so well
received. I am not fond of choruses
to songs, so I have not made one for
the foregoing.
R. B.
No-. XXXII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
August 1793.
So much for Davie. [See "Dainty
Davie," p. 356, which the poet enclos-
ed.] The chorus, you know, is to the
low part of the tune. — See Clarke's set
of it in the Museum.
N. B. — In the Museum they have
drawled out the tune to twelve lines of
poetry, which is cursed nonsense.
Four lines of song, and four of chorus,
is the way. R. B.
No. XXXIII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Sept. 1, 1793.
My deab Sik, — Since writing you
last, I have received half a dozen
songs, with wliich I am delighted
beyond expression. The humour and
fancy of "Whistle and I'll come to
you, my lad,", will render it nearly as
great a favourite as "Duncan Gray."
' ' Come, let me take thee to my
breast," "Adown winding Nith," and
"By Allan Stream," &c., ai'e full
of imagmation and feeling, and sweet-
ly suit the airs for which they are
intended. " Had I a cave on some
wild distant shore " is a striking and
affecting composition. Our friend, to
whose story it refers, read it with
a swelling heart, I assure you. — The
union we are now forming, I think,
can never be broken: these songs of
yours will descend with the music
to the latest posterity, and will be
fondly cherished so long as genius,
taste, and sensibility exist in our island.
While tlie muse seems so propitious,
I think it right to enclose a list of all
the favours I liave to ask of her — no
fewer than twenty and three ! I have
burdened the pleasant Peter with as
many as it is probable he will attend
to: most of the remaining airs would
puzzle the English poet not a little;
they are of that peculiar measure and
rhythm, that they must be familiax to
him who writes for them.
G. T.
536
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
No. XXXIV.
BURNS TO a. THOMSON.
Sept. 1793.
You may readily trust, my dear sir,
tliat any exertion in my power is
heartily at your service. But one
thing I must hint to you; the very
name of Peter Pindar is of great ser-
vice to your publication, so get a verse
from him now and then: though I
have no objection, as well as I can, to
bear the burden of the business.
You know that my pretensions to
musical taste are merely a few of
nature's instincts, untaught and untu-
tored by art. For this reason, many
musical compositions, particularly
wliere much of the merit lies in coun-
terpoint, however they may transport
and ravish the ears of you connois-
seurs, affect my simple lug no other-
wise than merely as melodious din.
On the other hand, by way of amends,
1 am delighted with many little melo-
dies which the learned musician de-
spises as silly and insipid. I do not
know whether the old air, "Hey,
tuttie taitie," may rank among this
number: but well I know that, with
Fraser's hautboy, it has often filled my
eyes with tears. There is a tradition,
which I have met with in many places
of Scotland, that it was Robert Bruce's
march at the battle of Bannockburn.
This thought, in my solitary wander-
ings, warmed me to a pitch of enthu-
siasm on the theme of liberty and
independence, which I threw into a
kind of Scottish cde, ["Bruce's Address
to his Army at Bannockburn," p. 3S7]
fitted to the air that one miglit suppose
to be the gallant Royal Scot's address
to his heroic followers on that eventful
morning.
So may God ever defend the cause
of truth and liberty, as He did that
day ! — Amen.
P. 8. — I showed the air to Urbani,
who was highly pleased with it, and
begged me to make soft verses for it,
but I had no idea of giving myself any
trouble on the subject, till the acci-
dental recollection of that glorious
struggle for freedom, associated with
the glowing ideas of some other strugr
gles of the same nature, not quite so
ancient, roused my rhyming mania.
Clarke's set of the tune, with his bass,
you will find in the Museum ; though
I am afraid that the air is not what will
entitle it to a place in your elegant se-
lection.
R. B.
No. XXXV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Sept. 1793.
I DARE say, my dear sir, that you
will begin to think my correspondence
is persecution. No matter, I can't
help it; a ballad is my hobby-horse,
which, though otherwise a simple sort
of harmless idiotical beast enough, has
yet this blessed headstrong property,
that, when once it has fairly made off
with a hapless wight, it gets so en-
amoured with the tinkle-gingle, tiu-
kle-gingle of its own bells, that it is
sure to run poor pilgarlick, the bed^-
lam jockey, quite beyond any useful
point or post in the common race of
man.
The following song [" Behold the
Hour," p. 333] 1 have composed for
" Oran Gaoil," the Highland air that^
you tell me in your last, you have re-
solved to give a place to in your book.
I have this moment finished the song,
so you have it glowing from the mint!
If it suit you, well !— If not, 'tis also
well.
R. B.
No. XXXVL
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Sept. 5, 1793.
I BELIEVE it is generally allowed
that the greatest modesty is the sure
attendant of the greatest merit. While
you are sending me verses that
even Shakespeare might be proud to
own, you speak of them as if they
were ordinary productions ! Your
heroic ode is, to me, the noblest com-
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
537
position of the kind in the Scottish
language. I happened to dine yester-
day witli a party of your friends, to
whom I read it. They were all charm-
ed with it, entreated me to find out a
suitable air for it, and reprobate the
idea of giving it a tune so totally de-
void of interest or grandeur as " Hey,
"tuttie taitie." Assuredly your parti-
ality for this tune must arise from the
ideas associated in your mind by the
tradition concerning it; for I never
heard any person, and I have con-
versed again and again with the great-
est enthusiasts for Scottish airs — I
say, I never heard any one speak of it
as worthy of notice.
I have been running over the whole
hundred airs of which I lately sent you
the list, and I think " Lewie Gordon"
is the most happily adapted to your
ode; at least with a very slight varia-
tion of the fourth line, which I shall
presently submit to you. There is in
" Lewie Gordon" more of the grand
than the plaintive, particularly when
it is sung with a degree of spirit
which youx words would oblige the
singer to give it. I would have no
scruple about substituting your ode in
the room of "Lewie Gordon," which
has neither the interest, the grandeur,
nor the poetry that characterise your
verses. Now the variation I have to
suggest upon the la-st line of each
verse — ^the only line too short for the
air— is as follows: —
Verse 1st, Or to glorious victorie.
2d, Chains — chains and slaverie,
3d, Let him, let him turn and
flee.
4th, Let him bravely follow me.
5th, But tfisy shall, they shall
be free.
6th, Let us, let us do or die !
If you connect each line with its own
verse, I do not think you will find that
either the sentiment or the expression
loses any of its energy. The only line
which I dislike in the whole of the
song is, " Welcome to your gory bed."
Would not another word be prefer-
able to "welcome?" In your next I
will expect to be informed whether
you agree to what I have proposed.
The little alterations I submit with the
greatest deference. The beauty of the
verses you have made for "Oran
Gaoil" will insure celebrity to the air.
G. T.
No. xxxvn.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
September 1793.
I HAVE received your list, my dear
sir, and here go my observations on
it.
" Down the burn, Davie." I have
this moment tried an alteration, leay-
ing out the last half of the third stanza,
and the first half of the last stanza
thus: —
As down the burn they took their way.
And through the flowery dale ;
His cheek to hers he aft did lay,
And love was aye the tale.
With *.' Mary, when shall we return.
Sic pleasure to renew ? "
Quoth Mary, " Love, I like the bum,
And aye shall follow you."
" Through the wood .laddie." I am
decidedly of opinion that both in this,
and " There'll never be peace till
Jamie comes hame," the second or
liisrh part of the tune being a repeti-
tion of the first part an octave higher,
is only for instrumental music, and
would be much better omitted in sing-
ing.
" C!owdenknowes." Remember, in
your index, that the song is pure Eng-
lish to this tune, beginning—
"When summer comes, the swains on Tweed,"
is the production of Crawford. Rob-
ert was his Christian name.
"Laddie, lie near me," must lie by
me for some time. I do not know the
air; and, until I am complete inaster
of a tune, in my own singing (such as
it is,) I can never compose for it. My
way is: I consider the poetic sentiment
correspondent to my idea of the musi-
cal expression; then choose my theme ;
begin one stanza — when that is com-
posed, which is generally the most
diflicult part of the business, I walk
out, sit down now and then, look out
538
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
for objects in nature round me that
are in unison or harmony with tlie
cogitations of my fancy, and workings
of my bosom; humming every now
and then the air, with the verses I
have framed. When I feel my muse
beginning to jade, I retire to the soli-
tary fireside of my study, and there
commit my effusions to paper; swing-
ing at intervals on the hind-legs of my
elbow chair, by way of calling forth
my own critical strictures, as my pen
goes on. Seriously, this, at home, ij
almost invariably my way.
What cursed egotism !
" Gil Morris" I am for leaving out.
It is a plaguy length ; the air itself is
never sung, and its place can be well
supplied by one or two songs for fine
airs that are not in your list. For in-
stance, " Craigieburn Wood," and
"Roy's Wife." The first, beside its
intrinsic merit, has novelty; and the
last has high merit as well as great
celebrity. I have the original words
of a song for the last air, in the hand-
writing of the lady who composed it :
and they are superior to any edition
of the song which the public has yet
seen.
"Highland laddio." The old set
will please a mere Scotch oar best;
and the new an Italianised one. There
is a third, and, what Oswald calls, the
old " Highland laddie," which pleases
me more than either of them. It is
sometiraes called "Jinglan Johnnie;"
it being the air of an old humorous
tawdry song of that name. You will
find it in the Museum, " I hae been at
Crookieden," &c. I would adviseyou,
in this musical quandary, to offer up
your prayers to the muses for inspir-
ing direction; and, in the meantime,
waiting for his direction, bestow a
libatiou to Bacchus; and there is no
doubt but you will hit on a judicious
choice. Probatum est.
" Auld Sir Simon," I must beg you
to leave out, and put in its place, "The
Quaker's Wife."
" Blithe hae I been o'er the hill,"
is one of the finest songs I ever made
in my life ; and, besides, is composed
on a young lady, positively the most
beautiful, lovely woman in the world.
As I purpose giving you the names
and designations of all my heroines, to
appear in some future edition of your
work, perhaps half a century hence,
you must certainly include "The
bonniest lass in a' the warld " in your
collection.
"Dainty Davie," I have heard sung
nineteen thousand nine hundred and
ninety-nine times, and always with the
chorus to the low part of the tune; and
nothing has surprised me so much as
your opinion on this subject. If it
will not suit, as I proposed, we will
la,y two of the stanzas together, and
then make the chorus follow.
"Fee him. Father," I enclose you
Fraser's set of this tune when he plays
it slow; in fact, he makes it the lan-
guage of despair. I shall here give
you two stanzas in that style, merely to
try if it will be any improvement. [See
the song " Thou hast left me ever," p.
257J. Were it possible, in singing, to
give it half the pathos which Fraser
gives it in playing, it would make an
admirably pathetic song. I do not give
these verses for any merit they have.
I composed them at the time in which
" Patie Allan's mither died, that was,
about the back o' midnight;" and by
the lee-side of a bowl of punch, which
had overset every mortal in com-
pany, except the hautbois and the
muse.
"Jockey and Jenny" I would dis-
card, and in its place would put
" There's nae luck about the house,"
which has a very pleasant air; and
which is positively the finest love-bal-
lad in that style in the Scottish, or per-
haps any other language. " When
she cam ben she bobbet," as an air is
more beautiful than either, and in the
andante way would unite with a charm-
ing sentimental ballad.
" Saw ye my Father?" is one of my
greatest favourites. The evening be-
fore last I wandered out and began a
tender song, in what I think is its na-
tive style. I must premise that the
old way, and the way to give most ef-
fect, is. to have no starting note, as
the fiddlers call it, but to burst at once
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
539
into the pathos. Every country girl
sings — ' ' Saw ye my Father V" &c.
My song is but just begun; and I
shoiild like, before I proceed, to know
your opinion of it. I have sprinkled it
■with the Scottish dialect, but it may
bo easily turned into correct English.
" Todlin' hame." Urbani mention-
ed an idea of his, which has long been
mine — ^that this air is highly suscep-
tible of pathos: accordingly, you v/ill
soon hear him at your concert try it to
a song of mine in the Museum — ^^"Ye
banks and braes o' bonny Doon." One
song more and I have done — " Auld
langsyne." The air is but mediocre;
but the following song, ["Auld lang-
syne," p. 213] the old song of the old-
en times, and which has never been in
print, nor even in manuscript, until I
took it down from an old man's sing-
ing, is enough to recommend any air.
Now, 1 suppose, I have tired your
patience fairly. You must, after all is
over, have a number of ballads, prop-
erly so called. " Gil Morice," "Tran-
ent Muir," "Macpherson's Farewell,"
"Battle of Sherriffmuir," or, "We
ran and they ran," (I know the author
of this charming ballad, and his his-
tory,) " Hardiknute," "Barbara Al-
lan," (I can furnish a finer set of this
tune than any that has yet appeared;)
and besides do you know that I really
have the old tune to which " The
Cherry and the Slae " was sung; and
which is mentioned as a well-known
air in " Scotland's Complaint," a book
published before poor Mary's days?
It was then called "The banks o'
-Helicon;" an old poem which Pinker-
ton has brought to light. You will
see all this in Tytler's history of Scot-
tish music. The tune, to a learned ear,
may have no great merit; but it is a
great curiosity. I have a good many
original things of this kind.
R. B.
No. xxxviir.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
September 1793.
I AM happy, my dear sir, that my
ode pleases you so much. Your idea,
" honour's bed," is, though a beauti-
ful, a hackneyed idea; so, if you
please, we will let the line stand as it
is. I have altered the song as follows.
[See "Scots wha hae," p. 257.]
N. B. — I have borrowed the last
stanza from the common stall edition
of Wallace: —
" A false usurper sinks in every foe,
And liberty returns with every blow."
A couplet worthy of Homer. Yester-
day you had enough of my corresppn-
dence. The post goes, and my head
aches miserably One comfort — I
suffer so much just now, in this world,
for last night's joviality, that I shall
escape scot-free for it in the world to
come. Amen !
R. B.
No. XXXIX.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
September 12, 1793.
A THonS-\ND thanks to you, my
dear sir, for your observations on the
list of my songs. I am happy to find
your ideas so much in unison with my
own, respecting the generality of the
airs, as well as the verses. About
some of them we differ; but there is
no disputing about hobby-horses. I
shall not fail to profit by the remarks
you make; and to re-consider the
whole with attention.
"Dainty Davie" must be sung two
stanzas together, and then the chorus;
'tis the proper way. I agree with you
that there may be something of
pathos, or tenderness at least, in the
air of "Fee him, Father," when per-
formed with feeling; but a tender
cast may be given almost to any lively
air, if you sing it very slowly, expres-
sively, and with serious words. I am,
however, clearly and invariably for re-
taining the cheerful tunes joined to
their own humorous verses, wherever
the verses are passable. But the
sweet song for "Fee him. Father,"
which you began about the back of
midnight, I will publish as an addi-
tional one. Mr. James Balfour the
54D
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
king of good fellows, and the best
singer of the lively Scottish ballads
that ever existed, has charmed thou-
sands of companies with "Fee him,
Father," and with " Todlin' hame"
also, to the old words, which never
should be disunited from either of
these airs. Some Bacchanals I would
wish to discard. " Fye, let's a' to the
bridal," for instance, is so coarse and
vulgar that I think it fit only to be
sung in a company of drunken colliers:
and ' ' Saw ye my Father" appears to
me both indelicate and silly.
One word more with regard to your
heroic ode. I think, with great defer-
ence to the poet, that a pru-
dent general would avoid say-
ing anything 10 his soldiers which
might tend to make death more
frightful than it is. ' ' Gory " presents
a disagreeable image to the mind; and
to tell them, ' ' Welcome to your gory
bed," seems rather a discouraging ad-
dress, notwitlistajiding the alternative
which follows. I have shown tlie
song to three friends of excellent taste,
and each of them objected to this line,
which emboldens me to use the free-
dom of bringing it again under your
notice. I would suggest,
" Now prepare for honour's bed,
Or for glorious victorie."
G. T.
No. XL.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
September, 1793.
" Who shall decide when doctors
disagree?" My ode pleases me so
much that I cannot alter it. Your
proposed alterations would, in my
opinion, make it tame. I am exceed-
ingly obliged to you for putting me on
re-considering it; as I think I have
much improved it. Instead of " soger!
hero !" I will have it "Caledonian ! on
wi' me !"
I have scrutinised it over and over:
and to the world, some way or other,
it shall go as it is. At the same time,
it will not in the least liurt me should
you leave it out altogether, and adhere
to your first intention of adopting Lo-
gan's verses.
I liave finished my song to " Saw ye
my Father;" and in English, as you
will see. 'fhat there is a syllable too
much for the expression of the air, it
is true; but, allow me to say that the
mere dividing of a dotted crotchet into
a crotchet and a quaver is not a great
matter: however, in that, I have no
pretensions to cope in judgment with
you. Of the poetry I speak with con-
fidence; but the music is a business
where I hint my ideas with the utmost
difBdencel
The old verses have merit, though
unequal, and are popular: my advice
is to set the air to the old words; and
let mine follow as English verses.
Here they are^[See ' ' Fair Jenny," p.
257.]
Adieu, my dear sir! The post goes,
so I shall defer some other remarks
until more leisure. R. B.
No. XLI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
September, 1793.
I HAVE been turning over some
volumes of songs to find verses whose
measures would suit the airs for which
you have allotted me to find English
songs.
For "Muirland Willie," you have
in Ramsay's " Tea-table Miscellany,"
an excellent song, beginning, " Ah,
why those tears in Nelly's eyes ?" As
for "The Collier's Dochter," taJve the
following old Bacchanal. [See the song,
"Deluded Swain, the Pleasure," n.
258.] ^
The faulty line in "Logan Water,"
I mend thus : —
" How can your flinty hearts enjoy
The widow's tears, the orphan's cry? "
The song, otherwise, will pass. As
to "M'Gregoira Hua-Ruth,'' you will
see a song of mine to it, with a set of
the air superior to yours in the Jfa-
seum. The song hegins — -
" Ravinsr winds around her blowing."
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
541
Your Irish airs are pretty, but they
are downright Irish. If they were
like the " Jiauks of Banna," for in-
stance, though really Irish, yet in the
Scottish taste, you might adopt them.
Since you are so fond of Irish music,
what say you to twenty-five of them
in an additional number? We could
easily find this quantity of charming
airs ; I will take care that you shall
not want son^s ; and I assure yon that
you will find it the most saleable of the
whole. If you do not approve of
"Roy's wife," for the milsic's sake,
wo shall not insert it. " I)eil tak the
wars," is a charming song ; so is
" Saw ye my Peggie ?" " There's nae
luck about the house " well deserves a
place. I cannot say that "O'er the
hills and far awa," strilves me as equal
to your selection. " This is no my
ain house," is a great favourite air of
mine ; and if you will send me your
set of it, I will task my muse to her
highest effort. What is your opinion
of"Iliaelaid a herriu' in sawt ?" I
like it much. Your .Jacobite airs are
pretty : and there are many others of
the same kind, pretty ; but you have
not room for them. You cannot, I
think, insert, " Fye, let's a' to the bri-
dal " to any other words than its own.
What pleases me as simple and
naive disgusts you as ludicrous and
low. For this reason, "Fye, gie me
my coggie, sirs," " Fye, let's a' to the
bridal," with several others of that
cast, are, to me, highly pleasing ;
while " Saw ye my father, or saw ye
my mother ?" delights me with its de-
scriptive simple pathos. Thus my
song, " Ken ye what Meg o' the Mill
has gotten V pleases myself so much
that I cannot try my hand at another
song to the air, so I shall not attempt
it. I know you will laugh at all this ;
but " Ilka man wears his belt his ain
gait." R. B.
No. XLIl.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
October 1793.
Yomt last letter, my dear Thomson,
was indeed laden with heavy news.
Alas 1 poor Erskine !* The recollec:
tion that he was a coadj utor in yoiij:
publication has, till now, scared mo
from writing to you, or turning my
thoughts on composing for you.
I am pleased that you are reconciled
to the air of the " Quaker's Wife ;"
though, by the by, an old Highland
gentleman and a deep antiquary, tells
me it is a Gaelic air, and known by
the name of " Leiger m' choss." The
following verses [" My lovely Nancy,"
p. 232], 1 hope mil please you, as an
Englislv song to the air.
Your objection to the English song
I proposed for ' ' John Anderson, my
jo," is certainly just. The following
is by an old acquaintance of mine, and
I think has merit. The song was
never in print, wliich I think is so
much in your favour. The more orig-
inal good poetry your collection con-
tains, it certainly has so much the
more merit : —
SONG.
By Gavin Turndull.
"O CONDESCEND, dear charming maid.
My wretched state to view ;
A tender swain to love betray'd,
And sad despair, by you.
" While here, all melancholy,
My passion I deplore,
Yet urged by stern resistless fate,
I love thee more and more.
" I heard of love, and with disdain
The urchin's power denied ;
I laugh'd at every lover's pain,
And mock'd them when they sigh'd.
" But how my state is alter'd !
Those happy days are o'er ;
For all thy unrelenting hate,
I love thee more and more.
" O yield, illustrious beauty, yield !
No longer let me mourn ;
And, though victorious in the field,
Thy captive do not scorn.
" Let generous pity warm thee,
My wonted peace restore ;
And, grateful, I shall bless thee still,
And love thee more and more."
The following address of Turnbull's
to the Nightingale will suit as an Eng-
* The Honourable A. Erskine, brother to
Lord Kelly, whose melanc.ioly death Mr.^
Thomson had communicated in an excellent"
letter which he has suppressed,— Cvkkie;
543
CORRESPONDEIsrCE OF BUENS
lish song to tlie air, " There was a lass
and she wjs fair." By the by, Turn-
bull has a great many songs in MS.,
which I can command, if you like his
maimer. Possibly, as he is an old
friend of mine, 1 may be prejudiced
in his favour ; but I like some of his
pieces very much : —
THE NIGHTINGALE."
By G. Tuenbull.
" Thou sweetest minstrel of the grove
That ever tried the plaintive strain ;
Awake thy tender tale of love,
And soothe a poor forsaken swain.
" For, though the muses deign to aid.
And teach him smoothly to complain,
Yet, Delia, charming, cruel maid,
Is deaf to her forsaken swain.
" All day, with Fashion's gaudy sons,
In sport she wanders o'er the plain ;
Their tales approves, and still she shuns
The notes of her forsaken swain.
" When evening shades obscure the sky,
And bring tlie solemn hours again.
Begin, sweet bird, thy melody.
And soothe a poor forsaken swain."
I shall just transcribe another of
Turnbull's, which would go charming-
ly to "Lewie Gordon : —
I-AURA.
By G. Turnbull.
*' Let me wander where I will.
By shady wood, or winding rill ;
Where the sweetest May-born flowers
Paint the meadows, deck the bowers ;
Where the linnet's early song
Echoes sweet the woods among ;
Let me wander where I will,
Laura haunts my fancy still.
" If at rosy dawn I choose
To indulge the smiling muse ;
If I court some cool retreat.
To avoid the noontide heat ;
If beneath the moon's pale ray.
Through unfrequented wilds I stray ;
Let me wander where I will,
Laura haunts my fancy still.
" When at night the drowsy god
Waves his sleep-compelling rod.
And to fancy's wakeful eyes
Bids celestial visions rise ;
While with boundless joy I rove
Through the fairy land of love :
Let me wander where I will,
Laura haunts my fancy still."
The rest of your letter I shall answer
at some other opportunity.
[Gavin Turnbull was the author of
a volume entitled "Poetical Essays,"
published in Glasgow in 1788.]
No. XLin.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Nov. 7, T793«
My good Sm, — After so long a si-
lence it gave me peculiar pleasure to
recognise your well-known hand, for I
had begun to be apprehensive that all
was not well with you. I am happy
to find, however, that your silence did
not proceed from that cause, and that
you have got among the ballads once
more.
I have to thank you for your English
song to "Leiger m' choss," which I
think extremely good, although the
colouring is warm- Tour friend Mr.
Turnbull's songs have doubtless con-
siderable merit; and, as yon have the
command of his manuscripts, I hope
you may find out some that will answer
as English songs, to the airs yet un-
provided. ' G. T.
No. XLIV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Dec. 1793.
Tell me how you like the following
verses [""My spouse, Nancy," p. 358]
to the tune of "Jo Janet. "
No. XLV.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Aprili7, 1794.
My dear Sib,— Owing to the dis-
tress of our friend for the loss of his
child, at the time of his receiving your
admirable but melancholy letter, I had
not an opportunity till lately of perus-
ing it.* How sorry I am to find Bums
saying, " Canst thou not minister to a
mind diseased ?" while he is delight-
ing others from one end of the island
* A letter to Mr. Cunningham, to be found
in the correspondence, under the date of Feb
23, 1794.
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
543
to the other. Like the hypochondriac
■who went to consult a physician upon
his case — " Go," says the doctor, " and
see the famous Carlini, who keeps all
Paris in good humor." "Alas! sir,"
replied the patient, "I am that un-
happy Carlini."
Your plan for our meeting to-
gether pleases me greatly, and I trust
that by softie means or other it will
soon talie place ; bat your Bacchana-
lian challenge almost frightens me, for
I am a miserably weak, drinker !
Allan is much gratified by your good
opinion of his talents. He has just be-'
gun a sketch from your " Cotter's Sat-
urday Night," and if it pleases him-
self in the design, he will probably
etch or engrave it. In subjects of the
pastoral or humorous kind, he is per-
haps unrivalled by any artist living.
He fails a little in giving beauty and
grace to his females, and his colouring
is sombre; otherwise, his paintings and
drawings would be in greater request.
I like the music of the " Sutor's
doehter," and will consider whether it
shall be added to the last volume; your
verses to it are pretty; but your hu-
morous English song to suit "Jo
Janet," is inimitable. What think you
of the air, " Within a mile of Edin-
burgh '!" It has always struck me as
a modern English imitation, but it is
said to be Oswald's, and is so much
liked that I believe I must include it.
The verses are little better than nam-
by-pamby. Do you consider it worth
a stanza or two '!
G. T.
quite charmed with Allan's manner. I
got him a peep of the Gentle Shepherd;
and he pronounces Allan a most origi-
nal artist of great excellence.
For my part, I look on Mr. Allan's
choosing my favourite poem for his
subject to be one of the highest com-
pliments I have ever received.
I am quite vexed at Pleyel's being
cooped up in France, as it will put an
entire stop to our work. Now, and
for six or seven months, I shall be
quite in song, as you shall see by and
by. I got an air, pretty enough, com-
posed by Lady Elizabeth Heron, of
Heron, which she calls " The banks of
Cree." Cree is a beautiful romantic
stream: and, as her ladyship is a par-
ticular friend of mine, I have written
the following song to it — [See " Here
is the Glen," p. 263.]
No. XLVL
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
May 1794.
My dkab Sm, — I return you the
plates, with which I am highly pleased;'
I would humbly propose, instead of
the younker knitting stockings, to put
a stock and horn into his hands. A
friend of mine, who is positively the
ablest judge on the subject I have ever
met with, and, thonsrh an unknown, is
yet a superior, artist with the burin, is
No. XLVII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
July J794.
Is there yet no news of Pleyel ? Or
is your work to be at a dead stop until
the allies set our modern Orpheus at
liberty from the savage thraldom of
democratic discords ? Alas the day 1
And woe is me ! That auspicious
period, pregnant with the happiness
of millions — *
No. XLVIII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Aug. 10, 1794.
Mt dbak Sib, — I owe you an apol-
ogy for having so long delayed to ac-
knowledge the favour of your last.
I fear it will be as you say, I shall
have no more songs from Pleyel till
France and we are friends; but, never-
theless, I am very desirous to be pre-
pared with the poetry, and, as the sea-
son approaches in which your muse of
Coila visits you, I trust I shall, as for-
* A portion of this letter has been left out,
for reasons that will be easily imagined.
^^
CORKESPONDENCE OF BURNS
nierly, be frequently gratified with tlie
result of your amorous and tender in-
terviews !
G. T.
No. XLIX.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Aug. 30, 1794.
The last evening, as I was straying
out, and thinldng of " O'er the hills
and far away," Ispun the following
stanza for it, [see "On the Seas and
Far Away," p. 363;] but whether my
spinning will deserve to be laid up in
Store, like the precious thread of the
silk- worm, or brushed to the devil like
the vile manufacture of the spider, I
leave, my dear sir, to your usual can-
did criticism. I was pleased with sev-
eral lines in it, at first; but I own that
now it appears rather a fiimsy busi-
ness.
This is just a hasty sketch, until I
see whether it be worth a critique.
We have many sailor songs; but, as
far as I at present recollect, they are
mostly the effusions of the jovial
sailor, not the wailings of the lovelorn
mistress. I must here make one
sweet exception — " Sweet Annie frae
the Sea-beach came."
I gave you leave to abuse this song,
but do it in the spirit of Christian
meekness.
R. B.
No. L.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Sept. 16, 1794.
My deak Sir, — You have anticipat-
ed my opinion of "On the seas and
far away;" I do not think it one of your
very happy productions, though it cer-
tainly contains stanzas that are worthy
of all acceptation.
The second stanza is the least to my
liking, particularly " Bullets, spare
my only joy." Confound the bullets !
It might, perhaps, be objected to the
third verse, " At the starless mid-
night hour," that it has too much
grandeur of imagery, and that greater
simplicity of thought would have bet-
ter suited the character of a sailor's
sweetheart. The tune, it must be re-
membered, is of the brisk, cheerful
kind. Upon the whole, therefore, in
my humble opinion, the song would be
better adapted to the tune, if if con-
sisted only of the first and last verses,
with the choruses. ►
No. LI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Sept. 1794.
I SHALL withdraw my " On the seas
and faraway" altogether: it is unequal,
and unworthy the work. Making a
poem is like begetting a son: you can-
not know whether you have a wise
man or a fool, until you produce him
to the world to try him.
For that reason I send you the ofE-
spring of my brain, abortions and all ;
and as such, pray look over them and
forgive them, and bum them. I am
flattered at your adopting "Ca' the
yowes to the knowes," as it was owing
to me that it ever saw the light.
About seven years ago, 1 was well ac-
quainted with a worthy little fellow
of a clergyman, a Mr. Clunie, who
sung it charmingly: and, at my re-
quest, Mr. Clarke took it down from his
singing. When I gave it to Johnson,
I added some stanzas to the song, and
mended others, but still it will not do
for you. In a solitary stroll, which I
took to-day, I tried my hand on a few
pastoral lines, following up the idea of
the chorus, which I would preserve.
Here it is, with all its crudities and
imperfections on its head. rSee"Ca'
the Yowes," p. 263.] .
I shall give you my opinion of your
other newly adopted songs, my fijst
scribbling fit. R_ b.
No. LII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Sept. 1794.
Do you know a blackguard Irish song
called " Onagh's waterfall ?" The air
WITH GEORGE THOMSOlSr.
545
■ is chamiiug, and I have often regrct-
,ted the want of decent verses to it. It
is too much, at least for iny humble
.rustic musei to expect that every effort
of hers shall have merit: still I think
that it is better to have mediocre ver-
ses to a favourite air than none at all.
On this principle I have all along pro-
ceeded in the Scots Musical Museum;
and, as that publication is at its last
volume, I intend the following song,
[" She says she lo'es me best of a'," p.
368] to the air above mentioned, for
that work.
If it does not suit you as an editor,
you may be pleased to have verses to
it that you can sing before ladies.
Not to compare small things with
great, my taste in music is like the
mighty Frederick of Prussia's taste in
painting: we are told that he frequent-
ly admired wliat the connoisseurs de-
cried, and always, without any hypocri-
sy, confessed his admiration. I am sensi-
ble that my taste in music must be in-
elegant and vulgar, because people of
undisputed and cultivated taste can
find no merit in my favourite tunes.
Still, because I am cheaply pleased, is
that any reason why I should deny ray-
self tliat pleasure? Many of our
strathspeys, ancient and modem, give
me most exquisite enjoyment, where
you and other judges would probably
be showing disgust. For instance, I
am just now making verses for
" Rothemurche's Rant," an air which
puts me in raptures; and, in fact, un-
less I be pleased with the tune I never
can make verses to it. Here I have
Clarke on my side, who is a judge that
I will pit against any of you.
" Bothemurche," he says, is an air
both original and beautiful; and, on
liis recommendation, I have taken the
first part of the tune for a chorus, and
the fourth, or last part, for the song.
I am but two stanzas deep in the work,
and possibly you may think, and just-
ly, that the poetry is as little worth
your attention as the music.
I have begun angw, "Let me in this
ae night." Do you think we ought to
retain the old chorus? I think we
must retain both the old chorus and
the first stanza of the old song. I do
not altogether like the third line of the
first stanza, but cannot alter it to please
myself. I am just three stanzas deep
in it. Would you have the denoue-
ment to be successful or otherwise?
Should she " let him" in or not?
Did you not once propose ' ' The
Sow's tail to Geordie " as an air for
your work? I am quite delighted with
it; but I acknowledge that is no mark
of its real excellence. I once set abdut
verses for it, which I meant to be in
the alternate way of a 'lover and his
mistress chanting together. I h?ive not
the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Thom-
son's Christian name, and yours, I am
afraid, is rather burlesque for senti-
ment, else I had meant to have made
you and her the hero and heroine of
the little piece.
God grant you patience with this
stupid epistle ?
R. B.
No. LIII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
I PEBCBIVE the sprightly muse is
now attendant upon her favourite poet,
whose " wood notes wild " are become
as enchanting as ever. " She says she
lo'es me best of a'," is one of the
pleasantest table songs I have seen,
and henceforth shall be mine when
the song is going round. I'll give
Cunningham a copy; he can more
powerfully proclaim its merit. 1 am
far from undervaluing your taste for
the strathspey music; on the contrary,
1 think it highly animating and argree-
able, and that some of the strathspeys,
when graced with such verses as yours,
will make very pleasing songs, in the
same way that rough ' Christians are
tempered and softened by lovely
women, without whom, you know,
they had been brutes.
I am clear for having the " Sow's
tail," particularly as your proposed
verses to it are sb extremely promising.
Geordie, as you observe, is a name
only fit for burlesque composition.
Mrs. Thomson's name (Katharine,) is
not at all poetical. Retain Jeanie;
.545
CORRESPONDENCE OP BURNS
.therefore, and make the other Jamie,
or any other that sounds agreeably.
Your " Ca' the ewes" is a precious
ViMe morgeau. Indeed, lam perfect-
ly astonished and charmed with the
endless variety of your . fancy. Here
let me, ask you whether you never se-
riously turned your thoughts, upon
dramatic writing? That is a field
worthy of your genius, in which it
might shine forth in all its splendour.
One or two successful pieces upon the
.London stage would make your for-
tune. The rage at present is for
musical dramas: few or none of those
which have appeared since the " Du-
enna" possess much poetical jnerit:
there is littte in.tlie- conduct of the
fable, or in the dialogue, . to interest
the audience. They are chiefly ve-
hicles for music and pageantry. I
think you might produce a comic opera
in three acts, which would live by the
poetry, at the same time that it would
he proper to take every assistance
from her tuneful sister. Part of the
songs, of course, would be to our
favourite Scottish airs; the rest might
be left to the London composer — Sto-
race for Drnry Lane, or Shield for
Co vent Garden : both of them very
able and popular musicians. I believe
that interest and nianceuvring are often
necessary to have a drama brought on:
so At may be with the. namby-pamby
■tribe of flowery scribblers; but were
you to address Mr. Sheridan himself
by letter, and send him a dramatic
piece, I am persuaded he would, for
the honour of genius, give it a fair and
candid trial. Excuse me for obtruding
these hints upon your consideration.
No. LIV.
a. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Oct. 14, 1794.
The last eight days have been de-
voted to the re-esamination of the
Scottish collections. I have read, and
sung, and fiddled, and considered, till
I am half blind and wlioUy stupid.
The few airs 1 have added are en-
closed.
_ Peter Pindar, has at length sent me
all the songs I expected from him,
which are^ in general, elegant and
beautiful. Have you heard of _ a
London collection of Scottish airs
and songs just published, by Mr.
■Ritson, an Englishman ? I shall
send you a copy. His introductory
essay on the subject is curious, and
evinces great reading and research, but
does not decide the question as to the
origin of our melodies; though he
shows clearly that Mr. Tytler, in his
ingenious dissertation, has adduced no
sort of proof of the hypothesis he
wished to establish ; and that his clas-
sification of the airs according to the
eras when they were composed is mere
fancy and conjecture. On John Pink-
erton, Esq., he has no mercy; but con-
signs him to damnation ! He snarls at
my publication on the score of Pindar
being engaged to write songs for it,
uncandidly and unjustly leaving it to
be inferred that the songs of Scottish
writers had been sent a packing to
make room for Peter's. Of you he
speaks with some respect, but gives
you a passing hit or two for daring to
dress up a little some old foolish songs
for the Museum. His sets of the Scot-
tish airs are taken, he says, from the
oldest collections and best authorities.
Many of them, however, have such a
strange aspect, and are so unlike the
sets which are sung by every person
of taste, old or young, in town or coun-
try, that we can scarcely recognise the
feiitures of our favourites. By going
to the oldest collections of our musics
it does not follow that we find the melo-
dies in their original state. These
melodies had been preserved, we know
not how long, by oral communication,
before being collected and printed : and,
as ilifferent persons sing the same air
very differently, according to their ac-
curate or confused recollection of it, so,
even supposing the first collectors to
have possessed the industry, the taste,
and discernment to choose the best
they could hear, (jehich is far from
certain,) still it must evidently be a
chance whether the collections exhibit
any of the melodies in the state they
WITH GEORGE THOMSOX.
"Were first composed. In selecting tlic
melodies for my own collection, X have
*beeu as much guided by the living as
Jjy the dead. Where these differed, I
preferred the sets that appeared to inp
the most simple and beautiful, and the
most generally approved : and without
meaning any compliment to my own
capability of choosing, or speaking of
the pains I have taken, I flatter myself
that my sets will be found equally freed
from vulgar errors on the one hand,
and affected graces on the other.
G. T.
IJo. LV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Oct. 19, 1794.
My dear Friend — By this morn-
ing's post 1 have your list, and, in gen
eral, I highly approve of it. 1 shall,
at more leisure, give you a critique on
the wliole. Clarke goes to your town
by to-day's fly, and I wish you would
call on him and take his opinion in
■general: you loiowhis taste is a stand-
ard. He vpill return here again in a
week or two; so, please do not miss
asking for him. One thing I hope he
will do, persuade you to adopt my fav-
orite, " Craigie-bum Wood," in your
selection ; it is as great a favorite of his
as of mine. The lady on whom it was
made is one of the finest women in
Scotland; and, in fact, entre notia, is
in a manner, to me, what Sterne's
Eliza was to him — a mistress, or friend,
or what you will, in the guileless sim-
plicity of Platonic love. (Now don't
put any of your squinting constructions
on this, or have any clishmaclaver
about it among our acquaintances.) I
assure you that to my ' lovely friend
you are indebted for many of your best
songs of mine. Do you think that the
sober, gin-horse routine of existence
could inspire a man with life, and
love, and joy— could fire him with en-
thusiasm, or melt him with pathos
equal to the genius of your book 1 —
No ! no I — Whenever I want to be
more than ordinary in song; to be in
some degree equal to your itiner airs;
do you imagine I fast and pray for the
celestial emanation? Tout au contrai-'
re ! I have a glorious recipe ; the
very one that for his own use was in-
vented by the divinity of healing and
poetry, when erst he piped to the
flocks of Admetus. I put myself on a
regimen of admiring a fine woimm ;
and in proportion to the adorability'of
her charms, in proportion you arc do-
lighted with my verses. The light-
ning of her eye is the godhead of Par-
nassus, and the witchery of her smile
the divinity of Helicon !
To descend to business; if you like
my idea of " When she cam ben she
bobbit," the following stanzas of mine,
[" Saw ye my Phely," p. 265], altered
a little from whafthey were formerly,
when set to another air, may perhaps
do instead of worse stanzas.
Now for a few miscellaneous re-
marks. "The Posie " (in the MUseurrt)
is my composition ; the air was taken
down from Mrs. IJurns' voice; It i's
well known in the west country, but
the old words are trash. By the by,
take a look at th6 tune agtin, and tell
me if you do not think it is the origirad.
from which "Roslin Castle" is com-
posed. The second part, in particnlai',
forthe first two or three bars^ is ex-
actly the old air. " Stratlialla'n-'s La"
ment" is mine: the music is by out
right trusty and deservedly well-bd;
loved Allan Masterton. " Donoclifr-
Head" is not mine:l would give teil
pounds it were. It appeared "first in
the Edinburgh Herald; and came to
the editor of that paper with the New-
castle post-mark on it.* "Whistle
o'er the lave o'f'is mine: the musH;
said to be by a John Bruce, a celebrated
violin player in Dumfries, about the
beginning of this century. This I
know, Bruce, who was an honest man,
though a red-wud Hfghlandman, con-
stantly claimed it ; and by all the old
musical people here, is believed to be
the author of it.
" Andrew and his cutty gun." The
* " Donochl-Head,." which the poet praises
so highly, was written by a gentleman, now
dead, of the name of Pickering, who lived at
Newcastle.
648
COERESPONDENCE OP BURlSfS
song to wliich this is set in the Musmim
is mine, and was composed on Miss
Euphemia Murray, of Lintrose, com-
monly and deservedly called the
Flower of Strathmore,
" How long and dreary is the night."
I met with some such words m a col-
lection of songs somewhere, which I
altered and enlarged; and, to please
you, and to suit your favourite air, I
have taken a stride or two across my
room, and have arranged it anew, as
you will find on the other page — [See
"Ilowlang and dreary is the night,"
p. 265.]
Tell me how you like this. I difEer
from your idea of the expression of
the tune. There is, to me, a great
deal of tenderness iu it. Xou cannot,
in my opinion, dispense with a bass to
your addenda airs. A lady of uiy ac-
quaintance, a noted performer, plays
and sings at the same time so charm-
ingly that I shall never bear to see any
of her songs sent into the world, as
naked as Mr. What - d'ye - call - um
(Ritson) has done in his London col-
lection.
These English songs gravel me to
death. I have not that command of
the language that I have of my native
tongue. I have been at " Duncan
Oray," to dress it iu English, but all
I can do is deplorably stupid. For
instance — [See " Let not woman e'er
complain," p. 266.]
Since tlie above, I have been out in
the country taking a dinner with a
friend, where I met with the lady
whom I mentioned in the second page
of this odds-and-ends of a letter. As
usual, I got into song; and, returning
home I composed the following —
[" 'The Lover's Morning Salute to his
Mistress," p. 264.]
If you honour my verses by setting
the air to them, I will vamp up the
old song, and make it English enough
to be understood.
I enclose you a musical curiosity, an
East Indian air, which you would
swear was a Scottish one. I know the
authenticity of it, as the gentleman
who brought it over is a particular
acquaintance of mine. Do preserve me
the copy I send you, as it is the only
one I have. Clarke has set a bass to
it, and I intend to put it into the
Musical Museum. Here follow the
verses I intend for it —
THE AULD MAN.
But lately seen in gladsome green
The woods rejoiced the day.
Thro' gentle showers the laughing flowers
In double pride were gay :
But now our joys are fled.
On winter blasts awa !
Yet maiden May, in rich array,
Again shall bring them a'.
But my white pow, nae kindly thowe
Shall melt the snaws of age ;
Mjr trunk of eild, but buss or beild.
Sinks in time's wintry rage.
Oh, age has weary days.
And nights o' .sleepless pain !
Thou golden time o* .youthfu' prime,.
Why comest thou not again !
I would be obliged to you if you
would procure me a sight of Ritson's
collection of English songs, which you
mention in your letter. I will thank
you for another information, and that
as speedily as you please — whether
this miserable drawling hotch-potch
epistle has not completely tired you
of my correspondence ?
R. B.
No. LVI.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Oct 27, 1794.
I AM sensible, my dear friend, that
a genuine poet can no more exist with-
out his mistress than his meat. I
wish I knew the adorable she, whose
bright eyes and witching smiles have so
often enraptured the Scottish bard, that
I might drink her sweet health when
the toast is going round. " Craigie-
burn Wood" must certainly be adopt-
ed into my family, since she- is the' ob-
ject of the song; but, iu the name of
decency, I must beg a new chorus
verse from you. " Oh to be lying be-
yond thee, dearie," is perhaps, a con-
summation to be wished, but will not
do for singing in the company of ladies
The songs in your last will do' you
lasting credit, and suit the respective
airs chaAiingly. I am perfectly of
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
549-
your opinion witli respect to the ad-
ditional airs: tlie idea of sending tliem
into the world naked as tliey were
born was ungenerous. They must all
he clothed and made decent hy our
friend Clarke.
I find I am anticipated by the friend-
ly Cunningham . in sending you Kit-
son's Scottish Collection. Permit me,
therefore, to present you with his
English Collection, which you will re-
ceive by the coach, I do not find his
historical Essay on Scottish song, in-
teresting. Your anecdotes and mis-
cellaneous remarks will, I am sure, be
much more so. Allan has just sketch-
ed a charming design from "Maggie
Lauder." She is dancing with -such
spirit as to electrify the piper, who
seems almost dancing too, while he is
playing with the most exquisite glee.
I am much inclined to get a small
copy, and to have it engraved in the
style of Ritson's prints.
■jP. 8. — Pray what do your anecdotes
say concerning "Maggie Lauder?"
Was she a real personage, and of what
rank? You would surely "spier for
her if you ca'd at Anstruther town."
G. T.
No. LVII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Nov. 1794.
Mastt thanks to you, my dear sir,
for your present : it is a book of the
utmost importance to me. I have
yesterday begun my anecdotes, &c.,
for your work. I intend drawing
them up in the form of a letter to you,
which will save me from the tedious
dull business of systematic arrange-
ment. Indeed, as all I have to say
consists in unconnected remarks, anec-
dotes, scraps of old songs, &c., it
would be impossible to give the work
a beginning, a middle, and an end,
which the critics insist to be absolute-
ly necessary in a work. In my last I
told you my objections to the song you
had selected for " My lodging is on the
cold ground." On my visit, the other
j^y, to my fair Chloris (that is the
poetic name of the lovely godaess of
my inspiration), she suggested an idea,
which I, on my return from the visit,
wrought into the following song —
[" Chloris," p. 264.]
How do you like the simplicity and
tenderness of this pastoral? — I think it
pretty well.
I like you for entering so candidly
and so kindly into the story of ma
chere amie. I assure you I was never
more in earnest in my life than in the
account of that affair which I sent you
in my last. Conjugal love is a passion'
which I deeply feel, and highly ven-
erate ; but somehow it does not make
such a figure in poesy as that other
species of the passion,
" Where Love is liberty, and Nature law."
Musically speaking, the first is an in-
strument of which the gamut is scanty
and confined, but the tones inexpressi-
bly sweet ; while the last has powers
equal to all the intellectual modulations
of the human soul. Still, I am a very,
poet in my enthusiasm of the passion.
The welfare and happiness of the belov-
ed object is the first and inviolate senti-
ment that pervades my soul; and what-
ever pleasure I might wish for, or
whatever might be the raptures they
would give me, yet, if they interfere
with that first principle, it is having
these pleasures at a dishonest price;
and justice forbids, and generosity dis-
dains the purchase.
Despairing of my own powers to
give you variety enough in English
songs, I have been tum'.ug over old
collections, to pick out songs, of,
which the measure is something simi-
lar to what I want; and, with a little,
alteration, so as to suit the rhythm of
the air exactly, to give you them for
your work. Where the songs have
hitherto been but little noticed, nor
have ever been set to music, I think
the shift a fair one. A song, which,
under the same first verse, you will
find in Ramsay's "Tea-table Miscel-
lany," I have cut down for aai English
dress to your " Daintie Davie," as fol-
lows—[See "The charming month of
May, " p. 266.]
You may think meanly of this, but
550'
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
take a look at the bombast original,
and yoa will be surprised tliat I have
made- so much of it. I have finished
my song to " Rotliemurclie's Rant;"
and you have Clarke to consult, as to
the set of . the air for singing — [" Las-
sie wi' the lint-white locks," p. S66.]
This piece has at least the merit of
being a regular pastoral: the vernal
morn, the summer noon, the autumnal
evening, and the winter night, are
regularly rounded. If you like it,
well: if not, I will insert it in the Mu-
seum. R. B.
No. LVIII.
BURNS TO a. THOMSON.
I AM out of temper that you should
set so sweet, so tender an air as " Deil
tak the Wars," to the foolish old
verses. You talk of the silliness of
" Saw ye my father;" by heavens,
the odds is gold to brass ! Besides the
old song, though now pretty well mod-
ernised into the Scottish language, is
originally, and in the early editions, a
bungling low imitation of the Scottish
manner, by that genius, Tom D'Urfey;
so has no pretensions to be a Scottish
production. There is a pretty English
song, by Sheridan, in the " Duenna,"
to this air, which is out of sight supe-'
rior to D'Urfey's. It begins —
" When sable night each drooping plant
restoring."
The air, if I understand the expression
of it properly, is the very native lan-
guage of simplicity, tenderness,
and love.
Now for my English song to " Nan--
cy's to the Greenwood," &c. — [See
"Farewell, thou stream," p. 367.]
There is an air, " The Caledonian
Hunt's Delight," to 'which I wrote a
song that you will find in Johnston, —
" Ye banks and braes o' Bonnie Doon;"
this air, I think, might find a place
aniong your hundred, as. Lear says of
his nights. Do you know the history
of the air ? It is curious enough. A
good many years ago, Mr. James Mil-
ler, writer in your good town, — a gen-
tleman whom possibly, you know, —
was in company with pur friend
Clarke; and talking of Scottish music.
Miller expressed an ardent ambition to
be able to compose a Scots air. Mr.
Clarke, partly by way of joke, told
him to keep to the black keys of the
harpsichord, and preserve some kind
of rhythm, and he would infallibly ;
compose a Scots air. Certain it is,
that in a few days Mr. Miller produced
the rudiments of an air, which Mr.
Clarke, with some touches and correc-
tions, fashioned into the tune in ques-
tion. Ritson, you know, has the same
story of the black keys; but this ac-
count which I have just given you,
Mr. Clarke, informed me of several
years ago. Now, to sliow you how
difficult it is to trace the origin of our
airs, I have heard it repeatedly asserted
that this was an Irish air; — nay, I met
with an Irish gentleman who affirmed
he had heard it in Ireland among the
old women; while, on the other "hand,
a countess informed me that the first
person who introduced the air into
this country was a baronet's lady of
her acquaintance, who took down the
notes from an itinerant piper in the
Isle of Man. How difficult then to as-
certain the truth respecting our poesy
and music 1 I, myself, have lately
seen a couple of ballads sung through
the streets of Dumfries, with my name
at the head of them as the author,
though it was the first time I had ever
seen them.
I thank you for admitting " Craigie-
burn Wood," and I shall take care to
furnish you with a new chorus. In
fact, the chorus was not ray work, but
a part of some old verses to the air. If
I can catch myself in a move than ordi-
nary propitious moment, I shall write
anew " Craigie-burn Wood" alto-,
gcther. My heart is much in the
theme.
I am ashamed, my dear fellow, to
make the request; 'tis dunning your
generosity; but in a moment when I
had forgotten whether I was rich or
poor, I promised Chloris a copy of
your songs. It wrings my honest-
pride to write you this; but an ungra-
cious request is doubly so by a tedious
apology. To make you some amends^
WITH GEORGE THOMSOJf.
651.
as soon as I have extracted the neces-
sary information out of them, I will
return you Ritson's volumes.
The lady is not a little proud that
she is to make so distinguished a fig-
ure in your collection, and I am not a
little proud that I have it in my power
to please her so much. Lucky it is
for your patience that my paper is
done, for when I am in a scribbling
humour, I know not when to give
over. li. B.
No. LIX.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Nov. IS, 1754.
My GOOD Sir, — Since receiving
your last, I have had another inter-
view with Mr. Clarke and a long
consultation. He thinks the " Cale-
donian Hunt" is more Bacchanalian
than amdrous in its nature, and recom-
mends it to you to match the air ac-
cordingly. Pray, did it ever occur to
you how peculiarly well the Scottish
airs are adapted for verses in the form
of a dialogue ? The first part of the
air is generally low, and suited for a
man's voice, and the second part, in
many instances, cannot be sung at con-
cert pitch, but by a female voice. A
song, thus performed, makes an agree-
able variety, but few of ours are writ-
ten in this form : I wish you would
think of it in some of those that re-
main. The only one of the kind you
have sent me is admirable, and will be
a universal favourite.
Your verses for " Rothemurche "
are so sweetly pastoral, and your sere-
nade to Chloris, for "Deil tak the
Wars," so passionately tender, that I
have sung myself into raptures with
them. Your song for " My lodging is
on the cold ground," is likewise a dia-
mond of the first water ; I am quite
dazzled and delighted with it. Some
of your Chlorises, I suppose, have
flaxen hair, from your partiality for
this colour ; else we differ about it ;
for I should scarcely conceive a woman
to be a beauty, and reading that she
had lint-white looks I .
_ "Farewell, thou stream that-wind-^
mg flows," I think excellent, but it is
much too serious to come after "Nan-
cy :" at least it would seem an incon-
gruity to provide the same air with'
merry Scottish, and melancholy Eng-;
lish, verses ! The more that the two sets ;
of verses resemble each other in their
general character the better. Those-
you have manufactured for "Dainty
Davie " will answer charmingly. I
am happy to find you have begun your
anecdotes. I care not how long they
be, for it is impossible that anything
from your pen can be tedious. Let me
beseech you not to use ceremony in
telling me when you wish to present
any of your friends with the, songs :
the next carrier will bring you three
copies, and you are as welcome to
twenty as to a pinch of snufE.
No. LX.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Nov, 19, 1794.
Yon see, my dear sir, what a punc-'
tual correspondent I am ; though in-
deed you may thank yourself for the'
tedium of my letters, as you have so
flattered me on my horsemanship
with my favourite hobby, and have
praised the grace of his ambliiig so
much, that I am scarcely ever off his
back. For instance, this morning,
though a keen blowing frost, in my
walk before breakfast, I finished my
duet, which you were pleased to praise
so much. Whether I have uniformly
succeeded, I will not say ; buf here it
is for you, though it is not g.n hour
old — [See "O Philly, happy be that
day," p. 367.]
Tell me, honestly, how you like it;
and point out whatever you think
faulty.
I am mueli pleased with your idea of
singing our songs in alternate stanzas,
and regret that you did not hint it to
me sooner. In those that remain I
shall have it in my eye. I remem-
ber your objections to the name,
Pliilly ; but it is the common abbre-
viation of Philljs. Sally, the only
GoS
COERESPOKDENCE OP BURNS
other name tliat suits, has, to my ear,
a vulgarity about it, wliicli unfits it
for anything except burlesque. The
legion of Scottish poetasters of tlie day,
whom your brother editor, Mr. Ritson,
ranl^ with me, as my coevals, have
always mistaken vulgarity for simpli-
city: whereas, simplicity is as much
Uoignee from vulgarity, on the one
hand, as from affected point and pue-
rile conceit on the other.
I agree with you, as to the air
" Craigie-burn Wood," that a chorus
would, in some degree, spoil the effect ;
and shall certainly have none in my
projected song to it. It is not, how-
ever, a case in point with "Rothe-
murche;" there, as in "Roy's Wife
of Aldivalloch," a chorus goes, to my
taste, well enough. As to the chorus
going first, that is the case with ' 'Roy's
Wife" as well as ' ' Rothemurche. "
In fact, in the first part of both tunes,
the rhythm is so peculiar and irregu-
lar, and on that irregularity depends
so much of their beauty, that we must
e'en take them with all their wildness,
and humour the verse accordingly.
Leaving out the starting-note in both
tunes has, I think, an effect that no
regularity could counterbalance the
want of.
q. ( O Rcy's Wife of Aldivalloch.
^ \ O Lassie v/V the lint-white locks,
and
compare j J^oy's Wife of Aldivalloch.
with 1 Lassie wV the lint-white locks.
Does not the tameness of the prefixed
syllable strike you ? In the last case,
with the true furor of genius, you
strike at once into the wild originality
of the air; whereas, in the first insipid
method, it is like the grating screw of
the pins before the fiddle is brought
into tune. This is my taste; if I am
wrong, I beg pardon of the cognos-
centi.
"The Caledonian Hunt" is so
charming that it would make any sub-
ject in a song go down; but pathos is
certainly its native tongue. Scottish
Bacchanalians we certainly want,
though the few we have are excellent.
For instance, " Todlin' Hame" is, for
wit and humour, an unparalleled com-
position; and "Andrew and his €utty>
Gun" is the work of a master. By the
way, are you not quite vexed to think-
that those men of genius, for such
they certainly were, who composed
our fine Scottish lyrics, should be un-
known? It has given me many a
heart-ache. Apropos to Bacchanalian
songs in Scottish, I composed one yes-
terday, for an air I like much —
" Lumps o' pudding." [See " Con-
tented wi' Little," p. 368.J
If you do not relish the air, I will
send it to Johnson.
R. B.
No. LXL
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Since yesterday's penmanship, I
have framed a couple of Ejlglish stan-
zas, by way of an English song to
"Roy's Wife." You will allow me
that, in this instance, my English cor-
responds in sentiment with the Scot-
tish. [See ' ' Canst thou leave me
thus, my Katy?" p. 268.]
Well ! I think this, to be done in
two or three turns across my room,
and with two or three pinches of Irish
black-guard, is not so far amiss. You
see I am determined to liave my quan-
tum of applause from somebody.
Tell my friend Allan (for I am sure
that we only want the trifling circum-
stance of being known to one another
to be the best friends on earth) that I
much suspect he has, in his plates,
mistaken the figure of the stock and
horn. I have at last gotten one; but
it is a very rude instrument: it is com-
posed of three parts; the stock, which
is the hinder thigh-bone of a sheep,
such as you see in a mutton-ham;
the horn, which is a common Highland
cow's horn, cut off at the smaller end,
until the aperture be large enough to
admit the stock to be pushed up
through the horn, until it be held by
the thicker end of the thigh-bone; and
lastly, ail oaten reed, exactly cut and
notched like that which you see every
shepherd boy have, when the corn
stems are green and full-grown. The
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
ssa
reed is not made fast in tlie bone, but
is held by tlie lips, and plays loose in
the smaller end of the stock; while the
stock, with the horn hanging on its
larger end, is held by the hands in
playing. The stock has six or seven
ventiges on the upper side, anri one
back ventige, lilie the comnlon flute.
This of mine was made by a man from
the braes of Athole, and is exactly
what .the shejjherds were wont to use
in that country.
However, either it is not quite prop-
erly bored in the holes, or else we
have not the art of blowing it rightly;
for we can make little of it. If Mr.
Allan chooses, I will send him a sight
of mine; as I look on myself to be a
kind of brother-brush with him.
"Pride in poets is nae sin," and, I
will say it, that 1 look on Mr. Allan
and Mr. Burns to be the only genuine
and real painters of Scottish costume
in the world.
No. LXII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Nov. 29. 1794.
I ACKNOWLEDGE, my dear sir, you
are not only the most punctual, but the
most delectable correspondent I ever
met with. To attempt flattering you
never entered my head; the truth is, I
look back with surprise at my impu-
dence, in so frequently nibbling at
lines and couplets of your incom-
parable lyrics, for which, perhaps, if
you had served me right, you would
have sent me to the devil. On the
contrary, however, you have, all along,
condescended to invite my criticism
with so much courtesy that it ceases
to be wonderful if I have sometimes
given myself the airs of a reviewer.
Your last budget demands unqualified
praise; all the songs are charming,
but the duet is a ehef-d'oiuvre.
"Lumps of pudding" shall certain-
ly make one of my family dishes:
you have cooked it so capitally that it
will please all palates. Do give us a
few more of this cast, when you find
yourself in good spirits; these conviv-
ial songs are more wanted than those
of the amorous kind, of which we
have great choice. Besides, one does
not often meet with a singer capable of'
giving the proper efEect to the latter,
while the former are easily sung, and •
acceptable to everybody. I participatfti
in your regret that the authors of
some of our best songs are unknown:
it is provoking to every admirer of ge-
nius.
I mean to have a picture painted
from your beautiful ballad, " The
Soldier's Return," to be engraved for.
one of my frontispieces. The most in-
teresting point of time appears to me,
when she recognises her ain dear
Willy, ' ' She gazed, she reddened like
a rose. " The three lines immediately,
following are, no doubt, more impree-;
sive on the reader's feelings; but were
the painter to fix on these, then you'll
observe the animation and anxiety of
her countenance is gone, and ]?e could
only represent her fainting in the sol-
dier's- arms. But I submit the matter
to you, and beg your opinion.
Allan desires me to thank you for
your accurate description of the stock
and horn, and for the very gratifying
compliment you pay him, in consider-
ing him worthy of standing in a niche,
by the side of Burns, in the Scottish
Pantheon. He has seen the rude in-
strument you describe, so does not
want you to send it; but .wishes to
know whether you believe it to have
ever been generally used as a musical
J)ipe by the . Scottish shepherds, and
when, and in what part of the country,
chiefly. I doubt miich if it was ca-
pable of anything but routing and
roaring. A friend of mine says, he
remembers to have heard one in his.
younger days (made of wood instead of
your bone), and that the sound was
abominable.
Do not, I beseech you, return any
books. G- T.
No. Lxni.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Dec. 1794. ,
It is, I assure you, the pride of my
heart to do anything to forward, or add
§54'
CORRESPONDENCE OF BURNS
to the value of, your book; aud, as I
agree with you that the Jacobite song
in the Museum, to " There'll never be
peace till Jamie comes hame," would
not so well consort with Peter Pindar's
excellent love song to that air, I have
just framed for you the following —
["My Nannie's awa," p. 333.]
■ How does this please you ? — As to
the point of time for the expression,
in your proposed print from my " Sod-
ger's Return," it must certainly be
at — " She gazed." The Interesting
dubiety and suspense talcing posses-
sion of her countenance, and the gush-
ing fondness, with a mixture of
roguish playfulness in his, strike me
as things of wliich a master will make
a great deal. — In great haste, but in
great truth, yours, R. B.
No. LXIV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Jan. 1795.
I FEAK for my songs, however, a
few may please, yet originality is a coy
feature in composition, and in a multi-
plicity of efforts ill the same style,
disappears altogether. For these
three thousand years, we poetic folks
have been describing the spring, for
instance; and, as tlie spring continues
the same, there must soon be a same-
ness in the imagery, &c. , of these said
rhyming folks.
A great critic (Aikin) on songs says
that love and wine are the exclusive
themes for song-writing. The follow-
ing is on neither subject, and conse-
quently is no song: but will be allow-
ed, I think, to be two or three pretty
good prose thoughts, inverted into
rhyme — [See '■ Is there for honest pov-
erty," p. 278.]
I do not give you the foregoing song,
for your book, but merely by way of
vive la bagatelle,- for the piece is not
really poetry. How will the following
do for ' Craigie-burn Wood?" [See
" Sweet fa's the eve on Craarie-burn,"
p. 235.]
Farewell ! God bless you.
R. B.
No. LXV.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, Jan. 30, 1795. '
My dear Sik, — I thank you hearti-'
ly fot " Nannie's awa," as well as for
" Cragie,burn," which I think a very ■
comely pair. Your observation on
the difficulty of original writing in a,
number of efEorts, in the same style,
strikes me very forcibly; and it has ■
again and again excited my wonder to
find you continually surmountiiig this
difficulty, in the many delightful
songs you have sent me. Your lyive la
bagatelle song, " For a' that," shall un-
doubtedly be included in my list.
G. T.
No. LXVI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Feb. 179s.
Herb is another trial at your favour-
ite air. [See " O Lassie, art thou
sleeping yet V" p. 279.]
I do not know whether it will do.
R. B.
No. LXVII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
EcCLEFECHAN, Feb. 7, 1795.
Mt dear Thomson, — You cannot
have any idea of the predicament in
which I write to you. In the course
of my duty as supervisor, (in which
capacity I have acted of late,) I came
yesternight to this unfortunate,
wicked, little village.* I have gone
forward, but snows, of ten feet
deep, have impeded my progress: -
I have tried to " gae back the gate
I cam again," but the same obstacle
has shut me up within insuperable]
bars. To add to my misfortune,
since dinner, a scraper has been tor-
* Ecclefechan is a little thriving village in
Annandale. The poet paid it many a visit
friendly and official and even brought its
almost unpronounceable name into a couple
of songSi — Cunningham. .
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
555i
turing catgut, in sounds tliat would
have insulted the dying agonies of
a sow under the hands of a butcher,
and thinks himself, on that very
account, exceeding good company. In
fact, I have been in a dilemma, either to
get drunk, to forget these miseries; or
to hang myself, to get rid of them:
like a prudent man, (a character con-
genial to my every thought, word, and
deed,) I, of two evils, have chosen the
least, and am very drunk, at your ser-
vice !
I wrote you yesterday from Dum-
fries. I had not time then to tell you.
all I wanted to say; and. Heaven
knows, at present! have not capacity.
Do you know an air — I am sure you
must know it — ' ' We'll gang nae mair
to yon town?" I think, in slowish
time, it would make an excellent song.
I am highly delighted with it; and if
you should think it worthy of your at-
tention, I have a fair dame in my eye,
to whom 1 would consecrate it.
As I am just going to bed, I wish
you a good night. R. B.
No. LXVUI.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Feb. 25, T795.
I HATE to thank you, my dear sir,
for two epistles, one containing "Let
me in this ae night;" and the other
from Ecclefechan, proving that, drunk
or sober, your "mind is never muddy."
You have displayed great address
in the above song. Her answer is
excellent, and at the same time takes
away the indelicacy that otherwise
would have attached to his entreaties.
I like the song as it now stands, very
much.
I had hopes you would he arrested
some days at Ecclefechan, and be
obliged to beguile the tedious fore-
noons by song-making. It will give
me pleasure to receive the verses you
intend for "O wat ye wha's in yon
town. "
G. T.
No. LXIX.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
May 1795.
Let me know, your very first
leisure, how you like this song ["Ad-
dress to the Woodlark," p. 283.]
How do you like the foregoing?
["On Chloris being ill," p. 283.]' The
Jjrish air, "Humours of Glen," is a.
great favourite of mine, and as, except ■
the silly stuff in the "Poor soldier,"
there are not any decent verses for it,
I have written for it as follows — [See
the song entitled, " Caledonia," p. 284,
and " "i'was na her bonnie blue ee," p.
285, which accompanied the thred for-
mer.]
Let me hear from you. R. B.
No. LXX.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
You must not think, my good sir,
that I have any intention to enhance
the value of my gift, when I say, in
justice to the ingenious and worthy
artist, that the design and execution of
the " Cotter's Saturday Night " is, in
my opinion, one of the happiest pro-
ductions of Allan's pencil. I shall be.
grievously disappointed if you are not
quite pleased with it.
The figure intended for your por-
trait I think strikingly like you, as
far as I can remember your phiz. This
should make the piece interesting to
your family every way. . Tell me
whether Mrs. Burns finds you out
among the figures. '
I cannot express the feeling of ad-
miration with which I have read your
pathetic "Address to the Wood-lark,"
your elegant panegyric on "Caledo-
nia," and your affecting verses on
" Chloris' illness." Every repeated
perusal of these gives new delight.
The other song, to "Laddie, lie near
me," though not equal to these, is
very pleasing.
5o6
COERESPONDENCE OF BtTRNS
No. LXXI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Well ! this is not amiss. You see
how I answer your orders. [The poet
liad enclosed the two songs, "How
cruel are thy parents," p. 385, and
"Mark yonder Pomp," p. 284.] Your
tailorcould not be more punctual. I
am just now in a high fit for poetising,
provided that the strait-jacket of crit-
icism don't cure me. If you can in a
post or two administer a little of the
intoxicating portion of your applause,
it will raise your humble servant's
phrenzy to any height you want. I
am at this moment "holding high
converse" with the Muses, and have
not a word to throw away on such a
prosaic dog as you are.
R. B.
No. LXXII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
May 1795.
Ten thousand thanks for your
elegant present; though lam ashamed
of the value of it, being bestowed on
a man who has not by any means
merited such an instance of kindness.
I have shown it to two or three judges
of the first abilities here, and they all
agree with me in classing it as a first-
rate production. My phiz is sae ken-
speckle that the very joiner's appren-
tice whom Mrs. Burns employed to
break up the parcel (I was out of town
that day) knew it at once. My most
grateful compliments to Allan, who
has honoured my rustic muse so much
with his masterly pencil. One strange
coincidence is, that the little one who
is making the felonious attempt on the
cat's tail, is the most striking likeness
of an ill-deedie, damn'd wee, rumble-
gairie urchin of mine, whom, from that
propensity to witty wickedness and
manfu' mischief, which, even at twa
days' auld, I foresaw would form the
striking features of his disposition, I
named Willie Nicol, after a certain
friend of mine who is one of the
masters of a grammar school in a city
which shall be nameless.
Give the enclosed epigram to my
much- valued friend Cunningham, and
tell him that on Wednesday I go to
visit a friend of his, to whom his
friendly partiality in speaking of me
in a manner introduced me — I mean a
well-known military and literary char-
acter. Colonel Dirom.
You do not tell me how you liked
my two last songs. Are they condemn-
ed?
R. B.
No. LXXIII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
May 13, 1795.
It gives me great pleasure to find
that you are all so well satisfied with
Mr. Allan's production. The chance
resemblance of your little fellow,
whose promising disposition appeared
so very early, and suggested whom he
should be named after, is curious
enough. I am acquainted with that
person, who is a prodigy of learning
and genius, and a pleasant fellow,
though no saint.
You really make me blush when
you tell me j-ou have not merited the
drawing from me. I do not think I
can ever repay you, or sufficiently es-
teem and respect you, for the liberal
and kind manner in which you have
entered into the spirit of my under-
taking, which could not have been
perfected without you. So I beg you
would not make a fool of me again, by
speaking of obligation.
I like your two last songs very much,.
and am happy to find you are in such
a liigh fit of poetising. Long may it
last ! Clarke has made a fine pathetic
air to Mallet's superlative ballad of
" William and Margaret," and is to
give it to me, to be enrolled among
4.1. „ .,1 — 4. °
the elect.
G. T.
"WITH GEORGE TH0M30K
5S7
■ ■» No. LXXIV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
In " Whistle, and I'll come to ye,
my lad," the iteration of that line is
tiresome to my ear. Here goes what I
think is an improvement : —
O whistle, and I'll come to ye, my lad,
O whistle, and I'll come to ye, my lad ;
Though father, and mother, and a' should eae
• , mad.
Thy Jeaaie will venture wi' ye, my lad.
In fact, a fair dame, at whose shrine
J, the Priest of the Nine, offer up the
incense of Parnassus; a dame whom
the Graces have attired in witchcraft,
and whom the Loves have armed with
lightning; a fair one, herself the hero-
ine of the song, insists on the amend-
ment, and dispute her commands if
you dare ! [See the song entitled,
"This is no my ain lassie," p. 286
which the poet enclosed.]
Do you know that you have roused
the torpidity of Clarke at last? He
has requested me to write three or four
songs for him, which he is to set to
music himself. The enclosed sheet
contains two songs for him, which
please to present to my valued friend,
Cunningham.
I enclose the sheet opan, both for
your inspection, and that you may
copy the song ' ' Oh, bonny was yon
rosy brier." I do not know whether I
am right; but that song pleases me,
and, as it is extremely probable that
Clarke's newly-roused celestial spark
will be soon smothered in the fogs of
indolence, if you lilce the song, it may
go as Scottish verses to the air of "I
wish my love was in a mire;" and
poor Erskine's English lines may
follow.
R. B.
No. LXXV.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Edinburgh, August 3, 1795.
My dear Sir, — This will be de-
livered to you by a Dr. Brianton, who
has read your works, and pants for the
honour of your acquaintance. I do
not know the gentleman; but his
friend, who applied to me for this
introduction, being an excellent young .
man, I have no doubt he is worthy of
all acceptation.
My eyes have just been gladdened,
and my mind feasted, with your last
packet — full of pleasant things indeed.
What an imagination is yours ! it
is superfluous to tell you tliat I am de-
lighted with all the three songs, as
well as with your elegant and tender
verses to Chloris.
I am sorry that you should be induc-
ed to alter "0 whistle, and I'll come
to ye, my lad," to the prosaic line,
"Tliy Jeanie will venture wi' ye, my
lad." I must be permitted to say that
I do not think the latter either reads
or sings so well as the former. I wish,
therefore, you would, in my, name,
petition the charming jeanie, whoever
she be, to let the line remain unaltered.
I should be happy to see Mr. Clarke
produce a few airs to be joined to your
verses. — Everybody regrets his writ-
ing so very little, as everybody
acknowledges his ability to write well.
Pray, was the resolution formed coolly
before dinner, or was it a midnight
vow, made over a bowl of punch with
the bard? -
I shall not fail to give Mr. Cunning-
ham what you have sent him.
G. T.
No. LXXVI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
How do you like the foregoing?
[" Forlorn, my love; no comfort near,"
p. 283. ] I have written it within this
hour: so much for the speed of my
Pegasus; but what say jou to his
bottom? R. B.
No. LXXVII.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
[This letter contained "Last May a
braw Wooer," p. 285, and the frag-
ment beginning ' ' Whv, why, tell thy
lover," p. 284.J
55§
CORRESPOlSrDENCE OF BURNS
Suck, Is the peculiarity of tlie rliythm
of this air, ["Caledonian Hunt's De-
light,"] that I find it impossible to
make anotkei-stanza to suit it.
I am at present quite occupied with
the charming sensations of the tooth-
ache, so have not a word to spare.
R. B.
No. Lxxvm.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
June 3, 1755.
My deab Sib, — Your English ver-
ses to "Let me in this ae night," are
tender and beautiful; and your ballad
to the ' ' Lothian Lassie" is a master-
piece for its humour and naivete. The
fragment of the " Caledonian Hunt"
is quite suited to the origmal measure
of the air, and, as it plagues you so,
the fragment must content it. I
would rather, as I said before, have
had Bacchanalian words, had it so
pleased the poet; but, nevertheless,
for what we have received, Lord,
make us thankful !
a. T.
No. LXXIX.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Feb. 5, 1796.
O Robby Burns, are ye sleeping: yet?
Or are ye wauking, I would wit?
The pause you have made, my dear
sir, is awful ! Am I never to hear
from you again ? I know and I lament
how much you have been afflicted of
late, but I trust that returning health
and spirits will now enable you to re-
sume the pen, and delight us with
your musings. I have still about a
dozen Scotch and Irish airs that I wish
"married to imnlortal verse." We
have several true-born Irishmen on
the Scottish- list; but they are now
naturalised aui reckoned our own
good subjects; indeed we have none
.better. . I believe I before told you
that I had been much urged by some
friends tcfpuMish a collection of all our
favourite airs and songs in octavo, em-
bellished with a number of etchings
by our ingenious fHend Allan: what
is your opiuian of this ?*
G. T.
No. LXXX.
BURNS TO G; THOMSON. T
Feb. 17, 17961 - 0
Many thanks, my dear sir, for your
handsome, elegant present to Mi-s."
Bums, and for my remaining volume'
of Peter Pindar. — Peter is a delightfiil ■
fellow, and a first favourite of mine. '
I am much pleased with your idea of
publishing a collection of our songs
in octavo, with etchings. I am ex-
tremely willing to lend every assist-
ance in my power. The Irish airs I
shall cheerfully undertake the task of
finding verses for.
I have, already, you know, equipt
three with words, and the other day I
strung up a Jcind of rhapsody to an-
otlier Hibernian melody, which I ad-
mire much. [See " Hey for a lass wi'
a tocher," p. 387.]
If this will do, you have now four
of my Irish engagement. In my by-
past songs, I dislike one thing: the
name Chloris — I meant it as the ficti-
tious name of a certain lady; but, on
second thoughts, it is a high incongru-
ity to have a Greek appellation to a
Scottish pastoral ballad. Of this, and
some things else, in my next: I have
more amendments to propose.-— What
you once mentioned of " flaxen locks "
is just: they cannot enter into an ele-
gant description of beauty. — Of this
also again-— God bless you !
R. B.
No. LXXXL
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
Your " Hey for a lass wi'atocher,"
is a most excellent song, and with vo'u
.• Burns had made a pause in his correspond 4
ence from June 1793 to February 1796 ; and
Thomson, feeling alarm, as much for the
poet 5 sake as for the " dozen of Scotch and
Irish airs" which he wished "wedded 10 im
mortal verse," wrote to make inquiries —
Cunningham.-
WITH GEORGE THOMSON:
S59
the subjectis sometliing new indeed.
It ig th& first time I have seen you de-
basing the god of soft desire into an
amateur of acres and guineas.
I am happy to find you approve of
my proposed octavo edition. Allan
has designed and etched about twenty
plates, and I am. to have my choice of
them for that work. Independently
of the Hogarthian humour with which
they abound, they exhibit the charac-
ter and costume of the Scottish peas-
antry with inimitable felicity. In this
respect, he himself says, they will far
exceed the aquatinta plates he did for
the "Gentle Shepherd," because in
the etching he sees clearly what he is
doing, but not so with the aquatinta,
which he could not manage to his
mind.
The Dutch boors of Ostade are
scarcely more characteristic and natu-
ral than the Scottish figures in those
etchings. G. T.
No. LXXXII.
BUKNS TO G. THOMSON.
April 1796.
Alas ! my dear Thomson, I fear it
•will be some time ere I tune my lyre
again I "By Babel streams I have sat
fend wept," almost ever since I wrote yoa
last: I have only known existence by
the pressure of the heavy hand of sick-
ness; and have counted time by the
re-percussions of pain ! Rheumatism,
told, and fever, have formed to me a
terrible combination. I close my eyes
in misery, and open them without
hope. I look on the vernal day, and
say with poor Fergusson —
"Say, wherefore has an all-indulgent Heaven
Light to the comfortless and wretched given?"
This -will be delivered to you by a
Mrs. Hyslop, landlady of the Globe
Tavern "here, which for these many
years has been my howff, and where
our friend Clarke and I have had many
a merry squeeze.* I am highly de-
* Like the Boar's Head in Eastcheap, and
the Mer^naid in .Friday Street, London, im-
moHalised as these have been by the geaiuB
lighted with Mr. Allan's etchings.
" Woo'd andmarried an' a'," is admir-
able; the grouping is beyoiid all
praise. The expression of the figures,
conformable to the story in the ballad,
is absolutely faultless perfection. I
next admire " Turnimspike." What
t like least is '• Jenny said to Jocky."
Besides the female being in her ap-
pearance .... if you take hor
stooping into the account, she is at least
two inches taller than her lover. Poor
Cleghorn ! I sincerely sympathize
with him I Happy am 1 to think that
he yet has a well-grounded hope of
health and enjoyment in this world.
As for me — ^butthat is a sad subject f
R. B.
and wit of Shakespeare, Beaumont, Fletcher,
and Ben Jonson, and many other of ' "the
prime spirits of their age ; so the Globe
Tavern in Dumfries, the favourite haunt of
our poet while resident in that town, appears
to be destined to a similar acceptation in the
eyes of posterity.
. The *^ howff, -of -which -Burns speaks, was a
small, comfortable tavern, situa.ted iu the
mouth of the Globe close, and it held at
that time the rank as third among the houses
of public accommodation in ^Dumfries. The .
excellence of . the. drink and the attentions
of the oroprietor were not, however, all its
attractions. "Anna with the go wd en locks "
was one of the ministering damsels of the
establishment ; customers loyed to be served
by one who was net or.ly cheerful, but whose
charms were celebrated by the Bard of Kyle.
On one of the last visits paid by the poet, the
wine of the "howff" was more than commonly
strong — or, served by Anna, it went more
glibly over than usual ; and when he rose to
.be gone, he found he could' do no more than
keep his balance. The lifgKt was frosty and
the hour late ; the poet sat down on the steps
of a door between the tavern and his own
house, fell asleep, and j0id not awaken till he
•was almost dead with cold. To this exposure
his illness has been imputed ; and no doubt it
contributed, with disappointed hope and in^
suited pride, to bring him to an early grave.—
Cunningham.
On the panes of glass- in the Globe, Bums
was frequently in the habit of writing many
of his witty >aj: d 'esprit, as well .as Iragmen-.
tary portions of his most celebrated songs.
We fear these precious relics have now been
wholly abstracted by the lovers and collectors
of literary rarities. John Speirs, Esq., of
Elderslie, has in his possession one of these
panes of glass, upon which is written m
Bums'. . autograph, the loilowing «erse oJ
" Sae flaxen were her ringlets," p. 263 ; — >
^ Hers are the willing chains of love.
By conquering Beauty's sovereign law j
Bui st.ll my ehloris' dteresl charm,
She says she lo'es me best of a'l "• '
560
CORRESPONDEXCE OF BURNS
No. LXXXIII.
a THOMSON 'to burns.
May 4, 1796.
I KEKD not tell you, my good sir,
wliat concern tlio receipt of your last
gave me, and liow much I sympathise
in your sufferings. But do not, I be-
seech you, give yourself up to de-
spondency, nor speak the language of
4espair. The vigour of your constitu-
tion, I trust, will soon set you on your
feet again; and then, it is to be hoped,
you will see the wisdom and necessity
of taking due care of a life so valuable
to your family, to your friends, and to
the world.
Trusting that .your next will bring
agreeable accounts of your convales-
cence and returning good spirits, I re-
main, with sincere regard, yours,
a. T.
P. S. — Mrs. Hyslop, I doubt not,
delivered the gold seal* to you in good
condition:
No. LXXXIV.
BURNS TO a. THOMSON.
My DEA.11 SiR,^I once mentioned to
you an air which I have long admired,
"Here's a health to them that's awa,
hinny," but I forget if you took any
notice of it. I have just been trying
to suit it with verses; and 1 beg leave
to recommend the air to your atten-
tion once more. I have only begun it.
[See the beautif\j.l song beginning,
" Here's a health to ane I lo'c dear,"
p. 287.]
No. LXXXV.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
This will be delivered by a Mr. Lo-
•wars, a young fellow of uncommon
merit. As he will be a day or two in
* On this gold seal the poet caused his coat
of arms to be engraven, viz., a small bush ; a
bjrd' singing ; the legend, "wood-notes wild,"
with the motto " Better hae a wee bush than
xiae bield."
town, you will have leisure, if y"
choose, to write me by him; and if you
have a spare half hour to spend with
him, I shall place your kindness to my
account. I have no copies of the songs
I have sent you, — and I have talcen a
fancy to review them all, and possibly
may mend some of them; so, when
you have complete leisure, I will
Ihank you for either the originals or
copies. I had rather be the author of five
well- written songs than of ten other-
wise. I have great hopes that the ge-
nial influence of the approaching sum-
mer will set me to rights, but as yet I
cannot boast of returning health. I
have now reason to believe that my
complaint is a flying gout: a sad bus-
iness !
Do let me know how Cleghorn is,
and remember me to him.
This should have been delivered to
you a month ag'o. I am still very
poorly, but should like much to hear
from you.
No. LXXXVI.
BURNS TO G. THOMSON.
Brow, on the Solway Firth, )
July 12, 1796. J
After all my boasted independence,
curst necessity compels me to implore
you for Ave pounds. A cruel wretch
of a haberdasher, to whom I owe an
account, taking it into his head that I
am dying, has commenced a process,
and will infallibly put me into jail.
Do, for God's salce, send me that sum,
and that by return of post. Forgive
me this earnestness, but the horror^
of a jail have made ma half distracted.'
I do not ask all this gratuitously; fori
upon returning health, I hereby pro-
mise and engage to furnish you with
five pounds' worth of the neatest song:
genius you have seen. I tried my
hand on "Rothemurche" this morning-
The measure is so difficult that it %
impossible to infuse much genius into
the lines; they are on the other side
[See the song, " Fairest Maid on Dev'
on Baulcs," p. 389.] Forgive, forrfvo
me I
WITH GEORGE THOMSON.
'561
No. LXXXVII.
G. THOMSON TO BURNS.
,July 14, J796.
My deak Sir, — Ever since I re-
ceived your melancholy letters by
Sirs. Hyslop, I have been ruminatiag
in what maimer I could endeavour to
alleviate your sufferings. Again and
again 1 thought of a pecuniary offer,
but the recollection of one of your let-
ters on this subject, and the fear of
offending your independent spirit,
checked my resolution. I thank you
heartily, therefore, for the frankness
of your letter of the 12th, and, with
great pleasure, enclose a draft for the
very sum I proposed sending. Would
I were Chancellor of the Exchequer
but for one day, for your sake-! -
Pray, my good sir, is it not possi-
ble for you to muster a volume of
poetry ? If too much trouble to you,
in the present state of your health'
some literary friend might be found •
here, who would select and arrange
from your manuscripts, and take upon
liim the task of editor. In the mean,
time it could be advertised to be pub-
lished by subscription. Do not shun
this mode of obtaining the value of
your labour: remember Pope publish-
ed the Iliad by subscription. Think
of this, my dear Burns, and do not
reckon me intrusive with my advice.
You are too well convinced of the re-
spect and friendship I bear you^ to
impute anything I say to an unworthy,
motive. Yoiirs faithfully,
G. T.
The verses to " Rothemurche " will
answer finely. I am happy to see you
can still tune your lyre.
PREFATORY NOTE.
The Clarinda of the following correspondence was a Mrs. M'Lehose, who resided in
General's Entry, Pottcrrow — so called from, a tradition that General Monk had lodged there.
Her maiden name was Agnes Craig ; she was the daughter of a highly-respectable surgeon-
in Glasgaw, and when only seventeen years of age waa married to a Mr. M'Lehose, a law
agent. Her husband secms.to have been in no way worthy of her, and a separation was tlie.
conscquence. At~lTie tune Burns met her. (1787,) her husband was in the West Indies. In
addition to being beautiful in |)erson and fascinating' in manner, she was something of
a poetess, and more.ihan ofdinanty intelligent ; need it be wondered at, then, that she made
a powerful impression on the susceptible poet, who was always ready to burst into aglow,
even whert the lady was not so attractive as Mrs. M'Lehose appears to have been. There caa
be no doubt of the genuinq passion with which Burns inspired ner: for all through the corres-
pondence we can see that ner love for the poet was leading her into acts 01 questionable
propriety in a woman in hct position, and that she felt this acutely.
Burns has been blamed by several of his biographers for his connexion with Mrs. M'Lehose
in the face of his engagement with Jean Armour; but at the time there can be no doubt that
he believed, and was justified in believing, that his engagement with her had come to an end.
How slight was the impression made upon the poet by Clarinda will be seen from the speedy
maJcing up of all-his differences with Jean Armour and her family, acd the rapid disappearance
of Clarinda" from his thoughts and correspondence. Mrs. M'Lehose acutely felt the poet s
forgetfulnessof her, but never ceased to hold his memory in affectionate remeinbranpe.
In her private journal, written forty years after the date of her last interview, with him, she
writes:— "6//* i3£'<:.i83i.— This day I never can forget. Parted with Burns m the year r/oi,
Aever-mprc -to mcerinthis world.- Oh, may we meet in heaven!"'
BURNS' WORKS.
In her reply to Letter XII. of the correspondence, she says :— " Never were there two hearts
formed so exactly alike as ours. Oh, let the scenes of nature remind you of Clarinda. la
■winter, remember the dark shades of her fate ; in summer, the warmth of her friend^ip ; in
autumn, her glowing wishes to bestow plenty on all : and let spriirg" animate you with hopes
that your friend may yet surmount the wintry blasts of life, and revive to taste a spfmg-time
pf happiness. At all events, Svlvander, the storms of lifc'will quickly pass, and one
Unbounded spring' encircle alL' Love there is not a crime. I charge, you to meet me there.
O G<3d"! I must lay down my pen." "Mr. Chambers says :— " I have heard Clarinda, at sevenlj^^
- five, express the same hope to meet in another spherd the one ' heart' that she had ever f^u"*^
lierself able entirely to sympathize with, but which -had'been divided from her on earth by
such pitiless obstacles." . , .
She died in 1841, in her eighty-second year. There is but one opinion as to the nature of
the correspondence. She can be charged with nothing more serious than the imprudence Of
loving and giving warm expression to her love for the poet while she was still the wife of
another- P^otwithstanding- this, Clarinda appears- to better advantage in the corcespondeoc^
than Sylvander, and there can. be no doubt as to the reality and intensity of her love and
admiration for him ; while his letters and after fdrgetfulness prove the truth of Gilbert Bums
iissertion, that he was " constantly the victim of some fair enslaver. One generally reigned
paramount in his affections ; but as Vc^ridc's affections flowed out towards Madame de L-; — -^-
at the remise door, while the eternal vows of Eliza were upon him. so Robert was frequently
eiicouaterlDg Other ^tkactions, which formed so many under-plots in the drama of his love. '
LETTERS TO CLARINDA.
No.. I.
Thursday Evening.
. MaDAM,^!' had set no small store
by my tea-drinking to-nlglit, and have
not often been so disappointed. Sat-
urday evening I shall embrace the op-
portunity with the greatest pleasure.
I leave this town this day se'en-night,
,^nd, probably, for a couple of twelve-
months; but must ever regret that I
so lately got an acquaintance I shall
ever highly esteem, and in whose wel-
fare I shall ever be warmly interested.
Our vforthy common friend, in her
usual.pleasant way, rallied me a good
deaL on my .new acquaintance, and in
the .humour of her ideas I wrote some
lines, which I enclose you, as I think
they haye a gopd deal of poetic merit;
and Miss tells me you are not
pnly a, pritic, but a poetess. Fiction,
you know, is the native region of poe-
try; and I hope you will pardon my
vanity in sending you the bagatelle as
a tolerably off-hand J6M-«fe«pnY. 1 have
several poetic trilles, which I shall
gladly leave with Miss — — , or you, if
they were worth house room: as there
are scarcely two people on earth by
whom it would mortify me more to be
-forgotten, though at the distance of
nine-score miles. — I am, madam, with
the highest respect, your very humble
servant,
No. II.
Saturday Evening.
I CAN say with truth, madam, that
I never met with a person in my life
whom I more anxiously wished to
meet again than yourself. To-night I
was to have had that very great pleas-
ure; I was intoxicated with the idea,
but an unlucky fall from a coach has
so bruised one of my knees that I can't
stir my leg; so if I don't see you again
LETTEES TO CLARINDA,
Isliall not rest in my grave for cbagrin.
I was vexed to the soul I had not seen
you sooner; I determined to cultivate
your friendship with the enthusiasm
of religion; but thus has Fortune ever
served me. I cannot bear the idea of
leaving Edinburgli witliout seeing
yOH. I know not how to account for
it — I am. strangely taken with some
people, nor am I often mistaken. You
are a stranger to me; but I am an odd
being; some yet unnamed feelings,
things, not principles, but better than
whims, carry. me farther than boasted
reason ever did a philosopher. — Fare-
well ! every happiness be yoiirs 1
No. III.
Friday Evening.
1 BEG your pardon, my dear " Clar-
inda," for the fragment scrawl I sent
you yesterday. I really do not know
what I wrote. A gentleman , for whose
character, abUities, and critical knowl-
edge I have the highest veneration,
called in just as I had begun the second
sentence, and I would not make the
porter wait. I read to my miich-
respected friend several of my own
bagatelles, and, among others, your
lines, which I had copied out. He
-began some criticisms on them as^on
tlie other pieces, when I informed him
they were the work cf a young lady in
this town, which, I assure yon, made
him stare. My learned friend serious-
ly protested that he did not believe
any young woman in Edinburgh was
capable of such lines: and if you know
anything of Professor Gregory, you
will neither doubt of his abilities nor
his sincerity. I do love you, if possi-
ble, still better for having so fine
a taste and turn for poesy. I have
«igain gone wrong in my usual un-
;guarded way, but you may erase the
word, and put esteem, respect, or any
other tame Dutch expression you
please, in its place. 1 believe there is
no holding converse, nor carrying on
correspondence, with an amiable
woman, much less a gloriously amiable
Jine wonum, without some mixture of
that delicious passion, whose most de- .
voted slave I have more than once had
the honour of )jeing — But why be hurt
or offended on that account? Can no
honest man have a prepossession for a,
line woman, but he must run his liieaid
against, an intrigue? Take a littjte of
tlie tender witchcraft of love, and add
to it the generous, the honourable sjpn- ,
timents of manly friendship: and 1
know but one more delightful morsel,
■which few, few in any rank ever taste,
Such a composition is like adding
cream to strawberries; it not only
gives the fruit a more elegant richness, ,
but has a peculiar deliciousness of its
own.
I enclose you a few lines I composed-
on a late mdanclioly occasion. I will
not give above five or six copies of it
at all, and I would be hurt if any
friend should give any copies without
my consent.
You cannot imagine, Clarinda, (I like
the idea of Arcadian names in a com-
merce of this kind,) how much store I
have set by the. hopes of your future
friendship. I do not know if yon have
a just idea of my character, but I wish
you to see me as lam. I am, as most
people of my trade are, a strange will-
o'-wisp being; the victim, too frequent-
ly, of much imprudence and many
follies. My great constituent eleinents
a: e pride and passion. The first I ha;ve
endeavoured to humanise into integrity
and honour; the last makes me a
devotee to the warmest degree of en-
thusiasm, in love, religion, or friend-
ship— either of them, or altogether, as
I happen to be inspired. 'Tis true, I
never saw you but once; but how
much acquaintance did I form with
you in- that once I Do not think I
flatter you, or have a design upon you,
Clarinda; I haVe too much pride- for
the one,- and too little cold dontriyanoe
for the other'; but of all God's- crea-
tures I ever could -approach in the
beaten way of my acquaintance, you
Struck me With ' the deepest, the
strongest, the most ■ permanent im-
pression. I say, the most permanent
because I know myself well, and how-
far I can promise either in my prepos-
5U
BURNS' WORKS.
sessions or powers. Why are you ua-
happy 1 And why are so many of our
fellow-creatures, unworthy to belong
to the same species with you, blest
with all they can wish? You have a
hand all benevolent to give— rWhy
were you denied the pleasure ? You
have a heart formed — gloriously form-
ed— for all the most refined luxuries of
love: Why was that heart ever wrung?
0 Clarinda ! shall we not meet in
a state, some yet unknown state of
being, where the lavish hand of plenty
shall minister to the highest wish
of benevolence; and where the chill
north-wind of prudence shall never
blow over the flowery fields of enjoy-
ment ? If we do not, man was made
in vain !. I deserved most of the
unhappy hours that have lingered over
my head; they were the wages of my
labour: l)ut what unprovoked demon,
malignant as hell, stole upon the confi-
dence of unmistrusting busy Fate, and
dashed your cup of life with unde-
served sorrow ?
Let me know how long your stay
will be out of town: I shall count the
hours till you inform me of your
return. Cursed etiquette forbids your
seeing me just now; and so soon as I
can walk I must bid Edinburgh adieu.
Lord, why was I born to see misery
which I cannot relieve, and to meet
with friends whom I cannot enjoy ? I
look back with the pang of unavailing
avarice on my loss in not knowing you
sooner: all last winter, these three
months past, what luxury of inter-
course have I not lost ! Perhaps,
though, 'twas better for my peace.
You see I am either above, or incapa-
ble of, dissimulation. I believe it is
want of that particular genius. I de-
spise design, because I want either
coolness or wisdom to-be capable of it.
1 am interrupted. — Adieu ! my dear
Clarinda 1 StOiVANDBR.
No. IV.
You are rigbt, my dear Qarinda: a
friendly correspondence goes for noth-
ing, except one -writes his or her undis-
guised sentiments. Yours jplease me
ior their •intrinsic merit, ar, well as be-
cause they are yours, which 1 assure
you, is to me a high recommenda-
tion. Your religious sentiments, mad-
am, I revere. If you have, an some sus-
picious evidence, from some lying ora-
cle, learned that I despise or ridicule so
sacredly important a matter as real re-
ligion, you have, my Clarinda, much
misconstrued your friend. — " I am not
mad, most noble Festus !" Have you
ever met a perfect character ? Do we
not sometimes rather exchange faults
than get rid of them ? For instance, I
am perhaps tired with, and shocked
at, a life too much the prey of giddy
inconsistencies and thoughtless follies;
by degrees I grow sober, prudent, and
statedly pious — I say statedly, because
the most unaffected devotion is not at
all inconsistent with my first charac-
ter— I join the world in congratulating
myself on the happy change. But let
me pry more narrowly into this affair.
Have I, at bottom, anything of a
secret pride in these endowments and
emendatious? Have I nothing of a
presbyterian sourness, an hypocritical
severity, when I survey my less regu-
lar neighbors? In a word, have I
missed all those nameless and number-
less modifications of indistinct selfish-
ness, which are so near our own eyes
that we can scarcely bring them within
the sphere of our vision, and which the
known spotless cambric of our charac-
ter hides from the ordinary observer ?
My definition of worth is short;
truth and humanity respecting our
fellow-creatures; reverence and hu-
mility in the presence of that Being,
my Creator and Preserver, and who, I
have every reason to believe, will one
day be my Judge. The first part of
my definition is the creature of un-
biassed instinct; the last is the child
of after reflection. Wliere I found
these two essentials, I would gently
note, and slightly mention, any attend-
ant flaws— flaws, the marks, the con-
sequences, of human nature.
I can easily enter into the sublime
pleasures that your strong imagination
and keen sensibility must derive from
religion, particularly if a little m the
LETTERS TO CLAKINDA.
565
shade of misfortuTie: but I own I can-
not, withoiit a marked grudge, see
Heaven totally engross so amiable, so
cliarming, a woman as my friend Clar-
inda; and should be very well pleased
at a circumstance that would put it
in the power of somebody (happy some-
body !) to divide her attention, with
all the delicacy and tenderness of an
earthly attachment.
You will not easily persuade me that
you have not a grammatical knowl-
edge of the English language. So far
from being inaccurate, you are elegant
beyond any woman of my acquaint-
ance, except one, whom I wish you
knew.
Your last verses to me have so de-
lighted me that I have got an excellent
old Scots air that suits the measure,
and you shall see them in print in the
Scots Musical Museum, a work pub-
lishing by a friend of mine in this
town. I want four stanzas; you gave
me but three, and one of them alluded
to an expression iu my former letter;
so I have taken your first two verses,
with a slight alteration in the second,
and have added a third; but you must
help me to a fourth. Here they are :
the latter half of the first stan2a would
have been worthy of Sappho; I am in
raptures with it.
*' Talk not of Love, it gives me pain,
For Love has been my foe ;
He bound me with an iron chain,
And sunk me deep in woe.
" But friendship's pure and lasting joys
' My heart was formed to prove ;
There, welcome, win, and wear the prize,
But never talk of love.
" Your friendship much can make me blest.
Oh why that bliss destroy !
Why urge the odious [only] one request.
You know I must [will] deny."
The alteration in the second stanza
is no improvement, but there was a
slight inaccuracy in your rhyme. The
third I only offer to your choice, and
have left two words for your deter-
mination. The air is " The banks of
Spey," and is most beautiful.
To-morrow evening I intaud taking
a chair, and paying a visit at Park
Place to a muoli-valued old friend.
If I could be sure of finding you at
home, (and I will send one of the
chairmen to call,) I would spend from
five to six o'clock with you, as I go
past. I cannot do more at this time,
as I have something on my hand that
hurries me much. I propose giving
you the -first call, my old friend ■ the
second, and JMiss as I return
home. Do not break any engagement
for me, as I will spend another even-
ing with you, at any rate -before I
leave town.
Do not tell me that you are pleased
when your friends inform you of your
faults. I am ignorant what they are;
but 1 am sure they must be such evan-
escent trifles, compared with your per-
sonal and mental' accomplishments,
that I would- despise, the ungenerous
narrotv soul who would notice any
shadow of imperfections , you may
seem to have, any other way than in
the most delicate agreeable raillery.
Coarse minds are not aware how much
they injure the keenly feeling tie of
bosom -friendship, when, in their fool-
ish officiousness, the}' mention what
nobody cares for recollecting. People
of nice sensibility and generous minds
have a certain intrinsic- dignity that
fires at being trifled with, or lowered,
or even too nearly approached.
You need make no apology for long
letters: I am even with you. Many
happy new years to you, charming
Clarinda ! I can't dissemble, were it
to shun perdition. He who sees you
as I have done, and does not love , yon,
deserves to bedamn'dfor his stupidity!
He who loves you, and would injure
you, deserves to be doubly damn'd for
his villainy ! Adieu.
SVLVANDKR.
p. S.— What would you think of
this for a fourth stanza?
Your thought, if love must harbour there.
Conceal it in that thought,
Nor cause me from my bosom tear
The very friend I sought.
No. V.
Monday Evening, ii o'clock.
Why have I not heard from you,
Clarinda 2 To-day I expected It; .and
56S
BURNS' WORKS.
t'e'fore supper, wlien a letter to me
was annoanced, my heart danced
with rapture; but behold, 'twas some
fool who had taken it into his head to
. turn poet, and made me an offering of
the first fruits of Ills nonsense. "It is
not poetry, but prose run msTd. " Did
I ever repeat to you an epigram I
made on a Mr. Elphinstone, who has
given you a translation of Martial, a
famous Latin poet ? — Tlie poetry of
Elphinstone can only equal his prose
notes. I was sitting in the shop of a
hierchant of my acquaintance-, waiting
somebody; he put Elphinstone into
my hand, and asked my opinion of it;
I begged leave to write it on a blank
leaf, which I did. [See p. 179.] '
I am determined to see you,. if at all
possible, on Saturday evening. ' Next
week I must sing
" The night is njy departing^ night
The morn's the day I maun awa ;
There's neither friend nor foe o' mine,
But wishes that 1 were awa ! '
What I hae done for laclc o' wit,
I never, never can reca';
I hope ye're a' my friends as yet,
Guid night, and joy be wi' you a' ! "
If I could see you sooner, I would be
so mucli the happier; but I would not
purchase the dearest gratification on
earth, if it must be at your expense in
worldly censure, far less inward peace !
I shall certainly be ashamed of thus
scrawling whole sheets of incoherence.
The only unity (a sad word with poets
and critics !) in my ideas is Clakinda.
Tliere my heart " reigns and revels."
*' What art thou, Love ? whence are those
charms
That tlius thou bear'st a universal rule?
For thee the soldier quits his arms,
' The Icing turns slave, the wise man fool.
In vain we chase thee from the field,
And with cool thoughts resist thy yoke :
Next tide of blood, alas ! we yield ;
And all those high resolves are broke ! "
I like to have quotations for every
occasion. They give one's ideas so
pat, and save one the trouble of find-
ing expression adequate to one's feel-
ings. I tiiink it is one of the greatest
pleasures, attending a poetic genius,
that we can give our woes, care's, joys,
lt3ves„ &c., an embodied fdrm^iu vei^e,
which to me is ever immediate ease.
Goldsmith says finely of his Muse —
" Thou source of all my bliss and all my woe.
Thou found'st me poor at first, and keep'st
roe so."
My limb has been so well to-day
that I have gone up and down stairs
often without my staff. To-morrow 1
hope to walk once again on my own
legs to dinner. It is only next street.
— Adieu. Stlvaudek.
No. VI.
Saturday Noon.
Some days, some nights, nay, some
liours, like the ten righteous persons
in Sodom," save the rest of the vapid,
tiresome miserable months and years
of life. One of these hours, raj dear
Clarinda blessed me with yesternight.
" One well spent hour.
In such a tender circumstance for friends, '
Is better tlian an age of common time 1"
— Thomson.
My favourite feature in Milton's Sa-
tan is his manly fortitude in support-
ing what cannot be remedied — ^in short,
the wild, broken fragments of a noble
exalted mind in ruins. I meant no
more by saying he was a favourite
hero of mine.
I mentioned to you my letter to Dr.
Moore, giving an account of my life;
it is truth, every word of it; and will
give you the just idea of a man whom
you have honoured with your friend-
ship. 1 am afraid you will hardly be
able to make sense of so torn a piece.
— Your verses I shall muse on de-
liciously, as I gaze on your image in
my mind's eye, in my heart's core; they
will be in time enough for a week to
come. 1 am truly happy your head-
ache is better. Oh, how can pain or
evil be so daringly, unfeelingly,
cruelly savage as to wound so noble
a mind, so lovely a form i
My little fellow is all my namesake.
—Write me soon; My every strongest
good wishes attend you, Clarinda 1
Sylvander.
1 know not what I have written— I
am pestered with people around me.
LETTERS TO CLARINDA.
m.
No. YII.
Sunday Night.
The impertinence of fools lias joined
with a return of an old indisposition,
to make me good ' for nothing to-day.
Tlie paper has lain before me all this
evening, to write to my dear Clarinda",
but—
" FqoIs rushed on fools, as waves succeed to
waves."
I curse them in my soul; they sacri-
legiously disturbed my meditations on
her who holds my heart. What a
creature is man ! A little alarm last
night and to-day, that I am mortal,
has made such a revolution on my
spirits ! There is no philosopliy, no
divinity, comes half so home to ihe
mind. I have no idea of courage that
braves heaven. . 'Tis the wild ravings
of an Imaginary hero in bedlam.
I can no more, Clarinda; I can
scarcely hold up my head; but I
am happy you do not know dt, you
would be so uneasy.
Stlvandee.
Monday Morning.
I am, my lovely friend, much better
this morning on the whole; but I have
a horrid languor on my spirits.
" Siclc of the world, and all its joys.
My soul in pining sadness mourns ;
Dark scenes of woe my mind employs.
The past and present in their turns."
" Have you ever met with a saying of
the great, and likewise good, Mr.
Locke, author of the famous Essay on
the Human Understanding ? He wrote a
letter to a friend, directing it " not to
be delivered till after my decease:" it
ended thus — "I know you loved me
when living, and will preserve my
memory now I am dead. All the use
to be made of it is that this life affords
no solid satisfaction, but in the con-
sciousness of having done well, and
the hopes of another life. Adieu J I
leave my best wishes with you. — J.
Locke."
Clarinda, may I reckon on your
friendship for life ! I think I may.
Thou ajmight;^ Preserver pi men.! thy
friendship, which hitherto I have too
much neglected, to secure it shall, all
the future days and nights of my life,
be my steady care 1 The idea of m^
Clarinda foUovfs —
" Hide it, my heart, within that close disguise:
Where, mix d with God's, her loved idea lies.'l
But I fear inconstancy, the conse-
quent imperfection of human weak-
ness. Shall I meet witli a friend-
ship tliat defies years of absence, and
the clumces and changes of fortune ?
Perhaps "such things are;" (Wie /jore-
est man I have great hopes from that
way: but who, except a romanciS
writer, would think On a love that
could promise for life, in spite of dis-
tance, absence, chance, and change;
and that, too, with slender hopes of
fruition ? For my own part, I, can
say to myself in both requi"iitions,
" Thou arttlie man !" I dare, in cool
resolve I dare, declare myself that
friend, and that lover. If womankind
is capable of such things, Clarinda is.
I trust that she is; ' and feel I shall
be miserable if she. is not. There is
not one virtue which gives worth, nor
one sentiment which does honour to
the sex, that she does not possess,
superior to any wonian 1 ever saw:
her exalted mind, aided a little, per-
haps, by her situation, is, I think, ca-
pable of that nobly- romantic love-en-
thusiasm.
May I see you on Wednesday even-
ing, my dear angel ? The next Wed-
nesday again will, I conjecture, be -a
hated day to us both. I tremble for
censorious remark, for your sake; but
in extraordinary cases, may not usual
and useful precaution be a little dis-
pensed with? Three eyenings, three
swift winged evenings, with pinions
of down, are all the past; I dare not
calculate the future. I shall call at
Miss 's to-morrow evening; 'twill
be a farewell call.
I have written , out my last sheet of
paper, so I am reduced to my last
half-shieet. What a strange myste-
ious faculty is that thing called imag-
ination ! We have ho. ideas almost -at
all .of another world; but I have often
m
BURNS' WOKKS.*
ainused myself with visionary scliemes
of what happiness might be enjoyed
by small alterations — alterations, that
we can fully enter into, in this present
state of existence. For instance, sup-
pose you and I, just as we.are at pres-
ent; the same reasoning powers, senti-
ments, and even desires; the same
fond curiosity for knowledge and re-
marking observation in our minds;
and imagine our bodies free from pain
and the necessary supplies for the
wants of nature at all times, and
easily within our reach ; -imagine fur-
ther, that we were set free from the
laws of gravitation, which bind us to
this globe, and could at pleasure fly,
without inconvenience, through all
the yet unconjectured bounds of crea-
tion, what a life of bliss would we
lead, in our mutual pursuit of virtue
and knowledge, and our mutual enjoy-
ment of friendship and love !
I see you laughing at my fairy
fancies, and calling me a voluptuous
Mohammedan; but i am certain I
would be a happy creature, beyond any-
thing we call bliss here below; nay,
it would be a paradise congenial to
you too. Don't you see us, hand in
hand, or rather, my arm about your
lovely waist, making our remarks on
Sirius, the nearest of the fixed stars;
or surveying a comet, flaming innoxi-
ous by us, as we just noiv would mark
the passing pomp of a travelling mon-
arch; or in a shady bower of Mercury
or Venus, dedicating the hour to love,
in mutual converse, relying honour, and
revelling endearment, whilst the most
exalted strains of poesy and harmony
would be the ready spontaneous lan-
guage of our souls ! Devotion is the
favourite employment of your heart; so
is it of mine: what incentives then to,
and powers for reverence, gratitude,
faith, and hope, in all the fervours of
adoration and praise to that Being,
whose unsearchable wisdom, power,
and goodness, so pervaded, so in-
spired, every sense and feeling! — By
this, time, I-dare say you will be bless-
ing the.negleet of the maid that leaves
me destitute of paper 1
. - . Stltandek.
No. VIII.
Tuesday Night.
Jam deliglited, charming Clarinda,
with your honest enthusiasm for relig^
ion. Those of either sex, but partic-
ularly the female, who are lukewarm
in that most important of all things,
" 0 my soul, come not thou into their
secrets !" — 1 feel myself deeply inter-
ested in your good opinion, and will
lay before you the outlines of my be-
lief. He, who is our Author and Pre-
server, and will one day be our Judge,
must be (not for his sake in the way
of duty, but from the pative impulse
of our hearts) the object of our rever-
ential awe and grateful adoration: He
is Almighty and all-bounteous, wo aro
weak and dependent; hence prayer and
every other sort of devotion. — ^— " He
is not willing that any should perish;
but that all should come to everlasting
life;" consequently it must be in every
one's power to embrace his offer of
" everlasting life;" otherwise he could
not, in justice, condemn those who did
not. A mind pervaded, actuated, and
governed, by purity, truth, and charity,
though it does not merit heaven, yet is
an absolutely necessary pre-requisite,
without which heaven can neither be
obtained nor enjoyed ; and, by divine
promise, such a mind shall never fail
of attaining " everlasting life:" hence
the impure, the deceiving, and the un-
charitable, extrude themselves from
eternal bliss, by their unfitness for en-
joying it. The Supreme Being has
put the immediate administration of
all this, for wise and good ends known
to himself, into the hands of Jesus
Christ, a great personage, whose re-
lation to him we cannot comprehend,
but whose relation to' us is a guide and
Saviour; and who, except for our own
obstinacy and misconduct, will bring
us all, through various ways, and by
various means, to bliss at last.
These are my tenets, my lovely
friend; and which, I think, cannot be
well disputed. My creed is pretty
nearly expressed in the last clause of
Jamie Dean's grace, an honest weaver
in Ayrshire; "Lord, grant that we
£ET.TERS TO CLAEINDA.
569
may lead a guid life ! for a guid life
maks a guid end, at least it helps
weel 1"
I am flattered by the entertainment
you tell me you have found in my
packet. You see me as I have been,
jou know me as I am, and may guess
at what I am likely to be. I too may
say, "Talk not of love," &c., for in-
deed he has '' plunged me deep in
woe !" Not that I ever saw a woman
who pleased unexceptionably, as my
Clarlnda elegantly says, " In the
companion, the friend, and the mis-
treis." One indeed I could except— One,
before passion threw its mists over my
discernment, I knew the first of wo-
men ! Her name is indelibly written
in my heart's core — but I dare not look
in on it — a degree of agony would be
the consequence. O thou perfidious,
cruel, mischief-making demon, who
presldest over that frantic passion —
thon mayest, thou dost poison my
peace, but thou shalt not taint Hxj hon-
oiir— I would not, for a single mo-
ment, give an asylum to the most dis-
tant imagination that would shadow
the faintest outline of a selfish gratifi-
cation, at the expense of her whose
happiness is twisted with the threads
of ' my existence. May slie be as
happy as she deserves ! And if my
tenderest, faithfullest friendship can
add to lier bliss, I shall at least have
one solid mine of enjoyment in my
bosom ! Don't gusss at these ravings !
I watched at our front window to-
day, but was disappointed. It has
been a day of disappointments. I ani
just risen from a two hours' bout after
supper, with silly or sordid souls, who
could relish nothing in common with
me but the Port. One 'Tis now
"witching time of night;" and what-
ever is out of joint in the foregoing
scrawl, impute it to enchantment and
spells; for I can't look over it, but
will seal it up directly, as I don't care
for to-morrow's criticisms on it.
Tou are by this time fast asleep,
Clarinda; may good angels attend and
guard you as constantly and faitlif uUy
as my good wishes do !
" Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces."
John Milton, I wish thy soul better
rest than I expect on my pillow to^
night ! 0 for a little of the cart-horse
part of human nature ! Uood night,
my dearest Clarinda ! '
Stlvander.
No. IX.
Thursday Noon.
I AM certain I saw you, Clarinda;
but you don't look to the proper story
for a poet's lodging —
" Where speculation roosted near the sky." •
I could almost have thrown mj-self
over for very vexation. Whydidn't
you look higher ! It has spoiled niy
peace for this day. To be so near my
charming Clarinda; to miss her look
when it was searching for me — I am
sure the soul is capable of disease, for
mine has convulsed , itself into an in-
flammatory fever.
You have converted me, Clarinda I
(I shall love that name while I . live :
there is heavenly music in it.) Booth
and Amelia I know well.* Your sei -
timents on that subject, as they arc on
every subject, are just and noble. "To
be feelingly alive to kindness, and to
unkindness," is a charming female
character. !
What I said in my last letter, the -
powers of fuddling sociality only know
for me. By yours, I understand my
good star has been partly in my hori--
zon, when I got wild in my reveries.-
Had that evil planet, which has almost
all my life shed its baleful rays on
my devoted head, been as usual, in-
my zenith, I had certainly blabbed
something that would have pointed,
out to you the dear object of my tend-
erest friendship, and, in spite of me,,
something more. Had that fatal in-
formation escaped me, and it waa
merely chance, or kind stars, that it
did not, I had been undone ! You
would never have have written me ex-
I * An allusion to Fielding's " Amelia."
sra
BURNS' ^WGEKS.
«ept perliaps once more ! Oh, I could
curse cireumstalices, and the coarse
■tie of human laws, which keep fast
what common sense would loose, and
which bars that happiness itself can-
jiot give — happiness which otherwise
Love and Honour would warrant !
But hold — I shall make no more "hair-
breadth 'scapes."
My friendship, Clarinda, is a life-
rent business. My' likings are both
strong and eternal. I told you I had
but one male friend: I have but two
female. I should have a third, but
sl)e is surrounded by the blandish-
ments of flattery and courtship. . .
I register in my heart's core — . . _.
Miss N can tell how divine she is.
She Is worthy of a place in tho same
bosom with my Clarinda. That is the
highest compliment I can pay her.
Farewell, Clarinda! Remember
Sylvandbr.
No. X.
Saturday Morning^.
TotJK thoughts on religion, Cla-
rinda, shall be welcome. You may,
perhaps, distrust me, when I siy 'tis
also my favourite topic; but mine is
the religion of the bosom. I hate the
very idea of a controversial divinity;
as I firmly believe that every honest
upright man, of whatever sect, will bo
accepted of the Deity. If your verses,
as you seem to hint, contain censure,
except j-ou want an occasion to break
with me, don't send them. I have a
little infirmity in my disposition, that
v/here I fondly love or highly esteem,
I cannot bear reproach.
"Reverence thyself" is a sacred
iliaxim, and I wish to cherish it. I
think I told you Lord Bolingbroke's
saying to Swift — " Adieu, dear Swift,
with all thy faults I love thee entirely;
inake an effort to love me with all
mine." A glorious sentiment, and
without which tlieri can be no friend-
ship! I do highly, very highly es-
teem 70U indeed, Clarinda, — ^you merit
it allt Perhaps, too,. I scorn dissimu-
lation.L I could fondly love you:
judge then, what a maddening sting
your - reproach would be. " Oh ! 1
have sins to Heaven, but none to youj"
— V/ith what pleasure would I meet
you to-day, but I cannot walk to meet
the fly. I hope to be able to see you
on. foot about the middle.of next week,
I am interrupted — perhaps you are
not sorry for it, you will tell me — ^but
I won't anticipate blame. 0 Clarinda !
did yon know how dear to me is your
look of kindness, your smile of appro-
bation ! you would not, either in prose
or verse, risk a censorious remark.
" Curst be the verse, how well soe'er it flow.
That tends to make one worthy man my foe!"
Sylvandbr.
No. XI.
Tuesday Momingf.
I CANNOT go out to-day, my dearest
Clarinda, without sending you half a
line, by way of a sin-offering; but, be-
lieve me, 'twas the sin of ignorance.
Could you think that I intended to
hurt you by anything I said yester-
night ? Nature has been too kind to
you for your happiness, your delicacy,
your sensibility. — 0 why should siich
glorious qualifications be the fruitful
source of woe ! You have "murder-
ed sleep " to me last night. I went to
bed, impressed with an idea that you
were unhappy: sfnd every start I closed
my eyes, busy Fancy painted you in
such scenes of romantic misery that I
would almost be persuaded you were
not well this morning.
" If I nnwittinfjly have offended.
Impute it not."
" But while we live,
But one short hour, perhaps, between us two,
Let there be peace."
If Mary is not gone by the time this
reaches you, give her my best compli-
ments. She is a charming girl, and
highly worthy of the noblest love.
I send you a poem to read till I call
on you this night, which will be about
nine. I wish I could procure some
potent spell, some fairy charm that
woulil protect from injury, or restore
to rest that bosom-chord, " trembling-
LETTERS TO CLAKINDA.
571'
fy "live all o'er," on wliicli hangs your
peace of mind. I thought, Vainly, I
fear, thought that the devotion of love
^-love' strong as even you can feel —
love guarded, invulnerably guarded,
by all the purity of virtue, and all the
pride of honour; I tUouglit such a love
Would make you happy— will I be
mistaken ! I can no more for huiry
No. xn.
Sunday Morning.
I HAVE just been before the throne
of my God, Clarinda; according to my
association of ideas, my sentiments of
love and friendship, I next devote my-
self to you. Yesterday night I was
happy — happiness ' ' that the world
cannot give." I kindle at the recol-
lection; but it is a flame whore inno-
cence looks smiling on, and honour
stands by a sacred guard. — Tour
heart, your fondest wishes, your dear^
est thoughts, these are yours to be-
stow, your jjerson is unapproachable
by tho laws of your country; and he
loves not as I do who would make you
miserable.
You are an angel, Clarinda; you are
surely no mortal that " the earth
owns." — To kiss your hand, to live on
your smile, is to me far more exquisite
bliss than the dearest favours that the
fairest of the sex, yourself excepted.
Can bestow.
Sunday Evening.
You are the constant companion
of my thoughts. How wretched is the
condition of one who is haunted with
conscious guilt, and trembling under
the idea of dreaded vengeance I and
what a placid calm, what a charming
secret enjoyment it gives, to boso»i the
kind, feelings of friendship, and the
iond throes of love ! Out upon tho
tempest of anger, the acrimonious gall
of fretful impatience, the sullen frost
of lowering resentment, or the corrod-
ing poison of withered envy ! They
eat vip the immortal part of man I If
they spent their fury only on tho
unfortunate objects of them, it would
be something in tluir favour; but
these miserable passions, like traitor^
Iscariot, betray their lord and -master.
Thou Almighty Author of peace,
and goodness; and love; do thou give
me the social heart that kindly tastes
of every man's cup !-^Is it a draught
of joy V — warm and open my heart to
share it with cordial nnenvying rejoic-
ing ! Is it the bitter potion of sorrow V
— melt my heart with sincerely sympa-
thetic woe ! Above all, dq thou give
me the manly mind, that resolutely
exemplifies in life and manners those
sentiments which I would wish to be,
thought to possess ! The friend of my
soul — there, may I never deviate from
the firmest fidelity and most active
kindness ! Clarinda,. the dear object
of my fondest love; there, may the
most sacred inviolate honour, the most
faithful kindling constancy* ever Watch
and animate my every thought and
imagination !
Did you ever meet with the follow-
ing lines spoken of Religion, your
darling topic ?
^^■'Tis thisy my friend, that streaks our morn-
ing bright !
' Tis this that gilds, ths horrors of pur night ;
When wealth forsakes us, and wjien friends
are few, [pursue ;
When friends are faithless, or wlien foes
'Tis this that wards the blow, or stills the
,smart.
Disarms affliction, or repels its dart ;
Within the brtast bids purest rapture rise.
Bids smiling Consciencfe spread her cloudless
skies.^'
I met with these verses very early
in life, and was so delighted with them
that I have them by me, copied at
school.
Good night and sound rest, my
dearest Clarinda !
Sylvakdbe.
No. XIII.
I WAS on the way, my Love, to meet
you, (I never do -things by halves)
when I got your card. M — - goes out
of town to-morrow morning to see a
brother of his who is newly arrived
from . I am determined, that he
and I shall calL on you together; so.
m
BURNS' WORKS.
look you, lest I should never see
to-morrow, we will call on you to-night;
and you may put off tea till about
seven; at which time in the Galloway
phrase, ' ' an the beast bs to the fore,
an the branks bide hale," expect
the humblest of your humble servants,
and his dearest friend. We propose
sbaying only half an hour, " for aught
■we ken." I could suffer the lash of
misery eleven months in the year,-
were the twelfth to be composed of
hours like yesternight. You are the
soul of my enjoyment: all else is of
the stuff of stocks or stones.
Sylvander.
No. XIV.
Thursday Morning.
" Unlavish Wisdom never works in vain."
I HAVE been tasking my reason,
Clarinda, why -"i woman , who for na-
tive genius, poignant wit, strength of
mind, generous sincerity of soul, and
the sweetest female tenderness, is
without ii, peer, and whose personal
charms have few, very, very few par-
allels among her sex; why, or liow
she should fall to the blessed lot of a
poor hairum scairum poet, whom For-
tune had kept for her particular use,
to wreak her temper on whenever she
was in ill humour. One time I con-
jectured that, as Fortune is the most
capricious jade ever known, she may
have taken, not a fit of remorse, but a
paroxysm of whim, to raise the poor
devil out of the mire, where he had so
oftdu and so conveniently served her
as a stepping stone, and given him
the most glorious boon she ever liad in
her gift, merely for the maggot's sake,
to see how his fool head and his
fool heart will bear it. At other
times I was vain enough to think
that Nature, who has a great deal
to say with Fortune, had given the
coquettish goddess some such hint
as; '• Here is a paragon of female excel-
lence, whose equal, in all my former
compositions, I never was lucky
enough to hit on, and despair of ever
doing so again; you have cast her
rather in the shades of life; there is a
certain poet of my making; among
your frolics it would not be amiss to at-
tach him to this masterpiece of my
hand, to give her that immortality
among mankind which no woman of
any age ever more deserved, and which
few rhymesters of this age are better
able to confer. "
Evening^g o'clock. .
I AM here, absolutely unfit to finish
my letter — pretty hearty after a bowl,
which has been constantly plied since ,
dinner till this moment. I have been
with Mr. Schetki. the musician, and
he lias set it* finely. 1 have no dis-
tinct ideas of anything, but that I have
drunk your health twice to-night, and
that you are all my soul holds dear in
this world. Sylvandek.
No. XV.
Saturday Morning*.
There is no time, my Clarinda,
when the conscious thrilling chords of
Love and Friendship give such delight
as in the pensive hours of what our
favourite, Thomson, calls " Philoso-
phic Melancholy." The sportive in-
sects who bask in the sunshine of pros-
perity: or the worms that luxuriant
crawl amid their ample wealth of
earth — they need no Clarinda: they
would despise Sylvauder — ^if they
durst. The family of Misfortune, a
numerous group of brothers and sis-
ters ! they need a resting-place to their
souls: unnoticed, often condemned by
the woi-ld; in some degree, perhaps,
condemned by themselves, they feel
the full enjoyment of ardent love, del-
icate tender endearments, mutual es-
teem, and mutual reliance.
In fftis light I have often admired re-
ligion. Id proportion as we are wrung
witli grief, or distracted ^vith anxiety,
the ideas of a compassionate Deity, an
Almighty Protector, are doubly dear.
" ' TYj i/iis. my Friend, that streaks our morn-
ing bright ;
' 7"w t/ii'i that gilds the horrors of our night."
* " Clarinda, mistress of my soul," p. na.
LETTlEKS TO CLARINDA.
57»
I have been this morning talcing a
peep through, as Young finely says,
' ' the dark postern of time long
elaps'd;" and, you -vvill easily guess,
'twas a rueful prospect. Wliat a tis-
sue of thoughtlessness, weakness, and
folly! My life reminded- me of a
ruined temple; what strength, what
proportion in some parts 1 what un-
sightly gaps, what prostrate ruins in
others ! I kneeled down before the
Father of mercies, and said, "Father,
I have sinned against heaven, and in
thy siglit, and am no more worthy to
be called thy son !" 1 rose, eased
and strengthened. I despise the super-
stition of a fanatic, but I love the relig-
ion of a man. " The future," said I
to myself, "is still before me;" there
let me
" On reason build resolve,
That column of true majesty in man ' "
" I have diflBculties many to encoun-
ter," said 1; " but they are not abso-
lutely insuperable: and where is iirm-
ness of mind shown but in exertion ?
mere declamation is bombastic rant."
Besides, wherever I am, or .in what-
ever situatou I may be —
" 'Tis nought to me :
Since God is ever present, ever felt,
In the void waste as in the city full ; [joy ! "
And where He vital breathes, there must be
Saturday Night— half after Ten.
What luxury of bliss I was enjoy-
ing this time yesternight ! My ever-
dearest Clarinda, yon have stolen away
my soul: but you have refined, you
have exalted it: you have given it a
stronger sense of virtue, and a stronger
relish for piety. — Clarinda, first of your
sex, if ever I am the veriest wretch on
earth to forget you; if ever your love-
ly image is effaced from my soul,
"-May I be lost, no eye to weep my end ;
And find no earth that's base enough to bury
me!"
Wliat trifling silliness is the childish
fondness of the every-day children of
the world ! 'tis the unmeaning toying
of the younglings of the fields and
forests : but where Sentiment and
Fancy unite their sweets ; wjiere Taste
and Delicacy refine ; where Wit adds
the flavour, and Goodness gives,
strength and spirit to all, what a de-
licious draught is the hour of tender
endearment — Beauty and Grace, in the
arms of Truth and Honour, in all the,
luxury of mutual love.
Clarinda have you ever seen the pic-,
turo realised I Not in all its very
richest colouring.
Last night, Clarinda, but for one-
slight shade, was the glorious pic-
ture—
Innocence
Look'd gaily smiling, on ; while rosy Pleasure
Hid young Desire amid her flowery wreath.
And pour'd heccup luxuriant; mantling high,
The sparkling heavenly vintage — love and
bliss !
Clarinda, when a poet and poetess of
Nature's making, two of Nature's no-
blest productions I when they drink to-
gether of the same cup of love and bliss
— attempt not, ye coarser stuff of hu-
man nature, profanely to measure en-
joyment ye never can know ! — Good
night, my dear Clarinda !
Sylvander.
No. XVI.
My bveu-deakest Clarinda, — I
make a numerous dinner party wait
me while I read yours, and write this. ;
Do not require that 1 should cease to
love you, to adore you i!n my soul —
'tis to me impossible — your peace and
happiness are to me dearw than my
soul — name the terms on which you
wish to see me, to correspond with me,
and you have them — I must love, pine,
mourn, and adore in secret — ^this you.
must not deny me — ^.vou will ever be
to me — *
" Dear as the light that vis.its these sad eyes.,
Dear as the ruddy drops that. warm my.'
heart!"
I have not patience to read the puri-
tanic scrawl. — Vile sophistry ! — Ye
heavens 1 thou God of nature ! thou-
Kedeemer of mankind ! ye look down
with approving eyes on a passion in-
spired by the purest flame, and-guard-
ed by truth, delicacy, and honour; bu*.
the half-inch soul of an unfeeling,.
$-14
BURNS' WORKS.
cold-b}oo!Jed, pitiful Presbyterian
bigct cannot forgive anything above
his dungerfn bosom and fojggy head.
Farewell; I'll be with you to-mor-
row evening-r*nd be at rest in your
mind — I will be yours in the way you
think most to your happiness 1 I dare
not proceed — I love, and will love you,
and will with joyous confidence ap-
proach the throne of the Almighty
judge of men, with your dear idea,
and will despise the scum of senti-
ment, and the mist of sophistry,
Stlvandbr.
No. XVII.
Tuesday Evening.
That you have faults, my Clarinda,
I never (^(ibted; but I knew not where
they existed, and Saturday night
made me more in the dark than ever.
O Clarinda I why will you wound my
soul, by hinting that last night must
have lefeened my opinion of yoii ?
True, I was " behind the scenes with
you;" but wjiat did I see? A bosom
glowing with hoiioiir aiid benevolence;
a mind enuobleij by genius, informed
and refined by education and reflec-
tion, and exalted by native religion,
genuine as in the climes of heaven; a
heart formed for all the glorious melt-
ifi*s of friendship, love, and pity.
These 1 saw. — I saw the noblest im-
mortal soul creation ever showed me.
I looked long, my dear Clarinda, for
your letter; and am vexed that you are
complaining. I have not caught you
BO far wrong as in your idea, that the
commerce you have with one friend
hurts you, if you cannot tell every tit-
tle of it to aitOther. Why have so in-
jurious a suspicion of a good God,
Clarinda, as to think that Friendship
and Love; on the sacred inviolate prin-
ciples of Truth, Honour, and Religion,
can be anything else than an object
of His divine ajjprobation t
1 have mentioned, in some of my
former scrawls, Saturday evening
next. Do allow me to wait on you
that ' evening. Oh, my angel ! how
soon must we part I and when can we
meet again I I look forward onitbe
horrid interval with tearful eyes I
What have I lost by not knowing you
sooner I I fear, I fear my acquaintance!
with you is too short to make that
lasting impression on your heart I:
could wish.
SYI/VAKDER.
No. xvni.
"I AM distressed for thee, my
brother Jonathan." I have suffered,
Clarinda, from your letter. My soul
was in arms at the sad perusal: I
dreaded that 1 had acted wrong. . If 1
have robbed you of a friend, (iod foii-
give me I Butj Clarinda, be comforted:
let us raise the tone of our feelings a
little higher and bolder. A fellow-
creature who leaves us, who spurns .us
without just cause, though once our
bosom friend — up with a little honest
pride— let him go 1 How shall I com-
fort you, who am the cause of the in-
jury ? Can 1 wish that I had never
seen you? that we had never met?
No ! I never will. But have I thrown
you friendless ? — ^there is almost dis-
traction in that thought.
Father of mercies I against Thee
often have I sinned; through thy grace
I will endeavour to do so no more !
She who. Thou knowest, is dearer to
me than myself, pour Thou the balm
of peace into her past wounds, and
hedge her about with Thy peculiar
care, all her future days and nights 1
Strengthen her tender noble mind,
firmly to suffer, and magnanimously to
bear 1 Make me worthy of that friend-
ship she honours me with. May my
attachment to her be pure as devotion,
and lasting as immortal life I O Al-
mighty Goodness, hear me I Be to her
at all times, particularly in the hour
of distress or trial; a Friend, and Com-
forter, a Guide and Guard.
" How are Thy servants blest, O Lord,
How sure is their defence ?
Eternal Wisdom is their guide,
Their help. Omnipotence ! "
Forgive me, Clarinda, the injury I
have done you I To-night I shall be
LETTERS, TO CLARINDA.
with you: as indeed I shall be ill at
ease till I see you.
Syltandbr.
No. XIX.
Two o'clock.
I -njST now received your first letter
of yesterday, by the careless negli-
gence of the penny post. Clarinda,
matters are grown very serious with
us; then seriously hear me, and hear
me, Heaven — I meet you, my dear
. . . . by far the first of woman-
kind, at least to me; I esteemed, I
loved you at first sight; the longer I
am acquainted with you, the more in-
nate amiableness and worth I discover
in you.— You have suffered a loss, I
confess, for my saJie: but if the firm-
est, steadiest, warmest friendship; if
every endeavour to be worthy of your
friendship; if a love, strong as the ties
of nature, and holy as the duties of
religion — if all these can make any-
thing like a compensation for th6 evil
I have occasioned you, if they be worth
your acceptance, or can in the least
add to your enjoyments — so help Syl-
vander, ye Powers above, in his hour
of need, as he freely gives these all to
Clarinda !
I esteem you, I love you as a friend;
I admire you, I love you as a woman,
beyond any one in all the circle of
creation; 1 know I shall continue to
esteem you, to love you, to pray for
you, nay, to pray for myself for your
sake.
Expect me at eight; and believe me
to be ever, my dearest madam, yours
most entirely,
Sylvandeb.
No. XX.
When matters, ray love, are des-
perate, we must put on a desperate
face —
" On reason build resolve,
That column' of true 'majesty in man."
Or, as the same author finely says in
another place —
" Let thy &ov\ spring up,
And lay strong hold for help on Him that
made thee,"
I am yours, Clarinda, for life. Never
be discouraged at all this. . Look f0r.
ward; in,a few weeks I shall be some-
where or other out of the possibiUty of
seeing you; till then, I shall write you
often, but visit you seldom. Your
fame, your welfare, your happiness,
are dearer to me than any gratification
whatever. Be comforted, my love 1
the present moment is the worst: the
lenient hand of Time is daily and
hourly either lightening the burden,
or making us insensible to the weight.'
None of these friends, I mean Mr.
and the other gentlemen, can
hurt your worldly support, and for
their friendship, in a little time you
will le§,rn to be pasy, and, by and by,
to be happy without it. A decent
means of livelihood in the world, ah
approving God, a peaceful conscience^ '
and one firm trusty friend — can any-
body that has these be said to be un-
happy ? These" are yours.
To morrow evening I shall be with
you about eight; probably for the last
time till I return to Edinburgh. In.
the. meantime, should any of these
two unlucky friends question you re-
specting me, whether I am the man, I
do not think they are entitled to any
information. As to their jealousy and
spying, I despise them. — Adieu, my
dearest madam \
Syltandeb.
No. XXL
Glasgow, B^onday Evening, 9 o'clock-
The attraction of - love, I find, is ia
an inverse proportion to the attraction
of the Newtonian philosophy. In the
system of Sir Isaac, the nearer. objects .
are to one another the stronger is the •
attractive force; in my system, every
mile-stone that marked my progress
from Clarinda awakened a keener pan^
of attachment to her.
How do you feel, my love ? Is your
heart ill at ease ? I fear it, — God for-
bid that these persecutors should
harass that peace which is more pxe-'
576
BURKS' WOEKS.
cioas to me than my own. Be assured
I sliall ever think of you, muse on
you, and, in my moments of devotion,
pray for yon. The hour that you are
not in all my thoughts — " he that hour
darkness ! let the shadows of death
cover it ! let it not he numbered in the
hours of the day !"
" When I forget the darling theme,
Be my tongue mute ! my fancy paint no more!
And, dead to joy, forget my heart to beat ! "
I have just met with my old friend,
the ship captain;* guess my pleasure.
—To meet yon could alone have given
me more. My brother William, too,
the young saddler, has come to Glas-
gow to meet me; and here are we
three spending the evening.
I arrived here too late to write by
post; hut I'll wrap half a dozen sheets
of blank papar together, and send it
by the fly, under the name of a parcel.
You shall hear from me next post
town. I would write you a long let-
ter, but for the present ciroumstances
of my friend.
Adieu, my Clarinda ! I am just go-
ing to propose your health by way of
grace-drink.
Sylvander.
No. XXIL
Cumnock, March 2, 1788.
I HOPE, and am certain, that my
generous Clarinda will not think my
silence, for now a long week, has been
in any degree owing to my forgetful-
ness. I have been tossed about through
the country ever since I wrote you;
and am here, returning from Dum-
friesshire, at an inn, the post-offioe of
,the place, with just so long time as
my horse eats his corn, to write you.
I have been hurried with business and
dissipation almost equal to the insidi-
ous decree Of the Persian monarch's
mandate, when he forbade asking pe-
tition of God or man for forty days.
Had the venerable prophet been as
throng as I, he had not broken the
decree, at least not thrice a day.
* His early friend^ Richard Broivn, ef Ifvine.
I am thinking my fanning scheme
will yet hold. A worthy intelligent
farmer, my father's friend and my
own, has been with me on the spot: ho
thinks the bargain practicable. I am
myself, on a more serious review of
the lands, much better pleased with
them. I won't mention this in writijig
to anybody but you and . Don't
accuse me of being fickle: I have the
two plans of life before me, and I
wish to adopt the one most likely to
procure me independence. I shall be
in Edinburgh next week. 1 long to
see you: your image is omnipresent
to me; nay, I am convinced 1 would
soon idolatrise it most seriously; so
much do absence and memory improve
the medium through which one sees
the much-loved object. To-night, at
the sacred hour of eight, I expect to
meet you — at the Throne of Grace. I
hope, as I go home to-night, to find a
letter from you at the post-office in
Mauphline. I have just once seen that
dear hand since I left Edinburgh — a
letter which indeed much affected me.
Tell me, first of woman-kind ! will my
warmest attachment, my sincerest
friendship, my correspondence, will
they be any compensation for the sac-
rifices you make for my sake ! If they
will, they are yours. If I settle on the
farm I propose, I am just a day and a
half's ride from Edinburgh. We wUl
meet — don't you say, ' ' perhaps too
often !"
Farewell, my fair, my charming
poetess ! May all good things ever
attend you ! I am ever, my dearest
tnadam, yours,
Syltandkr. '
No. XXIII.
MossGiEL, March 7, 1788.
Clarinda, I have been so stung
with your reproach for unkindness,' a
sin so unlike me, a sin I detest more
than a breach of the whole Decateo-ue,-
fifth, sixth, seventh, and ninth artfcles
excepted, that I believe I shall not
rest in my grave about it, if I die be-
fore I sea you. You have often allow-
ed me the head to judge, and the
LETTERS TO CLARINDA.
*4:;i
heart to feel, the - influence of female
excellence. Was it not blasphemy,
then, against your own charms, and
against my feelings, to suppose that a
T^iiort fortnight could abate my pas-
sion 1 You, my love, may have your
cai-es and anxieties to disturb you, but
they are the usual recurrences of life;'
.your future views are fixed, and your
mind in a settled routine. Could not
you, my ever dearest madam, make "a
little allowance for a man, after long
absence, ■pajHng a short visit 'to" a
country full of friends, delations, and
early intimates? - Cannot you guesg,
my Clarinda,' what thouglvts, what
cares, what anxious* forebodikgg,.
hopes, and fears, Jniisfcro^d the
breast of the man of keen 'sensihility,
when no less is on the tapis than his
aim, his employment, his very exist-
ence, through future life ? <
Now that, not my apology, but my
defence, is made, I- feel my soul re-
spire more easily. I know yaa will
go along with me in my justification
— wouid to Heaven you could in iny
adoption too ! I mean an adoption be-
neath the stars — an adoption where I
might . revel in the immediate beams
of
"She, the bright sun of all her sex.^' -
I would not have you, my dear, ma-
dam, so much hurt at Miss — ^— 's cold-
ness, "lis placing yourself below her,
ah honour she by no means deserves.
We ought, when we wish to be econ-
omists in happiness — we ought, in the
first place, to &k the standard of our
own character; and when, on f,ull ex-'
amination, we know where we stand,
and how much ground we occupy, let
us contend for it as property: and those
who seem to doubt, or deny us what is
justly ours, let us either pity their
prejudices, or despise their judg-
ment. I know, my dear, you ■will say
this is self-conceit; but I call it self-
knowledge. The one is the overween-
ing opinion of a fool, who fancies him-
self to be what he wishes himself to
be thought; the other is the' honest
justice that a man of sense, who has
*thoroughly examined the subject, owes
to himself. ■• Withou?fc-'-this standard.
this column in our. own- mind', we a];e
perpetually at the mercy of the petu-
lance, the mistakes, the prejudices,
hay, the very' weal^ness and '^vicked-
nesS of,.oul^ felloe-creatures. , ,,,
I urge'thjs, 'iny dear, both to confirm
myself in the doctrine, which, , I assure
you, I sometimes need; and because I
know that this causes you often much
disquiet. — To return to Miss ■ : s]ie
is most certainly a worthy soul, and
equalled by very, very few, in good-
ness of Jie^rt. Butcan she. bqast more
goodness of heart .than (Jl^irinda 1 ', Not
even prejudice ,will dare to say so.
Eor penetration and discernment, Cl.ai-
inda.s^ees far beyond- her: to wit. Miss
dare make no pretence; to Clai-
inda's wit, scarcely any pf her sex dare
niq,ke pretence. ' ,. Personal charms, it
would be , ridiculous to run the. -par-
allel." And for, conduct in life, Miss-
was never called o,ut> either much
to do or to sufEer; Clarinda has been
l?oth; • .and jl\as performed Iter part
where Miss would have sunk at
the bare idea.
Away, then,, with these disquie-
tudes ! Let us pray with the honest
weaver of Kilbarchan — " Lord, send
us a guid conceit o' ourself !" Or, m
the words of the auld sang,
' Who does me disdain, I can scorn them
And I'll neyer mind -any such foes." [again.
There is an error in the commerce
of intimacy
way of exchange have
not an equivalent to give us; and,
what is still worse, have no idea-of the
value of our goods. Happy is our lot,
indeed, when we meet with an, honesty
merchant, who , is qualified to, deal
with us on our own terms; hut that is
a rarity. . With almost, everybody we
must pocket our pearls, less or more,
and learn, in the ojd . Scotch phrase—
" To gie sic like as we get." For -this
reaspn one , sfiould try to erect ,a kind
of banji, or storehouse' in one'si own
mind; or, as the Psalmist says, ''We
■should commune with our own hearts,
and be still," . /TJiip is exactly . . ,
578
BURNS' WORKS.
No. XXIV.
I OWN myself guilty, Clarinda; I
shiould tave written you last week;
but when you recollect, my dearest
madam, that yours of this night's post
is only the third I have got from you,
and that this is the fifth or sixth I
have sent to you, you will not reproach
me, with a good grace, for unkindness.
I have always some kind of idea, not
to sit down to write a letter, except I
have time and possession of my facul-
ties so as to do some justice to my letter;
which at present is rarely my situation.
For instance, yesterday I dined at a
friend's at some distance; the savage
hospitality of this country spent me
the most part of the night over the
nauseous potion in the bowl : — ^this day
— sick — ^headache — low spirits — miser-
able— fasting, except for a draught of
water or small beer: now eight o'clock
at night — only able to crawl ten min-
utes' walk into Mauchline to wait the
post, in the pleasurable hope of hear-
ing from the mistress of my soul.
But, truce with all this ! When I
sit down to write to you, all is har-
mony and peace. A hundred times a
day do I figure you, before your taper,
your book, or work, laid aside, as I
fet within the room. How happy have
been ! and how little of that scant-
ling portion of time, called the life of
man, is sacred to happiness ! I could
moralize to-night like a death's head.
"Oh, what is lif e^ that thoughtless wish of all!
A drop of honey in a draught of gall."
Nothing astonishes me more, when
a little sickness clogs the wheels of
•life, than the thoughtless career we
run in the hour of health. "None
saith, where is God, my maker, that
giveth songs in the night; who teach-
eth us more knowledge than the beasts
of the field, and more understanding
than the fowls of the air."
Give me, my Maker, to remember
thee ! Give me to act up to the dig-
nity of my nature ! Give me to feel
" another's woe;" and continue with
me that dear-loved friend that feels
with mine !
The dignified and dignifying con-
sciousness of an honest man, and the
well-grounded trust in approving
Heaven, are two most substantial
sources of happiness.
Sylvandbr.
No. XXV.*
1793-
Before you ask me why I have not
written you, first let me be informed
of you how I shall write you ? "In
friendship," you say; and I have many
a time taken up my pen to try an
epistle of f riendsliip to you , but it will
not do: 'tis like Jove grasping a pop-
gun, after ha\ g wielded his thunder.
When I take up the pen recollection
ruins me. Ah ! my ever dearest Cla-
rinda ! Clarinr'- ! — what a host of
memory's tenderest offspring crowd on
my fancy at that sound ! But I must
not indulge that subject — ^you have
forbid it.
I am extremely happy to learn that
your precious health is re-established,
and that you are once more fit to enjoy
that satisfaction in existence, which
health alone can give us. My old
friend has indeed been kind to you.
Tell him, that I envy him the power
of serving you. I had a letter from
him a while ago, but it was so dry, so
distant, so like a card to one of his
clients, that I could scarcely bear to
read it, and have not yet answered it.
He is a good honest fellow; and can
write a friendly letter, which would
do equal honour to his head and his
heart; as a whole sheaf of his letters I
have by me will witness: and though
Fame does not blow her trumpet at my
approach now, as she did then, when
he first honoured me with his friend-
ship, yet I am as proud as ever; and
when I am laid in my grave, I wish to
be stretched at my full length, that I
may occupy every inch of ground
which X have a right to.
You would laugh were you to see
* This letter was written after the poet's
marriage.
COMMONPLACE BOOK.
57d
me where I am just now ! — would to
heaven you were here to laugh with
me ! though I am afraid that crying
would be our first employment. Here
am I set, a solitary hermit, in the sol-
itary room of a solitary inn, with a
solitary bottle of wine by me — as grave
and as stupid as an owl — but, like that
owl, still faithful to my old song. In
confirmation of which, my dear Mrs.
Mack, here is your good health ! may
the hand-waled benisons o' Heaven
bless your bonnie face; and the wretch
wha skellies at your weelfare, may the
auld tinkler diel get him to clout his
rotten heart ! Amen.
You must know, my dearest madam,
that these now many years, wherever
I am, in whatever company, when
a married lady is called on as a toast, I
constantly give you; but as your name
has never passed my lips even to my
most intimate friend, I give you by
the name of Mrs. Mack. This is so
vpeil known among my acquaintances
mat when my married lady is called
for, the toast-master will say — "Oh,
we need not ask him who it is — here's
Mrs. Mack !" 1 have also, among my
convivial friends, set on foot a round
of toasts, which I call a round of Ar-
cadian Shepherdesses; that is a round
of favourite ladies, under female
names celebrated in ancient song; and
then you are my Clarinda. So, my
lovely Clarinda, I devote this glass of
wine to a most ardent wish for your
happiness !
In vain would Prudence, with decorous sneers
Point out a cens'ring world, arid bid me fear ;
Above that world on wings of love I rise,
I know its worst, and can that worst despise.
" Wrong'd, injured, shunn'd, unpitifed, unre-
drest,
The mock'd quotation of the scorner's jest,"
Let Prudence' direst bodements on me fall,
Clarinda, rich reward ! o'erpays them all !
I have been rhyming a little of late,
but I do not know if they are worth
postage. — Tell me
SlIiVAUDBE.
COMMONPLACE BOOK.
BEGUN IN APRIL 1783.
TO EGBERT RIDDEL, Esq.
My j>ear Sik, — In rummaging over
some old papers, I lighted on a MS. of
my early years, in which I had deter-
mined to write myself out; as I was
placed by fortune among a class of
men to whom my ideas would have
been aonsense. I had meant that the
book should have lain by me, in the
foiid hope that some time or other,
even after I was no more, my thoughts
would fall into the hands of somebody
capable of appreciating their value.
It sets off thus: —
" Obsbkvations, Hints, Songs,
Scraps op Poetht, &c., by Robert
BuRNBSS; — a man who had little art in
making money, and still less in keep-
ing it; but was, however, a man of
some sense, a great deal of honesty;
and unbounded good- will to every crea-
ture, rational and irrational. — As he
was but little indebted to scholastic
education, and bred at a plough-tail,
his performances must be strongly
tinctured with his unpolished rustic
way of life; but as I believe they are
really his own, it may be some enter-
tainment to a curious observer of hu-
man nature to see how a ploughman
thinks and feels under the pressure of
580
BURNS' WORKS.
love, ambition, anxiety, grief, witli
the like cares and passions, wliioli,
however diversified by the modes and
manners of life, operate pretty much
alike, I believe, on all the species. "
" There are numbers in the world who do
not want sense to make a figure, so much
as an opinion of their own abilities, to put
them upon recording their observations, and
allowing them the same importance which
they do to those which appear in print.'* —
Shenstone.
" Pleasing, when youth is long expired, to
trace
The forms our pencil, or our pen, design'd !
Such was our youthfiri air, and shape, and
face.
Such the soft image of our youthful mind*"
Ibid.
April 1783.
Notwithstanding all that has been
said against love, respecting the folly
and weakness it leads a young inex-
perienced mind into; still I think it
in a great measure deserves the high-
est encomiums that have been passed
upon it. If anything on earth de-
serves the name of rapture or trans-
port, it is the feelings of green eight-
een in the company of the mistress of
his heart, when she repays him with
an equal return of affection.
August.
There is certainly some connexion
between love, and music, and poetry;
and, therefore, I have always thought
it a fine touch of nature, that passage
in a modern love-composition:
" As towards her cot he jog^'d along,
Her name was frequent in his song.
For my own part, I never had the
least thought or inclination of turning'
poet till I got once heartily in love,
and then rhyme and song were, in a
manner, the spontaneous language of
my heart. The following composition
was the first of my performances, and
done at an early period of life, when
my heart glowed with honest warm
simplicity; unacquainted and uucor-
rupted with the ways of a wicked
world. The performance is, indeed.
very puerile and silly; but I am al-
ways pleased with it, as it recalls to
my mind those happy days when my
heart was yet honest, and my tongue
was sincere. The subject of it was a
young girl who really deserved all the
praises I have bestowed on her. I not
only had this opinion of her then — but
I actually think so still, now that the
spell is long since broken, and the en-
chantment at an end.
*' Oh, once I loved a bonnie lass," &c.*
September.
I entirely agree with that judicious
philosopher, Mr. Smith, in his exeel-
lent Theory of Moral Sentiments, that
remorse is the most painful sentiment
that can embitter the human bosom.
Any ordinary pitch of fortitude may
bear up tolerably well under those
calamities, in the procurement of
which we ourselves have had no hand;
but when our own follies or crimes
have made us miserable and wretched,
to bear up with manly firmness, and at
the same time to have a proper and
penitential sense of our misconduct, is
a glorious effort of self-command.
March 1784.
I have often observed, in the course
of my experience of human life, that
every man, even the worst, has some-
thing good about him: — though very
often nothing else than a happy tem-
perament of constitution inclining him
to this or that virtue. For this reason,
no man can say in what degree any
other person, besides himself, can be,
with strict justice, called wicked. Let
any of the strictest character for regu-
larity of conduct among us examine
impartially how many vices he has
never been guilty of, not from any
care or vigilance, but for want of op-
portunity, or some accidental circum-
stance intervening; how many of the
weaknesses of mankind he has es-
* See " My Handsome Nell','p. 189.
COMMONPLACE BOOK.
581
caped because he was out of tlie line
of sucli temptation; and wliat often, if
not always, weighs more than all the
rest, how much he is indebted to the
world's good opinion, because the
world does not know all; I say, any
man who can thus think will scan the
failings, nay, the faults and crimes,
of mankind around him with a broth-
er's eye.
1 have often courted the acquaint-
ance of that part of mankind common-
ly known by the ordinary phrase of
blackguards, sometimes farther than
was consistent with the safety of my
character; those who, by thoughtless
prodigality or headstrong passions,
have been driven to ruin. Though
disgraced by follies, nay, sometimes
stained \vith guilt, I have yet found
among them, in not a few instances,
some of the noblest virtues, magna-
nimity, generosity, disinterested friend-
ship, and even modesty.
Shenstone finely observes, that love-
verses, written without any real pas-
sion, are the most nauseous of all
conceits; and I have often thought
that no man can be a proper
critic of love-composition, except
he himself, in one or more in-
stances, have been a warm votary of
this passion. As I have been all along
a miserable dupe to love, and have
been led into a thousand weaknesses
and follies by it, for that reason I put
"the more confidence in my critical
skill in distinguishing foppery and
conceit from real passion and nature.
Whether the following song will
stand the test, I will not pretend to
say, because it is my own; only I can
say it was, at the time, genuine from
the heart.
" Behind yon hills where Lugar flows," &c.*
March 1784.
There was a certain period of my life
that my spirit was broken by repeated
losses and disasters, which threat-
ened, and indeed effected, the utter
rain of my fortune. My body, too.
was attacked by that most dreadful
distemper, a hypochondria, or confirm-
ed melancholy. In this wretched
state, the recollection of which makes
me yet shudder, I hung my harp on
the willow trees, except in some lucid
intervals, in one of which I composed
the following: —
" O Ihou Great Being ! what thou art," &c.*
April.
The following song is a wild rhap-
sody, miserably deficient in versifica-
tion; but, as the sentiments are the
genuine feelings of my heart, for that
reason I have a particular pleasure in
conning it over.
" My father was a farmer upon the Carrick
border O," &c.t
* See " My Nannie, O," p. igo.
April.
I think the whole species of young
men may be naturally enough divided
into two grand classes, which 1 shall
call the gram and the merry; though,
by the by, these terms do not, with
propriety enough, express my ideas.
The grave 1 shall cast into the usual
division of those who are goaded on by
the love of money, and those whose
darling wish is to make a figure in the
world. The merry are the men of
pleasure of all denominations; the
jovial lads, who have too much fire
and spirit to have any settled rule of
action; but, without much delibera-
tion, follow the strong impulses of na-
ture; the thoughtless, the careless, the
indolent — in particular he who, with a
happy sweetness of natural temper,
and a cheerful vacancy of thought,
steals through life— generally, indeed,
in poverty and obscurity; but poverty
and obscurity are only evils to him
who can sit gravely down, and make
a repining comparison between his
own situation and that of others; and
lastly, to grace the quorum, such are,
generally, those whose heads are ca-
pable of all the towerings of genius,
* See "Prayer under the Pressure of Violent
Anguish," p. 35- + See p. 192.
583
BURNS' WORKS.
and whose hearts are warmed with all
the delicacy of feeling.
August.
The foregoing was to have been an
elaborate dissertation on the various
species of men; but as I cannot please
myself in the arrangement of my ideas,
I must wait till further experience and
nicer observation throw more light on
the subject. — In the meantime, I shall
set down the following fragment,
which, as it is the genuine language
of my heart, will enable anybody to
determine which of the classes I be-
long to: — ■
" There's nought but care on ev'ry han'.
In ev'ry hour that passes, O," &c.*-
As the grand end of human life is
to cultivate an intercourse with that
Being to whom we owe life, with
every enjoyment that renders life de-
lightful; and to maintain an integri-
tive conduct towards our fellow-
creatures; that so, by forming piety
and virtue into habit, we may be fit
members for that society of the pious
and the good, which reason and rev-
elation teach us to expect beyond the
grave, I do not see that the turn of
mind, and pursuits of such a one as
the above verses describe — one who
spends the hours and thoughts Which
the vocations of the day can spare,
with Ossian, Shakespeare, Thomson,
Shenstone, Sterne, &c. ; or, as the
maggot takes him, a gun, a fiddle, or
a song to make or mend; and at all
times some heart's dear bonnie lass in
view — I say I do not see that the turn
of mind and pursuits of such a one are
in the least more inimical to the sacred
interests of piety and virtue than the
even lawful bustling and straining
after the world's riches and honours:
and I do not see but he may gain
heaven as well — which, by the by, is
no mean consideration — who steals
through the vale of life, amusing him-
self with every little flower that for-
tune throws in his way, as he who,
straining straight forward, and perhaps
spattering all about him, gains some
* See " Green grow the Rashes, O," p. 195.
of life's little eminences, where, after
all, he can only see and be seen a lit-
tle more conspicaously than what, in
the pride of his heart, he is apt to term
the poor indolent dev% he has left be-
hind him. - - &!•
August.
A prayer, when fainting fits, and
other alarming symptoms of a pleurisy
or some other dangerous disorder,
which indeed still threatens me, first
put nature on the alarm : —
" O thou unknown,
Of all my hope and fear !**
r Cause
EGOTISMS FROM MY OWN SENSATIONS.
May.
I don't well know what is the reason
of it, but somehow or other, though
I am, when I have a mind, pretty
generally beloved, yet I never could
get the art of commanding respect — I
imagine it is owing to my being de-
ficient in what Sterne calls " that uu-
derstrappjng virtue, of discretion." — I
am so apt to a lapsus lingucB that I
sometimes think the character of a
certain great man I have read of some-
where is very much apropos to my-
self -that he was a compound of great
taleats and great folly. — N. B.—To
try if I can discover the causes of this
•wiei-hed infirmity, and, if possible, to
mend it.
August.
However I am pleased with the
works of our Scottish poets, particular-
ly the excellent Ramsay, and the still
more excellent Pergusson, yet I am hurt
to see other places of Scotland, their
towns, rivers, woods, haughs, &c. , im-
mortalised in such celebrated perform-
ances, while my dear native country,
the ancient baileries of Carrlck, Kyle,
and Cunningham, famous both in an-
cient and modern times for a gallant
and warlike race of inhabitants; a
country where civil, and particularly
religious, liberty have ever found their
* See "A Prayer in the Prospect of Death "
p. 37-
COMMONPLACE BOOK.
583
first support and their last asylum; a
country, the birthplace of many fa-
mous philosophers, soldiers, and
statesmen, and the scene of many im-
portant events recorded in Scottish
history, particularly a great many of
the actions of the glorious Wallace,
the saviour of his country; yet we
have never had one Scotch poet of any
eminence, to make the fertile banks of
Irvine, the romantic woodlands and
• sequestered scenes on Ayr, and the
heathy mountainous source and wind-
ing sweep of DoON, emulate Tay,
Forth, Ettrick, Tweed, &c. This is a
complaint I would gladly remedy, but
alas! I am far unequal to the task,
both in native genius and education.
Obscure I am, and obscure I must be,
though no young poet, nor young sol-
dier's heart ever beat more fondly for
fame than mine —
" And if there is no other scene of beinff,
Where my insatiate wish may liave its fill. —
This sQmething at my heart that heaves for
room
My best, my dearest part, was made in vain."
September.
There is a great irregularity in the
old Scottish songs, a redundancy of
syllables with respect to the exact-
ness of accent and measure th,'"^. the
English poetry requires, but triich
glides in, most melodiously, with the
respective tunes to which they are set.
For instance, the fine old song of The
Mill, Mill, O," to give it a plain, pro-
saic reading, it halts prodigiously out
of measure; on the other hand, the
song set to the same tune in Bremner's
collection of Scotch songs, which be-
gins " To Fanny fair could I impart,"
&c. , it is most exact measure, and yet,
let them both be sung before a real
critic, one above the biases of preju-
dice, but a thorough judge of nature,
— how flat and spiritless will the last
appear, how trite, and lamely method-
ical, compared with the wild-warbling
cadence, the heart-moving melody of
the first !— This is particularly the
case with all those airs which end
with a hypermetrical syllable. There
is a degree of wild irregularity in
many of the compositions and frag-
ments which are dally sung to them
by my compeers, the common people
— a certain happy arrangement of old
Scotch syllables, and yet, very fre-
quently, nothing, not even like rhyme,
a sameness of jingle, at the ends of the
lines. This has made me sometimes
imaguie that, perhaps, it might be
possible for a Scotch poet, with a nice
judicious ear, to set compositions to
many of our most favourite airs, par-
ticularly that class of them mentioned
above, independent of rhyme alto-
gether.
There is a noble sublimity, a heart-
melting tenderness, in some of our an-
cient ballads, which show them to be
the work of a masterly hand; and it
has often given me many a heartache
to reflect that such glorious old bards
— bards who very probably owed all
their talents to native genius, yet have
described the exploits of heroes; the
pangs of disappointment, and the
ineltings of love, with such fine strokes
of nature — that their very names (oh,
how mortifying to a bard's vanity !)
are now " buried among the wrecks of
things which were."
0 ye illustrigus names unknown !
who could feel so strongly and de-
scribe so well : the last, the meanest of
the muses' train — one who, though far
inferior to your flights, yet eyes your
path, and with trembling wing would
sometimes soar after you — a poor rus-
tic bard unknown, pays this sympa-
thetic pang to your memory ! Some
of you tell us, with all the charms of
verse, that you have been unfortunate
in the world — unfortunate in love: he,
too, has felt the loss of his little for-
tune, the loss of friends, and worse
than all, the loss of the woman he
adored. Like you, all his conso-
lation was his muse : she taught
him in rustic measures to com-
plain. Happy could he have done
it with your strength of imagination
and flow of verse! May the turf lie
lightly on your bones I and may you
now enjoy that solace and rest which
this world rarely gives to the heart
tuned to all the feelings of poesy and
love!
584
BURNS' WORKS.
September.
There is a fragment in imitation of
an old Scotch song, well known
among the country ingle sides. I can-
not tell the name, neither of the song
nor the tune, but they are in fine
unison with one another. — By the
way, these old Scottish airs are
so nobly sentimental that when
one would compose to them, to "south
the tune," as our Scotch phrase is,
over and over, is the readiest way to
catch the inspiration, and raise the
bard into that glorious enthusiasm so
strongly characteristic of our own Scot-
tish poetry. I shall here set down one
verse of the piece mentioned above,
both to mark the song and tune I
mean, and likewise as a debt I owe to
the author, as the repeating of that
verse has lighted up my flame a
thousand tipies :—
" When clouds in skies do come together
To hide the brightness of the sun,
There will surely be some pleasant weather /
When a' their storms are past and gone.*
* Alluding to the misfortunes he feelingly
laments before this verse. — B,
October 1785.
If ever any young man, in the vesti-
bule of the world, chance to throw his
eye over these pages, let him pay a
warm attention to the following ob-
servations, as I assure him they are the
fruit of a poor devil's dear-bought ex-
perience.— I have literally, like that
great poet and great gallant, and by
consequence, that great fool, Solomon,
' ' turned my eyes to behold madness
and folly." Nay, I have, with all the
ardour of a lively, fanciful, and whim-
sical imagination, accompanied with a
warm, feeling, poetic heart, shaken
hands with their intoxicating friend-
ship.
In the first place, let my pupil, as
he tenders his own peace, keep up a
regular warm intercourse with the
Deity. R. B
[Here the, manuscript abruptly dosea.l