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Go—you may call it madness, folly; You shall not chase my gloom away. There’s such a charm in melancholy, I would not, if I could, be gay. Oh, if you knew the pensive pleasure That fills my bosom when I sigh, You would not rob me of a treasure Monarchs are too poor to buy. […]
Yes, ’tis the pulse of life! my fears were vain!
Yes, ’tis the pulse of life! my fears were vain! I wake, I breathe, and am myself again. Still in this nether world; no seraph yet! Nor walks my spirit, when the sun is set, With troubled step to haunt the fatal board, Where I died last—by poison or the sword; Blanching each honest cheek […]
Sonnet to Italy by Felicia Dorothea Hemans
For thee, Ansonia! Nature’s bounteous hand, Luxuriant spreads around her blooming stores; Profusion laughs o’er all the glowing land, And softest breezes from thy myrtle-shores. Yet though for thee, unclouded suns diffuse Their genial radiance o’er thy blushing plains; Though in thy fragrant groves the sportive muse Delights to pour her wild, enchanted strains; Though […]
Ode to Superstition
[lwptoc] ODE TO SUPERSTITION.[1] I. 1. Hence, to the realms of Night, dire Demon, hence! Thy chain of adamant can bind That little world, the human mind, And sink its noblest powers to impotence. Wake the lion’s loudest roar, Clot his shaggy mane with gore, With flashing fury bid his eye-balls shine; Meek is his […]
An Epistle to A Friend
AN EPISTLE TO A FRIEND. Villula,……….et pauper agelle, Me tibi, et hos unâ mecum, et quos semper amavi, Commendo. PREFACE. Every reader turns with pleasure to those passages of Horace, and Pope, and Boileau, which describe how they lived and where they dwelt; and which, being interspersed among their satirical writings, derive a secret and […]
The Pleasures of Memory
Twilight’s soft dews steal o’er the village-green, With magic tints to harmonize the scene. Still’d is the hum that thro’ the hamlet broke, When round the ruins of their antient oak The peasants flock’d to hear the minstrel play, And games and carols clos’d the busy day. Her wheel at rest, the matron thrills no […]
Oh could my Mind
Oh could my Mind, unfolded in my page, Enlighten climes and mould a future age; There as it glow’d, with noblest frenzy fraught, Dispense the treasures of exalted thought; To Virtue wake the pulses of the heart, And bid the tear of emulation start! Oh could it still, thro’ each succeeding year, My life, my […]
Italy
There is a glorious City in the Sea. The Sea is in the broad, the narrow streets, Ebbing and flowing; and the salt sea-weed Clings to the marble of her palaces. No track of men, no footsteps to and fro, Lead to her gates. The path lies o’er the Sea, Invisible; and from the land […]
Robert Burns: Inscription To Miss Jessy Lewars: On a copy of the Scots Musical Museum, in four volumes, presented to her by Burns.
Inscription To Miss Jessy Lewars On a copy of the Scots Musical Museum, in four volumes, presented to her by Burns. Type: Inscription Thine be the volumes, Jessy fair, And with them take the Poet’s prayer, That Fate may, in her fairest page, With ev’ry kindliest, best presage Of future bliss, enroll thy name: With […]
Robert Burns: O Wert Thou In The Cauld Blast:
O Wert Thou In The Cauld Blast Type: Poem O wert thou in the cauld blast, On yonder lea, on yonder lea, My plaidie to the angry airt, I’d shelter thee, I’d shelter thee; Or did Misfortune’s bitter storms Around thee blaw, around thee blaw, Thy bield should be my bosom, To share it […]
Robert Burns: A Health To Ane I Loe Dear:
A Health To Ane I Loe Dear Type: Poem Chorus-Here’s a health to ane I loe dear, Here’s a health to ane I loe dear; Thou art sweet as the smile when fond lovers meet, And soft as their parting tear-Jessy. Altho’ thou maun never be mine, Altho’ even hope is denied; ‘Tis sweeter […]
Robert Burns: O Lay Thy Loof In Mine, Lass:
O Lay Thy Loof In Mine, Lass Type: Poem Chorus-O 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. A slave to Love’s unbounded sway, He aft has wrought me meikle wae; But now he is my deadly […]
Robert Burns: Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars: On Her Recovery
Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars On Her Recovery Type: Poem But rarely seen since Nature’s birth, The natives of the sky; Yet still one seraph’s left on earth, For Jessie did not die. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category Parallel translations, the […]
Robert Burns: Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars: Jessie’s illness
Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars Jessie’s illness Type: Poem Say, sages, what’s the charm on earth Can turn Death’s dart aside! It is not purity and worth, Else Jessie had not died. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category Parallel translations, the parallel […]
Robert Burns: Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars: The Menagerie
Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars The Menagerie Type: Poem Talk not to me of savages, From Afric’s burning sun; No savage e’er could rend my heart, As Jessie, thou hast done: But Jessie’s lovely hand in mine, A mutual faith to plight, Not even to view the heavenly choir, Would be so blest a sight. […]
Robert Burns: Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars: The Toast
Complimentary Versicles To Jessie Lewars The Toast Type: Poem Fill me with the rosy wine, Call a toast, a toast divine: Giveth me Poet’s darling flame, Lovely Jessie be her name; Then thou mayest freely boast, Thou hast given a peerless toast. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by […]
Robert Burns: The Trogger.: Heron Election Ballad, No. IV.
The Trogger. Heron Election Ballad, No. IV. Type: Song Tune: Buy Broom Besoms. Wha will buy my troggin, fine election ware, Broken trade o’ Broughton, a’ in high repair? Chorus-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 […]
Robert Burns: A Lass Wi’ A Tocher:
A Lass Wi’ A Tocher Type: Song Tune: Ballinamona Ora. Awa’ wi’ your witchcraft o’ Beauty’s alarms, The slender bit Beauty you grasp in your arms, O, gie me the lass that has acres o’ charms, O, gie me the lass wi’ the weel-stockit farms. Chorus-Then hey, for a lass wi’ a tocher, Then […]
Robert Burns: Epistle To Colonel De Peyster:
Epistle To Colonel De Peyster Type: Epistle My honor’d Colonel, deep I feel Your interest in the Poet’s weal; Ah! now sma’ heart hae I to speel The steep Parnassus, Surrounded thus by bolus pill, And potion glasses. O what a canty world were it, Would pain and care and sickness spare it; And […]
Robert Burns: The Dean Of Faculty: A New Ballad
The Dean Of Faculty A New Ballad1796 Type: Song Tune: The Dragon of Wantley. Dire was the hate at old Harlaw, That Scot to Scot did carry; And dire the discord Langside saw For beauteous, hapless Mary: But Scot to Scot ne’er met so hot, Or were more in fury seen, Sir, Than ‘twixt Hal […]
Robert Burns: Verses To Collector Mitchell :
Verses To Collector Mitchell 1795 Type: Poem Friend of the Poet, tried and leal, Wha, 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; […]
Robert Burns: Jockey’s Taen The Parting Kiss:
Jockey’s Taen The Parting Kiss 1795 Type: Song Tune: Bonie lass tak a man. Jockey’s taen the parting kiss, O’er the mountains he is gane, And with him is a’ my bliss, Nought but griefs with me remain, Spare my Love, ye winds that blaw, Plashy sleets and beating rain! Spare my Love, thou […]
Robert Burns: Mally’s Meek, Mally’s Sweet:
Mally’s Meek, Mally’s Sweet 1795 Type: Poem Chorus-Mally’s meek, Mally’s sweet, Mally’s modest and discreet; Mally’s rare, Mally’s fair, Mally’s every way complete. As I was walking up the street, A barefit maid I chanc’d to meet; But O the road was very hard For that fair maiden’s tender feet. Mally’s meek, &c. It […]
Robert Burns: Crowdie Ever Mair:
Crowdie Ever Mair 1795 Type: Poem O that I had ne’er been married, I wad never had nae care, Now I’ve gotten wife an’ weans, An’ they cry “Crowdie” evermair. Chorus-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 […]
Robert Burns: News, Lassies, News:
News, Lassies, News 1795 Type: Poem There’s news, lassies, news, Gude news I’ve to tell! There’s a boatfu’ o’ lads Come to our town to sell. Chorus-The wean wants a cradle, And the cradle wants a cod: I’ll no gang to my bed, Until I get a nod. Father, quo’ she, Mither, quo she, […]
Robert Burns: The Wren’s Nest: Fragment
The Wren’s Nest Fragment1795 Type: Poem The Robin to the Wren’s nest Cam keekin’ in, cam keekin’ in; O weel’s me on your auld pow, Wad ye be in, wad ye be in? Thou’s ne’er get leave to lie without, And I within, and I within, Sae lang’s I hae an auld clout To rowe […]
Robert Burns: Leezie Lindsay: Fragment
Leezie Lindsay Fragment1795 Type: Poem Will ye go to the Hielands, Leezie Lindsay, Will ye go to the Hielands wi’ me? Will ye go to the Hielands, Leezie Lindsay, My pride and my darling to be. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category […]
Robert Burns: Inscription: Written on the blank leaf of a copy of the last edition of my poems, presented to the Lady whom, in so many fictitious reveries of passion, but with the most ardent sentiments of real friendship, I have so often sung under the name of-“Chloris.”
Inscription Written on the blank leaf of a copy of the last edition of my poems, presented to the Lady whom, in so many fictitious reveries of passion, but with the most ardent sentiments of real friendship, I have so often sung under the name of-“Chloris.”1795 Type: Inscription ‘Tis Friendship’s pledge, my young, fair Friend, […]
Robert Burns: O That’s The Lassie O’ My Heart :
O That’s The Lassie O’ My Heart 1795 Type: Song Tune: Morag. O wat ye wha that lo’es me And has my heart a-keeping? O sweet is she that lo’es me, As dews o’ summer weeping, In tears the rosebuds steeping! Chorus-O that’s the lassie o’ my heart, My lassie ever dearer; O she’s […]
Robert Burns: Song Inscribed To Alexander Cunningham:
Song Inscribed To Alexander Cunningham 1795 Type: Inscription 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, O why thus all alone are mine The weary steps o’ woe! […]
Robert Burns: O Bonie Was Yon Rosy Brier:
O Bonie Was Yon Rosy Brier 1795 Type: Poem O bonie was yon rosy brier, That blooms sae far frae haunt o’ man; And bonie she, and ah, how dear! It shaded frae the e’enin sun. Yon rosebuds in the morning dew, How pure, amang the leaves sae green; But purer was the lover’s […]
Robert Burns: This Is No My Ain Lassie:
This Is No My Ain Lassie 1795 Type: Song Tune: This is no my house. Chorus-This is no my ain lassie, Fair tho, the lassie be; Weel ken I my ain lassie, Kind love is in her e’re. I see a form, I see a face, Ye weel may wi’ the fairest place; It […]
Robert Burns: The Braw Wooer:
The Braw Wooer 1795 Type: Song Tune: The Lothian Lassie. Last May, a braw wooer cam doun the lang glen, And sair wi’ his love he did deave me; I said, there was naething I hated like men- The deuce gae wi’m, to believe me, believe me; The deuce gae wi’m to believe me. […]
Robert Burns: Why, Why Tell The Lover: Fragment,
Why, Why Tell The Lover Fragment,1795 Type: Song Tune: Caledonian Hunt’s delight. Why, why tell thy lover Bliss he never must enjoy”? Why, why undeceive him, And give all his hopes the lie? O why, while fancy, raptur’d slumbers, Chloris, Chloris all the theme, Why, why would’st thou, cruel- Wake thy lover from his dream? […]
Robert Burns: Forlorn, My Love, No Comfort Near:
Forlorn, My Love, No Comfort Near 1795 Type: Song Tune: Let me in this ae night. Forlorn, 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. Chorus-O wert thou, Love, but near me! But near, near, near me, […]
Robert Burns: Their Groves O’Sweet Myrtle :
Their Groves O’Sweet Myrtle 1795 Type: Song Tune: Humours of Glen. Their groves o’ sweet myrtle let Foreign Lands reckon, Where bright-beaming summers exalt the perfume; Far dearer to me yon lone glen o’ green breckan, Wi’ the burn stealing under the lang, yellow broom. Far dearer to me are yon humble broom bowers […]
Robert Burns: Twas Na Her Bonie Blue E’e:
Twas Na Her Bonie Blue E’e 1795 Type: Song Tune: Laddie, lie near me. ‘Twas na her bonie blue e’e was my ruin, Fair tho’ she be, that was ne’er my undoin’; ‘Twas the dear smile when nae body did mind us, ‘Twas the bewitching, sweet, stown glance o’ kindness: ‘Twas the bewitching, sweet, […]
Robert Burns: Mark Yonder Pomp Of Costly Fashion:
Mark Yonder Pomp Of Costly Fashion 1795 Type: Song Tune: Deil tak the wars. Mark yonder pomp of costly fashion Round the wealthy, titled bride: But when compar’d with real passion, Poor is all that princely pride. Mark yonder, &c. (four lines repeated). What are the showy treasures, What are the noisy pleasures? The […]
Robert Burns: How Cruel Are The Parents: Altered from an old English song. tune-“John Anderson, my jo.”
How Cruel Are The Parents Altered from an old English song. tune-“John Anderson, my jo.”1795 Type: Poem How cruel are the parents Who riches only prize, And to the wealthy booby Poor Woman sacrifice! Meanwhile, the hapless Daughter Has but a choice of strife; To shun a tyrant Father’s hate- Become a wretched Wife. The […]
Robert Burns: On Chloris Being Ill:
On Chloris Being Ill 1795 Type: Song Tune: Aye wauken O. Chorus-Long, long the night, Heavy comes the morrow While my soul’s delight Is on her bed of sorrow. Can I cease to care? Can I cease to languish, While my darling Fair Is on the couch of anguish? Long, long, &c. Ev’ry hope […]