Robert Burns: Impromptu On Carron Iron Works:
Impromptu On Carron Iron Works 1787 Type: Impromptu 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 tirl’d at your door Your porter dought na hear us; Sae may, shou’d we to Hell’s yetts […]
Robert Burns: Elegy On The Death Of Sir James Hunter Blair:
Elegy On The Death Of Sir James Hunter Blair 1787 Type: Elegy The lamp of day, with-ill presaging glare, Dim, cloudy, sank beneath the western wave; Th’ inconstant blast howl’d thro’ the dark’ning air, And hollow whistled in the rocky cave. Lone as I wander’d by each cliff and dell, Once the lov’d haunts […]
Robert Burns: On The Death Of John M’Leod, Esq,: Brother to a young Lady, a particular friend of the Author’s.
On The Death Of John M’Leod, Esq, Brother to a young Lady, a particular friend of the Author’s.1787 Type: Poem Sad thy tale, thou idle page, And rueful thy alarms: Death tears the brother of her love From Isabella’s arms. Sweetly deckt with pearly dew The morning rose may blow; But cold successive noontide blasts […]
Robert Burns: Epigram To Miss Jean Scott:
Epigram To Miss Jean Scott 1787 Type: Epigram O had each Scot of ancient times Been, Jeanie Scott, as thou art; The bravest heart on English ground Had yielded like a coward. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category Parallel translations, the […]
Robert Burns: The Bard At Inverary:
The Bard At Inverary 1787 Type: Poem Whoe’er he be that sojourns here, I pity much his case, Unless he comes to wait upon The Lord their God, His Grace. There’s naething here but Highland pride, And Highland scab and hunger: If Providence has sent me here, ‘Twas surely in his anger. ————- Home […]
Robert Burns: Elegy On “Stella”: The following poem is the work of some hapless son of the Muses who deserved a better fate. There is a great deal of “The voice of Cona” in his solitary, mournful notes; and had the sentiments been clothed in Shenstone’s language, they would have been no discredit even to that elegant poet.-R.B.
Elegy On “Stella” The following poem is the work of some hapless son of the Muses who deserved a better fate. There is a great deal of “The voice of Cona” in his solitary, mournful notes; and had the sentiments been clothed in Shenstone’s language, they would have been no discredit even to that elegant […]
Robert Burns: Burlesque Lament For The Absence Of William Creech, Publisher:
Burlesque Lament For The Absence Of William Creech, Publisher 1787 Type: Lament Auld chuckie Reekie’s sair distrest, Down droops her ance weel burnish’d crest, Nae joy her bonie buskit nest Can yield ava, Her darling bird that she lo’es best- Willie’s awa! O Willie was a witty wight, And had o’ things an unco’ […]
Robert Burns: Epigram To Miss Ainslie In Church: Who was looking up the text during sermon.
Epigram To Miss Ainslie In Church Who was looking up the text during sermon.1787 Type: Epigram Fair maid, you need not take the hint, Nor idle texts pursue: ‘Twas guilty sinners that he meant, Not Angels such as you. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by […]
Robert Burns: Address To Wm. Tytler, Esq., Of Woodhouselee: With an Impression of the Author’s Portrait.
Address To Wm. Tytler, Esq., Of Woodhouselee With an Impression of the Author’s Portrait.1787 Type: Address Revered defender of beauteous Stuart, Of Stuart, a name once respected; A name, which to love was the mark of a true heart, But now ’tis despis’d and neglected. Tho’ something like moisture conglobes in my eye, Let no […]
Robert Burns: Hey, Ca’ Thro’ – Boat song:
Hey, Ca’ Thro’ – Boat song 1787 Type: song Up wi’ the carls o’ Dysart, And the lads o’ Buckhaven, And the kimmers o’ Largo, And the lasses o’ Leven. Chorus.-Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae muckle ado. Hey, ca’ thro’, ca’ thro’, For we hae muckle ado; We hae tales to […]
Robert Burns: Epitaph For Mr. William Michie: Schoolmaster of Cleish Parish, Fifeshire.
Epitaph For Mr. William Michie Schoolmaster of Cleish Parish, Fifeshire.1787 Type: Epitaph Here lie Willie Michie’s banes; O Satan, when ye tak him, Gie him the schulin o’ your weans, For clever deils he’ll mak them! ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category […]
Robert Burns: Epitaph For William Nicol, Of The High School, Edinburgh:
Epitaph For William Nicol, Of The High School, Edinburgh 1787 Type: Epitaph Ye maggots, feed on Nicol’s brain, For few sic feasts you’ve gotten; And fix your claws in Nicol’s heart, For deil a bit o’t’s rotten. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author […]
Robert Burns: Lines Written Under The Picture Of The Celebrated Miss Burns:
Lines Written Under The Picture Of The Celebrated Miss Burns 1787 Type: Poem Cease, ye prudes, your envious railing, Lovely Burns has charms-confess: True it is, she had one failing, Had a woman ever less? ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category […]
Robert Burns: A Bottle And Friend:
A Bottle And Friend 1787 Type: song There’s nane that’s blest of human kind, But the cheerful and the gay, man, Fal, la, la, &c. Here’s a bottle and an honest friend! What wad ye wish for mair, man? Wha kens, before his life may end, What his share may be o’ care, man? […]
Robert Burns: On Elphinstone’s Translation Of Martial’s Epigrams:
On Elphinstone’s Translation Of Martial’s Epigrams 1787 Type: Epigram O Thou whom Poetry abhors, Whom Prose has turned out of doors, Heard’st thou yon groan?-proceed no further, ‘Twas laurel’d Martial calling murther. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category Parallel translations, the […]
Robert Burns: The Book-Worms:
The Book-Worms 1787 Type: Poem Through and through th’ inspir’d leaves, Ye maggots, make your windings; But O respect his lordship’s taste, And spare his golden bindings. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by author and category Parallel translations, the parallel world of translating poetry […]
Robert Burns: Epigram Addressed To An Artist:
Epigram Addressed To An Artist 1787 Type: Epigram Dear _____, I’ll gie ye some advice, You’ll tak it no uncivil: You shouldna paint at angels mair, But try and paint the devil. To paint an Angel’s kittle wark, Wi’ Nick, there’s little danger: You’ll easy draw a lang-kent face, But no sae weel a […]
Robert Burns: Epigram At Roslin Inn:
Epigram At Roslin Inn 1787 Type: Epigram My blessings on ye, honest wife! I ne’er was here before; Ye’ve wealth o’ gear for spoon and knife- Heart could not wish for more. Heav’n keep you clear o’ sturt and strife, Till far ayont fourscore, And while I toddle on thro’ life, I’ll ne’er gae […]
Robert Burns: My Lord A-Hunting:
My Lord A-Hunting 1787 Type: song Chorus.-My 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 gone, But hounds or hawks wi’ him are nane; By Colin’s cottage lies his game, If Colin’s Jenny be at […]
Robert Burns: The Bonie Moor-Hen:
The Bonie Moor-Hen 1787 Type: Poem The heather was blooming, the meadows were mawn, Our lads gaed a-hunting ae day at the dawn, O’er moors and o’er mosses and mony a glen, At length they discover’d a bonie moor-hen. Chorus.-I rede you, beware at the hunting, young men, I rede you, beware at the […]
Robert Burns: Prologue: Spoken by Mr. Woods on his benefit-night, Monday, 16th April, 1787
Prologue Spoken by Mr. Woods on his benefit-night, Monday, 16th April, 17871787 Type: Poem When, by a generous Public’s kind acclaim, That dearest meed is granted-honest fame; Waen here your favour is the actor’s lot, Nor even the man in private life forgot; What breast so dead to heavenly Virtue’s glow, But heaves impassion’d with […]
Robert Burns: Verses Intended To Be Written Below A Noble Earl’s Picture:
Verses Intended To Be Written Below A Noble Earl’s Picture 1787 Type: Poem Whose is that noble, dauntless brow? And whose that eye of fire? And whose that generous princely mien, E’en rooted foes admire? Stranger! to justly show that brow, And mark that eye of fire, Would take His hand, whose vernal tints […]
Robert Burns: Epistle To Mrs. Scott: Gudewife of Wauchope-House, Roxburghshire.
Epistle To Mrs. Scott Gudewife of Wauchope-House, Roxburghshire.1787 Type: Epistle Gudewife, I Mind it weel in early date, When I was bardless, young, and blate, An’ first could thresh the barn, Or haud a yokin’ at the pleugh; An, tho’ forfoughten sair eneugh, Yet unco proud to learn: When first amang the yellow corn A […]
Robert Burns: Inscription For The Headstone Of Fergusson The Poet:
Inscription For The Headstone Of Fergusson The Poet 1787 Type: Inscription No sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay, “No storied urn nor animated bust;” This simple stone directs pale Scotia’s way, To pour her sorrows o’er the Poet’s dust. Additional Stanzas She mourns, sweet tuneful youth, thy hapless fate; Tho’ all the powers of […]
Robert Burns: Extempore In The Court Of Session:
Extempore In The Court Of Session 1787 Type: Extempore Tune: Killiercrankie. Lord Advocate He clenched his pamphlet in his fist, He quoted and he hinted, Till, in a declamation-mist, His argument he tint it: He gaped for’t, he graped for’t, He fand it was awa, man; But what his common sense came short, He […]
Robert Burns: Bonie Dundee:
Bonie Dundee 1787 Type: song My blessin’s upon thy sweet wee lippie! My blessin’s upon thy e’e-brie! Thy smiles are sae like my blythe sodger laddie, Thou’s aye the dearer, and dearer to me! But I’ll big a bow’r on yon bonie banks, Whare Tay rins wimplin’ by sae clear; An’ I’ll cleed thee […]
Robert Burns: Rattlin’, Roarin’ Willie:
Rattlin’, Roarin’ Willie 1787 Type: Poem Rattlin’, Roarin’ Willie As I cam by Crochallan, I cannilie keekit ben; Rattlin’, roarin’ Willie Was sittin at yon boord-en’; Sittin at yon boord-en, And amang gude companie; Rattlin’, roarin’ Willie, You’re welcome hame to me! ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry […]
Robert Burns: Mr. William Smellie -A Sketch:
Mr. William Smellie -A Sketch 1787 Type: Sketch Shrewd Willie Smellie to Crochallan came; The old cock’d hat, the grey surtout the same; His bristling beard just rising in its might, ‘Twas four long nights and days to shaving night: His uncomb’d grizzly locks, wild staring, thatch’d A head for thought profound and clear, […]
Robert Burns: To Miss Logan, With Beattie’s Poems, For A New-Year’s Gift, Jan. 1, 1787:
To Miss Logan, With Beattie’s Poems, For A New-Year’s Gift, Jan. 1, 1787 1787 Type: Poem Again the silent wheels of time Their annual round have driven, And you, tho’ scarce in maiden prime, Are so much nearer Heaven. No gifts have I from Indian coasts The infant year to hail; I send you […]
Robert Burns: Address To A Haggis:
Address To A Haggis 1786 Type: Address Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o’ the pudding-race! Aboon them a’ yet tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye wordy o’a grace As lang’s my arm. The groaning trencher there ye fill, Your hurdies like a distant hill, Your pin was […]
Robert Burns: Address To Edinburgh:
Address To Edinburgh 1786 Type: Address Edina! Scotia’s darling seat! All hail thy palaces and tow’rs, Where once, beneath a Monarch’s feet, Sat Legislation’s sov’reign pow’rs: From marking wildly scatt’red flow’rs, As on the banks of Ayr I stray’d, And singing, lone, the lingering hours, I shelter in they honour’d shade. Here Wealth still […]
Robert Burns: Yon Wild Mossy Mountains:
Yon Wild Mossy Mountains 1786 Type: song Yon wild mossy mountains sae lofty and wide, That nurse in their bosom the youth o’ the Clyde, Where the grouse lead their coveys thro’ the heather to feed, And the shepherd tends his flock as he pipes on his reed. Not Gowrie’s rich valley, nor Forth’s […]
Robert Burns: A Winter Night :
A Winter Night 1786 Type: Poem Poor naked wretches, wheresoe’er you are, That bide the pelting of this pitiless storm! How shall your houseless heads, and unfed sides, Your loop’d and window’d raggedness, defend you From seasons such as these? Shakespeare When biting Boreas, fell and dour, Sharp shivers thro’ the leafless bow’r; When […]
Robert Burns: On Sensibility: Fragment
On Sensibility Fragment1786 Type: Poem Rusticity’s ungainly form May cloud the highest mind; But when the heart is nobly warm, The good excuse will find. Propriety’s cold, cautious rules Warm fervour may o’erlook: But spare poor sensibility Th’ ungentle, harsh rebuke. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject […]
Robert Burns: Epistle To Major Logan:
Epistle To Major Logan 1786 Type: Epistle Epistle To Major Logan Hail, thairm-inspirin’, rattlin’ Willie! Tho’ fortune’s road be rough an’ hilly To every fiddling, rhyming billie, We never heed, But take it like the unback’d filly, Proud o’ her speed. When, idly goavin’, whiles we saunter, Yirr! fancy barks, awa we canter, Up […]
Robert Burns: Tam Samson’s Elegy: When this worthy old sportman went out, last muirfowl season, he supposed it was to be, in Ossian’s phrase, “the last of his fields,” and expressed an ardent wish to die and be buried in the muirs. On this hint the author composed his elegy and epitaph.-R.B., 1787.
Tam Samson’s Elegy When this worthy old sportman went out, last muirfowl season, he supposed it was to be, in Ossian’s phrase, “the last of his fields,” and expressed an ardent wish to die and be buried in the muirs. On this hint the author composed his elegy and epitaph.-R.B., 1787.1786 Type: Elegy An honest […]
Robert Burns: Composed In Spring:
Composed In Spring 1786 Type: Song Tune: Jockey’s Grey Breeks. Again rejoicing Nature sees Her robe assume its vernal hues: Her leafy locks wave in the breeze, All freshly steep’d in morning dews. Chorus.-And maun I still on Menie doat, And bear the scorn that’s in her e’e? For it’s jet, jet black, an’ […]
Robert Burns: Inscribed On A Work Of Hannah More’s: Presented to the Author by a Lady.
Inscribed On A Work Of Hannah More’s Presented to the Author by a Lady.1786 Type: Inscription Thou flatt’ring mark of friendship kind, Still may thy pages call to mind The dear, the beauteous donor; Tho’ sweetly female ev’ry part, Yet such a head, and more the heart Does both the sexes honour: She show’d her […]
Robert Burns: To A Louse: On Seeing One On A Lady’s Bonnet, At Church
To A Louse On Seeing One On A Lady’s Bonnet, At Church1786 Type: Poem Ha! whaur ye gaun, ye crowlin ferlie? Your impudence protects you sairly; I canna say but ye strunt rarely, Owre gauze and lace; Tho’, faith! I fear ye dine but sparely On sic a place. Ye ugly, creepin, blastit wonner, Detested, […]
Robert Burns: To Mr. M’Adam, Of Craigen-Gillan: In answer to an obliging Letter he sent in the commencement of my poetic career.
To Mr. M’Adam, Of Craigen-Gillan In answer to an obliging Letter he sent in the commencement of my poetic career.1786 Type: Poem Sir, 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 […]