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 […]
Robert Burns: To John Kennedy, Dumfries House:
To John Kennedy, Dumfries House 1786 Type: Poem Now, Kennedy, if foot or horse E’er bring you in by Mauchlin corse, (Lord, man, there’s lasses there wad force A hermit’s fancy; An’ down the gate in faith they’re worse, An’ mair unchancy). But as I’m sayin, please step to Dow’s, An’ taste sic gear […]
Robert Burns: The Inventory: In answer to a mandate by the Surveyor of the Taxes
The Inventory In answer to a mandate by the Surveyor of the Taxes1786 Type: Poem Sir, as your mandate did request, I send you here a faithfu’ list, O’ gudes an’ gear, an’ a’ my graith, To which I’m clear to gi’e my aith. Imprimis, then, for carriage cattle, I hae four brutes o’ gallant […]
Robert Burns: Address To The Unco Guid, Or The Rigidly Righteous:
Address To The Unco Guid, Or The Rigidly Righteous 1786 Type: Address My Son, these maxims make a rule, An’ lump them aye thegither; The Rigid Righteous is a fool, The Rigid Wise anither: The cleanest corn that ere was dight May hae some pyles o’ caff in; So ne’er a fellow-creature slight For […]
Robert Burns: Here’s His Health In Water :
Here’s His Health In Water 1786 Type: Song Tune: The Job of Journey-work. Altho’ my back be at the wa’, And tho’ he be the fautor; Altho’ my back be at the wa’, Yet, here’s his health in water. O wae gae by his wanton sides, Sae brawlie’s he could flatter; Till for his […]
Robert Burns: The Rantin’ Dog, The Daddie O’t:
The Rantin’ Dog, The Daddie O’t 1786 Type: Song Tune: Whare’ll our guidman lie. O wha my babie-clouts will buy? O wha will tent me when I cry? Wha will kiss me where I lie? The rantin’ dog, the daddie o’t. O wha will own he did the faut? O wha will buy the […]
Robert Burns: The Vision:
The Vision 1786 Type: Poem Duan First The sun had clos’d the winter day, The curless quat their roarin play, And hunger’d maukin taen her way, To kail-yards green, While faithless snaws ilk step betray Whare she has been. The thresher’s weary flingin-tree, The lee-lang day had tired me; And when the day had […]
Robert Burns: Epistle To James Smith:
Epistle To James Smith 1786 Type: Epistle Friendship, mysterious cement of the soul! Sweet’ner of Life, and solder of Society! I owe thee much-Blair. Dear Smith, the slee’st, pawkie thief, That e’er attempted stealth or rief! Ye surely hae some warlock-brief Owre human hearts; For ne’er a bosom yet was prief Against your arts. […]
Robert Burns: The Ordination : For sense they little owe to frugal Heav’n- To please the mob, they hide the little giv’n.
The Ordination For sense they little owe to frugal Heav’n- To please the mob, they hide the little giv’n.1786 Type: Poem Kilmarnock wabsters, fidge an’ claw, An’ pour your creeshie nations; An’ ye wha leather rax an’ draw, Of a’ denominations; Swith to the Ligh Kirk, ane an’ a’ An’ there tak up your stations; […]
Robert Burns: The Author’s Earnest Cry And Prayer: To the Right Honourable and Honourable Scotch Representatives in the House of Commons.
The Author’s Earnest Cry And Prayer To the Right Honourable and Honourable Scotch Representatives in the House of Commons.1786 Type: Poem Dearest of distillation! last and best- -How art thou lost!- Parody on Milton Ye Irish lords, ye knights an’ squires, Wha represent our brughs an’ shires, An’ doucely manage our affairs In parliament, To […]
Robert Burns: The Twa Dogs: A Tale
The Twa Dogs A Tale1786 Type: Tale ‘Twas in that place o’ Scotland’s isle, That bears the name o’ auld King Coil, Upon a bonie day in June, When wearin’ thro’ the afternoon, Twa dogs, that were na thrang at hame, Forgather’d ance upon a time. The first I’ll name, they ca’d him Caesar, Was […]
Robert Burns: The Auld Farmer’s New-Year-Morning Salutation To His Auld Mare, Maggie: On giving her the accustomed ripp of corn to hansel in the New Year.
The Auld Farmer’s New-Year-Morning Salutation To His Auld Mare, Maggie On giving her the accustomed ripp of corn to hansel in the New Year.1786 Type: Poem A Guid New-year I wish thee, Maggie! Hae, there’s a ripp to thy auld baggie: Tho’ thou’s howe-backit now, an’ knaggie, I’ve seen the day Thou could hae gaen […]
Robert Burns: Scotch Drink :
Scotch Drink 1785 Type: Poem Gie him strong drink until he wink, That’s sinking in despair; An’ liquor guid to fire his bluid, That’s prest wi’ grief and care: There let him bouse, an’ deep carouse, Wi’ bumpers flowing o’er, Till he forgets his loves or debts, An’ minds his griefs no more. Solomon’s […]
Robert Burns: Address To The Deil:
Address To The Deil 1785 Type: Address O Prince! O chief of many throned Pow’rs That led th’ embattl’d Seraphim to war- Milton O Thou! whatever title suit thee- Auld Hornie, Satan, Nick, or Clootie, Wha in yon cavern grim an’ sootie, Clos’d under hatches, Spairges about the brunstane cootie, To scaud poor wretches! […]
Robert Burns: The Cotter’s Saturday Night: Inscribed to R. Aiken, Esq., of Ayr.
The Cotter’s Saturday Night Inscribed to R. Aiken, Esq., of Ayr. 1785 Type: Poem Let not Ambition mock their useful toil, Their homely joys, and destiny obscure; Nor Grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile, The short and simple annals of the Poor. Gray My lov’d, my honour’d, much respected friend! No mercenary bard his homage […]
Robert Burns: Merry Hae I Been Teethin A Heckle:
Merry Hae I Been Teethin A Heckle 1785 Type: Song Tune: The bob O’ Dumblane. O Merry hae I been teethin’ a heckle, An’ merry hae I been shapin’ a spoon; O merry hae I been cloutin’ a kettle, An’ kissin’ my Katie when a’ was done. O a’ the lang day I ca’ […]
Robert Burns: For A’ That:
For A’ That 1785 Type: Song Tune: For a’ that. Tho’ women’s minds, like winter winds, May shift, and turn, an’ a’ that, The noblest breast adores them maist- A consequence I draw that. Chorus For a’ that, an’ a’ that, And twice as meikle’s a’ that; The bonie lass that I loe best […]
Robert Burns: The Jolly Beggars: A Cantata:
The Jolly Beggars: A Cantata 1785 Type: Cantata Recitativo When lyart leaves bestrow the yird, Or wavering like the bauckie-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 […]
Robert Burns: Adam Armour’s Prayer:
Adam Armour’s Prayer 1785 Type: Prayer Gude pity me, because I’m little! For though I am an elf o’ mettle, An’ can, like ony wabster’s shuttle, Jink there or here, Yet, scarce as lang’s a gude kail-whittle, I’m unco queer. An’ now Thou kens our waefu’ case; For Geordie’s jurr we’re in disgrace, Because […]
Robert Burns: Epitaph For James Smith:
Epitaph For James Smith 1785 Type: Epitaph Lament him, Mauchline husbands a’, He aften did assist ye; For had ye staid hale weeks awa, Your wives they ne’er had miss’d ye. Ye Mauchline bairns, as on ye press To school in bands thegither, O tread ye lightly on his grass, – Perhaps he was […]
Robert Burns: Epitaph On John Dove, Innkeeper:
Epitaph On John Dove, Innkeeper 1785 Type: Epitaph Here lies Johnie Pigeon; What was his religion? Whae’er desires to ken, To some other warl’ Maun follow the carl, For here Johnie Pigeon had nane! Strong ale was ablution, Small beer persecution, A dram was memento mori; But a full-flowing bowl Was the saving his […]
Robert Burns: To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough:
To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough 1785 Type: Poem Wee, sleekit, cow’rin, tim’rous beastie, O, what a panic’s in thy breastie! Thou need na start awa sae hasty, Wi’ bickering brattle! I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee, Wi’ murd’ring pattle! I’m truly sorry man’s […]
Robert Burns: 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 the country where the scene is cast, notes are added to give some account of the principal charms and spells of that night, so big with prophecy to the peasantry in the west of Scotland. 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 entertainment to a philosophic mind, if any such honour the author with a perusal, to see the remains of it among the more unenlightened in our own.-R.B.
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 the country where the scene is cast, notes are added to give some account of the principal charms and spells of that night, so big with prophecy to […]