Robert Burns: The Young Highland Rover:
The Young Highland Rover 1787 Type: Song Tune: Morag. Loud blaw the frosty breezes, The snaws the mountains cover; Like winter on me seizes, Since my young Highland rover Far wanders nations over. Where’er he go, where’er he stray, May heaven be his warden; Return him safe to fair Strathspey, And bonie Castle-Gordon! The […]
Robert Burns: My Peggy’s Charms:
My Peggy’s Charms 1787 Type: Song Tune: Tha a’ chailleach ir mo dheigh. My Peggy’s face, my Peggy’s form, The frost of hermit Age might warm; My Peggy’s worth, my Peggy’s mind, Might charm the first of human kind. I love my Peggy’s angel air, Her face so truly heavenly fair, Her native grace, […]
Robert Burns: Braving Angry Winter’s Storms:
Braving Angry Winter’s Storms 1787 Type: Song Tune: Neil Gow’s Lament for Abercairny. 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 who by some savage stream A lonely gem surveys, Astonish’d, doubly marks it beam With art’s most polish’d […]
Robert Burns: The Banks Of The Devon:
The Banks Of The Devon 1787 Type: Song Tune: Bhanarach dhonn a’ chruidh. How pleasant the banks of the clear winding Devon, With green spreading bushes and flow’rs blooming fair! But the boniest flow’r on the banks of the Devon Was once a sweet bud on the braes of the Ayr. Mild be the […]
Robert Burns: Epitaph For Mr. W. Cruikshank:
Epitaph For Mr. W. Cruikshank 1787 Type: Epitaph Honest Will to Heaven’s away And mony shall lament him; His fau’ts they a’ in Latin lay, In English nane e’er kent them. ————- 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: A Rose-Bud By My Early Walk:
A Rose-Bud By My Early Walk 1787 Type: Poem A Rose-bud by my early walk, Adown a corn-enclosed bawk, Sae gently bent its thorny stalk, All on a dewy morning. Ere twice the shades o’ dawn are fled, In a’ its crimson glory spread, And drooping rich the dewy head, It scents the early […]
Robert Burns: Blythe Was She:
Blythe Was She 1787 Type: Song Tune: Andro and his Cutty Gun. Chorus.-Blythe, blythe and merry was she, Blythe was she but and ben; Blythe by the banks of Earn, And blythe in Glenturit glen. By Oughtertyre grows the aik, On Yarrow banks the birken shaw; But Phemie was a bonier lass Than braes […]
Robert Burns: On Scaring Some Water-Fowl In Loch-Turit : A wild scene among the Hills of Oughtertyre.
On Scaring Some Water-Fowl In Loch-Turit A wild scene among the Hills of Oughtertyre.1787 Type: Poem “This was the production of a solitary forenoon’s walk from Oughtertyre House. I lived there, the guest of Sir William Murray, for two or three weeks, and was much flattered by my hospitable reception. What a pity that the […]
Robert Burns: The Bonie Lass Of Albany:
The Bonie Lass Of Albany 1787 Type: Song Tune: Mary’s Dream. My heart is wae, and unco wae, To think upon the raging sea, That roars between her gardens green An’ the bonie Lass of Albany. This lovely maid’s of royal blood That ruled Albion’s kingdoms three, But oh, alas! for her bonie face, […]
Robert Burns: Theniel Menzies’ Bonie Mary:
Theniel Menzies’ Bonie Mary 1787 Type: Song Tune: The Ruffian’s Rant,” or “Roy’s Wife. In comin by the brig o’ Dye, At Darlet we a blink did tarry; As day was dawnin in the sky, We drank a health to bonie Mary. Chorus.-Theniel Menzies’ bonie Mary, Theniel Menzies’ bonie Mary, Charlie Grigor tint his […]
Robert Burns: Lady Onlie, Honest Lucky:
Lady Onlie, Honest Lucky 1787 Type: Song Tune: The Ruffian’s Rant. A’ The lads o’ Thorniebank, When they gae to the shore o’ Bucky, They’ll step in an’ tak a pint Wi’ Lady Onlie, honest Lucky. Chorus.-Lady Onlie, honest Lucky, Brews gude ale at shore o’ Bucky; I wish her sale for her gude […]
Robert Burns: Castle Gordon:
Castle Gordon 1787 Type: Poem Streams that glide in orient plains, Never bound by Winter’s chains; Glowing here on golden sands, There immix’d with foulest stains From Tyranny’s empurpled hands; These, their richly gleaming waves, I leave to tyrants and their slaves; Give me the stream that sweetly laves The banks by Castle Gordon. […]
Robert Burns: Strathallan’s Lament:
Strathallan’s Lament 1787 Type: Poem Thickest night, o’erhang my dwelling! Howling tempests, o’er me rave! Turbid torrents, wintry swelling, Roaring by my lonely cave! Crystal streamlets 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 […]
Robert Burns: Epigram On Parting With A Kind Host In The Highlands:
Epigram On Parting With A Kind Host In The Highlands 1787 Type: Epigram When Death’s dark stream I ferry o’er, A time that surely shall come, In Heav’n itself I’ll ask no more, Than just a Highland welcome. ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry from Scotland Poetry by subject Poems by […]
Robert Burns: Lines On The Fall Of Fyers Near Loch-Ness.: Written with a Pencil on the Spot.
Lines On The Fall Of Fyers Near Loch-Ness. Written with a Pencil on the Spot.1787 Type: Poem Among the heathy hills and ragged woods The roaring Fyers pours his mossy floods; Till full he dashes on the rocky mounds, Where, thro’ a shapeless breach, his stream resounds. As high in air the bursting torrents flow, […]
Robert Burns: The Humble Petition Of Bruar Water: To the noble Duke of Athole.
The Humble Petition Of Bruar Water To the noble Duke of Athole.1787 Type: Poem 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 Phoebus’ scorching beams, In flaming summer-pride, Dry-withering, waste my foamy streams, And drink my crystal tide. The […]
Robert Burns: The Birks Of Aberfeldy:
The Birks Of Aberfeldy 1787 Type: Song Tune: The Birks of Abergeldie. Chorus.-Bonie lassie, will ye go, Will ye go, will ye go, Bonie lassie, will ye go To the birks of Aberfeldy! Now Simmer blinks on flowery braes, And o’er the crystal streamlets plays; Come let us spend the lightsome days, In the […]
Robert Burns: Verses Written With A Pencil Over the Chimney-piece in the Parlour of the Inn at Kenmore, Taymouth.:
Verses Written With A Pencil Over the Chimney-piece in the Parlour of the Inn at Kenmore, Taymouth. 1787 Type: Poem Admiring Nature in her wildest grace, These northern scenes with weary feet I trace; O’er many a winding dale and painful steep, Th’ abodes of covey’d grouse and timid sheep, My savage journey, curious, […]
Robert Burns: The Libeller’s Self-Reproof:
The Libeller’s Self-Reproof 1787 Type: Poem Rash mortal, and slanderous poet, thy name Shall no longer appear in the records of Fame; Dost not know that old Mansfield, who writes like the Bible, Says, the more ’tis a truth, sir, the more ’tis a libel! ————- Home Robert Burns Collection Fledermausi’s Poetry Page Poetry […]
Robert Burns: The Poet’s Reply To The Threat Of A Censorious Critic: My imprudent lines were answered, very petulantly, by somebody, I believe, a Rev. Mr. Hamilton. In a MS., where I met the answer, I wrote below:-
The Poet’s Reply To The Threat Of A Censorious Critic My imprudent lines were answered, very petulantly, by somebody, I believe, a Rev. Mr. Hamilton. In a MS., where I met the answer, I wrote below:-1787 Type: Reply With Esop’s lion, Burns says: Sore I feel Each other’s scorn, but damn that ass’ heel! ————- […]
Robert Burns: Written By Somebody On The Window Of an Inn at Stirling, on seeing the Royal Palace in ruin.: Of an Inn at Stirling, on seeing the Royal Palace in ruin.
Written By Somebody On The Window Of an Inn at Stirling, on seeing the Royal Palace in ruin. Of an Inn at Stirling, on seeing the Royal Palace in ruin.1787 Type: Poem Here Stuarts once in glory reigned, And laws for Scotland’s weal ordained; But now unroof’d their palace stands, Their sceptre’s sway’d by other […]
Robert Burns: To Miss Ferrier: Enclosing the Elegy on Sir J. H. Blair.
To Miss Ferrier Enclosing the Elegy on Sir J. H. Blair.1787 Type: Poem Nae heathen name shall I prefix, Frae Pindus or Parnassus; Auld Reekie dings them a’ to sticks, For rhyme-inspiring lasses. Jove’s tunefu’ dochters three times three Made Homer deep their debtor; But, gien the body half an e’e, Nine Ferriers wad done […]
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 […]