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The Complete Works of Robert Burns Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Complete Works of Robert Burns novel. A total of 293 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence.by R
The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence.by Robert Burns and Allan Cunningham.PREFACE.I cannot give to my country this edition of one of its favourite poets, without stating that I have deliberately omitted sever
- 201 Why urge the only one request You know I will deny!Your thought if love must harbour there, Conceal it in that thought; Nor cause me from my bosom tear The very friend I sought.]XCVI.TO GAVIN HAMILTON.[The Hamiltons of the West continue to love the memory
- 202 Some things in your late letters hurt me: not that _you say them_, but that _you mistake me._ Religion, my honoured Madam, has not only been all my life my chief dependence, but my dearest enjoyment. I have, indeed, been the luckless victim of wayward fol
- 203 I cannot get the proper direction for my friend in Jamaica, but the following will do:--To Mr. Jo. Hutchinson, at Jo. Brownrigg's, Esq., care of Mr. Benjamin Henriquez, merchant, Orange-street, Kingston. I arrived here, at my brother's, only yes
- 204 Yours,--R. B.CVII.TO MR. MUIR.[The change which Burns says in this letter took place in his ideas, refers, it is said, to his West India voyage, on which, it appears by one of his letters to Smith, he meditated for some time after his debut in Edinburgh.]
- 205 CXI.TO MR. ROBERT CLEGHORN.[Cleghorn was a farmer, a social man, and much of a musician. The poet wrote the Chevalier's Lament to please the jacobitical taste of his friend; and the musician gave him advice in farming which he neglected to follow:--&
- 206 TO MISS CHALMERS.[Although Burns gladly grasped at a situation in the Excise, he wrote many apologies to his friends, for the acceptance of a place, which, though humble enough, was the only one that offered.]_Edinburgh, Sunday._ To-morrow, my dear madam,
- 207 CXIX.TO MRS. DUNLOP.[A poem, something after the fas.h.i.+on of the Georgics, was long present to the mind of Burns: had fortune been more friendly he might have, in due time, produced it.]_Mauchline, 4th May, 1788._ MADAM, Dryden's Virgil has deligh
- 208 I found a once much-loved and still much-loved female, literally and truly cast out to the mercy of the naked elements; but I enabled her to _purchase_ a shelter;--there is no sporting with a fellow-creature's happiness or misery.The most placid good
- 209 MY DEAR SIR, I am just going for Nithsdale, else I would certainly have transcribed some of my rhyming things for you. The Miss Baillies I have seen in Edinburgh. "Fair and lovely are thy works, Lord G.o.d Almighty! Who would not praise thee for thes
- 210 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
- 211 _Ellisland, 16th August, 1788._ I am in a fine disposition, my honoured friend, to send you an elegiac epistle; and want only genius to make it quite Shenstonian:-- "Why droops my heart with fancied woes forlorn?Why sinks my soul, beneath each wintry
- 212 "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 without bearing away any mark of impression, except where they hit in hostile c
- 213 I am so jaded with my dirty long journey that I was afraid to drawl into the essence of dulness 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 cheerfu
- 214 To conclude, Sir; let every man who has a tear for the many miseries incident to humanity feel for a family ill.u.s.trious as any in Europe, and unfortunate beyond historic precedent; and let every Briton (and particularly every Scotsman) who ever looked
- 215 TO MRS. DUNLOP.[The "Auld lang syne," which Burns here introduces to Mrs. Dunlop as a strain of the olden time, is as surely his own as Tam-o-Shanter.]_Ellisland, 17th December, 1788._ MY DEAR HONOURED FRIEND, Yours, dated Edinburgh, which I hav
- 216 TO DR. MOORE.[The poet seems, in this letter, to perceive that Ellisland was not the bargain he had reckoned it: he intimated, as the reader will remember, something of the same kind to Margaret Chalmers.]_Ellisland, 4th Jan. 1789._ SIR, As often as I thi
- 217 _Ellisland, 3d Feb. 1789._ VENERABLE FATHER, As I am conscious that wherever I am, 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
- 218 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.I am much to blame: the honour Mr. Mylne has done me, greatly enhanced in its value by the endeari
- 219 CLVI.TO MRS. DUNLOP [Some lines which extend, but fail to finish the sketch contained in this letter, will be found elsewhere in this publication.]_Ellisland, 4th April, 1789._ I no sooner hit on any poetic plan or fancy, but I wish to send it to you: and
- 220 TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.[Honest Jamie Thomson, who shot the hare because she browsed with her companions on his father's "wheat-braird," had no idea he was pulling down such a burst of indignation on his head as this letter with the poem which it
- 221 I am, my dear Sir, Sincerely yours, R. B.CLXIII.TO WILLIAM CREECH, ESQ.[The poetic address to the "venomed stang" of the toothache seems to have come into existence about this time.]_Ellisland, 30th May, 1789._ SIR, I had intended to have troubl
- 222 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 blessings by the bye, to which your rank does not, by any means, ent.i.tle you;
- 223 TO MR. JOHN LOGAN.[The Kirk's Alarm, to which this letter alludes, has little of the spirit of malice and drollery, so rife in his earlier controversial compositions.]_Ellisland, near Dumfries, 7th Aug. 1789._ DEAR SIR, I intended to have written you
- 224 TO CAPTAIN RIDDEL.[Robert Riddel kept one of those present pests of society--an alb.u.m--into which Burns copied the Lines on the Hermitage, and the Wounded Hare.]_Ellisland, 1789._ SIR, I wish from my inmost soul it were in my power to give you a more su
- 225 Sir J. J. does "what man can do," but yet I doubt his fate.CLXXVII.TO MRS. DUNLOP.[Burns was often a prey to lowness of spirits: at this some dull men have marvelled; but the dull have no misgivings: they go blindly and stupidly on, like a horse
- 226 CLx.x.x.TO SIR JOHN SINCLAIR.[Of the Monkland Book-Club alluded to in this letter, the clergyman had omitted all mention in his account of the Parish of Dunscore, published in Sir John Sinclair's work: some of the books which the poet introduced were
- 227 I was much disappointed, my dear Sir, in wanting your most agreeable company yesterday. However, I heartily pray for good weather next Sunday; and whatever aerial Being has the guidance of the elements, may take any other half-dozen of Sundays he pleases,
- 228 TO MR. PETER HILL, BOOKSELLER, EDINBURGH.[The Mademoiselle Burns whom the poet inquires about, was one of the "ladies of the Canongate," who desired to introduce free trade in her profession into a close borough: this was refused by the magistra
- 229 R. B.FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 197: Young. _Satire on Women._]CLx.x.xIX.TO MR. PETER HILL.[That Burns turned at this time his thoughts on the drama, this order to his bookseller for dramatic works, as well as his attendances at the Dumfries theatre, afford pro
- 230 TO DR. MOORE.[The sonnets alluded to by Burns were those of Charlotte Smith: the poet's copy is now before me, with a few marks of his pen on the margins.]_Dumfries, Excise-Office, 14th July, 1790._ SIR, Coming into town this morning, to attend my du
- 231 R. B.CXCVI.TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.["The strain of invective," says the judicious Currie, of this letter, "goes on some time longer in the style in which our bard was too apt to indulge, and of which the reader has already seen so much."]_El
- 232 Even the fairest of his virtues are against him. That independent spirit, and that ingenuous modesty, qualities inseparable from a n.o.ble mind, are, with the million, circ.u.mstances not a little disqualifying.What pleasure is in the power of the fortuna
- 233 _Ellisland, 17th January, 1791._ I am not gone to Elysium, most n.o.ble colonel, but am still here in this sublunary world, serving my G.o.d, by propagating his image, and honouring my king by begetting him loyal subjects.Many happy returns of the season
- 234 [The elegy on the beautiful Miss Burnet, of Monboddo, was laboured zealously by Burns, but it never reached the excellence of some of his other compositions.]_Ellisland, 7th Feb. 1791._ When I tell you, Madam, that by a fall, not from my horse, but with m
- 235 By yon castle wa' at the close of the day, I heard a man sing, tho' his head it was grey; And as he was singing, the tears fast down came-- There'll never be peace till Jamie comes hame.If you like the air, and if the stanzas. .h.i.t your f
- 236 R. B.CCXV.TO MRS. DUNLOP.[Francis Wallace Burns, the G.o.dson of Mrs. Dunlop, to whom this letter refers, died at the age of fourteen--he was a fine and a promising youth.]_Ellisland, 11th April, 1791._ I am once more able, my honoured friend, to return y
- 237 CCXIX.TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN.[Lord Buchan printed this letter in his Essay on the Life of Thomson, in 1792. His lords.h.i.+p invited Burns to leave his corn unreaped, walk from Ellisland to Dryburgh, and help him to crown Thomson's bust with bays, on
- 238 I have one or two good fellows here whom you would be glad to know.R. B.CCXXIII.TO COL. FULLARTON.OF FULLARTON.[This letter was first published in the Edinburgh Chronicle.]_Ellisland, 1791._ SIR, I have just this minute got the frank, and next minute must
- 239 TO MRS. DUNLOP.[That the poet spoke mildly concerning the rebuke which he received from the Excise, on what he calls his political delinquencies, his letter to Erskine of Mar sufficiently proves.]_5th January, 1792._ You see my hurried life, Madam: I can
- 240 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 plodding and plas.h.i.+ng homeward with his plough-irons on his s
- 241 No! I will not attempt an apology.--Amid all my hurry of business, grinding the faces of the publican and the sinner on the merciless wheels of the Excise; making ballads, and then drinking, and singing them! and, over and above all, the correcting the pr
- 242 Alas, Madam! who would wish for many years? What is it but to drag existence until our joys gradually expire, 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 c
- 243 TO MR. THOMSON.[The story of Mary Campbell's love is related in the notes on the songs which the poet wrote in her honour. Thomson says, in his answer, "I have heard the sad story of your Mary; you always seem inspired when you write of her.&quo
- 244 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 such repet.i.tions. The compa.s.s of the heart, in the musical style of expression, is much more bounded than that of the imagination; so
- 245 _26th January, 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. A
- 246 R. B.CCL.TO MISS BENSON.[Miss Benson, when this letter was written, was on a visit to Arbigland, the beautiful seat of Captain Craik; she is now Mrs. Basil Montagu.]_Dumfries, 21st March, 1793._ MADAM, Among many things for which I envy those hale, long-l
- 247 FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 208: Burns here calls himself the "Voice of Coila," in imitation of Ossian, who denominates himself the "Voice of Cona."--CURRIE.][Footnote 209: By Thomson, not the musician, but the poet.][Footnote 210: This song
- 248 [Footnote 221: Song CCx.x.xIV.]CCLV.TO JOHN FRANCIS ERSKINE, ESQ., OF M A R.[This remarkable letter has been of late the subject of some controversy: Mr. Findlater, who happened then to be in the Excise, is vehement in defence of the "honourable boar
- 249 Permit me to present you with the enclosed song as a small though grateful tribute for the honour of your acquaintance. I have, in these verses, attempted some faint sketches of your portrait in the unembellished simple manner of descriptive TRUTH.--Flatt
- 250 CCLX.TO MR. THOMSON.[Thomson, in his reply to the preceding letter, laments that anything should untune the feelings of the poet, and begs his acceptance of five pounds, as a small mark of his grat.i.tude for his beautiful songs.]_July 2d, 1793._ MY DEAR
- 251 ["Phillis the Fair" endured much at the hands of both Burns and Clarke. The young lady had reason to complain, when the poet volunteered to sing the imaginary love of that fantastic fiddler.]_August_, 1793.Your objection, my dear Sir, to the pa.
- 252 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 poetry; that I have endeavoured to supply as follows: Adown winding Nith I did wander.[233]Mr.
- 253 [Burns, as the concluding paragraph of this letter proves, continued to the last years of his life to think of the composition of a Scottish drama, which Sir Walter Scott laments he did not write, instead of pouring out mult.i.tudes of lyrics for Johnson
- 254 "Down the burn, Davie." I have this moment tried an alteration, leaving 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 thro' the flowery dale; His cheek to hers
- 255 CCLXXV.TO MR. THOMSON.[The poet's good sense rose at last in arms against the criticisms of the musician, and he refused to lessen the dignity of his war-ode by any more alterations.]_September, 1793._ "Who shall decide when doctors disagree?&qu
- 256 Oh, 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 pa.s.sion I deplore, Yet, urg'd by stern, resistless fate, I love thee more and more.I heard
- 257 CCLx.x.x.TO CAPTAIN ----.[This excellent letter, obtained from Stewart of Dalguise, is copied from my kind friend Chambers's collection of Scottish songs.]_Dumfries, 5th December, 1793._ SIR, Heated as I was with wine yesternight, I was perhaps rathe
- 258 Will your lords.h.i.+p allow me to present you with the enclosed little composition of mine, as a small tribute of grat.i.tude for the acquaintance with which you have been pleased to honour me?Independent of my enthusiasm as a Scotsman, I have rarely met
- 259 CCLx.x.xVIII.TO MRS. RIDDEL.[Burns often complained in company, and sometimes in his letters, of the caprice of Mrs. Riddel.]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; ev
- 260 CCXCII.TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.[The religious feeling of Burns was sometimes blunted, but at times it burst out, as in this letter, with eloquence and fervour, mingled with fear.]_25th February, 1794._ Canst thou minister to a mind diseased? Canst thou speak pe
- 261 _Dumfries, 21st June, 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 Gatehouse about two or three o'clock, I shall be ha
- 262 CCXCIX.TO MR. THOMSON.[Thomson says to Burns, "You have antic.i.p.ated my opinion of 'O'er the seas and far away.'" Yet some of the verses are original and touching.]_30th August, 1794._ The last evening, as I was straying out, an
- 263 CCCII.TO MR. THOMSON.[The poet relates the history of several of his best songs in this letter: the true old strain of "Andro and his cutty gun" is the first of its kind.]_19th October, 1794._ MY DEAR FRIEND, By this morning's post I have y
- 264 Musically speaking, the first is an instrument of which the gamut is scanty and confined, but the tones inexpressibly 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
- 265 R. B.FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 271: Song CCx.x.xV.][Footnote 272: Song CCx.x.xVI.]CCCVI.TO MR. THOMSON.[The instrument which the poet got from the braes of Athol, seems of an order as rude and incapable of fine sounds as the whistles which school-boys make in
- 266 [Burns allowed for the songs which Wolcot wrote for Thomson a degree of lyric merit which the world has refused to sanction.]_December, 1794._ It is, I a.s.sure you, the pride of my heart to do anything to forward or add to the value of your book; and as
- 267 Let me hear from you.R. B.FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 277: Song CCXLIX.][Footnote 278: Song CCL.][Footnote 279: Song CCLI.]CCCXIII.TO MR. THOMSON.[The poet calls for praise in this letter, a species of coin which is always ready.]How cruel are the parents.[280]M
- 268 CCCXVI.TO MR. THOMSON.[In the double service of poesy and music the poet had to sing of pangs which he never endured, from beauties to whom he had never spoken.]FORLORN my love, no comfort near, &c.[284]How do you like the foregoing? I have written it wit
- 269 CCCXX.TO MISS LOUISA FONTENELLE.[That Miss Fontenelle, as an actress, did not deserve the high praise which Burns bestows may be guessed: the lines to which he alludes were recited by the lady on her benefit-night, and are printed among his Poems.]_Dumfri
- 270 CCCXXIII.TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE.[Cromek says, when a neighbour complained that his copy of the Morning Chronicle was not regularly delivered to him from the post-office, the poet wrote the following indignant letter to Perry on a leaf of h
- 271 ADDRESS OF THE SCOTCH DISTILLERS TO THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM PITT.[This ironical letter to the prime minister was found among the papers of Burns.]SIR, While pursy burgesses crowd your gate, sweating under the weight of heavy addresses, permit us, the quond
- 272 CCCx.x.x.TO MR. THOMSON.[Cromek informed me, on the authority of Mrs. Burns, that the "handsome, elegant present" mentioned in this letter, was a common worsted shawl.]_February, 1796._ Many thanks, my dear Sir, for your handsome, elegant presen
- 273 R. B.FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 291: "It is needless to say that this revisal Burns did not live to perform."--Currie.]CCCx.x.xIV.TO MRS. RIDDEL, _Who had desired him to go to the Birth-Day a.s.sembly on that day to show his loyalty._ [This is the las
- 274 [Few of the last requests of the poet were effectual: Clarke, it is believed, did not send the second _note_ he wrote for: Johnson did not send the copy of the Museum which he requested, and the Commissioners of Excise refused the continuance of his full
- 275 Farewell!!!R. B.CCCXLII.TO MR. THOMSON.[Thomson instantly complied with the dying poet's request, and transmitted the exact sum which he requested, viz. five pounds, by return of post: he was afraid of offending the pride of Burns, otherwise he would, he
- 276 THE HIGHLAND QUEEN.This Highland Queen, music and poetry, was composed by Mr. M'Vicar, purser of the Solebay man-of-war.--This I had from Dr. Blacklock.BESS THE GAWKIE.This song shows that the Scottish muses did not all leave us when we lost Ramsay and O
- 277 MY DEAR JOCKIE.Another Anglo-Scottish production.FYE, GAE RUB HER O'ER WI' STRAE.It is self-evident that the first four lines of this song are part of a song more ancient than Ramsay's beautiful verses which are annexed to them. As music is the languag
- 278 FAIREST OF THE FAIR.It is too barefaced to take Dr. Percy's charming song, and by means of transposing a few English words into Scots, to offer to pa.s.s it for a Scots song.--I was not acquainted with the editor until the first volume was nearly finishe
- 279 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 long posterior to Ramsay's days.About the year 1771
- 280 CHORUS."Sae merry as we twa ha'e been, Sae merry as we twa ha'e been; My heart is like for to break, When I think on the days we ha'e seen."THE BANKS OF FORTH.This air is Oswald's.THE BUSH ABOON TRAQUAIR.This is another beautiful song of Mr. Crawfur
- 281 THE MUCKING OF GEORDIE'S BYRE.The chorus of this song is old; the rest is the work of Balloon Tytler.BIDE YE YET.There is a beautiful song to this tune, beginning, "Alas, my son, you little know,"-- which is the composition of Miss Jenny Graham, of Dum
- 282 THE HIGHLAND La.s.sIE O.This was a composition of mine in very early life, before I was known at all in the world. My Highland la.s.sie was a warm-hearted, charming young creature as ever blessed a man with generous love. After a pretty long tract of the
- 283 WALY, WALY.In the west country I have heard a different edition of the second stanza.--Instead of the four lines, beginning with, "When c.o.c.kle-sh.e.l.ls, &c.," the other way ran thus:-- "O wherefore need I busk my head, Or wherefore need I kame my h
- 284 The old name of this air is, "the Blossom o' the Raspberry." The song is Dr. Blacklock's.YOUNG DAMON.This air is by Oswald.KIRK WAD LET ME BE.Tradition in the western parts of Scotland tells that this old song, of which there are still
- 285 AULD ROB MORRIS.It is remark-worthy that the song of "Holy and Fairly," in all the old editions of it, is called "The Drunken Wife o' Galloway," which localizes it to that country.RATTLIN, ROARIN WILLIE.The last stanza of this son
- 286 BEWARE O' BONNIE ANN.I composed this song out of compliment to Miss Ann Masterton, the daughter of my friend Allan Masterton, the author of the air of Strathallan's Lament, and two or three others in this work.THIS IS NO MINE AIN HOUSE.The first
- 287 This air is by Marshall; the song I composed out of compliment to Mrs.Burns.N.B. It was during the honeymoon.CEASE, CEASE, MY DEAR FRIEND, TO EXPLORE.The song is by Dr. Blacklock; I believe, but am not quite certain, that the air is his too.AULD ROBIN GRA
- 288 I composed this song pretty early in life, and sent it to a young girl, a very particular acquaintance of mine, who was at that time under a cloud.THE SHEPHERD'S PREFERENCE.This song is Dr. Blacklock's.--I don't know how it came by the name
- 289 Another excellent song of old Skinner's.CRAIGIE-BURN WOOD.It is remarkable of this air that it is the confine of that country where the greatest part of our Lowland music (so far as from the t.i.tle, words, &c., we can localize it) has been composed.
- 290 The old name of this tune is,-- "Wharell our gudeman lie." A silly old stanza of it runs thus-- "O wharell our gudeman lie, Gudeman lie, gudeman lie, O wharell our gudeman lie, Till he shute oer the simmer? Up amang the hen-bawks, The hen-b
- 291 THE t.i.tHER MORN.This tune is originally from the Highlands. I have heard a Gaelic song to it, which I was told was very clever, but not by any means a lady's song.A MOTHER'S LAMENT FOR THE DEATH OF HER SON.This most beautiful tune is, I think,
- 292 _Friday._--Ride to Berwick--An idle town, rudely picturesque.--Meet Lord Errol in walking round the walls.--His lords.h.i.+p's flattering notice of me.--Dine with Mr. Clunzie, merchant--nothing particular in company or conversation--Come up a bold sh.o.r
- 293 Blair--Sup with the d.u.c.h.ess--easy and happy from the manners of the family--confirmed in my good opinion of my friend Walker._Sat.u.r.day._--Visit the scenes round Blair--fine, but spoiled with bad taste--Tilt and Gairie rivers--Falls on the Tilt--Hea