'Address to the Devil' by Robert Burns
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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!
Hear me, auld Hangie, for a wee,
An' let poor damned bodies be;
I'm sure sma' pleasure it can gie,
Ev'n to a deil,
To skelp an' scaud poor dogs like me,
An' hear us squeel!
Great is thy pow'r an' great thy fame;
Far ken'd an' noted is thy name;
An' tho' yon lowin' heuch's thy hame,
Thou travels far;
An' faith! thou's neither lag nor lame,
Nor blate, nor scaur.
Whiles, ranging like a roarin lion,
For prey, a' holes and corners tryin;
Whiles, on the strong-wind'd tempest flyin,
Tirlin the kirks;
Whiles, in the human bosom pryin,
Unseen thou lurks.
I've heard my rev'rend graunie say,
In lanely glens ye like to stray;
Or where auld ruin'd castles grey
Nod to the moon,
Ye fright the nightly wand'rer's way,
Wi' eldritch croon.
When twilight did my graunie summon,
To say her pray'rs, douse, honest woman!
Aft'yont the dyke she's heard you bummin,
Wi' eerie drone;
Or, rustlin, thro' the boortrees comin,
Wi' heavy groan.
Ae dreary, windy, winter night,
The stars shot down wi' sklentin light,
Wi' you, mysel' I gat a fright,
Ayont the lough;
Ye, like a rash-buss, stood in sight,
Wi' wavin' sough.
The cudgel in my nieve did shake,
Each brist'ld hair stood like a stake,
When wi' an eldritch, stoor "quaick, quaick,"
Amang the springs,
Awa ye squatter'd like a drake,
On whistlin' wings.
Let warlocks grim, an' wither'd hags,
Tell how wi' you, on ragweed nags,
They skim the muirs an' dizzy crags,
Wi' wicked speed;
And in kirk-yards renew their leagues,
Owre howkit dead.
Thence countra wives, wi' toil and pain,
May plunge an' plunge the kirn in vain;
For oh! the yellow treasure's ta'en
By witchin' skill;
An' dawtit, twal-pint hawkie's gane
As yell's the bill.
Thence mystic knots mak great abuse
On young guidmen, fond, keen an' crouse,
When the best wark-lume i' the house,
By cantrip wit,
Is instant made no worth a louse,
Just at the bit.
When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord,
An' float the jinglin' icy boord,
Then water-kelpies haunt the foord,
By your direction,
And 'nighted trav'llers are allur'd
To their destruction.
And aft your moss-traversin Spunkies
Decoy the wight that late an' drunk is:
The bleezin, curst, mischievous monkies
Delude his eyes,
Till in some miry slough he sunk is,
Ne'er mair to rise.
When masons' mystic word an' grip
In storms an' tempests raise you up,
Some cock or cat your rage maun stop,
Or, strange to tell!
The youngest brither ye wad whip
Aff straught to hell.
Lang syne in Eden's bonie yard,
When youthfu' lovers first were pair'd,
An' all the soul of love they shar'd,
The raptur'd hour,
Sweet on the fragrant flow'ry swaird,
In shady bower;
Then you, ye auld, snick-drawing dog!
Ye cam to Paradise incog,
An' play'd on man a cursed brogue,
(Black be your fa'!)
An' gied the infant warld a shog,
'Maist rui'd a'.
D'ye mind that day when in a bizz
Wi' reekit duds, an' reestit gizz,
Ye did present your smoutie phiz
'Mang better folk,
An' sklented on the man of Uzz
Your spitefu' joke?
An' how ye gat him i' your thrall,
An' brak him out o' house an hal',
While scabs and botches did him gall,
Wi' bitter claw;
An' lows'd his ill-tongu'd wicked scaul',
Was warst ava?
But a' your doings to rehearse,
Your wily snares an' fechtin fierce,
Sin' that day Michael did you pierce,
Down to this time,
Wad ding a Lallan tounge, or Erse,
In prose or rhyme.
An' now, auld Cloots, I ken ye're thinkin,
A certain bardie's rantin, drinkin,
Some luckless hour will send him linkin
To your black pit;
But faith! he'll turn a corner jinkin,
An' cheat you yet.
But fare-you-weel, auld Nickie-ben!
O wad ye tak a thought an' men'!
Ye aiblins might-I dinna ken-
Stil hae a stake:
I'm wae to think up' yon den,
Ev'n for your sake!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Address to the Devil by Robert Burns: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Are you a fan of satirical poetry? Then, Address to the Devil by Robert Burns is a must-read for you. Written in 1786, this poem exhibits Burns's wit, humor, and mastery of language. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, structure, and significance of this classic piece of poetry.
Overview
Address to the Devil is a short poem consisting of eight stanzas, each comprising four lines. The poem is written in Scots dialect, which adds to its charm and authenticity. The speaker of the poem addresses the devil, urging him to take away the vices and follies of mankind. The poem is a scathing critique of the society of Burns's time, which was plagued by hypocrisy, greed, and moral decay.
Themes
Address to the Devil touches upon several themes that are still relevant today. The most prominent theme is the corruption of human nature. Burns portrays humans as inherently wicked, and the devil as the only force capable of cleansing them of their sins. The poem also highlights the hypocrisy of organized religion, which claims to uphold moral values but often fails to do so. Burns mocks the idea of salvation through faith alone, asserting that true redemption can only be achieved through moral rectitude.
Another important theme of the poem is the power of language. Burns uses language to great effect, employing irony, hyperbole, and sarcasm to convey his message. The poem is a masterclass in satirical poetry, with each stanza packing a punch through its clever use of language.
Structure
Address to the Devil has a simple yet effective structure. The poem is divided into eight stanzas, each of which consists of four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The use of Scots dialect gives the poem a distinctive rhythm and cadence, which adds to its musicality.
The poem is written in the form of an address, with the speaker directly addressing the devil. This form of address creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the devil, which adds to the poem's effectiveness. The use of the devil as a metaphor for human sin also adds to the poem's power, as it gives a tangible form to the abstract concept of evil.
Interpretation
Address to the Devil is a highly nuanced poem that requires careful interpretation. At its core, the poem is a critique of the moral decay of society. Burns portrays humans as inherently wicked, driven by greed, lust, and other vices. The devil, in contrast, is portrayed as a force of redemption, capable of purging humans of their sins.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of irony. Burns uses irony to great effect, highlighting the hypocrisy of organized religion and the moral decay of society. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker urges the devil to take away the "pious, chaste, and reverend" individuals who are secretly indulging in sinful activities. This irony highlights the hypocrisy of those who claim to be moral but are actually engaging in immoral behavior.
Another important feature of the poem is its use of hyperbole. Burns employs hyperbole to exaggerate the vices of humans and the power of the devil. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker declares that the devil should take away the "sleek, sly hypocrite" who is "sapping Virtue's root." This hyperbole emphasizes the destructive power of hypocrisy and the urgent need to eradicate it.
Overall, Address to the Devil is a powerful piece of satire that exposes the moral decay of society. Burns's use of language is masterful, and his critique is as relevant today as it was in his time. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to comment on the human condition and to effect social change.
Conclusion
Address to the Devil is a classic piece of literature that deserves to be studied and appreciated for its sheer brilliance. Burns's use of language, irony, and hyperbole make the poem a scathing critique of the moral decay of society. The poem highlights the power of language to comment on the human condition and to effect social change. If you haven't read this poem yet, I urge you to do so. You will not be disappointed.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Address to the Devil: A Masterpiece of Robert Burns
Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, is known for his exceptional poetry that reflects the Scottish culture and tradition. One of his most famous poems is the "Address to the Devil," which is a satirical poem that mocks the devil and his evil deeds. The poem is a masterpiece of Burns, and it reflects his wit, humor, and poetic skills. In this article, we will analyze and explain the "Address to the Devil" in detail.
The poem is written in the form of an address to the devil, and it begins with the speaker addressing the devil as "O Prince! O Chief of many throned powers." The speaker then goes on to describe the devil's power and influence over the world, saying that he has "sway'd the hearts of men, and gods alike." The speaker acknowledges the devil's cunning and deceitful nature, saying that he is "the father of lies, the source of all deceit."
However, the speaker then goes on to mock the devil, saying that he is not as powerful as he thinks he is. The speaker says that the devil's power is limited, and that he is "but a slave to fate's unerring law." The speaker also mocks the devil's appearance, saying that he is "auld, and grim, and gash," and that he looks like a "haggis on two stumps."
The speaker then goes on to describe the devil's evil deeds, saying that he is responsible for all the wars, murders, and other atrocities that have been committed throughout history. The speaker says that the devil is "the cause of wars, and direful strife," and that he is "the author of all ill." However, the speaker then goes on to say that the devil's evil deeds are ultimately futile, and that he will eventually be defeated by God.
The poem ends with the speaker addressing the devil directly, saying that he is not afraid of him, and that he will continue to mock him and his evil deeds. The speaker says that he will "laugh at all his arts, and slight his power," and that he will "sing thy praises, and adore thy might."
The "Address to the Devil" is a masterpiece of Robert Burns, and it reflects his wit, humor, and poetic skills. The poem is a satirical take on the devil and his evil deeds, and it mocks him for his limited power and his ultimately futile efforts to cause chaos and destruction in the world. The poem also reflects Burns' belief in God and his ultimate power over the devil.
The poem is written in a very poetic and lyrical style, with a lot of alliteration and rhyming. The use of alliteration and rhyming adds to the poem's musicality and makes it more enjoyable to read. The poem also uses a lot of imagery, with the speaker describing the devil as "auld, and grim, and gash," and as looking like a "haggis on two stumps." The use of imagery adds to the poem's humor and makes it more memorable.
The poem also reflects Burns' Scottish heritage, with the use of Scottish words and phrases such as "auld" and "haggis." The use of Scottish words and phrases adds to the poem's authenticity and makes it more relatable to Scottish readers.
In conclusion, the "Address to the Devil" is a masterpiece of Robert Burns, and it reflects his wit, humor, and poetic skills. The poem is a satirical take on the devil and his evil deeds, and it mocks him for his limited power and his ultimately futile efforts to cause chaos and destruction in the world. The poem also reflects Burns' belief in God and his ultimate power over the devil. The poem is written in a very poetic and lyrical style, with a lot of alliteration and rhyming, and it uses a lot of imagery to add to its humor and make it more memorable. The "Address to the Devil" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great poetry and Scottish culture.
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