'A Dedication' by Robert Burns
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To Gavin Hamilton, Esq.
Expect na, sir, in this narration,
A fleechin, fleth'rin Dedication,
To roose you up, an' ca' you guid,
An' sprung o' great an' noble bluid,
Because ye're surnam'd like His Grace-
Perhaps related to the race:
Then, when I'm tir'd-and sae are ye,
Wi' mony a fulsome, sinfu' lie,
Set up a face how I stop short,
For fear your modesty be hurt.
This may do-maun do, sir, wi' them wha
Maun please the great folk for a wamefou;
For me! sae laigh I need na bow,
For, Lord be thankit, I can plough;
And when I downa yoke a naig,
Then, Lord be thankit, I can beg;
Sae I shall say-an' that's nae flatt'rin-
It's just sic Poet an' sic Patron.
The Poet, some guid angel help him,
Or else, I fear, some ill ane skelp him!
He may do weel for a' he's done yet,
But only-he's no just begun yet.
The Patron (sir, ye maun forgie me;
I winna lie, come what will o' me),
On ev'ry hand it will allow'd be,
He's just-nae better than he should be.
I readily and freely grant,
He downa see a poor man want;
What's no his ain, he winna tak it;
What ance he says, he winna break it;
Ought he can lend he'll no refus't,
Till aft his guidness is abus'd;
And rascals whiles that do him wrang,
Ev'n that, he does na mind it lang;
As master, landlord, husband, father,
He does na fail his part in either.
But then, nae thanks to him for a'that;
Nae godly symptom ye can ca' that;
It's naething but a milder feature
Of our poor, sinfu' corrupt nature:
Ye'll get the best o' moral works,
'Mang black Gentoos, and pagan Turks,
Or hunters wild on Ponotaxi,
Wha never heard of orthodoxy.
That he's the poor man's friend in need,
The gentleman in word and deed,
It's no thro' terror of damnation;
It's just a carnal inclination.
Morality, thou deadly bane,
Thy tens o' thousands thou hast slain!
Vain is his hope, whase stay an' trust is
In moral mercy, truth, and justice!
No-stretch a point to catch a plack:
Abuse a brother to his back;
Steal through the winnock frae a whore,
But point the rake that taks the door;
Be to the poor like ony whunstane,
And haud their noses to the grunstane;
Ply ev'ry art o' legal thieving;
No matter-stick to sound believing.
Learn three-mile pray'rs, an' half-mile graces,
Wi' weel-spread looves, an' lang, wry faces;
Grunt up a solemn, lengthen'd groan,
And damn a' parties but your own;
I'll warrant they ye're nae deceiver,
A steady, sturdy, staunch believer.
O ye wha leave the springs o' Calvin,
For gumlie dubs of your ain delvin!
Ye sons of Heresy and Error,
Ye'll some day squeel in quaking terror,
When Vengeance draws the sword in wrath.
And in the fire throws the sheath;
When Ruin, with his sweeping besom,
Just frets till Heav'n commission gies him;
While o'er the harp pale Misery moans,
And strikes the ever-deep'ning tones,
Still louder shrieks, and heavier groans!
Your pardon, sir, for this digression:
I maist forgat my Dedication;
But when divinity comes 'cross me,
My readers still are sure to lose me.
So, sir, you see 'twas nae daft vapour;
But I maturely thought it proper,
When a' my works I did review,
To dedicate them, sir, to you:
Because (ye need na tak it ill),
I thought them something like yoursel'.
Then patronize them wi' your favor,
And your petitioner shall ever-
I had amaist said, ever pray,
But that's a word I need na say;
For prayin, I hae little skill o't,
I'm baith dead-sweer, an' wretched ill o't;
But I'se repeat each poor man's pray'r,
That kens or hears about you, sir-
"May ne'er Misfortune's gowling bark,
Howl thro' the dwelling o' the clerk!
May ne'er his genrous, honest heart,
For that same gen'rous spirit smart!
May Kennedy's far-honour'd name
Lang beet his hymeneal flame,
Till Hamiltons, at least a dizzen,
Are frae their nuptial labours risen:
Five bonie lasses round their table,
And sev'n braw fellows, stout an' able,
To serve their king an' country weel,
By word, or pen, or pointed steel!
May health and peace, with mutual rays,
Shine on the ev'ning o' his days;
Till his wee, curlie John's ier-oe,
When ebbing life nae mair shall flow,
The last, sad, mournful rites bestow!"
I will not wind a lang conclusion,
With complimentary effusion;
But, whilst your wishes and endeavours
Are blest with Fortune's smiles and favours,
I am, dear sir, with zeal most fervent,
Your much indebted, humble servant.
But if (which Pow'rs above prevent)
That iron-hearted carl, Want,
Attended, in his grim advances,
By sad mistakes, and black mischances,
While hopes, and joys, and pleasures fly him,
Make you as poor a dog as I am,
Your humble servant then no more;
For who would humbly serve the poor?
But, by a poor man's hopes in Heav'n!
While recollection's pow'r is giv'n-
If, in the vale of humble life,
The victim sad of fortune's strife,
I, thro' the tender-gushing tear,
Should recognise my master dear;
If friendless, low, we meet together,
Then, sir, your hand-my Friend and Brother!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, A Dedication: A Masterpiece by Robert Burns
When it comes to great poets of all time, Robert Burns is a name that cannot be left out. His works have remained relevant and captivating even after centuries. One of his most famous works is "Poetry, A Dedication." In this poem, Burns speaks directly to the muse of poetry, highlighting its importance and significance. This literary criticism and interpretation of "Poetry, A Dedication" will explore the themes, stylistic devices, and symbolism used by Burns to create this masterpiece.
Overview of the Poem
"Poetry, A Dedication" is a fourteen-stanza poem with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is written in the first person, with Burns speaking directly to the muse of poetry. In the first stanza, Burns acknowledges the muse's power by saying that she has the ability to make people forget their troubles and sorrows. As the poem progresses, Burns praises poetry for its ability to lift the human spirit, bring hope and joy, and create a sense of community among people.
Themes
One of the main themes of "Poetry, A Dedication" is the power of poetry. Burns expresses the idea that poetry has the ability to transform people's lives, create a sense of community, and heal the human soul. He says, "Then come, thou inspirer of that ancient flame, / To my bosom, and my bardic name" (lines 5-6). Burns believes that poetry has the power to inspire people and bring them together. He sees poetry as a way to connect people across time and space.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of the muse of poetry. Burns recognizes the importance of the muse in inspiring poets to create their works. He says, "Thou, Nature, partial Nature, I arraign; / Of thy caprice maternal I complain" (lines 13-14). Burns recognizes that the muse is a fickle creature, but he still acknowledges her power.
Stylistic Devices
One of the most striking stylistic devices in "Poetry, A Dedication" is the use of personification. Burns personifies poetry as a living, breathing entity with emotions and desires. He says, "But to my heart thy influence impart, / Raise thyself, my native art!" (lines 11-12). By personifying poetry, Burns creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the muse.
Another stylistic device used in the poem is repetition. Burns repeats the phrase "native art" throughout the poem, emphasizing the importance of poetry as a part of his cultural heritage. He says, "And in thy numbers, as thy subjects shine, / With patriotic ardour glow the line! / Say, when thy soul expatiates on themes / That to Scotland's glory wake the dreams, / Recount, thou bard! their names who shed the light / That led her on to fame, and opened new realms of light" (lines 7-12). By repeating the phrase "native art," Burns reinforces the idea that poetry is an essential part of his cultural identity.
Symbolism
One of the most significant symbols in "Poetry, A Dedication" is the image of the muse. Burns sees the muse as a powerful force that can inspire poets to create works of great beauty and meaning. He says, "With thee, sweet muse, let me review / The deeds of men, the scene of nature too" (lines 2-3). The muse represents the creative force that inspires poets to write and connect with their readers.
Another symbol in the poem is the image of Scotland. Burns sees Scotland as a source of inspiration for his poetry. He says, "Recount, thou bard! their names who shed the light / That led her on to fame, and opened new realms of light" (lines 11-12). Scotland represents both Burns' cultural heritage and his inspiration as a poet.
Conclusion
"Poetry, A Dedication" is a beautiful and inspiring work that highlights the power of poetry and the importance of the muse. Burns' use of personification, repetition, and symbolism creates a sense of intimacy and connection between the reader and the muse. His themes of the power of poetry and the importance of the muse are timeless and continue to resonate with readers today. Overall, "Poetry, A Dedication" is a masterpiece that showcases Burns' talent and skill as a poet.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry A Dedication: A Masterpiece by Robert Burns
Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, is known for his exceptional contribution to the world of literature. His works are a reflection of his thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. One of his most famous poems, Poetry A Dedication, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This poem is a dedication to the art of poetry and the power it holds over the human mind. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the lines, "To thee, the Poet's heaven-born aid! / Thou, stranger to the woes of earth, / And ignorant of man's vile brood!" These lines establish the theme of the poem, which is the power of poetry. The poet addresses poetry as a heavenly aid that is not affected by the troubles of the world. He also refers to poetry as ignorant of the vices of mankind. This is a clear indication that the poet believes that poetry has the power to transcend the limitations of the human world.
The next few lines of the poem describe the poet's relationship with poetry. He says, "With thee, sweet maid, my earliest vows / Begun, while yet I knew thee not; / And still my heart its homage shows / In truth, and pure, and fervent thought." Here, the poet personifies poetry as a sweet maid and describes his relationship with her as one of his earliest vows. He also expresses his devotion to poetry through his pure and fervent thoughts. This shows that the poet believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a way of life.
The poem then takes a turn towards the poet's personal experiences. He says, "Ne'er did thy sheen-eyed sister fair / Retire, unwilling, from my breast; / With her, along the silent air, / My passion to my soul expressed." Here, the poet refers to poetry's sister, which is most likely a reference to music. He describes how he has always been passionate about poetry and how it has always been a part of his life. This shows that the poet believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a part of his identity.
The next few lines of the poem describe the power of poetry. The poet says, "But when the light of life decayed, / And hope's last lingering gleam departed; / What soul was not by thee dismayed, / Thou sister of the tender-hearted!" Here, the poet refers to the power of poetry to comfort the human soul in times of despair. He believes that poetry has the power to provide solace to the human mind when all hope seems lost.
The poem then takes a philosophical turn. The poet says, "Oh! who can tell, save he whose heart / Has tried, and proved the deadly smart, / What hell it is, in suing long, / To wait, but for a cold reply?" Here, the poet refers to the pain of unrequited love. He believes that poetry has the power to express the pain of the human heart in a way that nothing else can. This shows that the poet believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a way of expressing the human experience.
The poem then takes a political turn. The poet says, "Then, all too late, the deed shall mourn, / And wish, undone, the ill-advised; / And, groaning, in remembrance, turn, / And curse the folly that despised / The guidance of that heavenly maid, / Who loved the Muse, and me, and thee!" Here, the poet refers to the power of poetry to guide the human mind towards the right path. He believes that poetry has the power to influence the human mind in a way that can lead to positive change. This shows that the poet believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a tool for social change.
The poem ends with the lines, "Then, hail! ye mighty masters of the lay, / Nature's true sons of poesy! / Eye nature's walks, shoot folly as it flies, / And catch the manners living as they rise; / Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, / But vindicate the ways of God to man." Here, the poet pays homage to the great poets who have come before him. He believes that they are the true sons of poetry who have captured the essence of nature in their works. He also encourages the readers to observe nature and capture the human experience in their works. He believes that poetry should be a reflection of the world around us and should strive to bring about positive change.
In conclusion, Poetry A Dedication is a masterpiece that showcases the power of poetry. The poem is a dedication to the art of poetry and the power it holds over the human mind. The poet believes that poetry is not just a form of art but a way of life. He believes that poetry has the power to transcend the limitations of the human world and provide solace to the human soul. He also believes that poetry is a tool for social change and encourages the readers to observe nature and capture the human experience in their works. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to influence the human mind in a positive way.
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