CATEGORIES:
BiologyChemistryConstructionCultureEcologyEconomyElectronicsFinanceGeographyHistoryInformaticsLawMathematicsMechanicsMedicineOtherPedagogyPhilosophyPhysicsPolicyPsychologySociologySportTourism
Burns's Literary WorkRobert Burns's poetry was inspired by his deep love for his motherland, for its history and folklore. His beautiful poem My Heart's in the Highlands, full of vivid colourful descriptions, is a hymn to the beauty of Scotland's nature and to its glorious past. He admires the green valleys, "mountains high cover'd with snow, and wild hanging woods". He calls his country: "The birthplace of valour, the country of worth." My Heart's in the Highlands My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here, My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer, A-chasing the wild deer and following the roe — My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go! Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North, The birthplace of valour, the country of worth! Wherever I wander, wherever I rove, The hills of the Highlands for ever I love. My heart's in the Highlands, etc. Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow, Farewell to the straths and green valleys below, Farewell to the forests and wild-hanging woods, Farewell to the torrents and loud — pouring floods! My heart's in the Highlands, etc. Adieu for a while, I can never forget thee,1 The land of my fathers, the soil of the free, I sigh for the hour that shall bid me retrace The path of my childhood, my own native place. My heart's in the Highlands, etc. In Burns's poems nature forms a part of people's life, though he does not personify it. Burns is inspired by deep love for Scotland, its history and folklore. Address to Edinburgh is a hymn to the common Scottish people: The sons, Edina2, social, kind, With open arms the strangers hail; Their views enlarg'd their lib'ral3 mind. Above the narrow rural vale; Attentive still to sorrow's wail, Or modest merit's silent claim: And never may their sources fail! And never envy blot their name!" Burns's poetry is closely connected with the national struggle of the Scottish people for their liberation from English oppression, the struggle that had been going on in Scotland for many centuries. His favourite national hero is William Wallace [' wdIis] (1270 — 1305), the leader of the uprising against the English oppressors. The Scottish people led by Wallace and Robert Bruce (1274- 1329), King of Scotland, overthrew the English army in the battle at Bannockburn in 1314 and secured Scottish independence. Bruce at Bannockburn is one of the best poem by Burns. It is the poet's call to his people to keep up the freedom-loving spirit of their fathers. Scots, who have with Wallace bled, Scots, whom Bruce has often led, 1 thee — you 2 Edina — Endinburgh 3 enlarg'd... lib'ral — enlarged... liberal
By oppression's woes and pains! By your sons in servile chains! We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free! Lay the proud usurpers low! Tyrants fall in every foe! Liberty's in every blow! — Let us do, or die! Robert Bums is a true son of the Scottish peasantry. His poems express their thoughts and hopes, their human dignity, and their love of freedom and hatred for all oppressors. In his poem A Man's A Man ForA'That Burns says that it is not wealth and titles, but the excellent qualities of man's heart that make "a man for a' that". The poet praises the healthy, happy, wise Scottish peasant, who in his shabby clothes is worth a score of lords, however fine. A Man's A Man ForA'That Is there for honest Poverty That hangs his head, and all that: The Coward slave, we pass him by, We dare be poor for all that! For all that, and all that, Our toil's obscure and all that; The rank is but the guinea-stamp. The Man's the gold for all that. Then let us pray that come it may — (As come it will for all that) — That Sense and Worth over all the Earth, Shall bear the gree1, and all that. gree — have the first place For all that, and all that. It's coming yet for all that, That man to man, the world over, Shall brothers be for all that! Titles and riches are not enough to make people happy. Many verses of the poet were inspired by the French Revolution which he supported with all his heart. • In his poem The Tree of Liberty Burns praised the French revolutionaries who planted "The Tree of Liberty" in their country. In this poem Bums expresses his belief that the time will come when all people will be equal and happy. Like brothers in a common cause We'd on each other smile, man; And equal rights and equal laws World gladden every isle, man. In spite of his poverty, hunger and never-ceasing toil, Burns was an optimist. He enjoyed life as few of his contemporaries did. The poem John Barleycorn expresses Burns's optimism. It tells of the way people prepare whiskey. The poem is symbolic in its meaning. John Barleycorn personifies the strength of the common people which is immortal and cannot be done away with. Three kings wanted to kill John Barleycorn. John Barleycorn The were three kings into the east, Three kings both great and high, And they had sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn should die. They took a plough and ploughed him down, Put clods upon his head, And they had sworn a solemn oath John Barleycorn was dead. But the cheerful spring came kindly on, And showers began to fall;
However, all their efforts were in vain. John Barleycorn was not dead, as his joyful spirit was alive in those who had a chance "to taste his blood". John Barleycorn was a hero bold, Of noble enterprise, For if you do but taste his blood, It will make your courage rise. It will make a man forget his woe; It will heighten all his joy: It will make the widow's heart to sing, Though the tear were in her eye. Then let us toast John Barleycorn, Each man a glass in hand; And may his great posterity1 Ne'er2 fail in old Scotland. Burns was a remarkable lyric poet. His lyrical poems are known for their beauty, truthfulness, freshness, depth of feelings and their lovely melody. Among his best lyrics is Oil, My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose. Î my Love's like a red, red rose That's newly sprung in June; Î my Love's like the melody That's sweetly played in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass3, So deep in love am I; And I will love thee still, my dear, Till all the seas go dry. Till all the seas go dry my dear, And the rocks melt with the sun; ÎI will love thee still, my dear, While the sands of life shall run. And fare thee well, my only Love! And fare thee well a while! And I will come again, my Love, Though it were ten thousand mile! Many of Burns's lyrical poems have been put to music and are sung by all English-speaking people. One of them is Auld Lang Syne f o:kf ten' sain], a beautiful song of brotherhood and friendship. Auld Lang Syne1 Should auld2 acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind ? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And days of lang syne! Chorus For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne, We'll take a cup of kindness yet For auld lang syne! We two have wandered in the brook From morning sun till dine3, But seas between us broad have roared Since auld lang syne. And there's a hand, my trusty friend, And give us a hand of thine4; And we'll take a right hearty drink. For auld lang syne.
2 Ne'er — Never 3 bonnie lass — pretty girl 1 Auld Lang Syne — the days of long ago 2 auld — old 3 dine — dinner 4 thine — yours
Epigrams . The Book-Warms Once Burns was invited by a nobleman to see his magnificent library. Observing a splendidly bound, but uncut and worm-eaten copy of Shakespeare on the table, the poet left the following lines in the volume: Through and through the inspired leaves, Ye1 maggots, make your windings; But, oh! respect his lordship's taste, And spare the golden bindings. The Parson's Looks Someone remarked that he had seen falsehood in the very look of a certain priest. The poet replied: That there is falsehood in his looks I must and will deny; They say their master is a knave — And sure they do not lie. Date: 2016-01-03; view: 871
|
Welcome to your gory bed, Or to victory!
John Barleycorn, got up again, And sore surpris'd them all.
1 posterity — future generation
Burns's wit, humour, contempt for falsehood and hypocrisy are best revealed in his epigrams — short four line satirical verses in which he attacks lords, churchmen, persons of rank. The biting satire of his epigrams was greatly admired by the common people. Here are the three epigrams in which Robert Burns shows the ignorance of the nobility, the falsehood of the priests and his hatred of the rich.