Aye, It's Robbie Burns Day

Listening to the local classical station, they're doing a spotlight special on Robert Burns (along with other choice Scottish music).  I can't say I mind him, though he's not one of my favourite 18th century poets (fair to say most of the poets I follow are 19th century).  Not a bad lookin' guy for his time, I guess.  Ah, I see though, I have one of his books in my collection.  It's not dated (it's very old), though I'm going to guess it was published in the early 1900's.  I thought I would share a couple of his poems for you...

Love in the Guise of Frienship, 1788

Your friendship much can make me blest,
O why that bliss destroy!
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.

Love for Love, 1792  (I like this one.. if you understand the language)

Ithers seek they ken na want,
Features, carriage, and a' that;
Gie me love in her I court,
Love to love maks a' the sport.

Let love sparkle in her e'e,
Let her l'oe nae man but me.
That the tocher-gude* I prize
There the luvers treasure lies.

*marriage portion


And one of the poems that became well known...

Ae Fond Kiss, 1791
He wrote this to his love as she left the country... to follow her husband to save her marriage :/

Ae fond kiss, and then we sever;
Ae farewell, alas, forever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!
Who shall say that Fortune grieves him
While the star of hope she leaves him.
Me, nae cheerfu' twinkle lights me,
Dark despair around benights me.

I'll ne'er blame my partial fancy;
Naething could resist my Nancy;
But to see her was to love her,
Love but her, and love for ever.
Had we never loved sae kindly,
Had we never loved sae blindly;
Never met - or never parted,
We had ne'er been broken-hearted.

Fare thee weel, thou first and fairest!
Fare thee weel, thou best and deerest!
Thine be ilka joy and treasure,
Peace, enjoyment, love, and pleasure!
Ae fond kiss, and then we sever!
Ae fareweel, alas, for ever!
Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee,
Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee!


And I'll leave you with a song (I think it's beautiful)...

Loch Lomond, by Chanticleer

Signed, your half-Scottish blogger.