Robert Burns

(1759-1796)

Robert Burns was the most democratic poet of the 18^th century. His birthday is celebrated in Scotland as a national holiday. His verses inspired many poets, British and foreign, and were highly appreciated by Karl Marx and his daughters.

Burns's poetry may be regarded as a treasury of all that is best in Scottish songs, some of them being late echoes of much older ones.

Burns is very popular in the Soviet Union. The first translations of his works appeared in our country at the close of the 18^th century, and since then he has always been widely read. We admire the plain Scottish peasant who became one of the world's greatest poets.

His Life

Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759, in a small clay cottage at Alloway in Ayrshire, Scotland. His father, William Burns, was a poor farmer. Later, the poet wrote about him in his verses "My Father Was a Farmer":

My father was a farmer upon the Carrick border, O,

And carefully he bred me in decency and order, O.

He bade me act a manly part, though I had ne'er never

a farthing, O,

For without an honest, manly heart no man was

worth regarding, O.

Poor as he was, William Burns tried to give his son the best education he could afford. Robert was sent to school at the age of six, but as his father could not pay for the two sons, Robert and his brother Gilbert attended school in turn. Thus William had to pay for only one pupil. When not at school, the boys helped the father with his work in the fields. Robert was at the plough working from morning till night. He strained his heart; he became subject to severe attacks of rheumatic fever.

The school was closed some months after the boys had begun attending it, and William Burns persuaded two or three neighbours to invite a clever young man, Murdoch by name, to teach their children languages and grammar. Robert was a capable boy and, with the help of his new teacher, received a decent education. He learned the French and Latin languages and became fond of reading. He read whatever he could lay his hands on. His favourite writers were Shakespeare, Sterne, Smollett, and Robert Fergusson, a talented Scottish poet (1750-1774), whose tragic fate deeply touched Burns. In his many verses, devoted to Fergusson, Burns accuses the "titled knaves", who let the "ill-fated genius" die.

Ill-fated genius! Heaven-taught Fergusson!

What heart that feels, and will not yield a tear

To think Life's sun did set, e'er well begun ever

To shed its influence on the bright career!

O, why should truest Worth and Genius pine

Beneath the iron grasp of Want and Woe,

While titled knaves and idiot-greatness shine

In all the splendour Fortune can bestow?

("Lines on Fergusson")

Burns started writing poems at the age of seventeen. He composed verses to the melodies of old folk-songs, which he had admired from his early childhood. He sang of the woods, fields and wonderful valleys of his native land.

The ploughing that led to the composition of those songs, was profitless, however, in another respect: in vain did Robert and Gilbert toil like "galley-slaves" to help their father. In 1784, worn out, exhausted and burdened with debts, William Burns died. After his death the family moved to Mossgiel where Robert and Gilbert managed to rent a small farm. The young men worked hard, but the land gave poor crops, and the affairs of the family went from bad to worse. The young poet keenly felt the injustice of the world, where the best land, pastures, and woods belonged to the landlords. His indignation was mirrored in his many verses, which became so dear to the hearts of the common people.

Though Robert despised those who worshipped money, "to be rich was not my wish" ("My Father Was a Farmer"), he now became well aware of the fact that poverty could ruin his whole life: he had fallen in love with Jean Armour and was going to marry her, but the girl's father did not want to have a poor peasant for his son-in-law. The fact that the young people loved each other did not alter his intention to marry Jean to a rich man.

Seeing that there was no way for a poor peasant in Scotland, Burns decided to sail for Jamaica, in the hope of obtaining a job on some sugar plantation. The poet's mood was expressed in the "Lines Written on a Bank-note".

Wae worth thy power, thou cursed leaf! Woe befall

Fell source of a' my woe and grief, Deadly; all

For lack o' thee I've lost my lass, of

For lack o' thee I scrimp my glass! I drink less

I see the children of affliction

Unaided, through thy curs'd restriction.

.....................................

For lack o' thee I leave this much-lov's shore,

Never, perhaps, to greet old Scotland more.

To raise the passage money, Robert made up his mind to publish some of his poems. The little volume "Poems Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect", published in 1786, went off rapidly and brought in about twenty guineas. The book contained lyrical, humorous and satirical poems written in his earlier years.

When Burns was about to leave for Jamaica, he received a letter from several Edinburgh scholars, who praised his verses and invited him to come to the capital. The letter changed the current of his life and kept the poet in his native land. He accepted the invitation, went to Edinburgh and within a few days was welcomed as one of the "wonders of the world". A new and enlarged edition of his poems was the result. He toured Scotland in triumph - as "Caledonia's* Bard" (*Caledonia (poetic) - Scotland). He was received by the "pillars" of society, and the doors of the most fashionable drawing-rooms were open to him. But Robert felt ill at ease among those people who tried to use his talent for their own ends and never really helped or morally supported him. Burns was never offered an opportunity to devote all his energy to literature.

After the new edition of his poems, Burns returned to his native village with money enough to buy a farm and marry Jean Armour, whose father was now glad to have the poet as his son-in-law.

Though Burns's poems were very popular, he always remained poor: most of the money was spent on the monument to Robert Fergusson, the rest was hardly enough to support his wife and children. His work at the farm, hard as it was, did not make him rich either. Again there remained the problem of earning a living, again he was without sufficient capital to see him over the inevitable rainy day. In 1791 he went bankrupt and was obliged to sell the farm and take a position as customs officer in the town of Dumfries. The job was extremely hard: the poet had to cover long distances on horseback in any weather. However, neither weariness nor hardships could suppress the poet in him, and he continued his literary work.

Hard work destroyed the poet's health. He died in poverty at the age of thirty-seven, haunted by the shadow of the debtors' prison. Even on his death-bed, he got a letter in which he was threatened with imprisonment for a debt of seven pounds.

After his death, the widow and children of the great poet were literally left without a shilling.

Burns was mourned by all the honest people of his country. His funeral was attended by a crowd of ten thousand. They were the common Scottish people whom he had loved and for whom he had written his poems and songs. And it was those common people who raised enough money by subscription to provide his widow with sustenance for the rest of her life and give all his children an education.

Since the death of Robert Burns, all visitors of Dumfries pay homage to the poet by visiting his burial-place.

Robert Burns's Literary Work

The Democratic Character of the Poet

Robert Burns was a true son of the Scottish peasantry. His poems embody their thoughts and aspirations, their human dignity, their love of freedom and hatred of all oppressors.

In his poem "Is There for Honest Poverty" Burns says that it is not wealth and titles, but the excellent qualities of man's heart and mind that make him "king o' men for a' that". Independence of mind and honesty, sense and dignity - these are the qualities the poet appreciates: they "are higher rank than a' that". In another poem, "Epistle to Davie, a Brother Poet" he praises the optimistic nature of the Scottish peasant who can be happy without titles, rank, or riches.

It's no in titles nor in rank: not

It's no in wealth like Lon'on Bank London

To purchase peace and rest.

It's no in makin muckle, mair; making, much, more

It's no in books, it's no in lear, learning

To make us truly blest:

If happiness hae not her seat have

An' centre in the breast, And

We may be wise, or rich, or great,

But never can be blest!

Nae treasures nor pleasures No

Could make us happy lang; long

The heart ay's the part ay is always

That makes us right or wrang. wrong

And further:

This life has joys for you and I;

And joys that riches ne'er could buy, never

And joys the very best.

Burns's verses mirror the best features of the enlighteners: their humanism, their firm belief in man's strength, in the power of reason, in the good qualities of human nature.

In Virtue train'd, enlighten'd Youth

Will love each fellow-creature;

And future years shall prove the truth

That Man is good by nature:

("Revolutionary Lyric", or "Why Should We Idly Waste Our Prime")

Then let us pray that come it may

(As come it will for a' that)

That Sense and Worth o'er a' the earth over all

Shall bear the gree an' a' that! have the first place

("Is There for Honest Poverty")

His Revolutionary Spirit

Many verses of the poet were inspired by the Great French Revolution, which he supported with all his heart. In his poem "The Tree of Liberty" Burns praises the French revolutionaries who planted "The Tree of Liberty" in their country. The poet regrets the fact that there is no "Tree of Liberty" in Britain, that is to say, the people do not struggle for freedom.

But seek the forest round and round,

And soon 'twill be agreed, man, it will

That sic a tree can not be found such

'Twixt London and the Tweed, man. Betwixt=Between;

a river in Scotland

And the people are subjected to severe exploitation and suffering.

Without this tree, alake, this life alas

Is but a vale o' woe, man, valley of

A scene o' sorrow mix'd wi' strife, with

Nae real joys we know, man; No

We labour soon, we labour late,

To feed the titled knave, man,

And a' the comfort we're to get,

Is that ayont the grave, man. Beyond

In his cantata "The Jolly Beggars" (or "Love and Liberty") the poet voices his protest against all oppressors.

A fig for those by law protected!

Liberty's a glorious feast,

Courts for cowards were erected,

Churches built to please the priest!

Burns's "Revolutionary Lyric" summons the Scottish people to struggle for freedom and independence.

Why should we idly waste our prime

Repeating our oppressions?

Come rouse to arms! 'Tis now the time

To punish past transgressions.

..................................

Those Despots long have trode us down, trod

And Judges are their engines: agents

Such wretched minions of a Crown favourites

Demand the people's vengeance!

To Burns's mind death is better than slavery:

Now each true patriot's song shall be: -

'Welcome Death or Libertie!'

The poet hopes that in the future the oppressed people of England and Scotland will start fighting for their freedom and independence.

Syne let us pray, Auld England may Then; Old

Sure plan this far-famed tree, man;

And blythe we'll sing, and herald the day cheerfully

That gives us liberty, man.

("The Tree of Liberty")

Burns expresses his firm belief in a happy future, when people all over the world will live in peace and enjoy full equality.

Wi' plenty o' sic trees, I trow, believe

The warld would live in peace, man. world

The sword would help to mak' a plough,

The din o' war wad cease, man. noise; would

Like brethren in a common cause,

We'd on each other smile, man;

And equal rights and equal laws

Wad gladden every isle, man.

("The Tree of Liberty")

While the realism and humanism of Burns's poetry make him one of the most progressive writers of the Enlightenment, its democratic and revolutionary spirit brings him closer to the revolutionary romantic trend of the 19^th century.

His Love for Scotland

Burns had a deep love for Scotland, its history and folklore. "Address to Edinburgh" is a hymn to the common Scottish people:

Thy sons, Edina, social, kind,

With open arms the stranger hail;

Their views enlarg'd, their lib'ral mind, liberal

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!

The poet was deeply interested in the glorious past of his country, which he calls "The birthplace of valour, the country of worth" ("My Heart's in the Highlands").

His favourite national hero was William Wallace (1272?-1305), the leader of the uprising against the English oppressors. The Scottish people led by Wallace and Robert the Bruce (1274-1329), king of Scotland, defeated the English army in the battle at Bannockburn in 1314 and secured Scottish independence. "Bruce at Bannockburn" (or "Scots, Wha Hae") is one of the best poems by Burns. The verses were published only after the poet's death.

SCOTS, WHA HAE Who Have

Scots, wha hae wi' Wallace bled,

Scots, wham Bruce has aften led, often

Welcome to your glory bed

Or to victorie!

Now's the day, and now's the hour:

See the front o' battle lour, coming near

See approach proud Edward's power -

Chains and slaverie!

Wha will be a traitor knave?

Wha can fill a coward's grave?

Wha sae base as be a slave? - so

Let him turn, and flee!

Wha for Scotland's King and Law

Freedom's sword will strongly draw,

Freeman stand or freeman fa', fall

Let him follow me!

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!

In the poem "Caledonia", written on the same theme, Burns expresses his hatred of the English oppressors and glorifies "brave Caledonia", "A lambkin in peace but a lion in war".

In many of his poems he sings the beauty of his native land, where he spent all his life:

...............................................

Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,

The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.

Farewell to the mountains high covered 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")

In Burns's poems, nature forms a part of the people's life, though he does not personify it as some poets of the later period do.

His optimism

In spite of his poverty, hunger and never-ceasing toil, Burns was an optimist. He enjoyed his life as few of his contemporaries did. In a world shot through with terror and darkness (it was in such a world that Burns wrote) he sang of the richness and wonder of life:

..........................................

I dropt my schemes like idle dreams, and came

to this conclusion, O: -

The past was bad, and the future hid; its good

or ill untried, O,

But the present hour was in my pow'r, and so I power

would enjoy it, O.

("My Father Was a Farmer")

Burns believes in the happy future of mankind. He is sure that

The Golden Age we'll then revive:

Each man will be a brother;

In harmony we all shall live,

And share the earth together;

("Revolutionary Lyric")

Burns hopes that

It's comin yet for a' that,

That man to man the world o'er

Shall brithers be for a' that. brothers

("Is There for Honest Poverty")

The poem "John Barleycorn", in which Burns tells of the way whisky is made, 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.

There was three kings into the east,

Three kings both great and high,

And they hae sworn a solemn oath

John Barleycorn should die.

But, however hard they tried, they could not crush him.

His colour sicken'd more and more,

He faded into age;

And then his enemies began

To show their deadly rage.

They've ta'en a weapon long and sharp, taken

And cut him by the knee;

.................................

They wasted o'er a scorching flame

The marrow of his bones;

But a miller us'd him worst of all, used

For he crush'd him between two stones.

However, all their efforts were in vain. Even when "they hae ta'en his very heart's blood", it did not help either. 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,

'Twill make your courage rise.

The poet wishes the future generation to be as strong:

And may his great posterity

Ne'er fail in old Scot'land!

His Lyrics

Burns was a remarkable lyric poet. Some of his lyrical pieces are tender and pathetic, some abound in humour and irony. (All his life he wanted to write a play, but he never got round to it. However, from his lyrics, in which so many various characters are shown, we may see what a dramatist was lost in him.) Burns's masterful touch upon the human heart-strings is the most characteristic feature of his talent. There is a melodic quality in his poetry. Such lyrics as "A Red, Red Rose", "Scots, Wha Hae", "Auld Lang Syne", "John Barleycorn", "My Heart's in the Highlands", and many others were composed to the old folk-melodies or later set to music, and are popular as songs all over the world.

In his lyrical poems and songs Burns glorifies true love and friendship, free from any motives of gain and hypocritical morality. In many of them he reveals the beauty of nature.

In his lyrical pieces, as in his other works, he remains the bard of freedom.