Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Burns on Galloway

In looking across my poetry bookshelf I came across an old Songs by Burns. This is so old it has no date. The publisher is Walter Scott of 22 Warwick Lane London. It has a leather spine and a polished wooden back and front with illustrations of Barmouth. Yes, Barmouth in Wales. That place with strong connections with Robbie Burns. Flicking through I came across a short set of pomes that may amuse some people. Here they are.

  • On Seeing The Beautiful Seat of Lord Galloway


  • What dost thou in that mansion fair? -
    Flit, Galloway, and find
    Some narrow, dirty, dungeon cave,
    The picture of thy mind!

  • On The Same


  • No Stewart art thou, Galloway
    The Stewarts all were brave;
    Besides, the Stewarts were but fools,
    Not one of them a knave.

  • On The Same


  • Bright ran thy line, O Galloway,
    Through many a far-famed sire!
    So ran the far-famed Roman way,
    So ended in a mire!

  • To The Same


  • On the Author's Being Threatened With His Resentment

    Spare me thy vengeance, Galloway.
    In quiet let me live:
    I ask no kindness at thy hand,
    For thou hast none to give.

What could Burns have meant?

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