Verses To A Young Lady

By Robert Burns

Sonnet
        Here, where the Scottish muse immortal lives,             In sacred strains and tuneful numbers join'd,         Accept the gift; tho' humble he who gives,             Rich is the tribute of the grateful mind.         So may no ruffian feeling in thy breast,             Discordant jar thy bosom-chords among;         But peace attune thy gentle soul to rest,             Or love ecstatic wake his seraph song.         Or pity's notes in luxury of tears,             As modest want the tale of woe reveals;         While conscious virtue all the strain endears,             And heaven-born piety her sanction seals.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem exudes a sense of reverence, gratitude, and an appeal to higher sentiments - peace, love, and piety. It begins with an homage to the 'Scottish muse', perhaps alluding to the rich tradition of Scottish poetry, and ends with a potent image of divine endorsement, creating an overarching theme of veneration towards both artistic and moral virtues.

The poem's tone is both humble and earnest, as the speaker presents his 'gift' - presumably the poem itself - as a tribute from a 'grateful mind'. This sense of humility and gratitude is contrasted with the richness of the sentiments conveyed in the poem, creating a compelling interplay of modesty and grandeur.

The structure of the poem, with its consistent rhyming scheme and balanced stanzas, lends a sense of harmony that aligns well with the themes of peace and attunement explored in the poem. Noteworthy literary devices include the personification of feelings as 'ruffian' and 'discordant', which vividly portray the potential for emotional conflict, and the use of 'seraph song' and 'heaven-born piety', which elevate the poem's sentiments to a divine level. The poet's skillful use of these devices contributes to the overall impact of the poem, creating a rich tapestry of reverence, humility, and high sentiment.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.