Author: Robert Burns

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I.

        Wi' braw new branks in mickle pride,
            And eke a braw new brechan,
        My Pegasus I'm got astride,
            And up Parnassus pechin;
        Whiles owre a bush wi' downward crush
            The doitie beastie stammers;
        Then up he gets and off he sets
            For sake o' Willie Chalmers.

II.

        I doubt na, lass, that weel kenn'd name
            May cost a pair o' blushes;
        I am nae stranger to your fame,
            Nor his warm urged wishes.
        Your bonnie face sae mild and sweet
            His honest heart enamours,
        And faith ye'll no be lost a whit,
            Tho' waired on Willie Chalmers.

III.

        Auld Truth hersel' might swear ye're fair,
            And Honour safely back her,
        And Modesty assume your air,
            And ne'er a ane mistak' her:
        And sic twa love-inspiring een
            Might fire even holy Palmers;
        Nae wonder then they've fatal been
            To honest Willie Chalmers.

IV.

        I doubt na fortune may you shore
            Some mim-mou'd pouthered priestie,
        Fu' lifted up wi' Hebrew lore,
            And band upon his breastie:
        But Oh! what signifies to you
            His lexicons and grammars;
        The feeling heart's the royal blue,
            And that's wi' Willie Chalmers.

V.

        Some gapin' glowrin' countra laird,
            May warstle for your favour;
        May claw his lug, and straik his beard,
            And hoast up some palaver.
        My bonnie maid, before ye wed
            Sic clumsy-witted hammers,
        Seek Heaven for help, and barefit skelp
            Awa' wi' Willie Chalmers.

VI.

        Forgive the Bard! my fond regard
            For ane that shares my bosom,
        Inspires my muse to gie 'm his dues,
            For de'il a hair I roose him.
        May powers aboon unite you soon,
            And fructify your amours,
        And every year come in mair dear
            To you and Willie Chalmers.

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a compelling blend of humor, adoration, and raw emotion, penned in a dialect that injects an additional layer of authenticity and charm. The central themes revolve around love, admiration, and a certain critique of societal norms and expectations, all presented through the lens of a character deeply enchanted by a woman and her suitor named Willie Chalmers.

The poem's structure follows a consistent rhythm and rhyme scheme, showcasing both the poet's technical prowess and his ability to weave a narrative within these confines. The repeated mention of Willie Chalmers in each stanza imparts a sense of longing and perhaps a hint of envy, showing the speaker's deep admiration for the man and his relationship with the woman.

The tone is both playful and earnest, capturing the speaker's genuine affection for the characters he describes, while also using humor as a tool for commentary. For instance, the speaker's depiction of other potential suitors as "clumsy-witted hammers" compared to Willie Chalmers' "feeling heart" pokes fun at societal values, propelling the theme of love over material wealth or prestige.

In terms of literary devices, the poet uses vivid and humorous imagery throughout to underscore his points. The image of Pegasus "pechin" (struggling) up Parnassus serves as a metaphor for the poet's own struggle to articulate the depth of his feelings. Simultaneously, it sets a somewhat self-deprecating tone that persists throughout the poem, adding to its overall charm and relatability.

Overall, the poem is a delightful blend of wit, sentiment, and social commentary, wrapped in a rhythmic and rhyming package that makes it both engaging and thought-provoking.