[284]
How do you like the foregoing?
How do you like the foregoing?
Robert Forst
" I do not know whether I
am right, but that song pleases me; and as it is extremely probable
that Clarke's newly-roused celestial spark will be soon smothered in
the fogs of indolence, if you like the song, it may go as Scottish
verses to the air of "I wish my love was in a mire;" and poor
Erskine's English lines may follow.
I enclose you a "For a' that and a' that," which was never in print:
it is a much superior song to mine. I have been told that it was
composed by a lady, and some lines written on the blank leaf of a copy
of the last edition of my poems, presented to the lady whom, in so
many fictitious reveries of passion, but with the most ardent
sentiments of real friendship, I have so often sung under the name of
Chloris:--
To Chloris. [283]
_Une bagatelle de l'amitie. _
COILA.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 282: Song CCLV. ]
[Footnote 283: Poems, No. CXLVI. ]
* * * * *
CCCXVI.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[In the double service of poesy and music the poet had to sing of
pangs which he never endured, from beauties to whom he had never
spoken. ]
FORLORN my love, no comfort near, &c.
[284]
How do you like the foregoing? I have written it within this hour: so
much for the speed of my Pegasus; but what say you to his bottom?
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 284: Song CCLVIII. ]
* * * * *
CCCXVII.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[The unexampled brevity of Burns's letters, and the extraordinary flow
and grace of his songs, towards the close of his life, have not now
for the first time been remarked. ]
LAST May a braw wooer. [285]
Why, why tell thy lover. [286]
Such is the peculiarity of the rhythm of this air, that I find it
impossible to make another stanza to suit it.
I am at present quite occupied with the charming sensations of the
toothache, so have not a word to spare.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 285: Song CCLIX.
am right, but that song pleases me; and as it is extremely probable
that Clarke's newly-roused celestial spark will be soon smothered in
the fogs of indolence, if you like the song, it may go as Scottish
verses to the air of "I wish my love was in a mire;" and poor
Erskine's English lines may follow.
I enclose you a "For a' that and a' that," which was never in print:
it is a much superior song to mine. I have been told that it was
composed by a lady, and some lines written on the blank leaf of a copy
of the last edition of my poems, presented to the lady whom, in so
many fictitious reveries of passion, but with the most ardent
sentiments of real friendship, I have so often sung under the name of
Chloris:--
To Chloris. [283]
_Une bagatelle de l'amitie. _
COILA.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 282: Song CCLV. ]
[Footnote 283: Poems, No. CXLVI. ]
* * * * *
CCCXVI.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[In the double service of poesy and music the poet had to sing of
pangs which he never endured, from beauties to whom he had never
spoken. ]
FORLORN my love, no comfort near, &c.
[284]
How do you like the foregoing? I have written it within this hour: so
much for the speed of my Pegasus; but what say you to his bottom?
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 284: Song CCLVIII. ]
* * * * *
CCCXVII.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[The unexampled brevity of Burns's letters, and the extraordinary flow
and grace of his songs, towards the close of his life, have not now
for the first time been remarked. ]
LAST May a braw wooer. [285]
Why, why tell thy lover. [286]
Such is the peculiarity of the rhythm of this air, that I find it
impossible to make another stanza to suit it.
I am at present quite occupied with the charming sensations of the
toothache, so have not a word to spare.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 285: Song CCLIX.
