No More Learning

I have partly taken your idea of "Auld Rob Morris. " I have adopted the
two first verses, and am going on with the song on a new plan, which
promises pretty well. I take up one or another, just as the bee of the
moment buzzes in my bonnet-lug; and do you, _sans ceremonie_, make
what use you choose of the productions.

Adieu, &c.

R. B.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 205:

Ye banks and braes and streams around
The castle o' Montgomery.

Song CLXXXII]

* * * * *




CCXL.


TO MR. THOMSON.

[The poet approved of several emendations proposed by Thomson, whose
wish was to make the words flow more readily with the music: he
refused, however, to adopt others, where he thought too much of the
sense was sacrificed. ]

_Dumfries, 1st December, 1792. _

Your alterations of my "Nannie, O! " are perfectly right. So are those
of "My wife's a winsome wee thing.
" Your alteration of the second
stanza is a positive improvement. Now, my dear Sir, with the freedom
which characterizes our correspondence, I must not, cannot alter
"Bonnie Lesley. " You are right; the word "Alexander" makes the line a
little uncouth, but I think the thought is pretty. Of Alexander,
beyond all other heroes, it may be said, in the sublime language of
Scripture, that "he went forth conquering and to conquer. "

For nature made her what she is,
And never made anither. (Such a person as she is. )

This is, in my opinion, more poetical than "Ne'er made sic anither. "
However, it is immaterial: make it either way. "Caledonie," I agree
with you, is not so good a word as could be wished, though it is
sanctioned in three or four instances by Allan Ramsay; but I cannot
help it. In short, that species of stanza is the most difficult that I
have ever tried.

R. B.

* * * * *




CCXLI.


TO MR. THOMSON.

[Duncan Gray, which this letter contained, became a favourite as soon
as it was published, and the same may be said of Auld Rob Morris.