There is a
peculiar rhythmus in many of our airs, and a necessity of adapting
syllables to the emphasis, or what I would call the feature-notes of
the tune, that cramp the poet, and lay him under almost insuperable
difficulties.
peculiar rhythmus in many of our airs, and a necessity of adapting
syllables to the emphasis, or what I would call the feature-notes of
the tune, that cramp the poet, and lay him under almost insuperable
difficulties.
Robert Burns
&c.
[202]
"Gala Water" and "Auld Rob Morris" I think, will most probably be the
next subject of my musings. However, even on my verses, speak out your
criticisms with equal frankness. My wish is not to stand aloof, the
uncomplying bigot of _opiniatrete_, but cordially to join issue with
you in the furtherance of the work.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 200: Song CLXXVII]
[Footnote 201: It is something worse in the Edinburgh edition--"Behind
yon hills where Stinchar flows. "--Poems, p 322. ]
[Footnote 202: Song CLXXIX. ]
* * * * *
CCXXXVIII.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[The poet loved to describe the influence which the charms of Miss
Lesley Baillie exercised over his imagination. ]
_November 8th, 1792. _
If you mean, my dear Sir, that all the songs in your collection shall
be poetry of the first merit, I am afraid you will find more
difficulty in the undertaking than you are aware of.
There is a
peculiar rhythmus in many of our airs, and a necessity of adapting
syllables to the emphasis, or what I would call the feature-notes of
the tune, that cramp the poet, and lay him under almost insuperable
difficulties. For instance, in the air, "My wife's a wanton wee
thing," if a few lines smooth and pretty can be adapted to it, it is
all you can expect. The following were made extempore to it; and
though on further study I might give you something more profound, yet
it might not suit the light-horse gallop of the air so well as this
random clink:--
My wife's a winsome wee thing, &c. [203]
I have just been looking over the "Collier's bonny dochter;" and if
the following rhapsody, which I composed the other day, on a charming
Ayrshire girl, Miss Lesley Baillie, as she passed through this place
to England, will suit your taste better than the "Collier Lassie,"
fall on and welcome:--
O, saw ye bonny Lesley? &c. [204]
I have hitherto deferred the sublimer, more pathetic airs, until more
leisure, as they will take, and deserve, a greater effort. However,
they are all put into your hands, as clay into the hands of the
potter, to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour.
Farewell, &c.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 203: Song CLXXX. ]
[Footnote 204: Song CLXXXI. ]
* * * * *
CCXXXIX.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[The story of Mary Campbell's love is related in the notes on the
songs which the poet wrote in her honour.
"Gala Water" and "Auld Rob Morris" I think, will most probably be the
next subject of my musings. However, even on my verses, speak out your
criticisms with equal frankness. My wish is not to stand aloof, the
uncomplying bigot of _opiniatrete_, but cordially to join issue with
you in the furtherance of the work.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 200: Song CLXXVII]
[Footnote 201: It is something worse in the Edinburgh edition--"Behind
yon hills where Stinchar flows. "--Poems, p 322. ]
[Footnote 202: Song CLXXIX. ]
* * * * *
CCXXXVIII.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[The poet loved to describe the influence which the charms of Miss
Lesley Baillie exercised over his imagination. ]
_November 8th, 1792. _
If you mean, my dear Sir, that all the songs in your collection shall
be poetry of the first merit, I am afraid you will find more
difficulty in the undertaking than you are aware of.
There is a
peculiar rhythmus in many of our airs, and a necessity of adapting
syllables to the emphasis, or what I would call the feature-notes of
the tune, that cramp the poet, and lay him under almost insuperable
difficulties. For instance, in the air, "My wife's a wanton wee
thing," if a few lines smooth and pretty can be adapted to it, it is
all you can expect. The following were made extempore to it; and
though on further study I might give you something more profound, yet
it might not suit the light-horse gallop of the air so well as this
random clink:--
My wife's a winsome wee thing, &c. [203]
I have just been looking over the "Collier's bonny dochter;" and if
the following rhapsody, which I composed the other day, on a charming
Ayrshire girl, Miss Lesley Baillie, as she passed through this place
to England, will suit your taste better than the "Collier Lassie,"
fall on and welcome:--
O, saw ye bonny Lesley? &c. [204]
I have hitherto deferred the sublimer, more pathetic airs, until more
leisure, as they will take, and deserve, a greater effort. However,
they are all put into your hands, as clay into the hands of the
potter, to make one vessel to honour, and another to dishonour.
Farewell, &c.
R. B.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 203: Song CLXXX. ]
[Footnote 204: Song CLXXXI. ]
* * * * *
CCXXXIX.
TO MR. THOMSON.
[The story of Mary Campbell's love is related in the notes on the
songs which the poet wrote in her honour.
