No More Learning

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. ]

_4th December, 1792. _

The foregoing ["Auld Rob Morris," and "Duncan Gray,"[206]] I submit, my
dear Sir, to your better judgment. Acquit them or condemn them, as
seemeth good in your sight. "Duncan Gray" is that kind of light-horse
gallop of an air, which precludes sentiment. The ludicrous is its
ruling feature.

R. B.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 206: Songs CLXXXIII.