Selected Poems

Robert Burns was born in 1759, the son of a struggling tenant farmer in Ayrshire. Lucky enough to be educated, Burns immersed himself in the literature of Milton and Sterne, discovering the possibilities of contemporary literature in Scots during his twenties. He died in 1796.Carol McGuirk is a Professor of English at Florida Atlantic University. Her publications include Robert Burns and the Sentimental Era and essays on eighteenth-century poetry.

• Selected PoemsPrefaceTable of DatesFurther Reading and RecordingsO Once I Lov'd (Handsome Nell)Behind Yon Hills Where Lugar Flows (My Nanie, O)Mary MorisonIt Was Upon a Lammas Night (Corn Rigs)Song Composed in August (Now Westlin Winds)John Barleycorn. A BalladThe Death and Dying Words of Poor MailiePoor Mailie's ElegyMy Father Was a FarmerEpitaph on William Muir of Tarbolton MillGreen Grow the Rashes. A FragmentEpistle to Davie, a Brother PoetHoly Willie's PrayerDeath and Dr. Hornbook. A True StoryWhen First I Came to Stewart KyleEpistle to John Lapraik, an Old Scotch Bard. April 1st, 1785To the Same. April 21st, 1785To William Simson, Ochiltree. May - 1785The VisionA Poet's Welcome to His Love-Begotten DaughterThe Fornicator. A New SongThe Rantin Dog the Daddie O'tAddress to the Unco Guid, or the Rigidly RighteousMan Was Made to Mourn. A DirgeThe Holy FairTo the Rev. John McMathTo a MouseLove and Liberty. A CantataTo a LouseThe Author's Earnest Cry and PrayerThe Twa Dogs. A TaleThe Cotter's Saturday NightThe Auld Farmer's New-Year-Morning SalutationTo James SmithScotch DrinkAddress to the DeilExtempore to Gavin Hamilton. Stanzas on NaethingTo a Mountain DaisyEpistle to a Young Friend. May - 1786Lines Written on a Bank-NoteAddress of BeelzebubA DreamElegy on the Death of Robert RuisseauxA Bard's EpitaphTo a HaggisThere Was a LadLines Written Under the Portrait of Robert FergusonMy Harry Was a Gallant GayHere Stewarts Once in Triumph Reigned (Lines on Stirling Window)My Peggy's FaceAn Extemporaneous Effusion on Being Appointed to the ExciseTo Daunton MeO'er the Water to CharlieRattlin, Roarin WillieEpistle to Hugh ParkerI Love My Jean (Of a' the Airts)Tam GlenAuld Lang SyneLouise What I Reck by TheeElegy on the Year 1788Epistle to William StewartAfton Water (Flow Gently Sweet Afton)To Alexander FindlaterTo a Gentleman Who Had Sent Him a NewspaperTibbie DunbarThe Taylor Fell Thro' the BedAy Waukin, OLassie Lie Near MeMy Love She's But a Lassie YetJamie Come Try MeFarewell to the Highlands (My Heart's in the Highlands)John Anderson My JoThe Battle of Sherra-moorSandy and JockieTam o'Shanter. A TaleThe Banks o' DoonTo Robert Graham of Fintry, Esq.Ae Fond KissThe Bonie Wee ThingI Hae a Wife o' My AinO for Ane and Twenty Tam!Lady Mary AnnThe Gallant WeaverHey Ca' Thro'When Princes and Prelates (Why Shouldna Poor Folk Mowe)Logan WaterO, Whistle an' I'll Come to Yet, My LadScots Wha HaeA Red, Red RoseSae Flaxen Were Her Ringlets (She Says, She Loves Me Best of a')Ode to SpringIs There for Honest Poverty (A Man's a Man for a' That)Lines Written on Windows of the Globe Inn, DumfriesI Murder HateKirkcudbright GraceLast May a Braw WooerWantonnessCharlie He's My DarlingIt Was a' for Our Rightfu' KingOh Wert Thou in the Cauld BlastNotesChronological Sketch: Scottish History and Literature Before BurnsGlossary, with a Note on Burns and DialectIndex of TitlesIndex of First Lines