Postscript to some poetical pieces sent to Robert Graham
Postscript -
Sir,
I ought to have written to you long ago, but are mere letter of thanks muse be to you
an insipid business: I wish to give you something that will give you at least as
much amusement as "The Aberdeen new Prognostication;" or "Six excellent new
"Songs." - Along with two other Pieces, I enclose you a sheet full of groans,
wrung from me in my elbow chair with one unlucky leg on a stool before
choice of Patrons: the truly noble Glencairn is no more!- I intend soon to
do myself the honour of writing M.rs Graham & sending her some other lesser
pieces of late date. - My Muse will sooner be in mischief than be idle; so
I keep her at work. -
I thought to have mentioned some Excise ideas that your late goodness
has just put in my head, but 'tis so like the sorning impudence of sturdy beggar.
that I cannot do it. - It was something in the way of an Officiating job. -
With the most ardent wish that you may be rewarded by Him who can do
it, for your generous patronage to a man, who tho' feelingly sensible of it is quite
unable to repay it, I have the honour to be, Sir, your most devoted humble serv.t Robt Burns
Sir,
I ought to have written to you long ago, but are mere letter of thanks muse be to you
an insipid business: I wish to give you something that will give you at least as
much amusement as "The Aberdeen new Prognostication;" or "Six excellent new
"Songs." - Along with two other Pieces, I enclose you a sheet full of groans,
wrung from me in my elbow chair with one unlucky leg on a stool before
choice of Patrons: the truly noble Glencairn is no more!- I intend soon to
do myself the honour of writing M.rs Graham & sending her some other lesser
pieces of late date. - My Muse will sooner be in mischief than be idle; so
I keep her at work. -
I thought to have mentioned some Excise ideas that your late goodness
has just put in my head, but 'tis so like the sorning impudence of sturdy beggar.
that I cannot do it. - It was something in the way of an Officiating job. -
With the most ardent wish that you may be rewarded by Him who can do
it, for your generous patronage to a man, who tho' feelingly sensible of it is quite
unable to repay it, I have the honour to be, Sir, your most devoted humble serv.t Robt Burns
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/05
- Alt. number
- 3.6096
- Date
- 5 October 1791
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Graham, Robert
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/05
- Alt. number
- 3.6096
- Date
- 5 October 1791
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Graham, Robert
Description
Postscript to some poetical pieces sent to Robert Graham.
This postscript was written probably from Ellisland to accompany the verse letter written to Robert Graham on 5 October 1791.
Rather than write Robert Graham a thank-you letter, which he thinks will be considered insipid, Burns composes a poem for him which he hopes Graham will find more amusing. He encloses this poem with two others and explains in this postscript the circumstances surrounding the contents.
The poem titled "To Robert Graham Esq: of Fintry" is described by Burns as "a sheetful of groans" and outlines hid current ailing state having an injured leg and also an arm injury. He explains that Graham is now is his primary Patron with the recent death of the Earl of Gencairn and threatens to send his wife more of his poems later on.
Burns finishes the letter with a veiled reminder that he is still looking to Graham to bolster his reputation in the Excise and push him forward for higher office.
The poem titled "To Robert Graham Esq: of Fintry" is described by Burns as "a sheetful of groans" and outlines hid current ailing state having an injured leg and also an arm injury. He explains that Graham is now is his primary Patron with the recent death of the Earl of Gencairn and threatens to send his wife more of his poems later on.
Burns finishes the letter with a veiled reminder that he is still looking to Graham to bolster his reputation in the Excise and push him forward for higher office.
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Postscript to some poetical pieces sent to Robert Graham
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