50.
On Sensibility ---- To a Friend
Sensibility how charming,
Thou, my Friend, canst truly tell;
But Distress with horrors arming,
Thou hast also known too well. ----
Fairest flower, behold the lily
Blooming in the sunny ray:
Let the blast sweep o'er the valley,
See it prostrate on the clay. ----
Hear the woodland lark charm the forest,
Telling o'er his little joys;
Helpless bird! a prey the surest
To each pirate of the skies. ----
Dearly bought the hidden treasure
Finer Feelings can bestow:
Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure,
Thrill the deepest notes of woe! ----
____________________
On Sensibility ---- To a Friend
Sensibility how charming,
Thou, my Friend, canst truly tell;
But Distress with horrors arming,
Thou hast also known too well. ----
Fairest flower, behold the lily
Blooming in the sunny ray:
Let the blast sweep o'er the valley,
See it prostrate on the clay. ----
Hear the woodland lark charm the forest,
Telling o'er his little joys;
Helpless bird! a prey the surest
To each pirate of the skies. ----
Dearly bought the hidden treasure
Finer Feelings can bestow:
Chords that vibrate sweetest pleasure,
Thrill the deepest notes of woe! ----
____________________
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/171
- Alt. number
- 3.6215.l
- Date
- 1791
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Stewart, Mrs Alexander
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/171
- Alt. number
- 3.6215.l
- Date
- 1791
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Stewart, Mrs Alexander
Description
On Sensibility - To a Friend, part of the Afton manuscript collection.
Burns composed this poem in early July 1790, the same time as he was corresponding with his friend Mrs Dunlop. He included two verses of the work in a letter and later sent her the completed version at the end of the month. A personalised version was sent to Clarinda at the end of the following year.
In each of the four verses of this poem, Burns contrasts the joys and tragedies of life experienced by man and nature alike.
This particular manuscript is part of the Afton Manuscript collection. This collection of thirteen poems was presented by Robert to Mrs Alexander Stewart of Stair in 1791.
This particular manuscript is part of the Afton Manuscript collection. This collection of thirteen poems was presented by Robert to Mrs Alexander Stewart of Stair in 1791.
Archive information
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Robert Burns, collection of poems and songs
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- On Sensibility - To a Friend
Caring for collections
A gift of £5 a month can help us ensure collections like the Robert Burns Collection receive ongoing care and are shared with as many people as possible.