A fragment, which was meant for the beginning of an Elegy on the late Miss Burnet of Monboddo
52.
A Fragment, which was meant for the
beginning of an Elegy on the late Miss Burnet
of Mondobbo --------
Life ne'er exulted in so rich a prize,
As Burnet lovely from her native skies;
Nor envious Death so triumph'd in a blow,
As that which laid th' accomplish'd Burnet low. ----
Thy form & mind, sweet Maid! can I forget,
In richest ore the brightest jewel set!
In thee, what Heaven above, was truest shown,
For by his noblest work the Godhead best is known. ----
In vain ye flaunt in summer's pride, ye groves;
Thou crystal streamlet with thy flowery shore,
Ye woodland choir that chant your idle loves,
Ye cease to charm, Eliza is no more. ----
Ye healthy wastes immix'd with reedy fens,
Ye mossy streams with sedge & rushes stor'd,
Ye rugged cliffs o'erhanging dreary glens,
To you I fly, ye with my soul accord. ----
Princes
A Fragment, which was meant for the
beginning of an Elegy on the late Miss Burnet
of Mondobbo --------
Life ne'er exulted in so rich a prize,
As Burnet lovely from her native skies;
Nor envious Death so triumph'd in a blow,
As that which laid th' accomplish'd Burnet low. ----
Thy form & mind, sweet Maid! can I forget,
In richest ore the brightest jewel set!
In thee, what Heaven above, was truest shown,
For by his noblest work the Godhead best is known. ----
In vain ye flaunt in summer's pride, ye groves;
Thou crystal streamlet with thy flowery shore,
Ye woodland choir that chant your idle loves,
Ye cease to charm, Eliza is no more. ----
Ye healthy wastes immix'd with reedy fens,
Ye mossy streams with sedge & rushes stor'd,
Ye rugged cliffs o'erhanging dreary glens,
To you I fly, ye with my soul accord. ----
Princes
Princes whose cumbrous pride was all their worth,
Shall venal lays their pompous exit hail;
And thou, sweet Excellence! forsake our earth,
And not a Muse with honest grief bewail!
We saw thee shine in youth & beauty's pride,
And virtue's light that beams beyond the spheres;
But like the sun eclips'd at morning tide,
Thou left'st us darkling in a world of tears. ----
The Parent's heart that nestled fond in thee,
That heart how sunk, a prey to grief & care!
So deckt the woodbine sweet yon aged tree;
So, rudely ravish'd, left it bleak & bare. ----
__________________________________
Shall venal lays their pompous exit hail;
And thou, sweet Excellence! forsake our earth,
And not a Muse with honest grief bewail!
We saw thee shine in youth & beauty's pride,
And virtue's light that beams beyond the spheres;
But like the sun eclips'd at morning tide,
Thou left'st us darkling in a world of tears. ----
The Parent's heart that nestled fond in thee,
That heart how sunk, a prey to grief & care!
So deckt the woodbine sweet yon aged tree;
So, rudely ravish'd, left it bleak & bare. ----
__________________________________
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/173
- Alt. number
- 3.6215.n
- Date
- 23 January 1791
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Stewart, Mrs Alexander
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/02/173
- Alt. number
- 3.6215.n
- Date
- 23 January 1791
- On display
- Yes
- Creator
- Burns, Robert (Author)
- Recipient
- Stewart, Mrs Alexander
Description
A fragment, which was meant for the beginning of an Elegy on the late Miss Burnet of Monboddo, part of the Afton manuscript collection.
Burns wrote this elegy for Elizabeth Burnett (referred to in the Address to Edinburgh as 'Fair Burnet'). It has been suggested that Burns laboured for several months to produce a satisfactory Elegy. Alexander Cunningham received the text from Burns on the 23 January 1791.
This elegy reveals the Poet's feelings for Miss Burnett. Indeed, 'Life ne'er exulted in so rich a prize'. For example, Burnett carries the epithet of being God's 'noblest work' and Burns provides beautiful countryside images to reflect this.
The second page of this elegy continues the Poet's feelings for Miss Burnett. For example, Burnett carries the epithet of being 'sweet excellence'. She shone 'in youth and beauty's pride' but, having died, 'left us darkling in a world of tears'.
Elizabeth Burnett died of tuberculosis on 17 June 1790. Earlier in December 1786, Burns said of her, 'There has not been anything nearly like her in all the combinations of Beauty, Grace, and Goodness the great Creator has formed, since Milton's Eve on the first day of her existence.'
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.
The second page of this elegy continues the Poet's feelings for Miss Burnett. For example, Burnett carries the epithet of being 'sweet excellence'. She shone 'in youth and beauty's pride' but, having died, 'left us darkling in a world of tears'.
Elizabeth Burnett died of tuberculosis on 17 June 1790. Earlier in December 1786, Burns said of her, 'There has not been anything nearly like her in all the combinations of Beauty, Grace, and Goodness the great Creator has formed, since Milton's Eve on the first day of her existence.'
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)
- A fragment, which was meant for the beginning of an Elegy on the late Miss Burnet of Monboddo