Letter from Robert Burns to Agnes McLehose, 13 February 1788

Weden: - midnight -

Madam
After a wretched day, I am preparing
for a sleepless night. - I am going to address my-
self to the Almighty Witness of my actions - some
time, perhaps very soon, my Almighty Judge. -
I am not going to be the advocate of Passion - be Thou
my Inspirer and testimony, O God, as I plead the
cause of truth! -
I have read over your friend's haughty, dictatorial letter:
you are only answerable to your God, in such a manner. -
Who gave any fellow-creature of yours (a fellow-creature
incapable of being your judge because not your Peer) a
right to catechize, scold, under value, abuse and insult,
wantonly and inhumanly to insult you thus? -
I don't wish, not even wish to deceive you, Madam
The Searcher of hearts is my witness how dear you
are to me but tho' it were possible you could be still
dearer to me. - I would not even kiss your hand, at the
expense of your conscience. - Away with declamation!
Let us appeal to the bar of Common Sense. -
It is not mouthing every thing sacred; it is not vague
ranting assertions; it is not assuming, haughtily
and insultingly assuming the dictatorial language of
a Roman Pontiff, that must dissolve a union

like ours. - Tell me, Madam, are you under the least
shadow of an obligation to bestow your love, tenderness, caresses,
affections, heart and soul, on M.r Mcilhose - the man
who has repeatedly, habitually and barbarously broke thro'
every tie, of Duty, Nature, or Gratitude to you? The laws
of your Country indeed, for the most useful reasons of
Policy and sound government, have made your person
inviolate; but are your heart and affections bound to
one, who gives not the least return of either to you?
You cannot do it; it is not in the nature of things
that you are bound to do it; the common feelings
of humanity forbid it. - Have you then a heart
and affections which are no man's right? You
have: it would be highly, ridiculously absurd to suppose
the contrary. - Tell me then, in the name of Com-
mon Sense can it be wrong, is such a supposition
compatible with the plainest ideas of Right and Wrong
that it is improper to bestow that heart and those affec-
tions to another; while that bestowing is not in the
smallest degree hurtful to your duty to God, to your
children, to yourself, or to Society at large? -
This is the great test; the consequences: let us see them.
In a widowed, forlorn, lonely situation, with a bosom
glowing with love and tenderness, yet so delicately
situated that you cannot indulge these noble feelings
except you meet with a man who has a soul capable