A Wish

(from verses entitled "to the guidwife of wauchope house")

I mind it weel, in early date,
When I was beardless, young, and blate,
An' first could thresh the barn,
Or haud a yokin' at the pleugh;
An' tho' forfoughten sair eneugh,
Yet unco proud to learn;
When first amang the yellow corn
A man I reckon'd was,
An' wi' the lave ilk merry morn
Could rank my rig and lass,
Still shearing, and clearing
The tither stooked raw,
Wi' claivers, an' haivers,
Wearing the day awa.

Ev'n then a wish (I mind it's pow'r),
A wish, that to my latest hour
Shall strongly heave my breast -
That I for poor auld Scotland's sake
Some usefu' plan or beuk could make,
Or sing a sang at least.
The rough burr-thistle, spreading wide
Amang the bearded bear,
I turn'd the weeding-heuk aside,
An' spar'd the symbol dear:
No nation, no station
My envy e'er could raise,
A Scot still, but blot still,
I knew nae higher praise.

Robert Burns . 1759-1796

Editor's note. In "The Rose, Thistle and Shamrock" it seems to be shortened to the first two verses. The "Poetical Works" of Tauchnitz has a longer version, is talking in the subtitle about "Mrs. Scott" (that might be ment as the guidwife). This is on our todo list (set online both versions and facsimiles).

Poetry facsimile for "A Wish" of Burns

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Robert Burns
born 1759, died 1796

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A Wish - Robert Burns - poetry, poems

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