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On the publication
of "The Edinburgh Edition": -
To The Noblemen and Gentlemen
of the Caledonian Hunt:
My
Lords and Gentlemen,
A Scottish Bard, proud of the name, and whose highest ambition is to
sing in his Country's service. . . .where shall he so properly look
for patronage as to the illustrious names of his native Land,. . . .those
who bear the honours and inherit the virtures of their Ancestors? The
Poetic Genius of my Country found me, as the prophetic bard Elijah did
Elisha ....at the plough; and threw her inspiring mantle over me. She
bade me sing the loves, the joys, the rural scenes and rural pleasures
of my native soil, in my native tongue; I tuned my wild, artless notes,
as she inspired.. . . She whispered me to come to this ancient Metropolis
of Caledonia, and lay my Song under your honoured protection: I now
obey her dictates.
Though much indebted to your goodness, I do not approach you, my Lords
and Gentlemen, in the usual style of dedication, to thank you for past
favours; that path is so hackneyed by prostituted learning, that honest
rusticity is ashamed of it. Nor do I present this Address with the venal
soul of a servile Author looking for a continuation of those favours:
I was bred to the Plough, and am independent. I come to claim the common
Scottish name with you, my illustrious Countrymen; and to tell the world
that I glory in the title. I come to congratulate my country, that the
blood of her ancient heroes still runs uncontaminated; and that from
your courage, knowledge, and public spirit, she may expect protection,
wealth, and liberty. In the last place, I come to proffer my warmest
wishes to the Great Fountain of Honour, the Monarch of the Universe,
for your welfare and happiness.
When you go forth to awaken the Echoes, in the ancient and favourite
amusement of your forefathers, may Pleasure ever be of your party; and
may Social Joy await your return. When harassed in courts or camps with
the jostlings of bad men and bad measures, may the honest consciousness
of injured worth attend your return to your native Seats; and may Domestic
Happiness, with a smiling welcome, meet you at your gates! May corruption
shrink at your kindling indignant glance, and may tyranny in the Ruler,
and licentiousness in the People, equally find you an inexorable foe!
I have the honour to be,
With the sincerest gratitude, and highest respect,
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Your most devoted humble servant,
Robert Burns
Edinburgh, April 4, 1787
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