I Dream'd I Lay.

I.

    I dream'd I lay where flowers were springing
        Gaily in the sunny beam;
    List'ning to the wild birds singing,
        By a falling crystal stream:
    Straight the sky grew black and daring;
        Thro' the woods the whirlwinds rave;
    Trees with aged arms were warring.
        O'er the swelling drumlie wave.

II.

    Such was my life's deceitful morning,
        Such the pleasure I enjoy'd:
    But lang or noon, loud tempests storming,
        A' my flowery bliss destroy'd.
    Tho' fickle fortune has deceiv'd me,
        She promis'd fair, and perform'd but ill;
    Of mony a joy and hope bereav'd me,
        I bear a heart shall support me still.

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire, and various other names and epithets, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. Born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, he is best known for works such as 'Auld Lang Syne,' 'Scots Wha Hae,' and 'A Red, Red Rose.' He passed away on July 21, 1796, in Dumfries.

Robert Burns

Blooming Nelly.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

Canst Thou Leave Me Thus.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

O Willie Brew'd.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

The Dumfries Volunteers.

Robert Burns, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Now Spring Has Clad The Grove In Green. To Mr. Cunningham.

I.

    Now spring has clad the grove in green,
        And strew'd the lea wi' flowers:
    The furrow'd waving corn is seen
        Rejoice in fostering showers;
    While ilka thing in nature join
        Their sorrows to forego,
    O why thus all alone are mine
        The weary steps of woe?

II.

    The trout within yon wimpling burn
        Glides swift, a silver dart,
    And safe beneath the shady thorn
        Defies the angler's art:
    My life was ance that careless stream,
        That wanton trout was I;
    But love, wi' unrelenting beam,
        Has scorch'd my fountains dry.

III.

    The little flow'ret's peaceful lot,
        In yonder cliff that grows,
    Which, save the linnet's flight...

Robert Burns

A Vision.

    As I stood by yon roofless tower,
        Where the wa'-flower scents the dewy air,
    Where th' howlet mourns in her ivy bower
        And tells the midnight moon her care;

    The winds were laid, the air was still,
        The Stars they shot along the sky;
    The fox was howling on the hill,
        And the distant echoing glens reply.

    The stream, adown its hazelly path,
        Was rushing by the ruin'd wa's,
    Hasting to join the sweeping Nith,^[1]
        Whose distant roaring swells and fa's.

    The cauld blue north was streaming forth
        Her lights, wi' hissing eerie din;
    Athort the lift they start and shift,
        Like fortune's favours, tint as win.

    By heedless chance I turn'd mine eyes,<...

Robert Burns

Craigie-Burn Wood.

I.

    Sweet fa's the eve on Craigie-burn,
        And blithe awakes the morrow;
    But a' the pride o' spring's return
        Can yield me nocht but sorrow.

II.

    I see the flowers and spreading trees
        I hear the wild birds singing;
    But what a weary wight can please,
        And care his bosom wringing?

III.

    Fain, fain would I my griefs impart,
        Yet dare na for your anger;
    But secret love will break my heart,
        If I conceal it langer.

IV.

    If thou refuse to pity me,
        If thou shall love anither,
    When yon green leaves fade frae the tree,
        Around my grave they'll wither.

Robert Burns

Whan I Sleep I Dream.

I.

    Whan I sleep I dream,
        Whan I wauk I'm eerie,
    Sleep I canna get,
        For thinkin' o' my dearie.

II.

    Lanely night comes on,
        A' the house are sleeping,
    I think on the bonnie lad
        That has my heart a keeping.
            Ay waukin O, waukin ay and wearie,
                Sleep I canna get, for thinkin' o' my dearie.

III.

    Lanely nights come on,
        A' the house are sleeping,
    I think on my bonnie lad,
        An' I blear my een wi' greetin'!
            Ay waukin, &c.

Robert Burns

Menie.

Tune. - "Johnny's grey breeks."


I.

    Again rejoicing nature sees
        Her robe assume its vernal hues,
    Her leafy locks wave in the breeze,
        All freshly steep'd in morning dews.
            And maun I still on Menie doat,
                And bear the scorn that's in her e'e?
            For it's jet, jet black, an' it's like a hawk,
                An' it winna let a body be.

II.

    In vain to me the cowslips blaw,
        In vain to me the vi'lets spring;
    In vain to me, in glen or shaw,
        The mavis and the lintwhite sing.

III.

    The merry plough-boy cheers his team,
        Wi' joy the tentie seedsman stalks;
    But life to me's a weary dream,
        A dream of ane t...

Robert Burns

As I Was A-Wand'Ring.

Tune - "Rinn Meudial mo Mhealladh."


I.

    As I was a-wand'ring ae midsummer e'enin',
        The pipers and youngsters were making their game;
    Amang them I spied my faithless fause lover,
        Which bled a' the wound o' my dolour again.
    Weel, since he has left me, may pleasure gae wi' him;
        I may be distress'd, but I winna complain;
    I flatter my fancy I may get anither,
        My heart it shall never be broken for ane.

II.

    I could na get sleeping till dawin for greetin',
        The tears trickled down like the hail and the rain:
    Had I na got greetin', my heart wad a broken,
        For, oh! luve forsaken's a tormenting pain.

III.

    Although he has left me for greed o' the sille...

Robert Burns