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Letter From Robert Burns To His Father At The New Year[i]

Honoured Sir,

I have purposely delayed writing, in the hope that I should have the pleasure of seeing you on New Year's Day; but work comes so hard upon us, that I do not choose to be absent on that account, as well as for some other little reasons, which I shall tell you at meeting. My health is nearly the same as when you were here, only my sleep is a little sounder; and, on the whole, I am rather better than otherwise, though I mend by very slow degrees.

As for this world, I despair of ever making a figure in it. I am not formed for the bustle of the busy, nor for the flutter of the gay. I shall never again be capable of entering into such scenes. Indeed, I am altogether unconcerned at the thoughts of this life. I foresee that poverty and obscurity probably await me. I am in some measure prepared, and daily preparing to meet them. I have but just time and paper to return to you my grateful thanks for the lessons of virtue and piety you have given me, which were too much neglected at the time of giving them; but which, I hope, have been remembered ere it was too late. Present my dutiful respects to my mother ... and with wishing you a merry New Year's Day, I shall conclude.

I am, honoured sir, your dutiful son,

Robert Burns

P.S. My meal is nearly out, but I am going to borrow till I get more.

Irvine, December 27, 1781

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Burns Sites with Letters

The World Burns Club hosts an index to the Letters of Robert Burns  This is a growing resource of Burns' letters that shows the full extent of Robert Burns' talents, emotions, friendships, politics, and passions.

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Robert Burns - New Year's Day, 1791 [ii]

This day Time winds tha' exhausted chain,
To run the twelvemonth's length again:
I see the old, bald-pated fellow,
With ardent eyes, complexion sallow,
Adjust the unimpair'd machine
To wheel the equal, dull routine.

The absent lover, minor heir,
In vain assail him with their prayer:
Deaf as my friend, he sees them press,
Nor makes the hour one moment less.
Will you (the Major's [iii] with the hounds;
The happy tenants share his rounds;
Coila's fair Rachel's care today,
And blooming Keith's engaged with Gray)
From housewife cares a minute borrow
(That grandchild's cap will do tomorrow),
And join me a-moralizing?
This day's propitious to be wise in!

First, what did yesternight deliver?
"Another year has gone forever."
And what is this day's strong suggestion?

"The passing moment's all we rest on!"
Rest on for what? what do we here?

Will Time, amus'd with proverb'd lore,
Add to our date one minute more?
A few days may - a few years must
- Repose us in the silent dust:
Then, is it wise to damp our bliss?
Yes: all such reasonings are amiss!
The voice of Nature loudly cries,
And many a message from the skies,
That something in us never dies;
That on this frail, uncertain state
Hang matters of eternal weight;
That future life in worlds unknown
Must take its hue from this alone,
Whether as heavenly glory bright
Or dark as Misery's woeful night.

Since, then, my honour'd list of friends,
on this poor being all depends,
Let us th' important Now employ,
And live as those who never die.
Tho' you, with days and honours crown'd,
Witness that filial circle round
(A sight life's sorrows to repulse,
A sight pale Envy to convulse),
Others now claim your chief regard:
Yourself, you wait your bright reward.

Notes:

• [i] The Scots Book, Compiled by Ronald MacDonald Douglas, pp 323-324, W & R Chambers, Ltd., London and Edinburgh, 1949.
• [ii] Burns, Robert, The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns, pp 122-123, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, 1897.
• [iii] Personages and names in this poem are references to the members of the family, the Dunlops, about whom Burns was writing.

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