'Address Of Beelzebub' by Robert Burns


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Long life, my Lord, an' health be yours,
Unskaithed by hunger'd Highland boors;
Lord grant me nae duddie, desperate beggar,
Wi' dirk, claymore, and rusty trigger,
May twin auld Scotland o' a life
She likes-as butchers like a knife.

Faith you and Applecross were right
To keep the Highland hounds in sight:
I doubt na! they wad bid nae better,
Than let them ance out owre the water,
Then up among thae lakes and seas,
They'll mak what rules and laws they please:
Some daring Hancocke, or a Franklin,
May set their Highland bluid a-ranklin;
Some Washington again may head them,
Or some Montgomery, fearless, lead them,
Till God knows what may be effected
When by such heads and hearts directed,
Poor dunghill sons of dirt and mire
May to Patrician rights aspire!
Nae sage North now, nor sager Sackville,
To watch and premier o'er the pack vile, -
An' whare will ye get Howes and Clintons
To bring them to a right repentance-
To cowe the rebel generation,
An' save the honour o' the nation?
They, an' be d-d! what right hae they
To meat, or sleep, or light o' day?
Far less-to riches, pow'r, or freedom,
But what your lordship likes to gie them?

But hear, my lord! Glengarry, hear!
Your hand's owre light to them, I fear;
Your factors, grieves, trustees, and bailies,
I canna say but they do gaylies;
They lay aside a' tender mercies,
An' tirl the hallions to the birses;
Yet while they're only poind't and herriet,
They'll keep their stubborn Highland spirit:
But smash them! crash them a' to spails,
An' rot the dyvors i' the jails!
The young dogs, swinge them to the labour;
Let wark an' hunger mak them sober!
The hizzies, if they're aughtlins fawsont,
Let them in Drury-lane be lesson'd!
An' if the wives an' dirty brats
Come thiggin at your doors an' yetts,
Flaffin wi' duds, an' grey wi' beas',
Frightin away your ducks an' geese;
Get out a horsewhip or a jowler,
The langest thong, the fiercest growler,
An' gar the tatter'd gypsies pack
Wi' a' their bastards on their back!
Go on, my Lord! I lang to meet you,
An' in my house at hame to greet you;
Wi' common lords ye shanna mingle,
The benmost neuk beside the ingle,
At my right han' assigned your seat,
'Tween Herod's hip an' Polycrate:
Or if you on your station tarrow,
Between Almagro and Pizarro,
A seat, I'm sure ye're well deservin't;
An' till ye come-your humble servant,

Beelzebub.
June 1st, Anno Mundi, 5790.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Address to Beelzebub: A Critical Analysis

Robert Burns is one of the most celebrated poets in the world. His poems have stood the test of time, and continue to enthrall readers even today. One of his most famous poems is "Address to Beelzebub," which is a powerful and stirring work that delves into the world of temptation and sin. In this literary criticism, we will take a closer look at this classic poem, and examine its themes, structure, language, and imagery.

Themes

One of the central themes of "Address to Beelzebub" is temptation. The speaker of the poem, who is addressing the devil Beelzebub, is trying to resist the temptations of sin. He talks about the various things that are tempting him, such as "sensual pleasure," "ambition," and "avarice." The poem is a powerful reminder that we all face temptation in our lives, and that it is up to us to resist it.

Another theme of the poem is the battle between good and evil. The speaker is aware that he is being tempted by the devil, but he also knows that he needs to resist in order to do what is right. The poem is a powerful reminder that we all have a choice between good and evil, and that we need to make the right choice if we want to live a fulfilling life.

Structure

"Address to Beelzebub" is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and the devil. The poem is made up of eleven stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, which adds to its power and effectiveness.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing Beelzebub directly, and asking him why he is tempting him. The devil responds, and the two engage in a back-and-forth dialogue that continues throughout the poem. The structure of the poem is effective in conveying the speaker's struggle with temptation, and his determination to resist it.

Language

The language of "Address to Beelzebub" is powerful and evocative. Burns uses a variety of literary devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and rhyme, to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, Burns uses alliteration to create a sense of tension and urgency:

"O Prince! O Chief of many throned Pow'rs, That led th' embattled Seraphim to war."

The language of the poem is also rich in imagery. Burns uses vivid and evocative descriptions to create a sense of the speaker's struggle with temptation. For example, in the second stanza, Burns describes the temptation of "sensual pleasure" in this way:

"Thou covetous, gigantic elf, That, cleaves the rock, and ploughs the wave."

The language of "Address to Beelzebub" is one of its greatest strengths, and it is what makes the poem so powerful and memorable.

Imagery

The imagery in "Address to Beelzebub" is rich and evocative. Burns uses vivid and powerful descriptions to create a sense of the speaker's struggle with temptation. For example, in the fifth stanza, Burns describes the temptation of "ambition" in this way:

"Or, where Ambition's toil is crown'd, And chiefs commix in social noise,"

The imagery in the poem is also used to create a sense of the devil's power and influence. Burns describes Beelzebub as a "covetous, gigantic elf," and as a "dark, designing cloven-wight." These descriptions create a sense of the devil's cunning and power, and they help to convey the speaker's struggle to resist his temptations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Address to Beelzebub" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of temptation, sin, and the battle between good and evil. The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, and the language and imagery are rich and evocative. The poem is a powerful reminder of the struggles we all face in our lives, and of the importance of making the right choices. Overall, "Address to Beelzebub" is a classic work of literature, and it continues to inspire and enthrall readers even today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Robert Burns is a name that is synonymous with Scottish literature and poetry. His works have been celebrated for centuries, and his poems continue to inspire and captivate readers to this day. One of his most famous works is the poem "Address To Beelzebub," which is a satirical piece that pokes fun at the religious beliefs of the time. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes, structure, and historical context.

The poem "Address To Beelzebub" was written in 1786 and was first published in the Kilmarnock edition of Burns' poems. The poem is a satirical piece that takes aim at the religious beliefs of the time, particularly the idea of hell and the devil. The poem is written in the form of an address to Beelzebub, who is one of the chief demons in Christian demonology. The poem is written in Scots dialect, which was the language spoken by many people in Scotland at the time.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing Beelzebub and asking him to come and visit him. The speaker then goes on to describe the various sins and vices that he has committed, including drinking, gambling, and womanizing. The speaker seems to be proud of his sins and revels in the fact that he is going to hell. He even goes so far as to say that he would rather be in hell than in heaven, as he believes that hell is where all the fun is.

The poem is structured in six stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a playful and lighthearted feel. The use of Scots dialect also adds to the playful tone of the poem, as it is a language that is often associated with humor and wit.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of sin and redemption. The speaker seems to be reveling in his sins and is not at all concerned with the idea of redemption or salvation. He seems to believe that he is beyond redemption and that he is destined for hell. This is a stark contrast to the religious beliefs of the time, which placed a great emphasis on the idea of salvation and redemption.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of hypocrisy. The speaker seems to be mocking the religious beliefs of the time and the idea that people can be saved simply by believing in God. He seems to be suggesting that many people who claim to be religious are actually hypocrites who are only interested in appearing pious and righteous.

The poem also has a political dimension, as it was written during a time of great political upheaval in Scotland. The poem can be seen as a critique of the religious and political establishment of the time, which was seen by many as corrupt and oppressive. The poem can be seen as a call for greater freedom and individualism, as the speaker seems to be advocating for the right to live life on one's own terms, free from the constraints of religion and society.

In conclusion, "Address To Beelzebub" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers to this day. The poem is a satirical piece that pokes fun at the religious beliefs of the time, while also exploring themes of sin, redemption, and hypocrisy. The poem is written in Scots dialect, which adds to its playful and lighthearted tone. The poem can also be seen as a critique of the political and religious establishment of the time, as the speaker seems to be advocating for greater freedom and individualism. Overall, "Address To Beelzebub" is a timeless work of literature that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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