'The Bour-Tree Den' by Robert Louis Stevenson


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CLINKUM-CLANK in the rain they ride,
Down by the braes and the grey sea-side;
Clinkum-clank by stane and cairn,
Weary fa' their horse-shoe-airn!

Loud on the causey, saft on the sand,
Round they rade by the tail of the land;
Round and up by the Bour-Tree Den,
Weary fa' the red-coat men!

Aft hae I gane where they hae rade
And straigled in the gowden brooms -
Aft hae I gane, a saikless maid,
And O! sae bonny as the bour-tree blooms!

Wi' swords and guns they wanton there,
Wi' red, red coats and braw, braw plumes.
But I gaed wi' my gowden hair,
And O! sae bonny as the bour-tree blooms!

I ran, a little hempie lass,
In the sand and the bent grass,
Or took and kilted my small coats
To play in the beached fisher-boats.

I waded deep and I ran fast,
I was as lean as a lugger's mast,
I was as brown as a fisher's creel,
And I liked my life unco weel.

They blew a trumpet at the cross,
Some forty men, both foot and horse.
A'body cam to hear and see,
And wha, among the rest, but me.
My lips were saut wi' the saut air,
My face was brown, my feet were bare
The wind had ravelled my tautit hair,
And I thought shame to be standing there.

Ae man there in the thick of the throng
Sat in his saddle, straight and strong.
I looked at him and he at me,
And he was a master-man to see.
. . . And who is this yin? and who is yon
That has the bonny lendings on?
That sits and looks sae braw and crouse?
. . . Mister Frank o' the Big House!

I gaed my lane beside the sea;
The wind it blew in bush and tree,
The wind blew in bush and bent:
Muckle I saw, and muckle kent!

Between the beach and the sea-hill
I sat my lane and grat my fill -
I was sae clarty and hard and dark,
And like the kye in the cow park!

There fell a battle far in the north;
The evil news gaed back and forth,
And back and forth by brae and bent
Hider and hunter cam and went:
The hunter clattered horse-shoe-airn
By causey-crest and hill-top cairn;
The hider, in by shag and shench,
Crept on his wame and little lench.

The eastland wind blew shrill and snell,
The stars arose, the gloaming fell,
The firelight shone in window and door
When Mr. Frank cam here to shore.
He hirpled up by the links and the lane,
And chappit laigh in the back-door-stane.
My faither gaed, and up wi' his han'!
. . . Is this Mr. Frank, or a beggarman?

I have mistrysted sair, he said,
But let me into fire and bed;
Let me in, for auld lang syne,
And give me a dram of the brandy wine.

They hid him in the Bour-Tree Den,
And I thought it strange to gang my lane;
I thought it strange, I thought it sweet,
To gang there on my naked feet.
In the mirk night, when the boats were at sea,
I passed the burn abune the knee;
In the mirk night, when the folks were asleep,
I had a tryst in the den to keep.

Late and air', when the folks were asleep,
I had a tryst, a tryst to keep,
I had a lad that lippened to me,
And bour-tree blossom is fair to see!

O' the bour-tree leaves I busked his bed,
The mune was siller, the dawn was red:
Was nae man there but him and me -
And bour-tree blossom is fair to see!

Unco weather hae we been through:
The mune glowered, and the wind blew,
And the rain it rained on him and me,
And bour-tree blossom is fair to see!

Dwelling his lane but house or hauld,
Aft he was wet and aft was cauld;
I warmed him wi' my briest and knee -
And bour-tree blossom is fair to see!

There was nae voice of beast ae man,
But the tree soughed and the burn ran,
And we heard the ae voice of the sea:
Bour-tree blossom is fair to see!


Editor 1 Interpretation

The Bour-Tree Den: A Literary Delight

Are you ready for a journey to the Scottish countryside? To a place where the bour-tree tree stands tall and proud? You are in for a treat as we delve into Robert Louis Stevenson's poetic masterpiece, The Bour-Tree Den.

Background and Context

The Bour-Tree Den was written by Stevenson in 1874 during his travels in Scotland. The poem is a vivid description of a natural setting, capturing the beauty and tranquility of the bour-tree den. The poem is also notable for its use of Scots dialect, which adds to its charm and authenticity.

Analysis

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each providing a unique perspective on the bour-tree den. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the den as a "bonnie bield" or a beautiful shelter. The poet uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the language, with "bield" rhyming with "field" and "gleam" rhyming with "stream."

The second stanza introduces us to the wildlife that inhabits the bour-tree den. We see the rabbits, the birds, and the butterflies, all enjoying the peace and quiet that the den provides. The language here is simple yet evocative, with the "siller burn" or the silver stream providing a visual contrast to the greenery.

The third stanza brings the poem to its conclusion, with the poet reflecting on the beauty of nature and the importance of preserving it. The line "there's naebody kens what way" reminds us of the mystery and unpredictability of nature, and the need to respect and cherish it.

Interpretation

At its core, The Bour-Tree Den is a celebration of nature and a call to preserve it. The bour-tree den is a symbol of the natural world, a place of beauty and tranquility that must be protected from the encroachment of civilization.

The poem also has a personal dimension, with Stevenson's love of Scotland and his attachment to the natural world evident in the language and imagery. The use of Scots dialect adds to the sense of authenticity and reinforces the idea that the poem is a celebration of Scottish culture and identity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Bour-Tree Den is a beautiful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the Scottish countryside. The use of Scots dialect, the musical quality of the language, and the vivid imagery make the poem a joy to read and a testament to Stevenson's skill as a poet.

As we read the poem, we are transported to the bour-tree den, where we can hear the birds singing, feel the breeze on our faces, and see the beauty of nature in all its glory. It is a reminder of the importance of preserving the natural world and a celebration of the beauty that surrounds us every day.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Bour-Tree Den: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish novelist, poet, and essayist, is widely regarded as one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century. His works, including Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, have captivated readers for generations. However, one of his lesser-known works, The Bour-Tree Den, is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves more attention.

The Bour-Tree Den is a poem that tells the story of a young boy who discovers a secret hideaway in the woods. The boy is drawn to the den by the sound of a bird singing, and he follows the sound until he finds a tree with a hole in it. The boy crawls through the hole and finds himself in a magical world filled with wonder and adventure.

The poem is written in a simple, yet elegant style that captures the innocence and wonder of childhood. The language is rich and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the den and the world around it. The poem is also filled with symbolism and metaphor, adding depth and meaning to the story.

The title of the poem, The Bour-Tree Den, is itself a symbol. The "bour-tree" is a Scottish term for the rowan tree, which is believed to have magical properties. In Scottish folklore, the rowan tree is said to protect against evil spirits and bring good luck. The den, then, can be seen as a place of safety and protection, where the boy can escape from the troubles of the world.

The den itself is described in great detail, with Stevenson using sensory language to bring it to life. He describes the smell of the damp earth, the sound of the bird singing, and the feel of the mossy walls. The den is a place of mystery and wonder, where the boy can let his imagination run wild.

Stevenson also uses metaphor to add depth to the story. The bird that leads the boy to the den can be seen as a symbol of freedom and escape. The boy is drawn to the bird's song, which represents the call of adventure and the desire to explore. The den itself can be seen as a metaphor for the imagination, a place where anything is possible and the boundaries of reality are blurred.

The poem also explores themes of childhood innocence and the loss of that innocence. The boy is described as being "young and bold and gay," full of wonder and curiosity. However, as he grows older, he begins to lose that sense of wonder and becomes more focused on the practicalities of life. The den becomes a distant memory, a place he can never return to.

The Bour-Tree Den is a poem that speaks to the child in all of us. It reminds us of the magic and wonder of childhood, and the importance of holding onto that sense of wonder as we grow older. It is a poem that celebrates the power of the imagination and the beauty of the natural world.

In conclusion, The Bour-Tree Den is a masterpiece of poetry that deserves more attention. It is a poem that captures the innocence and wonder of childhood, while also exploring deeper themes of imagination and loss. Stevenson's use of symbolism, metaphor, and sensory language creates a rich and vivid world that is both magical and real. The Bour-Tree Den is a poem that will continue to inspire and delight readers for generations to come.

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