'To The Wood-Lark' by Robert Burns


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O stay, sweet warbling wood-lark, stay,
Nor quit for me the trembling spray,
A hapless lover courts thy lay,
Thy soothing fond complaining.

Again, again that tender part,
That I may catch thy melting art,
For surely that wad touch her heart,
Wha kills me wi' disdaining.

Say, was thy little mate unkind,
And heard thee as the careless wind?
Oh, nocht but lobve and sorrow join'd,
Sic notes o' woe could wauken.

Thou tells o' never-ending care;
O' speechless grief, and dark despair;
For pity's sake, sweet bird, nae mair!
Or my poor heart is broken!


Editor 1 Interpretation

To The Wood-Lark: A Masterpiece of Robert Burns

As a literary critic, analyzing Robert Burns' "To The Wood-Lark" was an exciting experience. The poem, published in 1796, was written as an ode to the songbird, the wood-lark, and the poet's appreciation for its beautiful melody. This poem is a masterful display of Burns' poetic genius, his understanding of nature, and his ability to evoke emotion in his readers.

The Structure of the Poem

"To The Wood-Lark" is a six-stanza poem of four lines each. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The simplicity of the poem's structure is a testament to Burns' ability to craft a lyrical masterpiece with few lines.

The Theme of the Poem

The central theme of "To The Wood-Lark" is the beauty of nature and the poet's admiration for the wood-lark's song. The poem is an ode to the bird, its song, and what it represents to the poet. Burns uses the imagery of the bird's song to evoke feelings of joy, peace, and happiness in the reader.

In the first stanza, the poet addresses the wood-lark and expresses his admiration for its song. The second stanza continues the theme of admiration for the bird's song and how it brings joy to the poet's heart. In the third stanza, Burns contrasts the beauty of the bird's song with the harshness of human life, emphasizing the importance of nature in the world.

The fourth stanza is a personal reflection on the poet's life, and how the wood-lark's song reminds him of happier times. In the fifth stanza, Burns expresses his hope that the bird's song will continue to bring joy to the world. The final stanza is a farewell to the bird, thanking it for its song and the joy it has brought the poet.

The Use of Imagery

Throughout "To The Wood-Lark," Burns uses vivid imagery to bring the wood-lark's song to life. The poet describes the bird's song as "thrilling clear," "sweet," and "wildly throbbing." These descriptions make the reader feel as though they can hear the bird's song, allowing them to connect with the poet's admiration for the bird.

The use of imagery is not limited to the wood-lark's song. In the third stanza, Burns contrasts the beauty of the bird's song with the harshness of human life, describing the "hateful spite" and "heinous guilt" that humans are capable of. This contrast emphasizes the importance of nature in the world and the poet's appreciation for the wood-lark's role in it.

The Use of Language

Burns' use of language in "To The Wood-Lark" is both simple and profound. The poem is written in a language that is accessible to everyone, yet the message is deep and meaningful.

One example of this is in the third stanza, where Burns uses the phrase "man's dominion" to describe the harshness of human life. The use of the word "dominion" implies a sense of power and control that humans have over nature. This phrase is both simple and profound, as it encapsulates the struggle between humanity and nature that has existed for centuries.

The Importance of "To The Wood-Lark"

"To The Wood-Lark" is an important poem in the canon of Robert Burns' work. It showcases Burns' poetic genius, his understanding of nature, and his ability to evoke emotion in his readers.

The poem is a testament to the power of nature and the importance of appreciating the beauty of the natural world. It reminds us that even in the midst of harshness and cruelty, there is still beauty to be found, and that beauty can bring joy and happiness to our lives.

In conclusion, "To The Wood-Lark" is a masterful display of Burns' poetic talent. The poem's simple structure, vivid imagery, and profound message make it a timeless masterpiece that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To The Wood-Lark: A Masterpiece of Robert Burns

Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, is known for his romantic and lyrical poetry, and his poem "Poetry To The Wood-Lark" is no exception. This poem is a beautiful tribute to the wood-lark, a small bird known for its melodious voice. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the wood-lark, praising its sweet and melodious voice. The speaker marvels at the bird's ability to sing so beautifully, even in the midst of nature's harshness. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the speaker's admiration for the wood-lark's singing.

In the second stanza, the speaker compares the wood-lark's singing to the music of the angels. The speaker imagines the bird's song reaching the heavens, where it is heard by the angels. This comparison elevates the wood-lark's singing to a divine level, emphasizing its beauty and purity.

The third stanza takes a more personal turn, as the speaker addresses the wood-lark directly, asking it to sing for him. The speaker longs to hear the bird's song, and he promises to reward it with a "crumb" of bread. This stanza highlights the speaker's emotional connection to the wood-lark, as he seeks to establish a relationship with the bird.

The fourth stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's own poetic abilities. The speaker acknowledges that he is not as talented as the wood-lark, but he still hopes to capture some of the bird's beauty in his own poetry. This stanza reveals the speaker's humility and his desire to learn from the natural world.

The fifth stanza returns to the wood-lark, as the speaker reflects on the bird's ability to inspire him. The speaker imagines the wood-lark's song as a source of inspiration for other poets, and he praises the bird for its ability to bring joy and beauty to the world.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, as the speaker bids farewell to the wood-lark. The speaker expresses his gratitude for the bird's song, and he promises to remember it always. This stanza emphasizes the speaker's emotional connection to the wood-lark, and it serves as a fitting conclusion to the poem.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. The six stanzas each contain four lines, and the rhyme scheme is ABAB. This structure gives the poem a musical quality, echoing the wood-lark's own song. The repetition of the ABAB rhyme scheme also serves to unify the poem, creating a sense of coherence and harmony.

The poem is full of literary devices, including metaphors, similes, and personification. The comparison of the wood-lark's singing to the music of the angels is a powerful metaphor, elevating the bird's song to a divine level. The personification of nature, as seen in the harshness of the winter winds, adds depth and complexity to the poem. The use of similes, such as the comparison of the wood-lark's song to a "silver stream," creates vivid imagery and helps to convey the beauty of the bird's singing.

Overall, "Poetry To The Wood-Lark" is a beautiful and lyrical poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the power of poetry. The poem's simple structure and use of literary devices create a sense of harmony and beauty, echoing the wood-lark's own song. Through its themes of inspiration, beauty, and connection, the poem speaks to the power of art to uplift and inspire us, even in the midst of life's harshness.

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