'Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Apporch of Spring' by Robert Burns


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Now Nature hangs her mantle green
On every blooming tree,
And spreads her sheets o' daises white
Out o'er the grassy lea
Now Pheebus cheers the crystal streams,
And glads the azure skies;
But nought can glad the weary wight
That fast in durance lies.

Now laverocks wake the merry morn
Aloft on dewy wing;
The merle, in his noontide bow'r,
Makes woodland echoes ring;
The mavis wild ai' mony a note,
Sings drowsy day to reast
In love and freedom they rejoice,
Wi' care nor thrall opprest.

Now blooms the lily by the bank,
The primrose down the brae;
The hawthorn's budding in the glen,
And milk-white is the slae:
The meanest hind in fair Scotland
May rove their sweets amang;
But I, the Queen of a' Scotland,
Maun lie in prison strang.

I was the Queen o' bonie France,
Where happy I hae been;
Fu' lightly raise I in the morn,
As blythe lay down at e'en:
And I'm the sov'reign of Scotland,
And mony a traitor there;
Yet here I lie in foreign bands,
And never-ending care.

But as for thee, thou false woman,
My sister and my fae,
Grim Vengeance yet shall whet a sword
That thro' thy soul shall gae;
The weeping blood in woman's breast
Was never known to thee;
Nor th' balm that draps on wounds of woe
Frae woman's pitying e'e.

My son! my son! may kinder stars
Upon thy fortune shine;
And may those pleasures gild thy reign,
That ne'er wad blink on mine!
God keep thee frae my mother's faes,
Or turn their hearts to thee:
And where thou meet'st thy mother's friend,
Remember him for me!

O! soon, to me, may Summer suns
Nae mair light up the morn!
Nae mair to me the Autumn winds
Wave o'er the yellow corn?
And, in the narrow house of death,
Let Winter round me rave;
And the next flow'rs that deck the Spring,
Bloom on my peaceful grave!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring: A Masterpiece of Sorrow and Poetic Excellence

If you are a fan of poetry, you must have come across the name Robert Burns. Known as the national poet of Scotland, Burns was a prolific writer who produced some of the most beautiful and moving poems in the English language. One of his most famous works is the "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring." This masterpiece is a powerful elegy that captures the grief and pain of one of Scotland's most tragic figures. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of this poem and analyze its significance in the canon of English poetry.

Historical Context

Before diving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical context surrounding its creation. Mary, Queen of Scots, was a tragic figure in Scottish history. She was executed in 1587 on charges of conspiracy against Queen Elizabeth I of England. Mary was only 44 years old at the time of her death, and her execution was a significant event in the history of Scotland and England. Burns wrote the "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring" in 1791, more than two centuries after Mary's death. Burns was a Scottish nationalist who was deeply invested in Scotland's cultural and literary heritage. The poem is a tribute to Mary's tragic life and a reflection on the enduring power of grief and mourning.

Themes

The "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring" is a poem that deals with several themes, including grief, loss, and the transience of life. The central theme of the poem is the power of mourning and the lasting impact of tragic events. Burns portrays Mary as a tragic figure who is haunted by the memory of her past and the events that led to her downfall. The poem is full of sadness and sorrow, and it captures the depth of Mary's pain and heartbreak. The poem also highlights the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. For Mary, the approach of spring is a reminder that life goes on, even in the face of tragedy and loss.

Language and Structure

One of the most striking features of the "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring" is its language. Burns was a master of the Scottish dialect, and his use of language in this poem is nothing short of brilliant. The poem is written in Scots, a language spoken in Scotland, and it is full of rich and vivid imagery. The language is both lyrical and poetic, and it captures the beauty and melancholy of Mary's plight.

The poem is structured as a series of stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This creates a sense of rhythm and flow that enhances the poem's musicality. The poem also employs a number of literary devices, including alliteration, assonance, and repetition, which add to its power and resonance.

Interpretation

The "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the enduring power of grief and loss. Burns captures Mary's pain and heartbreak with a poignant and lyrical language that is both beautiful and sad. The poem is a tribute to Mary's tragic life and a testament to the power of mourning.

At its core, the poem is about the human capacity for sorrow and the way in which we cope with loss. Mary's grief is a representation of the universal experience of loss and mourning. The poem reminds us that even in the face of tragedy and heartbreak, we must find a way to move forward and continue living our lives.

In conclusion, the "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring" is a masterpiece of sorrow and poetic excellence. Burns has created a work of art that captures the essence of grief and loss in a way that is both beautiful and poignant. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to capture the complexities of the human experience. If you are a fan of poetry or simply looking for a moving and powerful work of art, the "Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring" is an absolute must-read.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring is a classic poem written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns. This poem is a lamentation of the Queen of Scots, Mary Stuart, who was imprisoned in England for 18 years before being executed in 1587. The poem was written in 1787, on the 200th anniversary of her execution, and it is considered one of Burns' most powerful works.

The poem is written in the form of a monologue, with Mary Stuart speaking directly to the reader. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Mary lamenting her fate and the approach of spring, which reminds her of her lost freedom. She speaks of the beauty of the spring, but also of the pain it brings her.

The second stanza is a reflection on her past, and the mistakes she made that led to her imprisonment. She speaks of her youth and beauty, and how she was once a queen, but now she is a prisoner. She also speaks of her love for her country, and how she would have given anything to see it free.

The third stanza is a plea for mercy, as Mary begs for someone to come and rescue her from her prison. She speaks of the cruelty of her captors, and how they have taken everything from her. She also speaks of her faith, and how she hopes that God will hear her prayers and deliver her from her captivity.

The final stanza is a reflection on death, and how it will bring an end to her suffering. She speaks of her hope for a better life after death, and how she will be reunited with her loved ones who have passed away. She also speaks of her legacy, and how she hopes that people will remember her as a queen who loved her country and her people.

The poem is a powerful expression of the pain and suffering that Mary Stuart endured during her imprisonment. Burns' use of language is particularly effective in conveying the depth of her emotions. The use of imagery, such as the approach of spring, is also very effective in creating a sense of contrast between the beauty of nature and the pain of captivity.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Burns portrays Mary Stuart as a tragic figure. She is depicted as a woman who was once powerful and respected, but who has been reduced to a prisoner. Her love for her country and her people is also emphasized, which makes her imprisonment all the more tragic.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of faith. Mary Stuart's faith is a source of comfort and strength for her, and she speaks of it throughout the poem. This is particularly significant given the historical context of the poem, as religion played a major role in the conflict between Mary Stuart and her captors.

Overall, The Lament of Mary, Queen of Scots, On the Approach of Spring is a powerful and moving poem that captures the pain and suffering of one of Scotland's most tragic figures. Burns' use of language and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the depth of Mary's emotions, and the poem remains a classic of Scottish literature to this day.

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