The Complete Works of Robert Burns Part 273

R. B.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 291: "It is needless to say that this revisal Burns did not live to perform."--Currie.]

CCCx.x.xIV.

TO MRS. RIDDEL,

_Who had desired him to go to the Birth-Day a.s.sembly on that day to show his loyalty._

[This is the last letter which the poet wrote to this accomplished lady.]

_Dumfries, 4th June, 1796._

I am in such miserable health as to be utterly incapable of showing my loyalty in any way. Rackt as I am with rheumatisms, I meet every face with a greeting like that of Balak to Balaam--"Come, curse me Jacob; and come, defy me Israel!" So say I--Come, curse me that east wind; and come, defy me the north! Would you have me in such circ.u.mstances copy you out a love-song?

I may perhaps see you on Sat.u.r.day, but I will not be at the ball.--Why should I? "man delights not me, nor woman either!" Can you supply me with the song, "Let us all be unhappy together?"--do if you can, and oblige, _le pauvre miserable_

R. B.

CCCx.x.xV.

TO MR. CLARKE,

SCHOOLMASTER, FORFAR.

[Who will say, after reading the following distressing letter, lately come to light, that Burns did not die in great poverty.]

_Dumfries, 26th June, 1796._

MY DEAR CLARKE,

Still, still the victim of affliction! Were you to see the emaciated figure who now holds the pen to you, you would not know your old friend. Whether I shall ever get about again, is only known to Him, the Great Unknown, whose creature I am. Alas, Clarke! I begin to fear the worst.

As to my individual self, I am tranquil, and would despise myself, if I were not; but Burns's poor widow, and half-a-dozen of his dear little ones--helpless orphans!--_there_ I am weak as a woman's tear.

Enough of this! 'Tis half of my disease.

I duly received your last, enclosing the note. It came extremely in time, and I am much obliged by your punctuality. Again I must request you to do me the same kindness. Be so very good, as, by return of post, to enclose me _another_ note. I trust you can do it without inconvenience, and it will seriously oblige me. If I must go, I shall leave a few friends behind me, whom I shall regret while consciousness remains. I know I shall live in their remembrance. Adieu, dear Clarke.

That I shall ever see you again, is, I am afraid, highly improbable.

R. B.

CCCx.x.xVI.

TO MR. JAMES JOHNSON,

EDINBURGH.

["In this humble and delicate manner did poor Burns ask for a copy of a work of which he was princ.i.p.ally the founder, and to which he had contributed _gratuitously_ not less than one hundred and eighty-four _original, altered, and collected_ songs! The editor has seen one hundred and eighty transcribed by his own hand, for the 'Museum.'"--CROMEK. Will it be believed that this "humble request" of Burns was not complied with! The work was intended as a present to Jessie Lewars.]

_Dumfries, 4th July, 1796._

How are you, my dear friend, and how comes on your fifth volume? You may probably think that for some time past I have neglected you and your work; but, alas! the hand of pain, and sorrow, and care, has these many months lain heavy on me! Personal and domestic affliction have almost entirely banished that alacrity and life with which I used to woo the rural muse of Scotia. In the meantime let us finish what we have so well begun.

You are a good, worthy, honest fellow, and have a good right to live in this world--because you deserve it. Many a merry meeting this publication has given us, and possibly it may give us more, though, alas! I fear it. This protracting, slow, consuming illness which hangs over me, will, I doubt much, my ever dear friend, arrest my sun before he has well reached his middle career, and will turn over the poet to other and far more important concerns than studying the brilliancy of wit, or the pathos of sentiment! However, _hope_ is the cordial of the human heart, and I endeavour to cherish it as well as I can.

Let me hear from you as soon as convenient.--Your work is a great one; and now that it is finished, I see, if we were to begin again, two or three things that might be mended; yet I will venture to prophesy, that to future ages your publication will be the text-book and standard of Scottish song and music.

I am ashamed to ask another favour of you, because you have been so very good already; but my wife has a very particular friend of hers, a young lady who sings well, to whom she wishes to present the "Scots Musical Museum." If you have a spare copy, will you be so obliging as to send it by the very first _fly_, as I am anxious to have it soon.

The gentleman, Mr. Lewars, a particular friend of mine, will bring out any proofs (if they are ready) or any message you may have. I am extremely anxious for your work, as indeed I am for everything concerning you, and your welfare.

Farewell,

R. B.

P. S. You should have had this when Mr. Lewars called on you, but his saddle-bags miscarried.

CCCx.x.xVII.

TO MR. CUNNINGHAM.