To the Beautiful Miss Eliza J-n, on Her Principles of Liberty and Equality

To the Beautiful Miss Eliza J-n, on Her Principles of Liberty and Equality - fact Summary

Composed in 1788

Written in 1788 and addressed to Eliza J-n, this short poem by Robert Burns uses direct, conversational ridicule to expose a gap between political ideals and personal behavior. The speaker mocks a woman who flaunts the names Liberty and Equality while dominating lovers like a proud despot. Its tone is satirical and intimate, treating grand revolutionary language as ironic when applied to private vanity. The poem functions as a social jest that links contemporary political rhetoric to everyday relationships, showing how lofty terms can be co-opted for personal boasting.