Cauld Frosty Morning
written in 1790
Cauld Frosty Morning - meaning Summary
Midnight Love and Longing
The speaker narrates a cold, sleepless November night when he rises and goes to his beloved’s window to plead for pity and relief from love’s torment. He begs her to wake, confessing that love has driven him to misery. She answers with modest protest, yet the scene quickly becomes intimate as he leaps into her arms. Dawn finds them together, and the poem ends by claiming their mutual constancy: seven years and more of faithful love that outshines the sun’s light. The poem foregrounds longing, erotic urgency, and enduring affection.
Read Complete Analyses'Twas past ane o'clock in a cauld frosty morning, When cankert November blaws over the plain, I heard the kirk-bell repeat the loud warning, As, restless, I sought for sweet slumber in vain: Then up I arose, the silver moon shining bright; Mountains and valleys appearing all hoary white; Forth I would go, amid the pale, silent night, And visit the Fair One, the cause of my pain. Sae gently I staw to my lovely Maid's chamber, And rapp'd at her window, low down on my knee; Begging that she would awauk from sweet slumber, Awauk from sweet slumber and pity me: For, that a stranger to a' pleasure, peace and rest, Love into madness had fired my tortur'd breast; And that I should be of a' men the maist unblest, Unless she would pity my sad miserie! My True-love arose and whispered to me, (The moon looked in, and envy'd my Love's charms;) 'An innocent Maiden, ah, would you undo me!' I made no reply, but leapt into her arms: Bright Phebus peep'd over the hills and found me there; As he has done, now, seven lang years and mair: A faithfuller, constanter, kinder, more loving Pair, His sweet-chearing beam nor enlightens nor warms.
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