Eppie Mcnab
written in 1791
Eppie Mcnab - meaning Summary
Unrequited Love in Scots Dialect
The poem presents a speaker, Jock Rab, lamenting the loss and perceived betrayal of Eppie Mcnab. In plain, direct Scots voice he asks after her, begs her return, and reports that she has “forgot” and disowns him. The repeated questions and refrains emphasize his longing, wounded pride, and disbelief as he alternately pleads and condemns her. The poem sketches a compact narrative of unrequited love and emotional rupture, ending in the speaker’s bitter recognition that attraction can be fleeting and devastating.
Read Complete AnalysesO saw ye my dearie, my Eppie Mcnab? O saw ye my dearie, my Eppie Mcnab? She's down in the yard, she's kissin the Laird, She winna come hame to her ain Jock Rab. O come thy ways to me, my Eppie Mcnab; O come thy ways to me, my Eppie Mcnab; What-e'er thou hast dune, be it late, be it soon, Thou's welcome again to thy ain Jock Rab. What says she, my dearie, my Eppie Mcnab? What says she, my dearie, my Eppie Mcnab? She lets thee to wit, that she has thee forgot, And for ever disowns thee, her ain Jock Rab. O had I ne'er seen thee, my Eppie Mcnab! O had I ne'er seen thee, my Eppie Mcnab! As light as the air, and as fause as thou's fair, Thou's broken the heart o' thy ain Jock Rab!
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