A Sonnet Upon Sonnets
written in 1788
A Sonnet Upon Sonnets - form Summary
A Sonnet About Sonnets
Robert Burns's 'A sonnet upon sonnets' is a self-referential, playful sonnet that uses its own fourteen-line form as the subject. In compact, enumerative lines the speaker lists cultural, numerical, and humorous associations with the number fourteen, then justifies the sonnet's length by asserting that fourteen measured verses make a sonnet. The poem’s content and shape mirror each other: the argument for the form is delivered within the form, so structure is integral to the poem’s effect and comic tone.
Read Complete AnalysesFourteen, a sonneteer thy praises sings; What magic myst'ries in that number lie! Your hen hath fourteen eggs beneath her wings That fourteen chickens to the roost may fly. Fourteen full pounds the jockey's stone must be; His age fourteen - a horse's prime is past. Fourteen long hours too oft the Bard must fast; Fourteen bright bumpers - bliss he ne'er must see! Before fourteen, a dozen yields the strife; Before fourteen - e'en thirteen's strength is vain. Fourteen good years - a woman gives us life; Fourteen good men - we lose that life again. What lucubrations can be more upon it? Fourteen good measur'd verses make a sonnet.
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