Poem Analysis - Then Guidwife Count The Lawin

A Night of Merriment and Escape

Robert Burns's "Then Guidwife count the lawin" is a boisterous and convivial poem celebrating the temporary escape from life's hardships through drink and camaraderie. The poem's tone is initially celebratory and lighthearted, fueled by the promise of ale and brandy. However, beneath the surface lies a hint of recognition of the struggles and inequalities of everyday life, creating a subtle shift towards acknowledging the need for such escapism. The recurring refrain emphasizes the central act of settling the bill ("lawin") while simultaneously calling for more drink, encapsulating the poem's spirit of indulgence.

The Egalitarian Spirit of the Tavern

Burns, writing from a perspective deeply rooted in Scottish working-class culture, often explores themes of social equality and the common man's struggles. This poem reflects that sentiment. While not explicitly stated, the lines "There's wealth and ease for gentlemen, / And semple-folk maun fecht and fen" point to the stark social divide of the time. The tavern, then, becomes a temporary haven where social hierarchies are suspended: "here we're a' in ae accord, / For ilka man that's drunk's a lord." This suggests that the shared experience of intoxication creates a sense of unity and allows individuals to momentarily transcend their social standing. The drink becomes a social leveller, creating the illusion of equality even if the reality outside the tavern remains unchanged. The call for “mair” drink becomes the method of maintaining this illusion.

Drink as a Balm for Hardship

One of the poem's central themes is the use of alcohol as a means of coping with hardship and finding solace. The "coggie," or small wooden bowl, becomes a symbolic vessel of healing and escape. Burns writes, "My coggie is a haly pool, / That heals the wounds o' care and dool." This image evokes a sense of spiritual cleansing and suggests that drink can provide temporary relief from emotional pain. The metaphor of "pleasure" being a "wanton trout" that can be caught in the "haly pool" reinforces the idea that happiness, even if fleeting and elusive, can be found through indulgence. The poem celebrates the power of drink to temporarily numb the harsh realities of life.

Stars, Suns, and Intoxicated Illusions

The poem employs vivid imagery to illustrate the transformative effects of alcohol. The lines "For ale and brandy's stars and moon, / And blude-red wine's the rysin Sun" elevate the act of drinking to a cosmic level. Alcohol isn't just a beverage; it's a source of light and warmth, replacing the darkness of the night with a vibrant, albeit artificial, illumination. This suggests that drink provides a temporary sense of joy and optimism, creating a world where even the night can be bright. The red wine's association with the rising sun implies a fresh start, a momentary forgetting of past troubles. The imagery, however, also hints at the artificiality of this joy, as the "stars and moon" are merely substitutes for the real thing.

A Momentary Escape or a Cycle of Dependence?

In conclusion, "Then Guidwife count the lawin" is a complex poem that celebrates the temporary escape offered by alcohol while subtly acknowledging the underlying hardships that necessitate such escapism. The poem's boisterous tone and vivid imagery create a sense of convivial revelry, yet the underlying theme of social inequality and the need for solace adds a layer of depth. The poem leaves us with a lingering question: Is the tavern a refuge from the storm, or does it perpetuate a cycle of dependence, offering only fleeting relief from deeper problems? The poem's recurring refrain, a constant call for more drink, underscores the bittersweet nature of this temporary escape, suggesting both its appeal and its potential pitfalls.