My Tochers the Jewel
written in 1792
My Tochers the Jewel - meaning Summary
Marriage and Money
The speaker confronts a suitor whose affection she sees as bought by her "tocher" (dowry). She claims his love is really for her money and possessions, and uses plain, mocking language to expose his mercenary motives. She warns him that if he courts for gain he will be discarded, comparing him to rotten wood and a knotless thread that will not hold. The poem blends blunt realism with playful scorn, asserting the speaker’s agent who will refuse an untrue, money-driven match.
Read Complete AnalysesO meikle thinks my Luve o' my beauty, And meikle thinks my Luve o' my kin; But little thinks my Luve, I ken brawlie, My tocher's the jewel has charms for him. It's a' for the apple he'll nourish the tree; It's a' for the hiney he'll cherish the bee; My laddie's sae meikle in love wi' the siller, He canna hae luve to spare for me. Your proffer o' luve's an airle-penny, My tocher's the bargain ye wad buy; But an ye be crafty, I am cunnin, Sae ye wi' anither your fortune maun try. Ye're like to the timmer o' yon rotten wood, Ye're like to the bark o' yon rotten tree, Ye'll slip frae me like a knotless thread, And ye'll crack your credit wi' mae nor me.
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