Winter a Dirge
written in 1781
Winter a Dirge - context Summary
Composed in 1781
Written in 1781, Robert Burns Winter A Dirge frames a bleak winter landscape as a mirror for personal sorrow. The poem moves from vivid weather and sheltering creatures to the speaker 's identification with leafless trees and storm, then to a theological resignation: acceptance of suffering as divine will and a final plea for help to resign. It reflects Burns personal grief and a desire for spiritual fortitude rather than active consolation.
Read Complete AnalysesThe wintry west extends his blast, And hail and rain does blaw; Or the stormy north sends driving forth The blinding sleet and snaw: While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down, And roars frae bank to brae; And bird and beast in covert rest, And pass the heartless day. "The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast," The joyless winter day Let others fear, to me more dear Than all the pride of May: The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul, My griefs it seems to join; The leafless trees my fancy please, Their fate resembles mine! Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme These woes of mine fulfil, Here firm I rest; they must be best, Because they are Thy will! Then all I want - O do Thou grant This one request of mine! - Since to enjoy Thou dost deny, Assist me to resign.
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