Written Under the Picture of the Celebrated Miss Burns

Written Under the Picture of the Celebrated Miss Burns - meaning Summary

Playful Defense of a Woman

This short, playful poem addresses critics who gossip about a woman called "Lovely Burns," defending her charm and dismissing moral condemnation. The speaker admits she had a single failing but immediately minimizes it and challenges the severity of judgment with the rhetorical question "Had ae woman ever less?" The tone is teasing and protective, turning accusation into praise and asking readers to recognize human imperfection rather than indulge in prurient criticism.