To a Young Lady, Miss Jessy Lewars
written in 1796
To a Young Lady, Miss Jessy Lewars - context Summary
Composed in 1796
This is a short, dedicatory poem Burns addressed to Miss Jessy Lewars on June 26, 1796. It reads as a heartfelt blessing: the speaker bequeaths books and a poet’s prayer that Jessy’s life be recorded with worth, fame, caution against moral danger, and "all blameless joys" and intellectual treasures. Its language is concise and formal, combining personal affection with moral counsel. The piece functions as a polite, intimate wish for well-being and reputation rather than a dramatic or narrative poem.
Read Complete AnalysesThine be the volumes, Jessy fair, And with them take the poet's prayer; That fate may in her fairest page, With every kindliest, best presage, Of future bliss, enrol thy name: With native worth, and spotless fame, And wakeful caution still aware Of ill - but chief, man's felon snare; All blameless joys on earth we find, And all the treasures of the mind These be thy guardian and reward; So prays thy faithful friend, the bard. Robert Burns June 26th 1796
Feel free to be first to leave comment.