A Dream by Robert Burns (1786)

Name: A Dream
Author: Robert Burns

In a dream, a humble poet is transported to a royal birth-day Levee and offers frank, satirical greetings to the King and royal family. He contrasts himself with flattering lords, ladies, and venal poets, insisting that he seeks neither pension nor office and will not pretend that the monarch never errs. He observes that the King’s royal nest has been greatly reduced and criticises ministers whom he considers better suited to barn or byre than to court. Although Britain has been given peace, he complains that severe taxation has left her poor, while hoping that Willie Pitt’s enlarged taxes may pay the royal debt without reducing the King’s barges and boats. He wishes that freedom may thrive beneath the King’s protection and that Corruption’s neck may be broken. The poet pays respect to the Queen, wishing that her children may raise her happiness until fate releases her from care. He warns the young Potentate o’Wales that pleasure, broken Diana’s pales, and dice with Charlie may someday bring bitter regret, though a ragged cowt can become a noble aiver, and a ruler who shone at Agincourt had once been a wild companion of funny, queer Sir John. He praises the right rev'rend Osnaburg but urges him to take a wife, since he rejects the bearer of Peter’s keys, rather than risk staining his mitre. He advises young royal Tarry-breeks to display a hymeneal charter before pursuing a glorious galley. To the royal lasses, he wishes both goodness and beauty, with plentiful lads, and tells them not to reject British boys in favour of German gentles. Blessing them all, he warns that their much-pampered lives may yet become bitter, since even those with a full coggie may drain the laggen clean.

By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Political satire, Satirical poetry, Occasional poetry · 1,503 words

First lines

Thoughts, words, and deeds, the Statute blames with reason; / But surely Dreams were ne'er indicted Treason.

On reading, in the public papers, the Laureate's Ode, with the other parade of June 4th, 1786, the Author was no sooner dropt asleep, than he imagined himself transported to the Birth-day Levee: and, in his dreaming fancy, made the following Address:

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A Dream is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1786 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Robert Burns
Date: 1786 CE
Language: English
Genres: Political satire, Satirical poetry, Occasional poetry, Political poetry, Mock encomium
Length: 1,503 words
Structure: 1 section, 21 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Genres

Political satire — The poem mockingly addresses George III, the royal family, court poets, ministers, taxation, corruption, and the loss of the American colonies, using irony rather than straightforward praise.
Satirical poetry — Its verse form, comic exaggeration, biting colloquial voice, and ridicule of public figures make it a satirical poem above all.
Occasional poetry — Burns wrote it in response to the public celebrations and official literary display surrounding the King's birthday on June 4, 1786.
Political poetry — The work directly engages with monarchy, government administration, imperial decline, taxation, public liberty, and political corruption.