Complimentary Epigram on Maria Riddell
The speaker contrasts a lord's indiscriminate praise of women with his own adoration of Maria, whose qualities he says even flattery cannot overstate. She inspires his verse, and he insists that the more he praises her, the more truth he tells.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Epigram, Love Poetry · 82 words
First lines
"Praise Woman still," his lordship roars, / "Deserv'd or not, no matter? " / But thee, whom all my soul adores, / Ev'n Flattery cannot flatter:
Maria, all my thought and dream, / Inspires my vocal shell; / The more I praise my lovely theme, / The more the truth I tell.
1794
Genres
- Epigram — Two short rhymed stanzas turn a comparison with indiscriminate compliments into the pointed claim that praise of Maria cannot exceed the truth.
- Love Poetry — The speaker declares his adoration of Maria and describes her as filling his thoughts and dreams and inspiring his verse.
Tags
flattery · admiration · devotion · poetic inspiration · epigram
What this Textopian page supports
Complimentary Epigram on Maria Riddell is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Epigram, Love Poetry
- Length: 82 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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