Delia, an Ode by Robert Burns (1786)
A prefatory note from R. Burns asks the editor of The Star to print a “trifle” by a simple ploughman, hoping that it may be accepted beside the work of Sylvester Otway and other writers, and promising further communications. The ode praises Delia above the beauty of the dawn and opening rose, the music of the lark and rill, and the pleasures sought by the bee and a thirsty Arab. The speaker especially longs to kiss Delia’s balmy lips, declaring that his soul is parched with love.
By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry, Ode · 232 words
First lines
"To the Editor of The Star. -Mr. Printer-If the productions of a simple ploughman can merit a place in the same paper with Sylvester Otway, and the other favourites of the Muses who illuminate the Star with the lustre of genius, your insertion of the enclosed trifle will be succeeded by future communications from-Yours, &c., R. Burns.
Ellisland, near Dumfries, 18th May, 1789."
Fair the face of orient day, / Fair the tints of op'ning rose; / But fairer still my Delia dawns, / More lovely far her beauty shows.
Sweet the lark's wild warbled lay, / Sweet the tinkling rill to hear; / But, Delia, more delightful still, / Steal thine accents on mine ear.
What this Textopian page supports
Delia, an Ode is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1786 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: 1786 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry, Ode, Pastoral Poetry, Romantic Poetry
- Length: 232 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Delia, an Ode by Robert Burns
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — A brief, musical first-person poem expressing the speaker's intense personal admiration and desire for Delia.
- Love Poetry — The poem centers on romantic longing, idealized feminine beauty, sensual attraction, and a plea for a kiss.
- Ode — Its title and elevated direct address to Delia frame the poem as an ode celebrating a beloved figure.
- Pastoral Poetry — The praise of Delia is developed through idealized natural imagery, including dawn, roses, larks, rills, flowers, bees, and streamlets.
Tags
love poetry · ode · lyric poem · romantic admiration · courtship · desire · longing · idealized beloved · beauty · sensuality · kiss · unrequited yearning