Epistle to J. Lapraik, an Old Scottish Bard

Name: Epistle to J. Lapraik, an Old Scottish Bard
Author: Robert Burns

The speaker addresses an unknown fellow poet after hearing a song at a rocking, where people gather to talk, weave stockings, joke, and sing. One song, written by a husband for his wife, moves him deeply because it expresses generous, manly feeling with unusual truth. Learning that its author is an “odd kind chiel” about Muirkirk, he hears praise of Lapraik’s wit, songs, tales, and talent for company, and vows he would sacrifice greatly for the chance to share drink and conversation with him. The speaker then describes his own beginnings as a maker of rough rhymes. He modestly denies being a learned poet, calling himself merely a rhymer by chance, but defends natural inspiration against academic critics. He mocks those who rely on scholarly jargon, Latin, and Greek while lacking native sense, arguing that one spark of Nature’s fire matters more than formal learning. Though he works at plough or cart and his muse is plainly dressed, he believes simple verse may still touch the heart. He wishes for the glee of Allan, the boldness of Fergusson, or the brightness of Lapraik. Offering friendship to Lapraik, he says that true friends are few and promises to be one if Lapraik needs him. Others sometimes praise him and sometimes abuse him; one fault often charged against him is his liking for lasses, who cost him money at dance or fair and may offer him other rewards. He invites Lapraik to meet him at Mauchline Race or Mauchline Fair, where they can forget care for a night, exchange rhymes, drink together, and become better acquainted. He rejects selfish people who place money above sense, grace, love, and friendship, but welcomes those who value social pleasure, kindness, mutual aid, and brotherhood. He asks Lapraik to send even two lines in reply and declares himself his fervent friend and servant while he can still sing or whistle.

By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Epistolary Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 1,324 words

First lines

April 1, 1785

While briers an' woodbines budding green, / An' paitricks scraichin loud at e'en, / An' morning poussie whiddin seen, / Inspire my muse, / This freedom, in an unknown frien', / I pray excuse.

Open reader

Similar titles

Genres

Epistolary Poetry — The work is explicitly framed as a verse letter addressed to fellow Scottish poet John Lapraik, using direct address, self-presentation, invitation, and a formal closing.
Scottish Vernacular Poetry — Burns writes predominantly in Scots dialect, employing regional vocabulary, speech patterns, rural references, and a distinctly Scottish literary voice.
Lyric Poetry — Rather than developing a sustained plot, the poem expresses the speaker's personal feelings about poetry, friendship, learning, sociability, and artistic inspiration.
Satirical Poetry — The poem mocks pedantic critics, classical educational pretension, academic jargon, and people who value money above fellowship and natural feeling.

What this Textopian page supports

Epistle to J. Lapraik, an Old Scottish Bard 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: Epistolary Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Satirical Poetry, Occasional Poetry
Length: 1,324 words
Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Epistle to J. Lapraik, an Old Scottish Bard by Robert Burns
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
Readability and classroom-planning context
Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph