Impromptu on General Dumourier's Desertion from
The speaker mockingly welcomes Dumourier to the despots and asks why Dampiere and Bournonville did not accompany him. Offering to fight France alongside Dumourier until freedom is extinguished, the speaker predicts their shared damnation.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Political Satire, Satirical Poetry · 160 words
First lines
You're welcome to Despots, Dumourier; / You're welcome to Despots, Dumourier: / How does Dampiere do? / Ay, and Bournonville too? / Why did they not come along with you, Dumourier?
I will fight France with you, Dumourier; / I will fight France with you, Dumourier; / I will fight France with you, / I will take my chance with you; / By my soul, I'll dance with you, Dumourier.
Then let us fight about, Dumourier; / Then let us fight about, Dumourier; / Then let us fight about, / Till Freedom's spark be out, / Then we'll be damn'd, no doubt, Dumourier.
Genres
- Political Satire — The welcome to despots and the offer to fight France culminate in extinguished freedom and shared damnation, turning apparent solidarity into mockery.
- Satirical Poetry — Three rhymed stanzas repeatedly address Dumourier, building from a mocking welcome to a final prediction of damnation.
Tags
military desertion · despotism · political satire · freedom · damnation
What this Textopian page supports
Impromptu on General Dumourier's Desertion from the French Republican Army 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: Political Satire, Satirical Poetry
- Length: 160 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Impromptu on General Dumourier's Desertion from the French Republican Army by Robert Burns
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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