Lines to John M'Murdo, Esq. of Drumlanrig
The speaker sends a small collection of poems to John M'Murdo and wishes he could offer wealth as well. He says M'Murdo would value riches chiefly for the pleasure of sharing them with a friend. Since poetic inspiration brings no literal gold, the speaker instead offers what money cannot purchase: an honest bard’s esteem.
By Robert Burns · First published 1808 · Genre: Poetry, Tribute · 79 words
First lines
Sent with some of the Author's Poems.
O could I give thee India's wealth, / As I this trifle send; / Because thy joy in both would be / To share them with a friend.
But golden sands did never grace / The Heliconian stream; / Then take what gold could never buy- / An honest bard's esteem.
Genres
- Poetry — Two four-line stanzas contrast an imagined gift of wealth with the bard's freely offered esteem.
- Tribute — The speaker expresses esteem for the recipient and credits him with a willingness to share his gifts.
Tags
Scottish poetry · eighteenth-century poetry · occasional verse · dedicatory poem · epistolary poem · gift of poems · friendship · generosity · shared wealth · patronage · poetic esteem · sincerity
What this Textopian page supports
Lines to John M'Murdo, Esq. of Drumlanrig is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1808 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: 1808 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Tribute
- Length: 79 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
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- Work identity for Lines to John M'Murdo, Esq. of Drumlanrig by Robert Burns
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