O Leave Novels by Robert Burns
The speaker warns the Mauchline belles to abandon novels and remain safely at their spinning-wheels. Romantic books such as Tom Jones and Grandisons excite youthful imagination and desire, leaving young women vulnerable to the seductions of Rob Mossgiel. He particularly cautions them against a smooth tongue, apparent warmth of feeling, frank conversation, soft caresses, and polished manners, all of which are presented as calculated arts and dangerous deceit in Rob Mossgiel.
By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Satirical Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Moralistic Poetry · 176 words
First lines
Burns never published this poem.
O leave novels, ye Mauchline belles, / Ye're safer at your spinning-wheel; / Such witching books are baited hooks / For rakish rooks, like Rob Mossgiel; / Your fine Tom Jones and Grandisons, / They make your youthful fancies reel; / They heat your brains, and fire your veins, / And then you're prey for Rob Mossgiel.
Beware a tongue that's smoothly hung, / A heart that warmly seems to feel; / That feeling heart but acts a part- / 'Tis rakish art in Rob Mossgiel. / The frank address, the soft caress, / Are worse than poisoned darts of steel; / The frank address, and politesse, / Are all finesse in Rob Mossgiel.
What this Textopian page supports
O Leave Novels 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: Satirical Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Moralistic Poetry, Comic Verse, Love and Courtship Poetry
- Length: 176 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for O Leave Novels by Robert Burns
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Satirical Poetry — The poem humorously and critically warns Mauchline women against novels and seductive men, using exaggerated moral caution and the persona of 'Rob Mossgiel' as a rakish target.
- Scottish Vernacular Poetry — Its diction, address to 'Mauchline belles,' references to local identity, and Scots-inflected language place it firmly within Burns's Scottish vernacular poetic tradition.
- Moralistic Poetry — The speaker presents the poem as a warning against the supposed corrupting effects of romantic fiction and the dangers of smooth-talking seducers.
- Comic Verse — The repeated refrain, lively rhymes, playful accusations, and self-mocking portrayal of Rob Mossgiel create a witty rather than solemn tone.
Tags
Scottish poetry · eighteenth-century literature · Mauchline · rural Scotland · vernacular verse · didactic poem · satire · courtship · seduction · romantic fiction · novel reading · female virtue