On a Bank of Flowers by Robert Burns
On a bank of flowers during a lightly dressed summer day, the youthful Nelly lies asleep, overcome by love and slumber. Willie, who has often sought her favour, discovers her while wandering through the wood. He stands captivated yet anxious, gazing at her beauty, wishing for her, blushing, trembling, and fearing to act. Nelly sleeps peacefully, her eyes closed and her breathing sweet, while roses and lilies seem enhanced or challenged by her loveliness. Her light robes move in the breeze around her graceful form, and Willie’s desire grows tumultuous. Though frightened and hesitant, he steals a faltering, ardent kiss. Nelly suddenly wakes and flees in alarm, like a partridge flying from danger. Willie follows her through the wood, overtakes her, and pleads with vows and prayers. He finds that she is forgiving and kind.
By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Pastoral Poetry, Love Poetry, Lyric Poetry · 347 words
First lines
On a bank of flowers, in a summer day, / For summer lightly drest, / The youthful, blooming Nelly lay, / With love and sleep opprest; / When Willie, wand'ring thro' the wood, / Who for her favour oft had sued; / He gaz'd, he wish'd / He fear'd, he blush'd, / And trembled where he stood.
Her closed eyes, like weapons sheath'd, / Were seal'd in soft repose; / Her lip, still as she fragrant breath'd, / It richer dyed the rose; / The springing lilies, sweetly prest, / Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast; / He gaz'd, he wish'd, / He mear'd, he blush'd, / His bosom ill at rest.
What this Textopian page supports
On a Bank of Flowers 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: Pastoral Poetry, Love Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Narrative Poetry
- Length: 347 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for On a Bank of Flowers by Robert Burns
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Pastoral Poetry — The poem places youthful lovers in an idealized natural landscape of flowers, summer, woods, lilies, and birds, using pastoral conventions to frame romantic desire.
- Love Poetry — Its central subject is Willie's desire for Nelly, expressed through admiration, hesitation, a stolen kiss, pursuit, vows, and eventual forgiveness.
- Lyric Poetry — The work is a short, musical, stanzaic poem focused on emotional intensity, sensual imagery, repetition, and rhythmic expression rather than extended narrative.
- Romantic Poetry — It emphasizes natural beauty, strong feeling, erotic attraction, individual emotion, and the heightened responses of the lovers.
Tags
Scottish lyric poetry · pastoral love poem · summer countryside · woodland setting · bank of flowers · sleeping maiden · courtship · romantic desire · youthful love · unrequited longing · sexual awakening · stolen kiss