Scots' Prologue for Mr. Sutherland
The prologue challenges the enthusiasm for new plays and songs brought from abroad, asking why imported entertainment is prized when poets at hame could create worthy songs and plays. It argues that comedy need not search abroad for fools and knaves, while Caledonian story provides abundant themes for tragedy. The speaker calls for a daring bard to tell how glorious Wallace stood and how hapless he fell, to make a drama worthy of Bruce’s resistance against mighty England and her guilty Lord, and to portray the lovely, hapless Scottish Queen, overcome by ruthless Rebellion and a vengeful woman. He recalls the heroic Douglasses and suggests that, if Right succeeds, people may yet follow where a Douglas leads. The speaker urges all the land to support the Muses’ servants by hearing, patronizing, befriending, and justly praising them, while charitably excusing shortcomings. Such encouragement would produce Poets of the Scottish nation able to win great Fame and overcome Time. Speaking for the company and its Stage, he declares that they belong to the audience as its own bairns: the audience may guide them, but should be gentle before striking. The performers offer gratitude for kindness received from every profession, set, and rank, though, being poor, they can give only thanks.
By Robert Burns · First published 1787 · Genre: Poetry, Occasional Poetry, Theatrical Prologue · 706 words
First lines
On his Benefit-Night, at the Theatre, Dumfries.
What needs this din about the town o' Lon'on, / How this new play an' that new sang is comin? / Why is outlandish stuff sae meikle courted? / Does nonsense mend, like brandy, when imported? / Is there nae poet, burning keen for fame, / Will try to gie us sangs and plays at hame? / For Comedy abroad he need to toil, / A fool and knave are plants of every soil; / Nor need he hunt as far as Rome or Greece, / To gather matter for a serious piece; / There's themes enow in Caledonian story, / Would shew the Tragic Muse in a' her glory. -
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is a verse prologue written in rhymed stanzas, using elevated rhetorical language and Scots dialect.
- Occasional Poetry — It was composed for Mr. Sutherland's benefit night at the Theatre Royal in Dumfries and addresses that specific public occasion.
- Theatrical Prologue — The poem functions as an opening address for a performance, directly discussing the stage, actors, audiences, plays, and theatrical patronage.
- Scots Poetry — Its diction, spelling, rhythm, and cultural perspective are strongly rooted in Lowland Scots language and Scottish literary identity.
Tags
Scottish nationalism · Scottish vernacular poetry · theatre prologue · occasional verse · Dumfries theatre · eighteenth-century Scotland · cultural patronage · national literature · native artistic talent · critique of imported culture · drama and performance · comedy and tragedy
What this Textopian page supports
Scots' Prologue for Mr. Sutherland is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1787 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: 1787 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Occasional Poetry, Theatrical Prologue, Scots Poetry, Satirical Poetry
- Length: 706 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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