The Five Carlins by Robert Burns
Five formidable Carlins of the South meet to choose a young man to send to London, both to bring back news and to carry out their business, with the possibility of gold and honour for the chosen lad. Many knights and lairds wish to undertake the errand, but only two candidates please them: a belted Border Knight, confident that he can speak effectively at court and win favour, and a modest Soger youth, who promises no courtly rewards but offers an honest heart and loyalty to his friends. The Carlins disagree sharply because some wish to satisfy their Gentlefolks while others follow their own inclinations. Maggy by the Nith proudly supports the Soger youth, caring nothing for the old Gudeman of London court and wishing to send the youth to greet the Gudeman’s eldest son. Bess of Annandale swears to support the Border Knight even if she stands alone, saying she has already tested him and prefers him to fashionable change. Black Joan of Crichton Peel dismisses arguments about right and wrong, judging that the Soger’s friends have made the strongest show and therefore backing him. Whisky Jean, speaking over her drink, observes that the old Gudeman’s position is weakened and that many former friends have become strangers; nevertheless, she insists that the Border Knight must be sent. Marjory of the Lochs, resentful of great folk who make little of her, declares that she will send to London whichever man she likes best at home. The contest remains uncertain, and the speaker hopes that the King and every man will look well to himself.
By Robert Burns · First published 1787 · Genre: Political satire, Election ballad, Satirical poetry · 979 words
First lines
An Election Ballad.
Tune-"Chevy Chase."
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Genres
- Political satire — The poem humorously dramatizes a contested election, ridiculing local political interests, patronage, factional loyalties, and the candidates' appeals to powerful figures at court.
- Election ballad — Explicitly subtitled 'An Election Ballad,' the work narrates the selection of a representative for London through competing votes, candidates, and regional political alliances.
- Satirical poetry — Burns uses caricature, irony, exaggerated character portraits, and comic dialogue to expose self-interest and opportunism among the electorate.
- Scottish vernacular poetry — The poem is written substantially in Scots dialect, using regional vocabulary, speech patterns, and local place names to ground its political comedy in southern Scotland.
Tags
Scottish election ballad · political satire · eighteenth-century Scotland · London court · Scottish vernacular · Scots language · ballad form · Chevy Chase tune · five old women · female political voices · electoral rivalry · Border knight
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The Five Carlins 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: Political satire, Election ballad, Satirical poetry, Scottish vernacular poetry, Narrative poetry
- Length: 979 words
- Structure: 1 section, 30 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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