The Last Time I Came o'Er the Moor
The speaker recalls leaving Maria's dwelling in anguish, watching a rival prevail while concealing his love. He begs Maria's forgiveness, knowing she cannot relieve his despair, and compares his unwitting attraction to a sailor overwhelmed by a torrent.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry · 242 words
First lines
The last time I came o'er the moor, / And left Maria's dwelling, / What throes, what tortures passing cure, / Were in my bosom swelling: / Condemn'd to see my rival's reign, / While I in secret languish; / To feel a fire in every vein, / Yet dare not speak my anguish.
Love's veriest wretch, despairing, I / Fain, fain, my crime would cover; / Th' unweeting groan, the bursting sigh, / Betray the guilty lover. / I know my doom must be despair, / Thou wilt nor canst relieve me; / But oh, Maria, hear my prayer, / For Pity's sake forgive me!
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — Three rhymed stanzas give the speaker's direct account of concealed longing, anguish, and despair.
- Love Poetry — The speaker addresses Maria, describes his suffering at a rival's success, and begs forgiveness for his love.
Tags
concealed love · romantic rivalry · despair · forgiveness
What this Textopian page supports
The Last Time I Came o'Er the Moor is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry
- Length: 242 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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