To John Kennedy, Dumfries House by Robert Burns
Robert Burness addresses Kennedy with a warm invitation: if Kennedy comes by Mauchlin corse, he should visit Dow’s and taste Johnie’s drink, sending word of his arrival so that they may share a cheerful bout together. Burness distinguishes this sociable drinking from gross excess, saying he wants the company of a genuinely good-hearted, spirited companion who can make the gathering merry. He refuses friendship with anyone who judges people by their clothing or mocks poverty with contempt. But, believing Kennedy hates hard-heartedness and can feel for others, he offers his hand, wishes him well, and blesses him.
By Robert Burns · First published 1794 · Genre: Epistolary Poetry, Scottish Dialect Poetry, Occasional Poetry · 334 words
First lines
Now, Kennedy, if foot or horse / E'er bring you in by Mauchlin corse, / (Lord, man, there's lasses there wad force / A hermit's fancy; / An' down the gate in faith they're worse, / An' mair unchancy).
But as I'm sayin, please step to Dow's, / An' taste sic gear as Johnie brews, / Till some bit callan bring me news / That ye are there; / An' if we dinna hae a bouze, / I'se ne'er drink mair.
Similar titles
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- Third Epistle To J Lapraik by Robert Burns
- Second Epistle To J Lapraik by Robert Burns
- Versified Reply To An Invitation by Robert Burns
- Epistle To J Lapraik An Old Scottish Bard by Robert Burns
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Genres
- Epistolary Poetry — The work is a verse letter directly addressed to John Kennedy, combining an invitation, personal judgments, and a signed date and location.
- Scottish Dialect Poetry — Burns writes prominently in Scots vernacular, using dialect forms such as 'dinna,' 'hae,' 'gude,' and 'warl's folk.'
- Occasional Poetry — The poem was composed for a particular social occasion: inviting Kennedy to visit Mauchline and share drink and companionship.
- Social Poetry — Its central concerns are fellowship, hospitality, drinking, friendship, and the moral character required for genuine sociability.
Tags
Scottish vernacular poetry · eighteenth-century Scotland · Mauchline · Mossgiel · social drinking · hospitality · invitation poem · friendship · companionship · ale and brewing · tavern gathering · cheerful conviviality
What this Textopian page supports
To John Kennedy, Dumfries House is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1794 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: 1794 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Epistolary Poetry, Scottish Dialect Poetry, Occasional Poetry, Social Poetry, Satirical Poetry
- Length: 334 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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