To Mr. M'Adam, of Craigen-Gillan by Robert Burns
The speaker gratefully answers Mr. M'Adam’s encouraging card, received at the beginning of his poetic career. Delighted that Craigen-Gillan has noticed him, he feels newly proud and dismisses the criticism of the “senseless, gawky million.” He praises M'Adam’s generous protection and recognises the uplifting power of a great man’s approval, while insisting that he remains independent and able to stand on his own legs through hardship. Even if he lacks more comfortable food and welcome, he declares that a place by a lee dyke, a sybow-tail, and barley-scone will sustain him. He wishes M'Adam a long life amid many flowery summers, blesses his two beautiful daughters, and offers hopes that young Dunaskin’s laird will grow old as an honour to his country.
By Robert Burns · First published 1808 · Genre: Epistolary Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Occasional Poetry · 302 words
First lines
In answer to an obliging Letter he sent in the commencement of my poetic career.
Sir, o'er a gill I gat your card, / I trow it made me proud; / "See wha taks notice o' the bard! " / I lap and cried fu' loud.
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Genres
- Epistolary Poetry — The poem is explicitly addressed to Mr. M'Adam and responds to a supportive letter, taking the form of a personal verse epistle.
- Scottish Vernacular Poetry — Burns writes extensively in Scots dialect, using regional vocabulary, idiom, pronunciation, and social voice.
- Occasional Poetry — It was composed for a particular social occasion: acknowledging M'Adam's encouraging letter at the beginning of Burns's poetic career.
- Thanksgiving Poetry — Its central purpose is to thank and praise M'Adam for recognizing, encouraging, and offering protection to the emerging poet.
Tags
Scottish vernacular poetry · epistolary poem · thank-you verse · patronage · poetic career · literary encouragement · praise and gratitude · social class · independence · self-reliance · defiance of critics · contempt for public opinion
What this Textopian page supports
To Mr. M'Adam, of Craigen-Gillan is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1808 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: 1808 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Epistolary Poetry, Scottish Vernacular Poetry, Occasional Poetry, Thanksgiving Poetry, Satirical Poetry
- Length: 302 words
- Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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