Tag Archives: Robert Burns

“For never has such soothing voice / Been to your shadowy world convey’d…” — Matthew Arnold on William Wordsworth

“I have said that poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings; it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity; the emotion is contemplated till by a species of reaction the tranquillity gradually disappears, and an emotion, kindred to … Continue reading

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“Gie me ae spark o’ nature’s fire / That’s a’ the learning I desire…” — Robert Burns, “the Ploughman Poet” of Scotland

“For my own part I never had the least thought or inclination of turning poet till I got once heartily in Love, and then Rhyme and Song were, in a manner, the spontaneous language of my heart.” — Robert Burns … Continue reading

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“It is a pity that the poet should be compelled to impart interest and force to his subject, instead of receiving them from it.” — poet and critic Matthew Arnold

“My poems represent, on the whole, the main movement of mind of the last quarter of a century, and thus they will probably have their day as people become conscious to themselves of what that movement of mind is, and … Continue reading

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“I take it to be my portion in this life, joined with a strong propensity of nature, to leave something so written to aftertimes, as they should not willingly let it die.” — John Milton

Milton was born on this day in 1608. Although he left Oxford without completing his degree, he remained a thinker, a propagandist/pamphleteer, a scholar till the end of his days. The isolated poet, focused on self and personal emotion, would … Continue reading

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“I was never afraid of failure, for I would sooner fail than not to be among the greatest.” –John Keats

I was just beautifying him, don’t you know. A thing of beauty, don’t you know. Yeats says, or I mean, Keats says. – James Joyce, Ulysses Born in 1795 on this day, John Keats was orphaned at fifteen. Because his … Continue reading

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“I do not write for the public.” — poet Gerard Manley Hopkins

“I shall shortly have some sonnets to send you, five or more. Four of these came like inspirations unbidden and against my will. And in the life I lead now, which is one of a continually jaded and harassed mind, … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, John Keats

Keats was born on this day in London, 1795. “Ode to Autumn” is perhaps my favorite of his – but today, for his birthday, I will post: “Ode on Melancholy”. And below the poem are a bunch of compiled quotes … Continue reading

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John Milton Is Turning 400 Years Old

Many venues in New York (and, I assume, elsewhere) are getting ready to celebrate and pay tribute. I will definitely need to check out the exhibit at the Morgan Library (opening in October) – and I just love this entire … Continue reading

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Robbie BARRRRRNS

Part 2. Photos of the blessed event here. How much would I have loved to be there? It hurts. That’s how much.

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Happy Birthday to “the Ploughman Poet” of Scotland

In other words: Robert Burns. Or, as they say in Scotland, “Rahbbie Barrrrrrrrns.” Robert Burns (love this guy) is a national hero in Scotland, his works are known by heart, and festivals go on in his name. Right now in … Continue reading

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