Page:Life of Robert Burns, the Ayrshire Bard.pdf/22

22 any study or profession to which he might apply himself. Without any borrowed style, his thoughts were new, and his language his own. Neither in high station nor in history, did he seek matter for his muse. His topics were natural, simple, and familiar to all. The "Daisy" grew on the farm he ploughed, and the "Mouse" had her nest on his own field. The "Haggis" smoked on his own board, and the "Scotch Drink," of which he sang, was distilled on the banks of Doon. The "Twa Dogs" that conversed so wittily, were his own collies, and "Tam o'Shanter," was one of his own merry acquaintances. Burns was the first of our poets who joined sublimity to simplicity, and found loveliness and elegance among the cottages of his own native land. In expression he is never weak, never vulgar, and seldom coarse. His language is familiar, but dignified―careless, but concise; and he touches the most ordinary themes with rare skill and good taste. Of his poetry, the descriptive pieces are considered the most valuable, for, besides possessing the charaterchracter [sic] of nationality, they combine the excellencies which belong to his other compositions. His songs may be classed into four kinds,―the amatory, the heroic, the satirical, and the bacchanalian. His love songs, however, are the most numerous, and are copied from nature.