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ORIGINAL LETTERS.

361

and the other day I strung up a kind of rhapsody to another Hibernian melody, which I admire much.

Awa' wi' your witchcraft o' beauty's alarms.

If this will do, you have now four of my Irish engagement. In my by-past songs I dislike one thing, the name Chloris I meant it as the fictitious name of a certain lady; but, on second thoughts, it is a high incongruity to have a Greek appellation to a Scottish pastoral ballad. Of this, and some things else, in my next: I have more amendments to propose. What you once mentioned of "flaxen locks" is just: they cannot enter into an elegant description of beauty. Of this also again — God bless you !*

XXXI.

TO MR. CLARKE,

SCHOOL MASTER,

FORFAR.

R. B.

[Who will say, after reading the following distressing letter, lately come to light, that Burns did not die in great poverty.]

MY DEAR CLARKE.

Dumfries, 26th June, 1796.

STILL, still the victim of affliction ! Were you to see the emaciated figure who now holds the pen to you, you would not know your old friend. Whether I shall ever

* Our poet never explained what name he would have substituted for Chloris. MR. THOMSON.

31*

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get about again, is only known to Him, the Great Unknown, whose creature I am. Alas, Clarke! I begin to fear the worst.

As to my individual self, I am tranquil, and would despise myself if I were not; but Burns's poor widow, and half-a-dozen of his dear little ones-helpless orphans! - there I am weak as a woman's tear. Enough of this! 'Tis half of my disease.

1 duly received your last, enclosing the note. It came extremely in time, and I am much obliged by your punctuality. Again I must request you to do me the same kindness. Be so very good as, by return of post, to enclose me another note. I trust you can do it without inconvenience, and it will seriously oblige me. If I must go, I shall leave a few friends behind me, whom I shall regret while consciousness remains. I know I shall live in their remembrance. Adieu, dear Clarke, that I shall ever see you again is, I am afraid, highly improbable.

R. B.

XXXII.

TO MR. JAMES ARMOUR,

MASON, MAUCHLINE.

[The original letter is now in a safe sanctuary, the hands of the poet's son, Major James Glencairn Burns.]

July, 10th [1796.]

FOR Heaven's sake and as you value the we[l] fare of your daughter and my wife, do, my dearest sir, write to Fife, to Mrs. Armour to come if possible. My wife

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thinks she can yet reckon upon a fortnight. The medical people order me, as I value my existence, to fly to seabathing and country-quarters, so it is ten thousand chances to one that I shall not be within a dozen miles of her when her hour comes. What a situation for her, poor girl, without a single friend by her on such a serious

moment.

I have now been a week at salt-water, and though I think I have got some good by it, yet I have some secret fears that this business will be dangerous, if not fatal.

Your most affectionate son,

R. B.

FINIS.

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