O Leave Novels! Poem by Robert Burns

O Leave Novels!

Rating: 3.0


O LEAVE novels, 1 ye Mauchline belles,
Ye're safer at your spinning-wheel;
Such witching books are baited hooks
For rakish rooks, like Rob Mossgiel;
Your fine Tom Jones and Grandisons,
They make your youthful fancies reel;
They heat your brains, and fire your veins,
And then you're prey for Rob Mossgiel.


Beware a tongue that's smoothly hung,
A heart that warmly seems to feel;
That feeling heart but acts a part—
'Tis rakish art in Rob Mossgiel.
The frank address, the soft caress,
Are worse than poisoned darts of steel;
The frank address, and politesse,
Are all finesse in Rob Mossgiel.

Thursday, November 6, 2014
Topic(s) of this poem: song
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Bill Wright 02 October 2016

I think this is Burns warning the ladies about his own seduction techniques. In his later life he farmed at Mossgiel. I suspect Rob Mossgiel is him.

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Robert Burns

Robert Burns

Ayrshire / Scotland
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