Description: | Robert Burns was suffering from an injured leg but more, from low spirits. He bemoans his lot to Graham, his main Patron now Glencairn has died. With his marvelous mind for detail Burns characterises his woes. He wishes he was dull, uninspired, then he could have a contented life. (poem No 335)
Burns met Robert Graham at Athole House, Blair Atholl in 1787. Burns took to him personally and later, once Graham had become a Commissioner of the Scottish Board of Excise, sought Graham's good offices to get himself a position with the Excise in Dumfries. In his accompanying letter he describes this Epistle as 'a sheetful of groans'.
In this page as happens quite often, Burns gives up and wishes for the peace of the grave. Again he longs for dullness, for selfish ease, without a care in, or for, the world around him. |