Robert Burns (Romantics Collection) - Tapa dura

In this series, a contemporary poet selects and introduces a poet of the past. By their choice of poems and by the personal and critical reactions they express in their prefaces, the editors offer insights into their own work as well as providing an accessible and passionate introduction to the most important poets in our literature. Ae fond kiss, and then we sever; Ae farewell, and then for ever! Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, Warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. -- Song

Robert Burns (1759-96) was born into a farming family in Ayrshire, Scotland. The publication in 1786 of his first book, Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect made him famous overnight, and saw him feted by Edinburgh society. But Burns made no money from his writing and quickly fell on hard time, returning to farming in Dumfries and, when that failed, to work as an Excise officer. He devoted his final years to poetry and the writing of Scottish songs.