Quotes from work
Tam o' Shanter

Robert Burns

"Tam o' Shanter" is a narrative poem written by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1790, while living in Dumfries. First published in 1791, it is one of Burns' longer poems, and employs a mixture of Scots and English.

“But pleasures are like poppies spread—
You seize the flow'r, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river—
A moment white—then melts forever.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 59
Source: Tam O'Shanter

“Her cutty sark, o' Paisley harn,
That while a lassie she had worn,
In longitude tho' sorely scanty,
It was her best, and she was vauntie.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 171

“As Tammie glow'red, amazed, and curious,
The mirth and fun grew fast and furious.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 143

“Where sits our sulky, sullen dame,
Gathering her brows like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 10

“The landlady and Tam grew gracious
Wi' favours secret, sweet, and precious.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 47

“That hour, o' night's black arch the keystane.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 69

“The landlord's laugh was ready chorus.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 50

“His ancient, trusty, drouthy crony:
Tam lo'ed him like a vera brither—
They had been fou for weeks thegither.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 43

“Kings may be blest, but Tam was glorious,
O'er a' the ills o' life victorious.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 57

“Inspiring bold John Barleycorn!
What dangers thou canst make us scorn!
Wi' tippenny, we fear nae evil;
Wi' usquabae, we'll face the devil!”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 105

“Ah, gentle dames! it gars me greet
To think how monie counsels sweet,
How monie lengthened, sage advices,
The husband frae the wife despises!”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 33.

“Nae man can tether time or tide.”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 67

“Ah, Tam! Ah! Tam! Thou'll get thy fairin!
In hell they'll roast you like a herrin!”

Robert Burns Tam o' Shanter

Source: Tam o' Shanter (1790), Line 201

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