THE LAST POEM OF ROBERT BURNS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19196, 12 June 1924, Page 12

THE LAST POEM OF ROBERT BURNS.

Sir.— The letter in yesterday’s issue by Mr ji W. Waldio commenting on a poem said to be the last work of Robert Burns, which! you published on the sth inst., shows his love of country and warm appreciation of Burns. The poem in question has something of what is called “the Burns stamp,” but none of the many* editors and biographers of the poet have ever claimed it for him, and they have always been, like sleuth hounds, on the lookout for anything unpublished of his. It, or part of it, has been in print before. I specially remember seeing tne second and sixth verses. Jessie Lewars, if she had it. would have been unlikely to keep it from her brother and her husband, who were both warm friends of Burns. She was a kind and devoted nurse to the poet during his last days, and it i» authentic that he dictated to her, “Here’s to ane 1 lo’e dear,” and “0 Wert thou in the Cauld Blast,” and some shorter pieces of the same character. If immortality in song can be considered a recompenses she has been rewarded. It is stated that Mr William Smith, of Carluke, secured the poem from an old Scotsman living near Dunedin. 1 had the pleasure of u visit from Mr Smith when he arrived here, and as he through to the. north after spending some time with friends in the country. Inis was about the lime of the Burns anniversary, and we had much talk about the poet and his works, but he did not mention anything about finding an unknown poem of his. The word “lava” in the poem in question is clearly a misprint, I would think that it would be written “bays” rather than “Jays,” as Mr Waldie says.—l am, etc., Lothian.

TO THE EDITOR.