Major Graham (Poem by Robert Burns)

Major Graham

By Robert Burns

(1)

Ah, Chloris, since it may na be,

    That thou of love wilt hear;

If from the lover thou maun flee,

    Yet let the friend be dear.

(2)

Altho’ I love my Chloris mair

    Than ever tongue could tell;

My passion I will ne’er declare,

    I’ll say, I wish thee well.

(3)

Tho’ a’ my daily care thou art,

    And a’ my nightly dream,

I’ll hide the struggle in my heart,

    And say it is esteem.

Note:

Sir Harris Nicolas found these lines on Chloris among the papers of Burns, and printed them in his late edition of the poet’s works.

Poem Analysis:

Robert Burns' "Major Graham" is a poignant exploration of unrequited love and the emotional complexities that arise from suppressed passion. Through introspective language and heartfelt sentiment, Burns captures the internal conflict of a lover who is unable to express their true feelings to the object of their affection.

Themes: "Major Graham" delves into themes of unrequited love, friendship, and emotional resilience. Burns grapples with the pain of unreciprocated affection and the challenge of maintaining a facade of friendship while concealing deeper romantic sentiments. The poem serves as a meditation on the complexities of human relationships and the struggle to reconcile personal desires with social expectations.

Imagery: Burns employs vivid imagery to convey the depth of the speaker's emotional turmoil. The opening lines, "Ah, Chloris, since it may na be, / That thou of love wilt hear," immediately establish the sense of longing and resignation that permeates the poem. The imagery of daily cares and nightly dreams underscores the pervasive influence of the beloved on the speaker's thoughts and emotions, while the metaphor of hiding the struggle in the heart reflects the internal conflict between desire and restraint.

Poetic Techniques: Throughout the poem, Burns utilizes various poetic techniques to convey its themes and imagery. The use of rhyme and rhythm creates a musical cadence that mirrors the ebb and flow of the speaker's emotions, while the repetition of phrases such as "I'll say, I wish thee well" and "I'll hide the struggle in my heart" reinforces the sense of emotional restraint and self-discipline. Additionally, Burns employs parallelism in the final stanza, contrasting the speaker's outward expression of esteem with the inward turmoil of unrequited love.

In "Major Graham," Robert Burns offers readers a poignant glimpse into the complexities of unrequited love and the emotional turmoil it engenders. Through introspective language, vivid imagery, and adept use of poetic techniques, Burns captures the internal conflict of a lover who is torn between the desire to express their true feelings and the need to maintain a facade of friendship. As the poem unfolds, Burns invites readers to contemplate the universal experience of unrequited love and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of emotional adversity. "Major Graham" stands as a timeless testament to the enduring power of love and the profound impact it has on the human heart.