Burns's notes, is a mine of folk-lore, but we are concerned with it as
literature. Here the tone is humorous instead of reverent, the
characters are mixed, the selection is more widely representative.
With complete frankness, the poet exhibits human nature under the
influence of the mating instinct, directed by harmless, age-old
superstitions. The superstitions are not attacked, but gently
ridiculed. The fundamental veracity of the whole is seen when we
realize that, in spite of the strong local color, it is
psychologically true for similar festivities among the peasantry of
all countries.


HALLOWEEN[4]

Upon that night, when fairies light
On Cassilis Downans[5] dance,
Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze, [over, pastures]
On sprightly coursers prance;
Or for Colean the rout is ta'en, [road]
Beneath the moon's pale beams;
There, up the Cove,[6] to stray an' rove
Amang the rocks and streams
To sport that night;

Amang the bonnie winding banks
Where Doon rins wimplin' clear, [winding]
Where Bruce[7] ance ruled the martial ranks [once]
An' shook his Carrick spear,
Some merry friendly country-folks
Together did convene