The Thorn
Illustrated Robert Burns Poem, London: 1804

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The Thorn
The Thorn, poem
The Thorn
Laurie & Whittle, London: 1804
Black and white engraving
11.25 x 9 inches, sheet
8.75 x 6 inches, image
Sold, please inquire as to the availability of similar items.

A young gentleman proposes marriage as the couple strolls outdoors, illustrating a modified version of the Robert Burns poem On Chloris requesting a sprig of blossom'd thorn (1794), referred to here as The Thorn and printed below the picture. The first verse of the poem is as Burns wrote it, except that the name Chloris is changed to Chloe. It recounts how the young woman asked him to pin a sprig of "white blossom'd sloe" (the flower of the blackthorn bush) to her dress and he replies that he would not want to hurt her by "plant[ing] in that bosom a thorn." The second verse is not in Burns' version, in which the young man proposes marriage and she agrees if he'll promise she will never have a "jealous rival." Each verse ends with the refrain "No, by Heav'ns, &c," in other words, if one were to recite or sing the poem, one would repeat the last two lines.

The Thorn

From the white blossom'd sloe,
My dear Chloe requested
A sprig, her fair breast to adorn,
No, by heav'ns, I exclaim'd, may I perish,
If ever I plant in that bosom a thorn.
No, by Heav'ns, &c.

When I shew'd her a ring,
And implor'd her to marry,
She blush'd like the dawning of morn,
Yes, I'll consent, she reply'd, if you'll promise,
That no jealous rival shall laugh me to scorn,
No, by Heav'ns, &c.

Robert Laurie (1755-1836) and James Whittle (1757-1818) were London map, chart and printsellers active from 1794 to 1812 trading variously as Laurie and Whittle or Whittle and Laurie. Laurie began his career as a fine mezzotint engraver and exhibited at the Society of Artists from 1770 to 1776. With Whittle, they took over the large map and print business of Robert Sayer. Laurie & Whittle published many atlases and maps and products used for jigsaws puzzles. Robert's son, Richard Holmes Laurie, succeeded him upon his retirement in 1812, and after Whittle's death in 1818 carried on the business alone until at least 1840. The firm still exists as Imray, Laurie, Norie and Wilson Ltd., which has long specialized in marine charts.

References:

"Robert Burns (1759-1796). Poems and Songs." from The Harvard Classics. 1909-14. Online at Bartleby.com, 2001. http://www.bartleby.com/6/473.html (18 March 2002).

Maxted, Ian. "The London book trades 1775-1800: a preliminary checklist of members." Exeter Working Papers in British Book Trade History. U.K.: Devon Library and Information Services. 2001. http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/locstudy/bookhist/lonl.html and http://www.devon.gov.uk/library/locstudy/bookhist/lonw.html (18 March 2002).