Tam O'shanter

The greatest narrative poem in the Scots language burns with dark comedy and genuine terror. When Tam, a hearty Ayrshire farmer, staggers home from the pub at midnight - whisky-brave and careless of his wife Kate's warnings - he takes a fateful shortcut past the ruined church of Alloway. There he spies the witches and warlocks at their Sabbath, and cannot resist calling out when he spots the devilishly alluring Nannie. What follows is a breathless ride through the Ayrshire night, Tam spurring his faithful mare Maggie across a rushing bridge as the furious horde tears after him. He escapes - but at a cost that would haunt any man. Burns' Scots tongue lends this tale an earthiness that English could never capture: this is a drinking song that becomes a ghost story, a celebration of earthly pleasure that doubles as a warning about its dangers. The poem has thrilled readers for over two centuries.