---
title: "O Leave Novels"
author: "Robert Burns"
form: "Song"
year: "1784"
location: "Mossgiel"
source: "Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns"
source_url: "https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1279/pg1279.txt"
canonical_url: "https://robert-burns.com/poems/o-leave-novels/"
---

# O Leave Novels

## Song
O leave novels, ye Mauchline belles,  
Ye’re safer at your spinning-wheel;  
Such witching books are baited hooks  
For rakish rooks, like Rob Mossgiel;  
Your fine Tom Jones and Grandisons,  
They make your youthful fancies reel;  
They heat your brains, and fire your veins,  
And then you’re prey for Rob Mossgiel.

Beware a tongue that’s smoothly hung,  
A heart that warmly seems to feel;  
That feeling heart but acts a part—  
’Tis rakish art in Rob Mossgiel.  
The frank address, the soft caress,  
Are worse than poisoned darts of steel;  
The frank address, and politesse,  
Are all finesse in Rob Mossgiel.

## Footnotes
1. Burns never published this poem.

---

Source: [Project Gutenberg #1279 — Poems and Songs of Robert Burns](https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1279/pg1279.txt)  
Canonical HTML: https://robert-burns.com/poems/o-leave-novels/