Annotation:Mrs. Riddell's of Woodly Park's Reel
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MRS. RIDDELL OF WOODLEY PARK'S REEL. Scottish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. Composed by Robert Riddell. Maria Banks Woodley Riddell [1] (1772-1808) was a friend and correspondent of poet Robert Burns.
Burns having been a frequent and welcome guest at the house of Mrs. Riddell, of Woodley Park, is said, on one occasion, when under the influence of wine he had taken at her table, and the alluring charms of his fair hostess' conversation and manner, to have so far forgot himself as to attempt to kiss her, — an indignity, however, which she punished by the withdrawal of her friendship. During the continuance of this coldness, which lasted nearly two years, he weakly gave way to his wrath and wouuded pride in two or three lampoons and other satirical effusions, which were not to his credit; but ultimately a kindlier feeling possessed him, under the influence of which he composed a song and sent it to Mrs. Riddell as a kind of peace-offering. To her honor, be it said, she replied to his song in a similar strain of poetic license, which she did to soothe his ruffled feelings, and help to heal the breach that kept them separated ; and having the magnanimity to forgive his insult, they ultimately became thoroughly reconciled. He, at another time, took offence because she seemed to pay more attention to some officers in the company than to the poet, who had a supreme contempt for "epauletted puppies" as he delighted to call them; and while under the influence of this offence he satirized Mrs. Riddell in the following " stinging epitaph " : —
Here lies now a prey to insulting neglect,
Where once was a Butterfly gay in life's bloom ;
Want only of wisdom denied her respect,
Want only of goodness denied her esteem.
He also gave vent to his feelings in the following "Monody on Mrs. Riddell, Famed for Her Caprice " : —
How cold is that bosom which folly once fir'd!
How pale is that cheek where the rouge lately glistened !
How silent that voice which the echoes oft tired.
How dull is that ear that to flattery so listened !
If sorrow and anguish await,
From friendship and dearest affection removed,
How doubly severe, Maria, thy fate!
Thou diest unwept, and thou livedst unloved.
Loves, graces, and virtues, I call not on you,
So shy, grave, and distant, ye shed not a tear;
But come, all ye offspring of Folly so true,
And flowers let us cull for Maria's cold bier.
Source for notated version:
Printed sources: Riddell (Collection of Scotch Galwegian Border Tunes), 1794.
Recorded sources: