Tor-Mohun.
{186}
_"Horam coram dago"_ (Vol. ix., p. 58.).--Your correspondent [Sigma]. is
probably thinking of Burns' lines "Written in a wrapper, inclosing a letter
to Captain Grose," &c.:
"Ken ye aught o' Captain Grose?
Igo et ago,
If he's among his friends or foes,
_Iram, coram, dago_."
It is not very likely, however, that this should be the first appearance of
this "burden," any more than of "Fal de ral," which Burns gives to other
pieces both before and after this. It may have a meaning (as I believe one
has been found for "Lilliburlero," &c.), but I should think it more likely
to be sheer _gibberish_.
By the way, how comes _burden_ to be used in the sense of "chorus or
refrain?" I believe we have the authority of Shakspeare for so doing.
"Foot it featly here and there
And let the rest the burden bear?"
Is it the _bourdon_, or big drone? Certainly the chorus could not "bear a
burden," in the sense of _hard work_, even before the time of Hullah.