Analysis of A Bard's Epitaph
Robert Burns 1759 (Alloway) – 1796 (Dumfries)
Is there a whim-inspired fool,
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule,
Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool,
Let him draw near;
And owre this grassy heap sing dool,
And drap a tear.
Is there a bard of rustic song,
Who, noteless, steals the crowds among,
That weekly this area throng,
O, pass not by!
But, with a frater-feeling strong,
Here, heave a sigh.
Is there a man, whose judgment clear
Can others teach the course to steer,
Yet runs, himself, life's mad career,
Wild as the wave,
Here pause-and, thro' the starting tear,
Survey this grave.
The poor inhabitant below
Was quick to learn the wise to know,
And keenly felt the friendly glow,
And softer flame;
But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stain'd his name!
Reader, attend! whether thy soul
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole,
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole,
In low pursuit:
Know, prudent, cautious, self-control
Is wisdom's root.
Scheme | AAABAC DXDEDE BBBFCF GGGHGH IIIJIJ |
---|---|
Poetic Form | Tetractys (30%) Etheree (20%) |
Metre | 11010101 11111111 11111111 1111 01110111 0101 11011101 1110101 11011001 1111 11010101 1101 11011101 11010111 11011101 1101 11010101 0111 01010001 11110111 01010101 0101 11010111 0111 10011011 1110101 1111101 0101 11010101 111 |
Closest metre | Iambic trimeter |
Characters | 915 |
Words | 160 |
Sentences | 8 |
Stanzas | 5 |
Stanza Lengths | 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 |
Lines Amount | 30 |
Letters per line (avg) | 23 |
Words per line (avg) | 5 |
Letters per stanza (avg) | 140 |
Words per stanza (avg) | 32 |
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on May 03, 2023
- 49 sec read
- 723 Views
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