Epitaph on a Noted Coxcomb by Robert Burns
The speaker asks that earth lie lightly on Billy's tender heart, but that a castle be built on his head, joking that his skull will support it.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Epigram, Satirical Poetry · 48 words
First lines
Capt. Wm. Roddirk, of Corbiston.
Light lay the earth on Billy's breast, / His chicken heart so tender; / But build a castle on his head, / His scull will prop it under.
Genres
- Epigram — Four lines deliver a pointed joke by contrasting a tender heart with a load-bearing skull.
- Satirical Poetry — The rhyming epitaph mocks Billy's cowardice and thickheadedness through the unequal burdens proposed for his breast and head.
Tags
mock epitaph · cowardice · thickheadedness · satire
What this Textopian page supports
Epitaph on a Noted Coxcomb is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Epigram, Satirical Poetry
- Length: 48 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
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