Epitaph on James Grieve, Laird of Boghead, Tarbo
The epitaph portrays Boghead as lying among the dead in hopes of salvation, but bitterly declares that if such as he may be in Heav'n, damnation is preferable.
By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Epitaph, Satirical Poetry, Epigram · 38 words
First lines
Here lies Boghead amang the dead / In hopes to get salvation; / But if such as he in Heav'n may be, / Then welcome, hail! damnation.
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Genres
- Epitaph — The poem is explicitly framed as an inscription for the grave of James Grieve of Boghead and speaks from the perspective of his burial.
- Satirical Poetry — Burns uses biting irony to mock the deceased, concluding that damnation would be preferable if a person like him could enter Heaven.
- Epigram — Its extreme brevity, compressed wit, and sharp final reversal give it the form and effect of a poetic epigram.
- Comic Verse — The exaggerated theological conclusion creates dark, irreverent humor at the expense of the subject.
Tags
epitaph · satirical verse · Scottish poetry · Scots dialect · eighteenth-century literature · graveyard setting · death · burial · afterlife · salvation · heaven · damnation
What this Textopian page supports
Epitaph on James Grieve, Laird of Boghead, Tarbolton is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1786 CE.
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: 1786 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Epitaph, Satirical Poetry, Epigram, Comic Verse, Elegiac Poetry
- Length: 38 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
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