Epitaph on my own Friend and my Father's Friend,
The epitaph praises Wm. Muir as an exceptionally honest and virtuous man. He is remembered as a friend to humanity and truth, a companion to the old, and a wise guide to the young. His heart is depicted as warmly moral and his mind as unusually well informed. The poem concludes that, whether or not another world exists, he either enjoys bliss beyond death or had already made the best possible use of his life.
By Robert Burns · First published 1786 · Genre: Epitaph, Elegy, Memorial Poetry · 96 words
First lines
An honest man here lies at rest / As e'er God with his image blest; / The friend of man, the friend of truth, / The friend of age, and guide of youth: / Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd, / Few heads with knowledge so informed: / If there's another world, he lives in bliss; / If there is none, he made the best of this.
Similar titles
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- The Wild Knight And Other Poems Ecclesiastes by G. K. Chesterton
- Obsequies Of The Lord Harrington Brother To The Countess Of Bedford by John Donne
Genres
- Epitaph — The poem is explicitly composed as a grave inscription, commemorating William Muir through a concise statement of his character and presumed fate after death.
- Elegy — It mourns and honors a deceased friend through praise of his moral virtues, wisdom, friendship, and beneficial influence on others.
- Memorial Poetry — Its central purpose is to preserve the memory of Muir by presenting him as an honest, charitable, knowledgeable, and virtuous man.
- Lyric Poetry — The brief, rhymed verse uses compressed personal feeling, reflection, and musical phrasing rather than narrative plot or dramatic action.
Tags
elegy · epitaph · memorial poem · death · burial · friendship · father's friend · William Muir · Tarbolton Mill · Scottish rural life · virtue · honesty
What this Textopian page supports
Epitaph on my own Friend and my Father's Friend, Wm. Muir in Tarbolton Mill 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, Elegy, Memorial Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Moral Poetry
- Length: 96 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
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