Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the P
The inscription rejects ornate memorials in favour of a simple stone that guides pale Scotia to mourn over the Poet’s dust. Scotia laments the death of a sweet and tuneful youth whose fancy possessed every power of song, yet whom Luxury and Wealth admired without supporting, leaving him to starve. A brother Bard offers this tearful tribute, though he can give no more, and declares that the Poet’s immortal song is a monument nobler than any work of art.
By Robert Burns · First published 1787 · Genre: Elegy, Epitaph, Memorial Poetry · 170 words
First lines
The stone was erected at Burns' expenses in February-March, 1789.
No sculptured marble here, nor pompous lay, / "No storied urn nor animated bust; " / This simple stone directs pale Scotia's way, / To pour her sorrows o'er the Poet's dust.
Additional Stanzas
She mourns, sweet tuneful youth, thy hapless fate; / Tho' all the powers of song thy fancy fired, / Yet Luxury and Wealth lay by in state, / And, thankless, starv'd what they so much admired.
Similar titles
- Inscribed Under Fergussons Portrait by Robert Burns
- A Bards Epitaph by Robert Burns
- To Francis Ledwidge by Helen Gray Cone
- In Memory Of Major Robert Gregory by W. B. Yeats
- Epitaph For Gavin Hamilton Esq by Robert Burns
- A Gentlemans Epitaph On Himself And A Lady Who Were Buried Together by Thomas Hardy
Genres
- Elegy — The poem mourns the early death and hardship of the Scottish poet Robert Fergusson, using sorrowful commemoration and praise of the deceased.
- Epitaph — Written for Fergusson's headstone, it functions as a grave inscription identifying the burial place and preserving the poet's memory.
- Memorial Poetry — The verses create a literary monument for Fergusson, explicitly presenting his immortal songs as a nobler monument than physical art.
- Lyric Poetry — Its concise, emotive, musical verse expresses personal grief, admiration, and cultural mourning rather than telling a narrative plot.
Tags
elegy · epitaph · memorial inscription · poet's death · Robert Fergusson · Scottish poetry · Scotia personified · national mourning · grave and tombstone · poet's dust · simple monument · rejection of ornate memorials
What this Textopian page supports
Inscription for the Headstone of Fergusson the Poet is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated 1787 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: 1787 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Elegy, Epitaph, Memorial Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Tribute Poetry
- Length: 170 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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