Wi’ saut tears trickling down your nose;
Our bardie’s fate is at a close,
Past a’ remead;
The last sad cape-stane of his woes;
Poor Mailie’s dead.
It’s no the loss o’ warl’s gear,
That could sae bitter draw the tear,
Or mak our bardie, dowie, wear
The mourning weed;
He’s lost a friend and neebor dear,
In Mailie dead.
Thro’ a’ the toun she trotted by him;
A long half-mile she could descry him;
Wi’ kindly bleat, when she did spy him,
She run wi’ speed:
A friend mair faithfu’ ne’er cam nigh him,
Than Mailie dead.
I wat she was a sheep o’ sense,
An’ could behave hersel wi’ mense:
I’ll say’t, she never brak a fence,
Thro’ thievish greed.
Our bardie, tamely, keeps the spence
Sin’ Mailie’s dead.
Or, if he wonders up the howe,
Her living image in her yowe
Comes bleating to him, owre the knowe,
For bits o’ bread;
An’ down the briny pearls rowe
For Mailie dead.
She was nae get o’ moorland tips,*
Wi’ tawted ket, an hairy hips;
For her forbears were brought in ships
Frae yont the Tweed:
A bonnier fleesh ne’er cross’d the clips
Than Mailie dead.
Wae worth the man wha first did shape
That vile, wanchancie thing—a rape!
It maks guid fellows girn an’ gape,
Wi’ chokin dread;
An’ Robin’s bonnet wave wi’ crape,
For Mailie dead.
O, a’ ye bards on bonnie Doon!
An’ wha on Ayr your chanters tune!
Come, join the melancholious croon
O’ Robin’s reed!
His heart will never get aboon!
His Mailie’s dead!
‘She was nae get o’ runted rams,
Wi’ woo’ like goats an’ legs like trams;
She was the flower o’ Farlie lambs,
A famous breed!
Now Robin, greetin, chews the hams
O’ Mailie dead.’
Poem Analysis:
Robert Burns, the renowned Scottish poet, had a special talent for capturing the emotions of everyday life, including the joys and sorrows of ordinary people and their relationships with animals. In "Poor Mailie's Elegy," Burns mourns the loss of a beloved friend and companion, a ewe named Mailie. This analysis explores the themes, emotions, and literary techniques within the poem, revealing Burns' deep affection for Mailie and his ability to convey profound emotions through verse.
- A Heartfelt Lament: The poem opens with a call to lament, urging the reader to express their sorrow in both rhyme and prose. Burns employs vivid imagery, describing tears trickling down one's nose, to evoke a sense of genuine mourning. The use of the term "bardie" conveys that the subject of the poem, Mailie, held a special place in the heart of the poet, further underscoring the depth of his sorrow.
- Mailie's Significance: Burns immediately addresses the misconception that the grief he feels is over the loss of material possessions. He emphasizes that it is not "warl's gear" that draws his tears, but the death of a dear friend and neighbor, Mailie. This sets the stage for the central theme of the poem: the profound bond between humans and animals.
- Loyal Companion: Burns vividly portrays Mailie's loyalty and friendship. She would trot by him through the town and could recognize him from a distance, running toward him with a kindly bleat. This loyalty is highlighted as Burns notes that no friend has been more faithful than Mailie. Through these descriptions, Burns elevates Mailie from being just a farm animal to a cherished companion.
- A Sheep of Sense: Mailie is depicted as a sheep of intelligence and decorum, someone who could "behave hersel wi' mense," or act with dignity and good manners. This characterization further underscores the depth of the bond between Burns and Mailie, as he clearly respected her as more than just livestock.
- The Origin of Mailie: Burns provides some background on Mailie's heritage, emphasizing that she was not a product of the moorland, but rather descended from sheep brought from beyond the Tweed River. He describes her as a particularly fine specimen among her kind, highlighting her beauty and value.
- Critique of Rape: In a more somber tone, Burns addresses the dark side of rural life—the act of theft, specifically sheep rustling or "rape." He condemns this practice as vile and troublesome, emphasizing the negative impact it has on the lives of both sheep and their shepherds. The poet's anger and disdain for this crime are palpable.
- A Melancholic Croon: The elegy closes with a call to all the poets of the region to join in a melancholic song of mourning. Burns emphasizes the depth of his sorrow, stating that his heart will never recover from the loss of Mailie.
"Poor Mailie's Elegy" by Robert Burns is a poignant tribute to the deep bond between humans and their animal companions. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt language, Burns elevates Mailie's memory from a mere farm animal to a cherished friend and companion. The poem not only celebrates the loyalty, intelligence, and beauty of Mailie but also condemns the cruel practice of sheep theft. In this elegy, Burns demonstrates his ability to convey profound emotions and explore the complex relationships between humans and animals, making it a touching and enduring work in the world of literature.