On Seeing a Wounded Hare Limp by Me (Poem by Robert Burns)

On Seeing

A Wounded Hare

Limp by Me,

Which a Fellow had Just Shot

By Robert Burns

Inhuman man! curse on thy barb’rous art,

    And blasted be thy murder-aiming eye;

    May never pity soothe thee with a sigh,

Nor ever pleasure glad thy cruel heart.

Go live, poor wanderer of the wood and field!

    The bitter little that of life remains:

    No more the thickening brakes and verdant plains

To thee shall home, or food, or pastime yield.

Seek, mangled wretch, some place of wonted rest,

    No more of rest, but now thy dying bed!

    The sheltering rushes whistling o’er thy head,

The cold earth with thy bloody bosom prest.

Oft as by winding Nith, I, musing, wait

    The sober eve, or hail the cheerful dawn;

    I’ll miss thee sporting o’er the dewy lawn,

And curse the ruffian’s aim, and mourn thy hapless fate.

Poem Analysis:

Robert Burns's poem "On Seeing a Wounded Hare Limp by Me" is a passionate and emotive outcry against cruelty to animals. Through vivid imagery and intense emotions, Burns condemns the barbarity of hunting and expresses deep sympathy for the wounded hare.

Condemnation of Cruelty: The poem begins with a vehement condemnation of the hunter's "barb’rous art" and "murder-aiming eye." Burns expresses disdain for the inhumanity of those who take pleasure in causing harm to innocent creatures. His language is charged with anger and indignation towards the perpetrator of the hare's suffering.

Sympathy and Empathy: Burns's empathy for the wounded hare is palpable throughout the poem. He imagines the hare's struggle for survival and laments the loss of its natural habitat and sources of sustenance. The poet's heartfelt sympathy extends to the hare's final moments, as it seeks solace in its "dying bed" among the rushes and cold earth.

Sense of Loss: The poem evokes a profound sense of loss and sorrow for the hare's plight. Burns reflects on the absence of the hare's presence in the landscape, emphasizing the impact of its suffering on the natural environment. The poet mourns the loss of the hare's companionship and the joy it brought to the surroundings.

Personal Reflection: In the final stanza, Burns reflects on his own experiences by the winding Nith river, where he would often observe the hare in its natural habitat. The absence of the hare's playful presence fills him with sadness and prompts him to curse the hunter's actions. Through his personal reflection, Burns underscores the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world.

Themes

1. Cruelty and Compassion: Burns explores the themes of cruelty and compassion, highlighting the moral responsibility humans have towards animals and nature.
2. Empathy and Sympathy: The poem underscores the importance of empathy and sympathy towards all living beings, emphasizing the shared experience of suffering and the need for compassion.
3. Environmental Awareness: Burns emphasizes the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, advocating for the preservation of wildlife and the protection of natural habitats.

"On Seeing a Wounded Hare Limp by Me" by Robert Burns is a poignant expression of empathy and compassion towards animals. Through vivid imagery and impassioned language, Burns condemns cruelty to wildlife and calls for greater respect and reverence for the natural world. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the moral imperative to protect and cherish all living creatures.