On the Death of Echo, a Lap-dog
written in 1793
On the Death of Echo, a Lap-dog - fact Summary
Written for His Pet Echo
This short occasional poem was composed by Robert Burns in memory of his lapdog Echo. Addressing birds and other animals, the speaker announces that Echo’s death has robbed the woodland of its reflective voice, reducing their song and masking their cacophony. The tone blends gentle mourning with a touch of wry observation: without Echo’s responsive repetitions, even the noisy creatures seem diminished or less exposed. The poem functions as a private elegy that uses natural imagery to mark the small but sincere loss of a companion animal.
Read Complete AnalysesIn wood and wild, ye warbling throng, Your heavy loss deplore; Now half extinct your powers of song, Sweet Echo is no more. Ye jarring, screeching things around, Scream your discordant joys; Now half your din of tuneless sound With Echo silent lies. - SECOND VERSION Ye warblers of the vocal grove, Your heavy loss deplore; Now half your melody is lost, Sweet Echo is no more. Each shrieking, screaming bird and beast, Exalt your tuneless voice; Half your deformity is hid, Here Echo silent lies.
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