Epitaph on My Own Friend, William Muir in Tarbolton
Epitaph on My Own Friend, William Muir in Tarbolton - fact Summary
Epitaph for William Muir
This short epitaph by Robert Burns commemorates his friend William Muir of Tarbolton. In plain, laudatory lines the speaker records Muir as honest, compassionate, truthful, and both intellectually and morally admirable. The poem closes with a pragmatic consolation: if an afterlife exists, Muir enjoys bliss; if not, he nevertheless "made the best of this" — celebrating a life well lived rather than speculating about theological certainty. Its brevity and direct praise suit the funerary inscription form.
Read Complete AnalysesAn 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 inform'd: If there's another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.
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