On James. Grieve, Laird of Boghead, Tarbolton
written in 1784
On James. Grieve, Laird of Boghead, Tarbolton - meaning Summary
Satire of False Piety
This short satirical epitaph targets James Grieve, a local laird, and mocks his character and presumed piety. The speaker announces Boghead’s resting place and ironically questions the moral worth of such a man reaching heaven. By declaring that if a person like him can enter heaven, then "welcome, hail! damnation," the poem reverses the expected hope of salvation into a condemnation, exposing hypocrisy and social judgment in a single caustic couplet.
Read Complete AnalysesHere lies Boghead amang the dead, In hopes to get salvation; But if such as he, in Heav'n may be, Then welcome, hail! damnation.
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