Tam Samson's Elegy Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: AAABAB CCCDCB AAADAB EFFDFB EGGGDGB AAADAB HIIBJB KKLLLL MMMLML LLLLLL IIILIL IIILIL LLLLLL NNNLNL OOOLOL MPMP OOOCOC| HAS auld Kilmarnock seen the deil | A |
| Or great Mackinlay thrawn his heel | A |
| Or Robertson again grown weel | A |
| To preach an' read | B |
| Na' waur than a' cries ilka chiel | A |
| Tam Samson's dead | B |
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| Kilmarnock lang may grunt an' grane | C |
| An' sigh an' sab an' greet her lane | C |
| An' cleed her bairns man wife an' wean | C |
| In mourning weed | D |
| To Death she's dearly pay'd the kane | C |
| Tam Samson's dead | B |
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| The Brethren o' the mystic level | A |
| May hing their head in woefu' bevel | A |
| While by their nose the tears will revel | A |
| Like ony bead | D |
| Death's gien the Lodge an unco devel | A |
| Tam Samson's dead | B |
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| When Winter muffles up his cloak | E |
| And binds the mire like a rock | F |
| When to the loughs the curlers flock | F |
| Wi' gleesome speed | D |
| Wha will they station at the cock | F |
| Tam Samson's dead | B |
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| When Winter muffles up his cloak | E |
| He was the king o' a' the core | G |
| To guard or draw or wick a bore | G |
| Or up the rink like Jehu roar | G |
| In time o' need | D |
| But now he lags on Death's hog score | G |
| Tam Samson's dead | B |
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| Now safe the stately sawmont sail | A |
| And trouts bedropp'd wi' crimson hail | A |
| And eels weel ken'd for souple tail | A |
| And geds for greed | D |
| Since dark in Death's fish creel we wail | A |
| Tam Samson's dead | B |
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| Rejoice ye birring paitricks a' | H |
| Ye cootie muircocks crousely craw | I |
| Ye maukins cock your fud fu' braw | I |
| Withouten dread | B |
| Your mortal fae is now awa | J |
| Tam Samson's dead | B |
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| That woefu' morn be ever mourn'd | K |
| Saw him in shooting graith adorn'd | K |
| While pointers round impatient burn'd | L |
| Frae couples free'd | L |
| But och he gaed and ne'er return'd | L |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| In vain auld age his body batters | M |
| In vain the gout his ancles fetters | M |
| In vain the burns cam down like waters | M |
| An acre braid | L |
| Now ev'ry auld wife greetin clatters | M |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| Owre mony a weary hag he limpit | L |
| An' aye the tither shot he thumpit | L |
| Till coward Death behind him jumpit | L |
| Wi' deadly feid | L |
| Now he proclaims wi' tout o' trumpet | L |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| When at his heart he felt the dagger | I |
| He reel'd his wonted bottle swagger | I |
| But yet he drew the mortal trigger | I |
| Wi' weel aimed heed | L |
| L d five he cry'd an' owre did stagger | I |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| Ilk hoary hunter mourn'd a brither | I |
| Ilk sportsman youth bemoan'd a father | I |
| Yon auld gray stane amang the heather | I |
| Marks out his head | L |
| Whare Burns has wrote in rhyming blether | I |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| There low he lies in lasting rest | L |
| Perhaps upon his mould'ring breast | L |
| Some spitefu' muirfowl bigs her nest | L |
| To hatch an' breed | L |
| Alas nae mair he'll them molest | L |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| When August winds the heather wave | N |
| And sportsmen wander by yon grave | N |
| Three volleys let his memory crave | N |
| O' pouther an' lead | L |
| Till Echo answer frae her cave | N |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| Heav'n rest his saul whare'er he be | O |
| Is th' wish o' mony mae than me | O |
| He had twa fauts or maybe three | O |
| Yet what remead | L |
| Ae social honest man want we | O |
| Tam Samson's dead | L |
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| THE EPITAPHTam Samson's weel worn clay here lies | M |
| Ye canting zealots spare him | P |
| If honest worth in Heaven rise | M |
| Ye'll mend or ye win near him | P |
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| PER CONTRAGo Fame an' canter like a filly | O |
| Thro' a' the streets an' neuks o' Killie | O |
| Tell ev'ry social honest billie | O |
| To cease his grievin' | C |
| For yet unskaithed by Death's gleg gullie | O |
| Tam Samson's leevin' | C |
Robert Burns
(1)
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