The Death And Dying Words Of Poor Mailie, The Authors Only Pet Yowe. An Unco Mournfu Tale

By Robert Burns

Narrative Poem
        As Mailie, an' her lambs thegither,         Were ae day nibbling on the tether,         Upon her cloot she coost a hitch,         An' owre she warsl'd in the ditch:         There, groaning, dying, she did lie,         When Hughoc[1] he cam doytin by.         Wi' glowing e'en an' lifted han's,         Poor Hughoc like a statue stan's;         He saw her days were near-hand ended,         But, waes my heart! he could na mend it!         He gaped wide but naething spak,         At length poor Mailie silence brak.                  "O thou, whose lamentable face         Appears to mourn my woefu' case!         My dying words attentive hear,         An' bear them to my master dear.                  "Tell him, if e'er again he keep         As muckle gear as buy a sheep,         O bid him never tie them mair         Wi' wicked strings o' hemp or hair!         But ca' them out to park or hill,         An' let them wander at their will;         So may his flock increase, and grow         To scores o' lambs, an' packs of woo'!                  "Tell him he was a master kin'         An' ay was gude to me an' mine;         An' now my dying charge I gie him,         My helpless lambs, I trust them wi' him.                  "O, bid him save their harmless lives         Frae dogs, and tods, an' butchers' knives!         But gie them guid cow-milk their fill,         Till they be fit to fend themsel;         An' tent them duly, e'en an' morn,         Wi' teats o' hay, an' ripps o' corn.                  "An' may they never learn the gaets         Of ither vile, wanrestfu' pets!         To sink thro' slaps, an' reave an' steal         At stacks o' pease, or stocks o' kail.         So may they, like their great forbears,         For monie a year come thro' the sheers;         So wives will gie them bits o' bread,         An' bairns greet for them when they're dead.                  "My poor toop-lamb, my son an' heir,         O, bid him breed him up wi' care;         An' if he live to be a beast,         To pit some havins in his breast!         An' warn him what I winna name,         To stay content wi' yowes at hame         An' no to rin an' wear his cloots,         Like ither menseless, graceless brutes.                  "An' niest my yowie, silly thing,         Gude keep thee frae a tether string!         O, may thou ne'er forgather up         Wi' ony blastit, moorland toop,         But ay keep mind to moop an' mell         Wi' sheep o' credit like thysel!                  "And now, my bairns, wi' my last breath         I lea'e my blessin wi' you baith:         An' when you think upo' your mither,         Mind to be kind to ane anither.                  "Now, honest Hughoc, dinna fail         To tell my master a' my tale;         An' bid him burn this cursed tether,         An', for thy pains, thou'se get my blather."              This said, poor Mailie turn'd her head,         And clos'd her een amang the dead.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
The poem in question is a moving pastoral narrative which uses an intriguing blend of pathos, humour, and social commentary. The poet employs an informal dialect, which adds authenticity and depth to the characters, bringing them to life. It centres around a dying sheep named Mailie who, tethered to a post, has fallen into a ditch and is giving her last words to Hughoc, a passerby.

The themes of mortality and the harsh realities of pastoral life are prominent. The anthropomorphism of Mailie not only gives her a voice but also allows the poet to convey the struggle and suffering of livestock, thereby subtly critiquing their mistreatment. The poem's tone is largely somber but is punctuated with moments of light-heartedness, particularly when Mailie admonishes her son to stay content with female sheep at home.

Structurally, the poem is consistent, maintaining a steady rhythm and rhyme scheme, which balances the dialect and the gravity of the themes. It employs common literary devices, such as alliteration and onomatopoeia, to enhance the auditory experience of the poem. The use of direct speech gives the poem a dramatic quality, and the final lines, where Mailie turns her head and closes her eyes, evoke a poignant image of death in the midst of life. The poet's skill in weaving together elements of the pastoral, humor, and pathos results in a narrative poem that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.