Epitaph for Gavin Hamilton Esq
The poor man weeps � here Gavin sleeps, Whom canting wretches blam'd: But with such as he, where'er he be, May I be sav'd or damn'd!
Previous work: Epitaph
Next work: Epitaph for Hugh Logan
About this work
This is an epitaph by Robert Burns. It was written in 1786 and is read here by Paul Higgins.
More about this epitaph
Ralph McLeanGavin Hamilton (1751-1805), was the man who sublet Mossgiel farm to Robert and his brother Gilbert, and encouraged Burns to publish his poetry in 1786.
Owing to his lack of attendance at Church he was called to explain his actions, although he was acquitted by the ‘Moderate’ Presbyterians.
This epitaph indicates that Burns took the side of the Moderates, or ‘New Licht’ as they were sometimes called, against the orthodoxy of the ‘Auld Licht’.
Themes for this epitaph
BBC iD
BBC iDBBC navigation
BBC links
BBC © 2014The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
