Written in the Year 1746 by William Collins: Summary & Analysis
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"Written in the Year 1746" by William Collins is a poignant elegy dedicated to the memory of soldiers who died in battle. The poem, composed during the aftermath of the Jacobite uprising, reflects on the noble sacrifice of these brave individuals. Collins uses vivid imagery and classical allusions to elevate the soldiers' rest into a sacred and eternal experience. This poem is not only a tribute to the fallen but also an exploration of the themes of honor, sacrifice, and the timelessness of true bravery.
How sleep the brave, who sink to rest
By all their country's wishes bless'd!
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallow'd mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands their knell is rung;
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
There Honour comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall a while repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit there. Quick Facts Title: Wr…