Call for the robin-red-breast and the wren, Since o'er…
““Call for the robin-red-breast and the wren, Since o'er shady groves they hover, And with leaves and flow'rs do cover The friendless bodies of unburied men. Call unto his funeral dole The ant, the field-mouse and the mole, To rear him hillocks that shall keep him warm, And (when gay tombs are robbed) sustain no harm, But keep the wolf far thence, that's foe to men, For with his nails he'll dig them up again. Let holy Church receive him duly, Since he paid the church-tithes truly.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A satirical lament about how even the lowly creatures of nature are called upon to honor the dead, while the church claims its due.
In simple terms: Even insects are summoned to bury the dead, yet the church still demands payment.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the irony of ritual versus exploitation.
Themes
death
ritual
church
irony
nature
Mood
cynical
reflective
satirical
Type
literary
historical
social commentary
When to use this quote
- funeral rites
- church taxation
- burial customs
- environmental symbolism
Key Concepts
satire
social critique
religious hypocrisy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this say about society’s view of death?
- How does humor expose hypocrisy?
A Different Perspective
The quote may exaggerate for effect, not reflecting actual practices.