This sculpture portrays the denouement of the poem Tam O’Shanter by Robert Burns. Tam is mounted on his grey mare Meg and is being chased by a young witch. We see that the witch has just caught up with Tam and has grabbed his horse from behind…
….Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg,
And win the key-stane o’ the brig;
There at them thou thy tail may toss,
A running stream they dare na cross. [witches and water don’t mix]
But ere the key-stane she could make,
The feint a tail she had to shake!
For Nannie, far before the rest,
Hard upon noble Maggie prest,
And flew at Tam wi’ furious ettle;
But little wist she Maggie’s mettle –
Ae spring brought off her master hale,
But left behind her ain gray tail;
The carlin claught her by the rump,
And left poor Maggie scarce a stump…
You can read the complete poem in its original form along with an easy English translation here. Unfortunately, I am having difficulty finding information on the sculpture or artist. If anyone knows more about it, please share! Thanks ~
I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing.
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I’m so glad you’re enjoying reading the blog. I wish I could take credit for the poem! It’s been a busy and challenging winter here in Connecticut, so I’ve had to put the blog on the back burner for a little while. I miss writing it, and interacting with my readers, so thanks for brightening my day! Please visit again…or sign up with email notification to get news of the next post.
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