304. Song—I Murder hate

Read '304. Song—I Murder hate' by 'Robert Burns' and provide your summary and literary analysis in the comments section below.

304. Song—I Murder hate by Robert Burns

 I MURDER hate by flood or field,
 Tho’ glory’s name may screen us;
In wars at home I’ll spend my blood—
 Life-giving wars of Venus.
The deities that I adore
 Are social Peace and Plenty;
I’m better pleas’d to make one more,
 Than be the death of twenty.


I would not die like Socrates,
 For all the fuss of Plato;
Nor would I with Leonidas,
 Nor yet would I with Cato:
The zealots of the Church and State
 Shall ne’er my mortal foes be;
But let me have bold Zimri’s fate,
 Within the arms of Cozbi!

Form: Lyric Comments

Comments About This Poem

Share your interpretation, favorite passage, or thoughts about this famous poem. Please provide an in-depth and meaningful comment.

  • What do you think the poet was trying to say?
  • Which line had the biggest impact on you?
  • How does this poem relate to modern life?
  • What literary devices did you notice?
No comments have been posted yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace