Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE WOUNDED HARE, by ROBERT BURNS



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THE WOUNDED HARE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Inhuman man! Curse on thy barbarous art
Last Line: And curse the ruffian's aim, and mourn thy hapless fate.
Variant Title(s): On Seeing A Wounded Hare Limp By Me
Subject(s): Animal Rights; Animals; Rabbits; Animal Abuse; Vivisection; Hares


Inhuman man! curse on thy barb'rous art,
And blasted be thy murder-aiming eye;
May never pity soothe thee with a sigh,
Nor ever pleasure glad thy cruel heart!

Go live, poor wand'rer of the wood and field!
The bitter little that of life remains:
No more the thickening brakes and verdant plains
To thee a home, or food, or pastime yield.

Seek, mangled wretch, some place of wonted rest,
No more of rest, but now thy dying bed!
The sheltering rushes whistling o'er thy head,
The cold earth with thy bloody bosom prest.

Perhaps a mother's anguish adds its woe;
The playful pair crowd fondly by thy side;
Ah! helpless nurslings, who will now provide
That life a mother only can bestow!

Oft as by winding Nith I, musing, wait
The sober eve, or hail the cheerful dawn,
I'll miss thee sporting o'er the dewy lawn,
And curse the ruffian's aim, and mourn thy hapless fate.





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