Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PEASANT AND THE SHEEP, by IVAN ANDREEVICH KRILOFF Poet's Biography First Line: A peasant haled a sheep to court Last Line: The carcase comes to me, and he will get the skin.' Subject(s): Justice | ||||||||
A PEASANT haled a sheep to court, And pressed against her there a serious objection. A fox, as judge, is ready for a fault's detection, Hears plaintiff first and, then, defendant in retort; Taking in turn each point, and cool, though others stammer, He seeks the cause of all the clamor. The peasant says:"My lord! when visiting my yard, I found two chickens missing; 'twas in early morning; Only their bones and feathers served me as a warning; This sheep alone was there on guard!" The sheep replies:"No strange event my slumbers marred; Prithee, the evidence of neighbors don't discard; Against me ne'er was brought a charge of thieving Or other crime At any time; As to my tasting flesh, 'tis notion past conceiving." Here are the fox's judgments from their earliest weaving: "I noway can accept the pleadings of this sheep, Because all rogues are skilled to keep Their wicked purposes from others. 'Tis clear from plaintiff's words that, on the given night, Defendant held the fowl-house well in sight; Now, who can think she smothers An inborn wish for viands choice? So I decide, by conscience' sacred voice, She cannot have admitted Hens were for her unfitted! Her guilt is clear and lets the peasant win; The carcase comes to me, and he will get the skin.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD: GOD'S JUSTICE by ANNE CARSON CREDO by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON THE YOUNG WARRIOR by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON TO HORACE BUMSTEAD by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON CONSCRIPTS OF THE DREAM by EDWIN MARKHAM THE MAN UNDER THE STONE by EDWIN MARKHAM THE USES OF POETRY by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS |
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