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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


FALSE FRIENDS-LIKE by WILLIAM BARNES

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN I WAS STILL A BOY, AN' MOTHER'S PRIDE
Last Line: AN' THANK EN, I DO VEEL A LITTLE SHY.
Subject(s): DISTRUST; FRIENDSHIP - FALSE FRIENDS; PRACTICAL JOKES; FAIR WEATHER FRIENDS; PRANKS;

When I wer still a bwoy, an' mother's pride,
A bigger bwoy spoke up to me so kind-like,
'If you do like, I'll treat ye wi' a ride
In theäse wheel-barrow here.' Zoo I wer blind-like
To what he had a-workèn in his mind-like,
An' mounted vor a passenger inside;
An' comèn to a puddle, perty wide,
He tipp'd me in, a-grinnèn back behind-like.
Zoo when a man do come to me so thick-like,
An' sheäke my hand, where woonce he pass'd me by,
An' tell me he would do me this or that,
I can't help thinkèn o' the big bwoy's trick-like.
An' then, vor all I can but wag my hat
An' thank en, I do veel a little shy.



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