'MOST every town has got, I guess, A chronic case of wickedness, Some scout to whom no sheep belong Who smells of mutton mighty strong; Who, minus cow and apple trees, Enjoys his cider with his cheese; A gray old rat, with income slim, Yet outwardly it does for him; Of course, if he should break his leg He'd have to sue the town or beg. He drives a horse that's adder blind And never has her shod behind; He teams a little—more or less, With that old long low-seat express, The tailboard marks on which are thought By most to mean a charge of shot; He's been a-met past midnight twice On Cobble Hill by Doctor Price; The night the butcher shop was burnt He wan't to home, the sheriff learnt. His wife's the kind that likes to shine, And would if she was yourn or mine; She likely comes from "down below" And likely dressmaked years ago; Her snow-white hair, black silk and veil Are all that keeps him out of jail; The moment that her dress departs For church, he grabs his pole and starts To fish up Barret's brook, and then Down Story's brook a-home again. The boy that builds a dam and gets A pair of pretty trout for pets, Some summer morning wipes his eye For old Bill Boyd has seen 'em fry; The day you put away your meat He's 'round a-looking sharp and sweet; Your new potates, however new, He's sure to taste ahead of you; You've got to watch your butnut trees The very night there comes a freeze. No fowl will ever roost in peace Till Bill's dishonest breath shall cease; No corncrib door will rest content Till Bill's suspicious life is spent; All piggery pens will feel a chill Till excarnation tackles Bill; The only comfort folks can draw From this old life opposed to law Is, that is may be counted on He'll have no gravestone when he's gone. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DIRTY OLD MAN by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM MORNING IN CAMP by HERBERT BASHFORD COMIN' THRO' THE RYE by ROBERT BURNS OLD SUSAN by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE TIRED MOTHERS by MAY LOUISE RILEY SMITH THE WHITE ROAD UP ATHIRT THE HILL by WILLIAM BARNES SUNSET ON THE ORANGE MOUNTAINS by ADRIAN BERKOWITZ |