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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON STEPHEN DUCK, THE THRESHER, AND FAVOURITE POET by JONATHAN SWIFT

First Line: THE THRESHER DUCK COULD OVER THE QUEEN PREVAIL
Last Line: THY TOIL IS LESSENED, AND THY PROFITS DOUBLE.

The thresher Duck could o'er the Queen prevail.
The proverb says, 'No fence against a flail.'
From threshing corn, he turns to thresh his brains;
For which Her Majesty allows him grains.
Though 'tis confessed that those who ever saw
His poems, think them all not worth a straw.
Thrice happy Duck, employed in threshing stubble!
Thy toil is lessened, and thy profits double.




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