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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
EPITAPH ON A HARE, by WILLIAM COWPER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Here lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, / nor swifter greyhound follow Last Line: Must soon partake his grave. Subject(s): Animals; Mourning; Rabbits; Bereavement; Hares | |||
HERE lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, Nor swifter greyhound follow, Whose foot ne'er tainted morning dew, Nor ear heard huntsman's hallo', Old Tiney, surliest of his kind, Who, nursed with tender care, And to domestic bounds confined, Was still a wild Jack-hare. Though duly from my hand he took His pittance every night, He did it with a jealous look, And, when he could, would bite. His diet was of wheaten bread, And milk, and oats, and straw, Thistles, or lettuces instead, With sand to scour his maw. On twigs of hawthorn he regaled, On pippins' russet peel: And, when his juicy salads failed, Sliced carrot pleased him well. A Turkey carpet was his lawn, Whereon he loved to bound, To skip and gambol like a fawn, And swing his rump around. His frisking was at evening hours, For then he lost his fear; But most before approaching showers, Or when a storm drew near. Eight years and five round-rolling moons He thus saw steal away, Dozing out all his idle noons, And every night at play. I kept him for his humour' sake, For he would oft beguile My heart of thoughts that made it ache, And force me to a smile. But now, beneath this walnut-shade He finds his long, last home, And waits in snug concealment laid, Till gentler Pass shall come. He, still more aged, feels the shocks From which no care can save, And, partner once of Tiney's box, Must soon partake his grave. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SNOWSHOE HARE by MARY OLIVER THE HOUR BETWEEN DOG AND WOLF: 3. FEEDING THE RABBITS by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR FEBRUARY: THE BOY BREUGHEL by NORMAN DUBIE UNCLE'S FIRST RABBIT by LORNA DEE CERVANTES BEHOLDING THE HARE by EAMON GRENNAN THE OLD SQUIRE by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT SONG OF THE RABBITS OUTSIDE THE TAVERN by ELIZABETH JANE COATSWORTH A COMPARISON by WILLIAM COWPER |
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