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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A VERMONT RASCAL, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY Poet's Biography First Line: Most every town has got, I guess ...' Last Line: He'll have no gravestone when he's gone. Subject(s): Country Life; Vermont | |||
'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...ORATION: HALF-MOON IN VERMONT by NORMAN DUBIE THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S ANNUAL by NORMAN DUBIE THE CROWS AT 3 A.M. by STANLEY PLUMLY ALBANY BUS STATION by RUTH STONE FALL COMES IN BACK-COUNTRY VERMONT by ROBERT PENN WARREN A SNOW-STORM; SCENE IN A VERMONT WINTER by CHARLES GAMAGE EASTMAN A VERMONT 'DONATION' by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY A VERMONT 'DONATION' by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY |
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