Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ENVIOUS WREN, by PHOEBE CARY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ENVIOUS WREN, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: On the ground lived a hen
Last Line: "and I guess I shall kill her to-night."
Subject(s): Birds; Envy; Wrens


ON the ground lived a hen,
In a tree lived a wren,
Who picked up her food here and there;
While biddy had wheat
And all nice things to eat.
Said the wren, I declare, 't is n't fair!"

"It is really too bad!"
She exclaimed -- she was mad --
"To go out when it is raining this way!
And to earn what you eat,
Does n't make your food sweet,
In spite of what some folks may say.

"Now there is that hen,"
Said this cross little wren,
"She's fed till she's fat as a drum;
While I strive and sweat
For each bug that I get,
And nobody gives me a crumb.

"I can't see for my life
Why the old farmer's wife
Treats her so much better than me;
Suppose on the ground
I hop carelessly round
For a while, and just see what I'll see."

Said this 'cute little wren,
"I'll make friends with the hen,
And perhaps she will ask me to stay;
And then upon bread
Every day I'd be fed,
And life would be nothing but play."

So down flew the wren.
"Stop to tea," said the hen;
And soon biddy's supper was sent;
But scarce stopping to taste,
The poor bird left in haste,
And this was the reason she went:

When the farmer's kind dame
To the poultry-yard came,
She said -- and the wren shook with fright --
"Biddy's so fat she'll do
For a pie or a stew,
And I guess I shall kill her to-night."





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net