Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, MISTER HOP-TOAD, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

MISTER HOP-TOAD, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Howdy, mister hop-toad! Glad to see you out!
Last Line: "howdy, mister hop-toad! How-dee-do!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Gardens & Gardening; Spring; Toads


HOWDY, Mister Hop-Toad! Glad to see you out!
Bin a month o' Sund'ys sense I seen you hereabout.
Kind o' bin a-layin' in, from the frost and snow?
Good to see you out ag'in, it's bin so long ago!
Plow's like slicin' cheese, and sod's loppin' over even;
Loam's like gingerbread, and clods's softer'n deceivin' --
Mister Hop-Toad, honest-true -- Spring-time -- don't you love it?
You old rusty rascal you, at the bottom of it!

Oh! oh! oh!
I grabs up my old hoe;
But I sees you,
And s' I, "Ooh-ooh!
Howdy, Mister Hop-Toad! How-dee-do!"

Make yourse'f more comfo'bler -- square 'round at your ease --
Don't set saggin' slanchwise, with your nose below your knees.
Swell that fat old throat o' yourn and lemme see you swaller;
Straighten up and h'ist your head! -- You don't owe a dollar! --
Hain't no mor'gage on your land -- ner no taxes, nuther;
You don't haf to work no roads, even ef you'd ruther.
'F I was you, and fixed like you, I railly wouldn't keer
To swap fer life and hop right in the presidential cheer!

Oh! oh! oh!
I hauls back my old hoe;
But I sees you,
And s' I, "Ooh-ooh!
Howdy, Mister Hop-Toad! How-dee-do!"

'Long about next Aprile, hoppin' down the furry,
Won't you mind I ast you what 'peared to be the hurry? --
Won't you mind I hooked my hoe and hauled you back and smiled? --
W'y, bless you, Mister Hop-Toad, I love you like a child!
S'pose I'd want to 'flict you any more'n what you air? --
S'pose I think you got no rights 'cept the warts you wear?
Hulk, sulk, and blink away, you old bloat-eyed rowdy! --
Hain't you got a word to say? -- Won't you tell me "Howdy"?

Oh! oh! oh!
I swish round my old hoe;
But I sees you,
And s' I, "Ooh-ooh!
Howdy, Mister Hop-Toad! How-dee-do!"





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