Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, the — Volume 12: Verses from the Oldest Portfolio by Oliver Wendell Holmes
page 15 of 51 (29%)
page 15 of 51 (29%)
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"Oh, father, father, list to me; The Pig is deadly sick, And men have hung him by his heels, And fed him with a stick." It was the bloody butcher then, That laughed as he would die, Yet did he soothe the sorrowing child, And bid him not to cry;-- "Oh, Nathan, Nathan, what's a Pig, That thou shouldst weep and wail? Come, bear thee like a butcher's child, And thou shalt have his tail!" It was the butcher's daughter then, So slender and so fair, That sobbed as it her heart would break, And tore her yellow hair; And thus she spoke in thrilling tone,-- Fast fell the tear-drops big:-- "Ah! woe is me! Alas! Alas! The Pig! The Pig! The Pig!" Then did her wicked father's lips Make merry with her woe, And call her many a naughty name, Because she whimpered so. |
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