Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PIPER'S SON, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY


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THE PIPER'S SON, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: In olden days there dwelt a piper's
Last Line: And round and soundly justice-of-ye-peaced.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Pigs; Pipers; Boars; Hogs


IN olden days there dwelt a piper's son,
Hight Thomas, who, belike from indigence,
Or utter lack of virtuous preference
Of honorable means of thrift, did, one
Weak hour of temptation -- (weaker none!) --
Put by ye promptings of his better sense,
And rashly gat him o'er a neighbor's fence
Wherein ye corner was a paling run
About a goodly pig; and thence he lured,
All surreptitiously, ye hapless beast,
And had it slaughtered, salted down, and cured --
Yea, even tricked and garnished for ye feast,
Ere yet ye red-eyed Law had him immured,
And round and soundly justice-of-ye-peaced.





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