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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE PIGS AND THE CHARCOAL-BURNER by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE OLD PIG SAID TO THE LITTLE PIGS
Last Line: AT HIS SULLEN BLAZE.

The old Pig said to the little pigs,
'In the forest is truffles and mast,
Follow me then, all ye little pigs,
Follow me fast!'

The Charcoal-burner sat in the shade,
His chin on his thumb,
And saw the big Pig and the little pigs,
Chuffling come.

He watched 'neath a green and giant bough,
And the pigs in the ground
Made a wonderful grizzling and gruzzling
And greedy sound.

And when, full-fed, they were gone, and Night
Walked her starry ways,
He stared with his cheeks in his hands
At his sullen blaze.



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