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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE LITTLE MOCK-MAN by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

Poet Analysis

First Line: THE LITTLE MOCK-MAN ON THE
Last Line: AN' EVER'BODY EVER'WHERES!
Subject(s): ANIMALS; HORSES; STAIRS;

THE Little Mock-man on the Stairs --
He mocks the lady's horse 'at rares
At bi-sickles an' things, --
He mocks the mens 'at rides 'em, too;
An' mocks the Movers, drivin' through,
An' hollers, "Here's the way @3you@1 do
With them-air hitchin'-strings!"
"Ho! ho!" he'll say,
Ole Settlers' Day,
When they're all jogglin' by, --
"You look like @3this,"@1
He'll say, an' twis'
His mouth an' squint his eye
An' 'tend-like @3he@1 wuz beat the bass
Drum at both ends -- an' toots an' blares
Ole dinner-horn an' puffs his face --
The Little Mock-man on the Stairs!

The Little Mock-man on the Stairs
Mocks all the peoples all he cares
'At passes up an' down!
He mocks the chickens round the door,
An' mocks the girl 'at scrubs the floor,
An' mocks the rich, an' mocks the pore,
An' ever'thing in town!
"Ho! ho!" says he,
To you er me;
An' ef we turns an' looks,
He's all cross-eyed
An' mouth all wide
Like Giunts is, in books. --
"Ho! ho!" he yells, "look here at @3me,"@1
An' rolls his fat eyes roun' an' glares, --
@3"You@1 look like @3this!"@1 he says, says he --
The Little Mock-man on the Stairs!

@3The Little Mock --
The Little Mock --
The Little Mock-man on the Stairs,
He mocks the music-box an' clock,
An' roller-sofy an' the chairs;
He mocks his Pa, an' specs he wears;
He mocks the man 'at picks the pears
An' plums an' peaches on the shares;
He mocks the monkeys an' the bears
On picture-bills, an' rips an' tears
'Em down, -- an' mocks ist all he cares,
An'@1 EVER@3'body@1 EVER@3'wheres!@1



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