A PIG and Sheep together slept In the same farm-yard; and with these A gallant Cock his vigils kept, -- Who, with his fellows, dwelt in peace. "A pleasant sort of life is this," The Porker said. "Say, Madam Sheep! Is not the highest earthly bliss To lie at ease, and eat and sleep? "For me, I think the perfect leisure And luxury in which we live, Worth more than all the active pleasure That men or gods have power to give!" The woolly dame has naught to say, -- Too meek to answer; though she tries, While listening in a civil way, To look (in vain!) extremely wise! But Chanticleer, who chanced to hear These sage reflections, cocked his eye, Gave a shrill crow his throat to clear, And thus to Piggie made reply: -- "A sleepy life, I must confess, Were very little to my taste; To live -- like you -- in idleness, Of time is, sure, a foolish waste. "To rule the roost, and strut about, That's happiness, in my belief; A little sleep is well, no doubt, But, for one's health, it should be brief. "In fact, I've tried it; and I find One's slumbers should be always light; Sleep surely stupefies the mind, While watching makes it clear and bright." While thus they argue, loud and long, The patient Sheep has listened well; But which is right and which is wrong Is something more than she can tell. She little dreams the wranglers draw (Like other critics, great and small) Each from himself the narrow law By which he seeks to govern all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CATARINA TO CAMOENS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING HOME-THOUGHTS, FROM THE SEA by ROBERT BROWNING THE MILKMAID'S SONG by SYDNEY THOMPSON DOBELL JONAH'S SONG, FR. MOBY DICK by HERMAN MELVILLE THE POWER OF MUSIC by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH TRAILING ARBUTUS by HENRY ABBEY |