The Collected Poems of T. E. Brown

Brown, T. E. (1830-1897)

I. ASPECTS AND CHARACTERS

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN HOM-VEG AND BALLURE'S RIVER

WASTWATER TO SCAWFELL

“NOT WILLING TO STAY”

IN MEMORIAM: J. MACMEIKIN

“GOD IS LOVE”

THE INTERCEPTED SALUTE

THE ORGANIST IN HEAVEN

TO E. M. O.

A SERMON AT CLEVEDON

A FABLE

THE PESSIMIST

ON THE SINKING OF THE VICTORIA

ΧΡΙΣΜΑ

II.

NARRATIVE

III.

III. LYRICAL

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THE PESSIMIST

OR THE RAVEN AND THE JACKDAW

[_]

(Manx pronunciation, Jăck-dāw)

“Croak—croak—croak!
Life's a pig-in-a-poke.”
“Indeed!” says the little Jackdaw.

“Croak—croak—croak!
And a cruel joke!”
“Dear me!” says the little Jackdaw.

“Croak—croak—croak!
It's a tyrant's yoke!”
“How?” says the little Jackdaw.

“Croak—croak—croak!
We must vanish like smoke.”
“Why?” says the little Jackdaw.

“Croak—croak—croak!
Ask the elm! ask the oak!”
“What?” says the little Jackdaw

“Croak—croak—croak!
Your feelings you cloke!”
“Where?” says the little Jackdaw.

“Croak—croak—croak!
Do you like your own folk?”
“Yes!” says the little Jackdaw.

“Croak—croak—croak!
With despair don't you choke?”
“No!” says the little Jackdaw.

“Croak—croak—croak!
You're a d---d little bloke!”
“Always was” says the little Jackdaw.

University of Virginia Library

THE PESSIMIST

OR THE RAVEN AND THE JACKDAW