University of Virginia Library

[There are a number of us creep]

Paraphrase.

There are a number of us creep
Into this world, to eat and sleep;
And know no reason why they're born,
But merely to consume the corn,
Devour the cattle, fowl and fish,
And leave behind an empty dish:
The crows and ravens do the same,
Unlucky birds of hateful name;
Ravens or crows might fill their plae,
And swallow corn and carcases.
Then if their tomb-stone, when they die,
Ben't taught to flatter and to lie,
There's nothing better will be said,
Than that, ‘They've eat up all their bread,
‘Drank up their drink, and gone to bed.’