Poem by Thomas Edward Brown

The Pessimist, or the Raven and the Jackdaw

“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. 

1. Braddan Vicarage
2. Specula
3. Salve!
4. I Bended unto Me a Bough
5. Ibant Obscuræ

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