Walter de la Mare

The Pigs and the Charcoal–burner

  • The old Pig said to the little pigs,
  • “In the forest is truffles and mast,
  • Follow me then, all ye little pigs,
  • Follow me fast!”
  •  
  • The Charcoal–burner sat in the shade
  • With his chin on his thumb,
  • And saw the big Pig and the little pigs
  • Chuffling come.
  •  
  • He watched ’neath a green and giant bough,
  • And the pigs in the ground
  • Made a wonderful grizzling and gruzzling
  • And greedy sound.
  •  
  • And when, full–fed they were gone, and Night
  • Walked her starry ways,
  • He stared with his cheeks in his hands
  • At his sullen blaze.
Peacock Pie, a Book of Rhymes. First published in 1916.