Lies down and licks his feet and turns away. In fact their actions are so cruel as to make the predatory fox, drop his prey. And bites them through – the drunkard swears and reels. How many great poems about badgers are there in English literature? This stanza details the Badger’s eventual demise. This poem has not been translated into any other language yet. He runs along and bites at all he meets: He beats and scarcely wounded goes away. When badgers fight, then everyone’s a foe. The poacher shoots and hurries from the cry, When badgers fight, then every one’s a foe. They shout and hollo down the noisy streets. The badger is described as biting all he meets. Later in the stanza the mastiff is described as savage. And seizes any dog that ventures nigh. Subscribe to our mailing list and get new poetry analysis updates straight to your inbox. I like it when anyone uses a term like “criminally underrated” to describe a work of art. Actually, the men who are abusing the animal in this poem are unsympathetic, while the badger, the animal being abused, is admired in this poem. In this first stanza the narrator talks about the process of capturing the badger in the first place. He fights with dogs for bones and beats them all. The bulldog knows his match and waxes cold, He drives away and beats them every one, And there he fights the host of all the town. The old fox hears the noise and drops the goose. In the next line it reveals the blackguard laughs. It made an incredible impression on them and they asked for it now,10 years later. And laugh and shout and fright the scampering hogs. The first line suggests that the contest has become so brutal as to frighten mothers who in turn decide that the display is too violent for their children and therefore remove them from proceedings so as toy not expose them further. This is a dated insult, but it basically describes somebody that is considered to be dishonourable. With nose on ground he runs an awkward pace, And anything will beat him in the race. Badger Lyrics. This is done to make a contrast between the noble bravery of the outnumbered badger and his heinous foes. In specific this one is about badger baiting. Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest and greatest poetry updates. Using the present-tense also aids in this endeavour. The poem uses it’s strict form and repetition of the word “and” at the start of sentences to help portray a frenetic pace which mirrors the frantic happenings in the poem. Though scarcely half as big, demure and small, In this classic poem, The Badger, Clare shows his mastery of metre and rhyme to make a compelling piece. He falls as dead and kicked by boys and men, The badger grunting on his woodland track “When badgers fight, then everyone’s a foe”. In this classic poem, The Badger, Clare shows his mastery of metre and rhyme to make a compelling piece. The heavy mastiff, savage in the fray, 10 of the Best Poems about Animals | Interesting Literature. The old fox hears the noise and drops the goose. Personifying it to some extent by giving it human characteristics. The narrator emphasises his small stature and that in spite of this he still seems able to conquer the dogs that he faces. The poem is written in iambic pentameter with a consistent rhyming pattern, using couplets (AABBCC…) although rhyme in contemporary poetry is often used to denote humour or joy, it was more frequently used in classical poem, even in more sombre poetry as is the case with this poem. Some keep a baited badger tame as hog And drives the rebels to their very door. Interesting Literature is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.co.uk. Reproduced in the original style, here is John Clare's poem on the persecution of the badger. What's your thoughts? It’s the savage truth , almost unbearable to read. The badger grins and never leaves his hold. The badger turns and drives them all away. Please continue to help us support the fight against dementia. So I would think nothing could be further from the truth. The badger baiters behaviour is described in a way that makes it appear like they are euphoric as a result of their actions. And anything will beat him in the race. Read poems about / on: women, dog, running, woman. Ads are what helps us bring you premium content! And put a sack within the hole, and lie Pingback: 10 of the Best Poems about Animals | Interesting Literature. Throughout the poem the humans and other animals are described with negative connotations. WHEN midnight comes a host of dogs and men Go out and track the badger to his den And put a sack within the hole and lie. It is hard not to feel a sense of relief on behalf of the badger that his ordeal is over, The list of punishments the animal has to endure is horrific. They shout and hollo down the noisy streets. ‘The Badger’, by the criminally underrated English Romantic poet John Clare (1793-1864), is perhaps the greatest of this small and select group. The animal is portrayed as a fearless warrior. And clap the dogs and take him to the town, And the old hare half wounded buzzes bye. ‘The Badger’ is written in rhyming couplets, also known as ‘heroic couplets’ – and although Clare describes the way the badger is hunted and caught, he imbues the creature with a quiet heroism and nobility. The frighted women take the boys away, But sticks and cudgels quickly stop the chase. The badger grunting on his woodland trackWith shaggy hide and sharp nose scrowed with blackRoots in the bushes and the woods, and makesA great high burrow in the ferns and brakes.With nose on ground he runs an awkward pace,And anything will beat him in the race.The shepherd's dog will run him to his denFollowed and hooted by the dogs and men.The woodman when the hunting comes aboutGoes round at night to stop the foxes outAnd hurrying through the bushes to the chinBreaks the old holes, and tumbles headlong in.When midnight comes a host of dogs and menGo out and track the badger to his den,And put a sack within the hole, and lieTill the old grunting badger passes bye.He comes and hears—they let the strongest loose.The old fox hears the noise and drops the goose.The poacher shoots and hurries from the cry,And the old hare half wounded buzzes bye.They get a forked stick to bear him downAnd clap the dogs and take him to the town,And bait him all the day with many dogs,And laugh and shout and fright the scampering hogs.He runs along and bites at all he meets:They shout and hollo down the noisy streets.He turns about to face the loud uproarAnd drives the rebels to their very door.The frequent stone is hurled where e'er they go; When badgers fight, then every one's a foe.The dogs are clapt and urged to join the fray; The badger turns and drives them all away.Though scarcely half as big, demure and small,He fights with dogs for bones and beats them all.The heavy mastiff, savage in the fray,Lies down and licks his feet and turns away.The bulldog knows his match and waxes cold,The badger grins and never leaves his hold.He drives the crowd and follows at their heelsAnd bites them through—the drunkard swears and reels.The frighted women take the boys away,The blackguard laughs and hurries on the fray.He tries to reach the woods, an awkward race,But sticks and cudgels quickly stop the chase.He turns again and drives the noisy crowdAnd beats the many dogs in noises loud.He drives away and beats them every one,And then they loose them all and set them on.He falls as dead and kicked by boys and men,Then starts and grins and drives the crowd again; Till kicked and torn and beaten out he liesAnd leaves his hold and cackles, groans, and dies.Some keep a baited badger tame as hogAnd tame him till he follows like the dog.They urge him on like dogs and show fair play.He beats and scarcely wounded goes away.Lapt up as if asleep, he scorns to flyAnd seizes any dog that ventures nigh.Clapt like a dog, he never bites the menBut worries dogs and hurries to his den.They let him out and turn a harrow downAnd there he fights the host of all the town.He licks the patting hand, and tries to playAnd never tries to bite or run away,And runs away from the noise in hollow treesBurnt by the boys to get a swarm of bees. 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