The Black Fox (A Poem)

I have a poem for you, but I need to you a little background.

Before I start, I want to remind you that the idea with this blog is to help improve your

english, and your vocabularly. Do not be upset with what you have trouble understanding. Get

what you can from it. Even if it's just a little bit, that's great. Please ask any questions, or make

any comments you may have.

I chose this poem because I think the vocabularly is fairly easy, but if you have trouble don't

worry about it. Poetry can be a little confusing in the way words are used. Please let me know

what you think.

Poetry tries to use language in more of a musical way to create images (pictures) in our

minds.Those who write poetry, poets, don't always follow the rules of grammar, or use what we

might consider proper english. Don't let this distract you too much. Just try to get the general

meaning of the story that's being told.

The devil turns up in many "folk" tales and songs throughout western Culture, European as

well as American. He is always trying to trick people into selling their "souls" to him, so when

they die he can take them to hell where they will have to spend eternity (forever) in burning

torment. He is considered someone that we should be very scared of meeting, and someone who

is very dangerous and evil. He can appear in many forms, including animals, as in

The Black Fox

by Graham Pratt

As we were out a-hunting
One morning in the spring,
Both hounds an horses running well
Made the hills and valleys ring.

But to our great misfortune
No fox could there be found.
And the huntsmen cursed and swore but still
No fox moved over the ground.

Up spoke out master huntsman,
At the head of hounds rode he,
"Well, we have ridden for a full three hours
But no fox have we seen.

"And there is strength still in me
And I will have my chase,
And if only the Devil himself come by
We'd run him such a race!"

And then there sprang like lightning
A fox from out his hole.
His fur was the colour of a starless night,
His eyes like burning coals.

They chased him over the valley,
They chased him over the field,
They chased him down to the riverbank
But never would he yield.

He's jumped into the water
And he's swum to the other side.
He's laughed so loud that the greenwood shook
Then he's turned to the huntsmen and cried:

"Ride on, my gallant huntsmen!
When must I come again?
Oh, never shall you want a fox
To chase along the plain.

"And when your need is greatest,
Just call upon my name,
And I will come and you shall have
The best of sport and game."

All the men looked up in wonder.
All the hounds ran back to hide.
For the fox had changed to the Devil himself
Where he stood at the other side.

And men and hounds and horses
Went flying back to town,
And hard on their heels came the little black fox
A-laughing as he ran.