Peter Grimes (1810) Flashcards
but the stubborn boy from
care broke loose
his father’s love he scorn’d,
his power defied
he had oft
the good man reviled
Peter to his father
‘it is the word of life,’’ his parents cried;
‘this is life itself,’’ the boy replied’
how he had cursed the tyranny of age,
nay once dealt the sacrilegious blow
this he resolved,
and drank for his relief
with greedy eye
he looked all he saw
he knew not justice
and he laugh’d at the law
he fish’d by water
and he filch’d by land
fled from his boat, and
sought for prey on shore
but no success could
please his cruel soul
he wanted some obedient boy to stand,
and bear the blow of his outrageous hand;
a feeling creature
subject to his power
Pinn’d, beaten, cold, pinch’d,
theaten’d and abused- his efforts punish’d and his food refused
his tears despised,
his supplications vain
