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James Whitcomb Riley - The FrogJames Whitcomb Riley - The Frog
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Who am I but the Frog--the Frog!     My realm is the dark bayou, And my throne is the muddy and moss-grown log     That the poison-vine clings to-- And the blacksnakes slide in the slimy tide     Where the ghost of the moon looks blue. What am I but a King--a King!--     For the royal robes I wear-- A scepter, too, and a signet-ring,     As vassals and serfs declare: And a voice, god wot, that is equaled not     In the wide world anywhere! I can talk to the Night--the Night!--     Under her big black wing She tells me the tale of the world outright,     And the secret of everything; For she knows you all, from the time you crawl,     To the doom that death will bring. The Storm swoops down, and he blows--and blows,--     While I drum on his swollen cheek, And croak in his angered eye that glows     With the lurid lightning`s streak; While the rushes drown in the watery frown     That his bursting passions leak. And I can see through the sky--the sky--     As clear as a piece of glass; And I can tell you the how and why     Of the things that come to pass-- And whether the dead are there instead,     Or under the graveyard grass. To your Sovereign lord all hail--all hail!--     To your Prince on his throne so grim! Let the moon swing low, and the high stars trail     Their heads in the dust to him; And the wide world sing:  Long live the King,     And grace to his royal whim!
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