The Pessimist; or, The Raven and the Jackdaw

" Croak — croak — croak!
Life's a pig-in-a-poke."
" Indeed! " says the little Jackdaw.
" Croak — croak — croak!
And a cruel joke! "
" Dear me! " says the little Jackdaw.
" Croak — croak — croak!
It's a tyrant's yoke! "
" How? " says the little Jackdaw.
" Croak — croak — croak!
We must vanish like smoke."
" Why? " says the little Jackdaw.
" Croak — croak — croak!
Ask the elm! ask the oak! "
" What? " says the little Jackdaw
" Croak — croak — croak!
Your feelings you cloke! "
" Where? " says the little Jackdaw.
" Croak — croak — croak!
Do you like your own folk? "
" Yes! " says the little Jackdaw.
" Croak — croak — croak!
With despair don't you choke? "
" No! " says the little Jackdaw.
" Croak — croak — croak!
You're a d——d little bloke! "
"Always was" says the little Jackdaw,