The Boar and the Ass — Nursery Rhyme Lyrics

A little scoundrel of an Ass, happening to meet with a Boar, had a mind to be arch upon him, and so, says he: "Your humble servant." The Boar, somewhat nettled at his familiarity, bristled up to him, and told him he was surprised to hear him utter so impudent an untruth, and was just going to show his resentment by giving him a rip in the flank; but wisely stifling his passion, he contented himself with saying: "Go, you sorry beast! I do not care to foul my tusks with the blood of so base a creature."
Dignity cannot afford to quarrel with its inferiors.

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Learning from "The Boar and the Ass"

Nursery rhymes are some of the best teachers of rhythm and rhyme. "The Boar and the Ass" uses 2 lines to create a memorable verse — proof that effective poetry doesn't need to be long. Pay attention to the meter: the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables is what makes the rhyme stick in your head.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the words to The Boar and the Ass?
The lyrics to The Boar and the Ass are: A little scoundrel of an Ass, happening to meet with a Boar, had a mind to be arch upon him, and so, says he: "Your humble servant." The Boar, somewhat nettled at his familiarity, bristled up to him, and told him he was surprised to hear him utter so impudent an untruth, and was just going to show his resentment by giving him a rip in the flank; but wisely stifling his passion, he contented himself with saying: "Go, you sorry beast! I do not care to foul my tusks with the blood of so base a creature." / Dignity cannot afford to quarrel with its inferiors.
How many lines does The Boar and the Ass have?
"The Boar and the Ass" has 2 lines of verse.

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