The Deadly Yew. Whether they set the yew in burial-ground Because 'twas fatal on the battle-plain, Or fashioned it in bows because 't was found In cemeteries, I 've inquired in vain; But Britons ne'er would willingly be laid To final rest save in the yew-tree's shade. The plaintiff Crowhurst leased the adjoining land For pasture of his horse, which, there released From hard restraint of his task-master's hand, Could wander at his own sweet will, and feast Upon the juicy grass, and kick and roll In verdant hollow or on swelling knoll. What sort of horse he was I do not know, — Whether for coach or omnibus or van, Or doomed sedate to walk in Rotten Row, And groan beneath the weight of maid or man; But certainly a "cob" he was not born, To be thus cruelly deprived of corn. Some speak of common wisdom as " horse-sense," And others say, " as ignorant as a horse;" But on this point this case is evidence Of equine ignorance, of striking force; For when this horse did -these yew-limbs perceive, He cropped, stretched out his limbs, and took his leave. The cemetery people knew the yew Was planted very near the boundary wall, But as to how its trunk and branches grew The pasture-hirer did not know at all, Nor was he bound to go about to see If 't was a wholesome or a dangerous tree. He might have clipped it, the defendant said, Or kept his horse safe tethered to a stake; But grave Chief-Baron Kelly shook his head, And said the plaintiff was not bound to make Himself defendant's gardener, nor to be Assured his horse was hitched to whiffletree. So peace to all poor hungry horses' manes! Cases like this are found how very few-oh! And so I Ve taken quite unusual pains To point the principle sick-yew-tree-chew-oh! (Pray do not think I made this last sad pun; It 's worse than any I have ever done.)
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