Classic Poem

Armed at all points with stubborn leathern dress
To combat thorns & brambles with success
Who threaten vainly with their host of spears
He chops the roughest thorn & never fears
& oft cuts heedlessly among the rest
Boughs down where small birds had begun their nest
His leathern doublet rustles to the wind
That whistles in the stiffened folds behind
Startling the blackbird from its early song
& hare from cover as he rocks along
Even the sheep will startle from the way
As if a dog was setting them at bay