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The Magpie

Of all the birds, both foul and fair, You stubbornly refused to wear Full mourning at the Crucifixion, And were cursed with this affliction: Piebald broods of raucous young, The devil's laugh on every tongue.

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Patricia Cresswell

Date: 8/7/2017 10:01:00 PM

I do not understand are magpies crucified in New Zealand? It is a stunning poem. It appears to be straight forward then it sneaks up on one and bites. Mmm I want to say in the conscience for some reason.

Alan Ireland
Date: 8/9/2017 10:13:00 PM

This poem has nothing to do with New Zealand. (I was born and brought up in England, a stone's throw from Shakespeare's birthplace.) According to legend, the members of the crow family attended the Crucifixion in full mourning - dressed entirely in black. But the magpie opted for a disrespectful piebald coat, which made God angry.