Author: Madison Julius Cawein

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I.

    There's a boy that you must know,
    Always ragged, dirty too;
    Just a wretched sight and show
    Worst boy that I ever knew;
    Always hitting other boys
    Smaller than himself. Annoys
    People, too, by throwing stones.
    Breaks more windows! that's his game.
    Some one ought to break his bones.
    Ragamuffin is his name.
    Ragamuffin, Ragamuffin!
    Some day some one 'll knock the stuffin'
    Out of you and then, perhaps,
    You won't bully little chaps.

II.

    Never goes to school, but plays
    Hookey all the time. His hat
    Slouched like some old drunken bat
    Reeling through the evening haze,
    Here he loafs and tries to scare
    Little girls; yes, pulls their hair,
    While he mouths at them and jeers:
    Chews tobacco, too, the same
    As these ragged grasshoppers.
    Ragamuffin is his name.
    Ragamuffin, Ragamuffin!
    Some day you'll go home a-snuffin':
    Some big brother's going to fix
    You for all your loafer tricks.

III.

    And at night he comes around,
    Prying in the windows when
    Children are alone: and then
    Knocks and makes a dreadful sound,
    Like a robber getting in;
    Scares them till it is a sin,
    Looking fierce as robbers do,
    Cursing till it is a shame:
    It would even frighten you.
    Ragamuffin is his name.
    Ragamuffin, Ragamuffin!
    You had better quit your bluffin';
    Watchman sure will cross your trail,
    Catch and lock you up in jail.

IV.

    But the worst thing that he does,
    So I think, is poking fun
    At poor beggars; never a one
    Beggarly or villanous
    As himself is. And he laughs,
    Fit to kill, and apes and chaffs
    Every cripple: lies in wait
    Just to mock: pretends he's lame:
    Jeers then, "Say! why ain't you straight?"
    Ragamuffin is his name.
    Ragamuffin, Ragamuffin!
    Some day you will get a cuffin';
    Man will kill you with a crutch
    Hey! we would n't miss you much.

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Type of Poem: Ballad

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This untitled poem portrays a vivid character study of a miscreant boy, dubbed "Ragamuffin," who is presented as a symbol of disorder and uncivil behavior. The author uses a consistent rhyme scheme and refrain, "Ragamuffin, Ragamuffin!" to underscore the boy's notoriety and the community's frustration. The four-stanza structure neatly compartmentalizes different aspects of the boy's behavior, making it easy for readers to comprehend the depth of his mischief.

The poet's tone fluctuates between stern admonishment and a sort of resigned exasperation, a balance that effectively communicates both the boy's transgressions and the collective desire for his reformation or punishment. The repeated use of the nickname "Ragamuffin" not only personalizes the subject but also underlines his ragged and unruly nature. The language is colloquial and direct, aligning with the poem's narrative style and its depiction of the everyday disturbances caused by the boy.

Thematically, the poem grapples with issues of deviance, societal expectations, and the consequences of unchecked behavior. The boy's actions are repeatedly met with threats of punishment, suggesting a broader commentary on the role of discipline in shaping individuals. The recurring motif of bullying, whether directed at smaller boys, girls, or the disabled, paints a portrait of a character who thrives on power and intimidation. The poem's final lines indicate a desire for justice, suggesting that even the most disruptive elements cannot escape the moral order of society.