# Lines on a Big Ox explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A humorous and skeptical poem questioning the reported size of a massive ox exhibited at the Western Fair, suggesting the measurement might be exaggerated unless it includes the tail.

## Themes in this chapter

### Agriculture and Rural Economy

The poem centers on a prize ox exhibited at a fair, highlighting the importance of livestock and agricultural displays in rural life.

## Key lines

> The Statememt doth me surprise, Sir, Which I read in Advertiser ; Can it be true or but an hoax, This tale of eighteen feet long ox?

I am astonished by the claim in the newspaper; I wonder if this story of an eighteen-foot-long ox is true or just a trick.

_The speaker expresses disbelief about the reported size of the ox._

> It almost doth exceed belief, This great living, mammoth beef; I fear the measurement will fail, Unless extended is its tail.

This enormous living beef is almost too incredible to believe; I suspect the measurement is inaccurate unless they included the tail.

_The poet humorously suggests the measurement is only possible if the tail is counted._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/lines-on-a-big-ox
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters