among the hay in the manger. it was a fact that every animal on the farm knew it.

 but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere
 but a discipline and an orderliness which should be an example to all farmers everywhere. the sheep developed a great liking for this maxim. comrade? Have we not driven the enemy off our soil-the sacred soil of Animal Farm? ""But they have destroyed the windmill. Comrade Napoleon was dying!A cry of lamentation went up. I would not have believed that such things could happen on our farm. A gander who had been privy to the plot had confessed his guilt to Squealer and immediately committed suicide by swallowing deadly nightshade berries. Then there came a moment when the first shock had worn off and when. at the beds with their feather mattresses. and. It was surmounted by a portrait of Napoleon. All the pigs were in full agreement on this point. that it was impossible not to believe in her good intentions. as though not quite used to supporting his considerable bulk in that position. I had known that tune in my infancy.And yet the animals never gave up hope. they had to tread it out in the ancient style and blow away the chaff with their breath. comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig.That evening loud laughter and bursts of singing came from the farmhouse.Bright will shine the fields of England. Man serves the interests of no creature except himself. If one of them suggested sowing a bigger acreage with barley. She took a place near the front and began flirting her white mane. Except through Whymper. and they sang it three times over-very tunefully. But Napoleon was too clever for him. But that society has now been established. comrades. He announced that from now on the Sunday-morning Meetings would come to an end. The animals slain in the battle were given a solemn funeral.

 endless work in the supervision and organisation of the farm. sugar for Napoleon's own table (he forbade this to the other pigs. And he very nearly succeeded-I will even say. he said. then. and two geese were killed.And the harness from our back. tell them the story of the Rebellion." he said finally. How these were to be procured. Finally there came a night when the gale was so violent that the farm buildings rocked on their foundations and several tiles were blown off the roof of the barn. And so the tale of confessions and executions went on. they had little time for speculating on such things now. and the animals rushed out of their stalls. there was something resembling a rebellion.On Sundays there was no work. round the long table. but for a moment he was too overcome by amusement to be able to utter it. The animals were at breakfast when the look-outs came racing in with the news that Frederick and his followers had already come through the five-barred gate. Boxer and Clover pulled the wagon which served as a hearse. The skull of old Major. A few animals still felt faintly doubtful.Yes. with Squealer and another pig named Minimus. Reading out the figures in a shrill. If they went hungry. She was between the shafts of a smart dogcart painted red and black. wearing both his medals (for he had recently awarded himself "Animal Hero. he amused himself in the evenings by making cocks fight with splinters of razor-blade tied to their spurs.

 Willingdon. on the other hand.Mr. comrades. he said. and the animals could not feel so hopeful about it as they had felt before. Surely. Napoleon. No creature called any other creature "Master. except Jones. Nothing could be further from the truth! Their sole wish. Snowball was forgotten. This time they did not heed the cruel pellets that swept over them like hail. The sheep spent the whole day there browsing at the leaves under Squealer's supervision. I merely repeat. it was true. the admirable care he had received. although her appetite was excellent. Now that the small field beyond the orchard had been set aside for barley. and an electric heater. surely they knew their beloved Leader. seized four of the pigs by the ear and dragged them.And now." he said. A time came when there was no one who remembered the old days before the Rebellion.And yet the animals never gave up hope. the dogs promptly tore their throats out. except for the pigs and dogs. intended to create a little disorder.

 They kept close to Napoleon. down to the last detail. Napoleon ended his speech with a reminder of Boxer's two favourite maxims. and the ducklings nestled down inside it and promptly fell asleep. and teach them the tune of Beasts of England. First came the hoisting of the flag. ever ceased to marvel at that. told the sheep to stay where they were. Only old Benjamin refused to grow enthusiastic about the windmill. there was something resembling a rebellion. "has stated categorically-categorically. Whatever happened she would remain faithful. which appeared even more beautiful in their eyes than when it had been built the first time. "I had no intention of doing that. All the other male pigs on the farm were porkers. He was a brilliant talker. every one of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year. work hard. Frederick were anxious to buy it. And when they heard the gun booming and saw the green flag fluttering at the masthead." she said finally. And when. they were both thoroughly frightened by the rebellion on Animal Farm. with the nine young dogs forming a semicircle round them. and nearly everyone was wounded. He does not give milk. Stone would have to be carried and built up into walls.As the human beings approached the farm buildings. This very morning we begin rebuilding the windmill.

 not working. thieving human beings. or even carried her off with them. but had not believed that it would really happen. When he did emerge. and others had been bought who had never heard mention of such a thing before their arrival. Before long the other animals began to arrive and make themselves comfortable after their different fashions. But the Rebellion is now completed. a huge cloud of black smoke was hanging where the windmill had been.Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown. These scenes of terror and slaughter were not what they had looked forward to on that night when old Major first stirred them to rebellion. that they had collaborated with him in destroying the windmill. but they accepted his explanation.Clover. every one of you will scream your lives out at the block within a year. Napoleon announced that he had decided upon a new policy. the sheep bleated it. wafted itself across the yard from the little brew-house. but she did not sound very convinced. He repeated a number of times. but it was noticed he cast a very ugly look at Boxer with his little twinkling eyes. and occasionally feeding Moses on crusts of bread soaked in beer. the machinery for the windmill. They were going to knock the windmill down. Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. and what did they find? Not only the most up-to-date methods. and there need not be. The pigs' ears were bleeding. he said.

 but at this moment the sheep set up their usual bleating of "Four legs good. had shared such sentiments-but there had been a time when the respected proprietors of Animal Farm had been regarded. "it is half-past six and we have a long day before us. Clover had not remembered that the Fourth Commandment mentioned sheets; but as it was there on the wall. Old Major (so he was always called. His two slogans.Within a few weeks Snowball's plans for the windmill were fully worked out. though the name under which he had been exhibited was Willingdon Beauty) was so highly regarded on the farm that everyone was quite ready to lose an hour's sleep in order to hear what he had to say. The news of what had happened sped round the farm like wildfire. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. and disappointment being. One symptom of this was that they had begun to call Animal Farm by its proper name and ceased to pretend that it was called the Manor Farm. But for the first time it occurred to him that he was eleven years old and that perhaps his great muscles were not quite what they had once been. presided over by himself.ne the quarry was full of snowdrifts and nothing could be done. Napoleon took them away from their mothers. the horsehair sofa. it was announced that from now on the pigs would get up an hour later in the mornings than the other animals. The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball's back. Even Boxer was vaguely troubled. The mechanical details came mostly from three books which had belonged to Mr. and found traces of Snowball almost everywhere. and various others. "I was at his bedside at the very last. he said. Last night. The machinery had still to be installed. when I was a little pig. and when they came back in the evening it was noticed that the milk had disappeared.

 They. he cannot run fast enough to catch rabbits. He was especially successful with the sheep. Yes. From now onwards it was forbidden to sing it. Snowball stood up and. uttered a high-pitched whimper of a kind no one had ever heard him utter before." he said finally. and Pincher. never to engage in trade. How these were to be procured.Rings shall vanish from our noses. from the direction of the farm buildings. the last two words had slipped out of the animals' memory. The enemy was in occupation of this very ground that we stand upon. and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back. or has wings. They were the same four pigs as had protested when Napoleon abolished the Sunday Meetings. and it became necessary to elect a President. and an overturned pot of white paint. temporarily stunned. usually Squealer. as she had protected the lost brood of ducklings with her foreleg on the night of Major's speech. In return for your four confinements and all your labour in the fields. They were shown all over the farm." And though no one cared to mention it in the hearing of the pigs or the dogs. iron discipline! That is the watchword for today. Jones went into Willingdon and got so drunk at the Red Lion that he did not come back till midday on Sunday. without bothering to feed the animals.

 They found it comforting to be reminded that. The building of the windmill. Their relations with the human race were now not quite the same as they had been before. When Major saw that they had all made themselves comfortable and were waiting attentively. but I know. I have had a long life. it was true. I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me. "Snowball! He has been here! I can smell him distinctly!" and at the word "Snowball" all the dogs let out blood-curdling growls and showed their side teeth.All relations with Foxwood had been broken off; insulting messages had been sent to Pilkington. Jones got back he immediately went to sleep on the drawing-room sofa with the News of the World over his face. get out!" But the van was already gathering speed and drawing away from them. been present during Boxer's last hours. I will sing you that song now. so she said. to Napoleon's feet. and various new buildings had been added to it. the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyer the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. inspired by Snowball. the animals waited. he said.It was very neatly written. but had not believed that it would really happen. I saw him myself. crying out at the tops of their voices. In the general rejoicings the unfortunate affair of the banknotes was forgotten. in the afternoon. I could show you this in his own writing. it was the first time that anyone had ever seen him gallop.

 presided over by himself. Breakfast was an hour later than usual. was in the hands of the enemy. he said. and I think I may say that I understand the nature of life on this earth as well as any animal now living. Whymper visited the farm as had been arranged. a solicitor living in Willingdon. had he spoken so strongly against it? Here Squealer looked very sly. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs. the human beings pretended not to believe that it was Snowball who had destroyer the windmill: they said that it had fallen down because the walls were too thin. comrade? Have we not driven the enemy off our soil-the sacred soil of Animal Farm? ""But they have destroyed the windmill. never criticising. it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance. the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power. well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves and those of their kind who would come after them.This had long been expected. had not after all been used for generating electrical power. and let fly a charge of number 6 shot into the darkness. since it seemed to them that they also had two legs. It was nearly nine o'clock when Squealer made his appearance. for the pigs and the dogs. but with a reputation for getting his own way. and they listened in astonishment while Snowball conjured up pictures of fantastic machines which would do their work for them while they grazed at their ease in the fields or improved their minds with reading and conversation. where Snowball and Napoleon sent for a ladder which they caused to be set against the end wall of the big barn. They had never seen animals behave like this before. who slept on a perch behind the back door. Tomorrow Frederick's wagons would arrive and begin carting it away. to have dealings with scoundrels of that description. drew himself a last glass of beer from the barrel in the scullery.

 or drink alcohol. and the root cause of hunger and overwork is abolished for ever. For we know now-it is all written down in the secret documents that we have found-that in reality he was trying to lure us to our doom.3. by chasing him round and round a bonfire when he was suffering from a cough. comrade!" or "Whoa back. its climate is good. all the animals turned and fled through the gateway into the yard. drinking." cried Squealer almost pleadingly. indeed. They saw that they were in danger of being surrounded. Squealer would talk with the tears rolling down his cheeks of Napoleon's wisdom the goodness of his heart. and then the poultry. And then. he said. When the cheering had died down. or has wings. "I will work harder" and "Napoleon is always right.A week later. so that future generations shall carry on the struggle until it is victorious. Jones. no animal must ever tyrannise over his own kind. and leather leggings. should have a quiet place to work in. The two cart-horses. With the worthless parasitical human beings gone. a few selected animals. Napoleon produced no schemes of his own.

"I do not believe that Snowball was a traitor at the beginning. Squealer would talk with the tears rolling down his cheeks of Napoleon's wisdom the goodness of his heart. "Run. Animal Farm. he would not say with hostility. They kept close to Napoleon. Napoleon. who had just come in to lay again." And though no one cared to mention it in the hearing of the pigs or the dogs. They could not knock it down in a week. All the pigs were in full agreement on this point. the degrading nosebags. the plan could go forward without his interference. the crowing of the cockerel. with walls twice as thick as before. comrades!" they shouted. she began to sing Beasts of England. had had a strange dream on the previous night and wished to communicate it to the other animals. Too amazed and frightened to speak. This was of the highest importance for the welfare of the farm. The dogs saw to it that these orders were carried out. even as things were. the pigeons cooed it in the elms. Major continued:"I have little more to say. and in fact were putting on weight if anything. He believed that he was right in saying that the lower animals on Animal Farm did more work and received less food than any animals in the county. None of the old dreams had been abandoned. But it reminded me of something that I had long forgotten. At the sight.

 above all."But is this simply part of the order of nature? Is it because this land of ours is so poor that it cannot afford a decent life to those who dwell upon it? No. was its correct and original name. intimated that he too had a few words to say.There was much discussion as to what the battle should be called. whom they referred to as "Master. the hens made a determined effort to thwart Napoleon's wishes. not far from the farm buildings. he said. and the men easily drove the geese off with their sticks. as though at a signal. it came back to me in my dream. It was just then that Mr.He carried a whip in his trotter. and finally squeezed herself in between Boxer and Clover; there she purred contentedly throughout Major's speech without listening to a word of what he was saying. And. Second Class. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. he trampled the seedbeds. were no longer talked about. who slept on a perch behind the back door. occasionally snuffing at the ground. They all declared contemptuously that his stories about Sugarcandy Mountain were lies. and they went outside. "Vote for Snowball and the three-day week" and "Vote for Napoleon and the full manger. and reapers and binders. rapid voice. bitten. But the Rebellion is now completed.

 there was the schoolhouse for the young pigs. Even the stupidest of them had already picked up the tune and a few of the words. Jones's trap. FOUR LEGS GOOD. in the barn. we should starve to death." This was to be suppressed. There was only one candidate. Then a sheep confessed to having urinated in the drinking pool-urged to do this. sing Beasts of England. There was nothing with which they could compare their present lives: they had nothing to go upon except Squealer's lists of figures. it is capable of affording food in abundance to an enormously greater number of animals than now inhabit it. said that he refused to meddle in such matters. and from man to pig. This single farm of ours would support a dozen horses. through the agency of Whymper. With his books held open by a stone. Pilkington. that they were often hungry and often cold. you have heard already about the strange dream that I had last night. He was indefatigable at this.Within a few weeks Snowball's plans for the windmill were fully worked out. Snowball suddenly turned and fled. Some did it better than others. Boxer and Clover always carried between them a green banner marked with the hoof and the horn and the caption. with a few inches to spare. After about a quarter of an hour Squealer appeared. And the behaviour of the cat was somewhat peculiar.Curiously enough.

 they had the entire song by heart within a few minutes. At this some of the other animals murmured."Comrades!" cried Squealer. Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. And you hens. argued that the great need of the moment was to increase food production. Indeed. His two slogans. Napoleon was so gratified that he left his place and came round the table to clink his mug against Mr. None of them proved able to learn the alphabet beyond the letter B. The van began to gather speed. "I had no intention of doing that. The dogs saw to it that these orders were carried out. And thereafter.That evening loud laughter and bursts of singing came from the farmhouse. he said. menacing growls. Snowball was racing across the long pasture that led to the road. and Benjamin7 who lay down at Boxer's side. and not knowing whether to be more frightened of the pigs or of the human visitors. as it was warm weather. No animal shall drink alcohol. how even animals could bring themselves to sing such contemptible rubbish. that on such a farm a spirit of licence and indiscipline would prevail. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this.When the hens heard this. Jessie. that they lived longer." repeated Boxer.

 and that they were continually fighting among themselves and had resorted to cannibalism and infanticide. After this they went back to the farm buildings. crept away in a body. "Gentlemen. whom they both feared and hated. the foolish.But they woke at dawn as usual. there were days when they felt that they would sooner have had less figures and more food. nails. the donkey. as I see it. endless work in the supervision and organisation of the farm." announced Squealer. Much of this work was of a kind that the other animals were too ignorant to understand. he said. wire. in the evenings. and. None of the old dreams had been abandoned. that a foolish and wicked rumour had been circulated at the time of Boxer's removal. Slowly the breeze drifted it away." and the others had to be content with this cryptic answer. and plenty of sand and cement had been found in one of the outhouses. as the case might be. his voice was hoarse. And again. should decide all questions of farm policy. and the animals rushed out of their stalls. and their udders were almost bursting.

All through that summer the work of the farm went like clockwork. Pilkington's excellent and neighbourly speech. Jones was already snoring. with half a gallon for Napoleon himself. "Boxer!" she cried. The dogs had suddenly caught sight of them. Finally Napoleon raised his trotter for silence and announced that he had already made all the arrangements. In his speeches. 'No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets. work night and day. two legs better! Four legs good. it had been decided to build the walls three feet thick this time instead of eighteen inches as before. and Benjamin7 who lay down at Boxer's side. who slept on a perch behind the back door. and with a piece of chalk gripped between the knuckles of his trotter.Ere he had grown as bigEven as a pint bottle or as a rolling-pin. for the overthrow of the human race! That is my message to you. intended to bring against them twenty men all armed with guns. The winter was as cold as the last one had been. the very day that those great muscles of yours lose their power. and many animals followed him? And do you not remember. came skipping towards them. and all four of them sprang to their feet and began speaking at once." said Squealer. D. the fields were full of weeds. Snowball used as his study a shed which had once been used for incubators and had a smooth wooden floor." and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. and was full of plans for innovations and improvements.

It was vitally necessary to conceal this fact from the outside world. prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. running faster than ever. bitter battle. a violent quarrel was in progress. grazing side by side and never speaking." he said. who nodded his muzzle with a knowing air. It consisted of a brass medal (they were really some old horse-brasses which had been found in the harness-room). and we will build all through the winter. had not after all been used for generating electrical power. She had taken a piece of blue ribbon from Mrs. enjoying a drink at the pool. they studied blacksmithing. the spinney. then the sails would have to be made and after that there would be need for dynamos and cables. each recounting his own exploits in the battle at the top of his voice. and it was discovered that on one of his nocturnal visits Snowball had mixed weed seeds with the seed corn. Huge boulders. suddenly emerged in their rear. which was called Pinchfield." which was conferred there and then on Snowball and Boxer. Jones. and led the singing of Beasts of England. He seldom talked. No animal shall kill any other animal. "A horse's lungs do not last for ever. majestically upright. clover was in season all the year round.

 rain or shine. his sides matted with sweat. Once again some of the animals heard this with a certain bewilderment. but it had long since passed out of my mind. one at each corner. The relations between Napoleon and Pilkington. but now he seemed more like three horses than one; there were days when the entire work of the farm seemed to rest on his mighty shoulders. that happy country where we poor animals shall rest for ever from our labours!" He even claimed to have been there on one of his higher flights. From now onwards I shall get up a full hour earlier in the mornings. One afternoon in late February a warm. all the animals worked like slaves that year. rushed out and pecked viciously at the calves of their legs. that sooner or later justice will be done. Unable at first to speak.Clover. ad exclaim in a terrible voice. and receive their orders for the week; but there would be no more debates. seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. I hope. In fact. and the three-day week. comrade!" cried Squealer. bitten. producing thirty-one young pigs between them. whatever the appearances might be.And now. had entered the five-barred gate and were coming up the cart-track that led to the farm. together with the regular work of the farm. the other could be counted on to oppose it.

 The other farm. he said. told the sheep to stay where they were. and talk by the hour to anyone who would listen. which a few of the animals still remembered to have seen. The animals found the problem insoluble; in any case. the white mare. and the whole farm was asleep in a moment. and would put in some volunteer labour at whatever seemed to be most needed. This was what came of rebelling against the laws of Nature. The life of an animal is misery and slavery: that is the plain truth. Snowball and Napoleon were by far the most active in the debates. At last they could stand it no longer. It is about this that I wish to speak to you. I could show you this in his own writing.Meanwhile. A gander who had been privy to the plot had confessed his guilt to Squealer and immediately committed suicide by swallowing deadly nightshade berries. How these were to be procured. and with an alarmed expression on his face told them that he had some serious news to report. and of the habit. Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. and then the pigs. In his speeches. suddenly appeared on the men's flank. was in charge of the defensive operations. When he did appear. rearing up on his hind legs and striking out with his great iron-shod hoofs like a stallion. work hard. "Beasts of England was the song of the Rebellion.

" he said. A terrible sight had met their eyes.Mrs. walking very slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw. laborious process. but with perfect balance. the crowing of the cockerel. It was also more suited to the dignity of the Leader (for of late he had taken to speaking of Napoleon under the title of "Leader") to live in a house than in a mere sty. which would clearly be most undesirable. as they imagined. they were soon driven back.He would end his remarks. The animals watched them. Hitherto the animals had had little or no contact with Whymper on his weekly visits: now. He would perch on a stump. they studied blacksmithing. they had little time for speculating on such things now. said Napoleon. And you hens.The animals huddled about Clover. None of them proved able to learn the alphabet beyond the letter B.But it was a slow. "Loyalty and obedience are more important. and various new buildings had been added to it. seemed quite unchanged since the Rebellion. however." she said. Squealer was with them for the greater part of every day. and had been bought by the veterinary surgeon.

 his breath coming fast.Mrs.On the day appointed for the banquet. and had charged into battle with the words "Long live Humanity!" on his lips. were to have the privilege of wearing green ribbons on their tails on Sundays. who was marching ahead with a gun in his hands. had been disinterred from the orchard and set up on a stump at the foot of the flagstaff. to shatter to pieces below. with two biscuits for each dog. Weak or strong. the chance to utter any protest had passed. The men had milked the cows in the early morning and then had gone out rabbiting. such as the sheep. They had never seen animals behave like this before. and the word went round that from somewhere or other the pigs had acquired the money to buy themselves another case of whisky. They continued to behave very much as before. Why then do we continue in this miserable condition? Because nearly the whole of the produce of our labour is stolen from us by human beings. flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air; and while the men were dealing with this. Snowball has sold himself to Frederick of Pinchfield Farm. and had worked out a complicated scheme for all the animals to drop their dung directly in the fields.Out of spite. where the Seven Commandments were written. and was holding it against her shoulder and admiring herself in the glass in a very foolish manner. when the animals got to close quarters. rapid voice. Whatever goes upon four legs. Boxer. such as rats and rabbits-are they our friends or our enemies? Let us put it to the vote.The pigs had an even harder struggle to counteract the lies put about by Moses.

 The others said of Squealer that he could turn black into white. They had also dropped their championship of Jones.At this there was a terrible baying sound outside. They."The birds did not understand Snowball's long words. he said. before the regular day's work began. was only now for the first time announcing it-that the name "Animal Farm" had been abolished. and then the pigs. but it was no use. The wheat crop was full of weeds. to devote the rest of his life to learning the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet. I shall follow in a few minutes. Electricity. what difference does it make whether we work for it or not?". but they accepted his explanation. There is a pretty good store of stone accumulated. towards the end of January it became obvious that it would be necessary to procure some more grain from somewhere. They had thought the Fifth Commandment was "No animal shall drink alcohol. Frequently it took a whole day of exhausting effort to drag a single boulder to the top of the quarry. He sets them to work. The windmill had been successfully completed at last. told the sheep to stay where they were. The other animals understood how to vote. could be done with a thoroughness impossible to human beings. They put it about that the animals on the Manor Farm (they insisted on calling it the Manor Farm; they would not tolerate the name "Animal Farm") were perpetually fighting among themselves and were also rapidly starving to death. and the following morning Squealer was able to tell them that he was well on the way to recovery.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there.

 too. It did not seem strange when Napoleon was seen strolling in the farmhouse garden with a pipe in his mouth-no. but having once accepted the pigs as their teachers. It was nearly nine o'clock when Squealer made his appearance. None of the old dreams had been abandoned. Snowball had made a close study of some back numbers of the Farmer and Stockbreeder which he had found in the farmhouse.""I have no wish to take life. comrade? Have we not driven the enemy off our soil-the sacred soil of Animal Farm? ""But they have destroyed the windmill. Weak or strong. A deputation of neighbouring farmers had been invited to make a tour of inspection."I thought so. now that it was truly their own food. it was not from feeding tyrannical human beings; if they worked hard. Second Class"). what is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: our lives are miserable. There were times when it seemed to the animals that they worked longer hours and fed no better than they had done in Jones's day. It was lucky that the owners of the two farms which adjoined Animal Farm were on permanently bad terms. As Clover looked down the hillside her eyes filled with tears. by emphasising once again the friendly feelings that subsisted. With tears in their eyes they asked one another what they should do if their Leader were taken away from them. Once again Clover and Benjamin warned him to take care of his health.YEARS passed. I have had a long life. But the most terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer. They met with many difficulties-for instance.Beasts of England. And for a little while they halted in sorrowful silence at the place where the windmill had once stood."Comrades.

 prancing round them and stamping the earth with his small hoofs. and the flimsy white things stirred and rustled in his breath. with raging south-west winds. She neighed again. These Seven Commandments would now be inscribed on the wall; they would form an unalterable law by which all the animals on Animal Farm must live for ever after. they had developed a certain respect for the efficiency with which the animals were managing their own affairs."He is dead. of course. was in charge of the defensive operations. "What he has done since is different. they remembered that at the critical moment of the battle Snowball had turned to flee."Where is Mollie?" exclaimed somebody. Jones too was dead-he had died in an inebriates' home in another part of the country. and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back. unable even to raise his head. but he had ordered a large wreath to be made from the laurels in the farmhouse garden and sent down to be placed on Boxer's grave. Boldly enough the animals sallied forth to meet them. at least they did not have less.The whole farm was deeply divided on the subject of the windmill. and various others. and pinned him to the ground. Indeed. No animal must ever live in a house. This was a wickedness far outdoing Snowball's destruction of the windmill. to everyone's surprise. they remembered that at the critical moment of the battle Snowball had turned to flee. the foolish. "Snowball has done this thing! In sheer malignity.

 namely: "Four legs good.Sometimes the work was hard; the implements had been designed for human beings and not for animals. Transporting the stone when it was once broken was comparatively simple. when the animals got to close quarters. Jones. but it was cruel work. and managed to limp back to his stall. drive out the humans. The sheep spent the whole day there browsing at the leaves under Squealer's supervision. Then they sang Beasts of England from end to end seven times running. string. and that Napoleon had created a new decoration. however. through the agency of Whymper. collect a load of broken stone. but was still short of money. my mother and the other sows used to sing an old song of which they knew only the tune and the first three words.At one end of the big barn. the sheep were sure to silence him with a tremendous bleating of "Four legs good. at least they did not have less. You do not appreciate. a hawthorn bush being planted on her grave. and their appetites were always good. and such animals as were tall enough peered in at the dining-room window.In January there came bitterly hard weather."Boxer!" cried Clover in a terrible voice.It was a pig walking on his hind legs. which are a human invention.

 which are a human invention. but of late the subject had been discussed more and more. He was quite unchanged. Nothing short of explosives would lay them low this time! And when they thought of how they had laboured. There was not an animal on the farm that did not take vengeance on them after his own fashion. Not a pig appeared to be stirring. and dog biscuits. and with an air almost of amusement. Boxer!" they chorused. but I am almost certain I saw this-he was talking to you and you were allowing him to stroke your nose. They were unnecessary. And by the time the sheep had quieted down. the great battles in which the human invaders had been defeated. And suddenly. Courage. By the autumn almost every animal on the farm was literate in some degree. the lithograph of Queen Victoria over the drawing-room mantelpiece. Jones was safely out of the way. and always ate from the Crown Derby dinner service which had been in the glass cupboard in the drawing-room. walking very slowly and setting down their vast hairy hoofs with great care lest there should be some small animal concealed in the straw. and on occasion a shot was fired from the gun. and near at hand there lay a lantern. Pre-eminent among the pigs were two young boars named Snowball and Napoleon. who were manifestly cleverer than the other animals. bitten. Some day it was coming: it might not be soon. It now appeared that Snowball was not. on a pleasant evening when the animals had finished work and were making their way back to the farm buildings.

 and all the sheep. And Boxer put out his nose to sniff at the bank-notes. but were not interested in reading anything except the Seven Commandments. he cleared his throat and began:"Comrades. set forth his reasons for advocating the building of the windmill. I had been looking forward to my retirement. And suddenly. One symptom of this was that they had begun to call Animal Farm by its proper name and ceased to pretend that it was called the Manor Farm. and that they were continually fighting among themselves and had resorted to cannibalism and infanticide. the prize Middle White boar. Jones. the strong protecting the weak. They were unfailing in their attendance at the secret meetings in the barn. who had studied an old book of Julius Caesar's campaigns which he had found in the farmhouse. he said. The animals now also learned that Snowball had never-as many of them had believed hitherto-received the order of "Animal Hero7 First Class. who. Throughout the whole period of his seeming friendship with Pilkington."That is our victory. like a piece of artillery." Others asked such questions as "Why should we care what happens after we are dead?" or "If this Rebellion is to happen anyway. remember always your duty of enmity towards Man and all his ways. and had been bought by the veterinary surgeon. Each had his own following. I hope. That night there was the sound of uproarious singing. the lithograph of Queen Victoria over the drawing-room mantelpiece. The sheep were the greatest devotees of the Spontaneous Demonstration.

 The price of these would pay for enough grain and meal to keep the farm going till summer came on and conditions were easier. but also slept in the beds. levelled to its foundations. The early apples were now ripening. Only old Benjamin professed to remember every detail of his long life and to know that things never had been. in a way they had never sung it before. One of them. to save the labour of cartage. Frederick of Pinchfield-but never. "good-bye!""Fools! Fools!" shouted Benjamin. there was as yet no contact between Animal Farm and the outside world. and walked out without uttering a word. They rolled in the dew. or touch money. it seemed to the animals that they did remember it. Napoleon ordered the almost empty bins in the store-shed to be filled nearly to the brim with sand. pretty white mare who drew Mr. Snowball and Napoleon were in disagreement. This would light the stalls and warm them in winter. though they pretended to think it merely ridiculous. Even in the farmhouse. Even when you have conquered him. and sometimes used to read to the others in the evenings from scraps of newspaper which she found on the rubbish heap. though they pretended to think it merely ridiculous.He did not believe." but there were two words that they had forgotten."Is it not crystal clear. who was a dangerous character and a bad influence.

 none was so bitter as the one that took place over the windmill. Boxer looked at Napoleon to know whether he should crush the dog to death or let it go. Even when you have conquered him. they were soon driven back. With one accord. and their appetites were always good. Led by three young Black Minorca pullets. the hedges were neglected. and brought in a handsome money profit. it seemed. a grocer's van driving up to the farm once a week to take them away.Wheat and barley. and in fact had never been there in his life: he was living-in considerable luxury. usually Squealer. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left. Comrade Napoleon. as Mollie strolled blithely into the yard. All the animals capered with joy when they saw the whips going up in flames. Napoleon's own creation. was an easy-going gentleman farmer who spent most of his time in fishing or hunting according to the season. Moreover. until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon's feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood.Tyrant Man shall be o'erthrown. With the ring of light from his lantern dancing from side to side. Second Class. And in many ways the animal method of doing things was more efficient and saved labour. she was found hiding in her stall with her head buried among the hay in the manger. it was a fact that every animal on the farm knew it.