Part 36 (1/2)

THE BISON

The Bison is vain, and (I write it with pain) The Door-mat you see on his head Is not, as some learned professors maintain, The opulent growth of a genius' brain; But is sewn on with needle and thread.

_Hilaire Belloc_.

THE PANTHER

Be kind to the panther! for when thou wert young, In thy country far over the sea, 'Twas a panther ate up thy papa and mamma, And had several mouthfuls of thee!

Be kind to the badger! for who shall decide The depths of his badgerly soul?

And think of the tapir when flashes the lamp O'er the fast and the free-flowing bowl.

Be kind to the camel! nor let word of thine Ever put up his bactrian back; And cherish the she-kangaroo with her bag, Nor venture to give her the sack.

Be kind to the ostrich! for how canst thou hope To have such a stomach as it?

And when the proud day of your bridal shall come, Do give the poor birdie a bit.

Be kind to the walrus! nor ever forget To have it on Tuesday to tea; But b.u.t.ter the crumpets on only one side, Save such as are eaten by thee.

Be kind to the bison! and let the jackal In the light of thy love have a share; And coax the ichneumon to grow a new tail, And have lots of larks in its lair.

Be kind to the bustard! that genial bird, And humor its wishes and ways; And when the poor elephant suffers from bile, Then tenderly lace up his stays!

_Anonymous_.

THE MONKEY'S GLUE

When the monkey in his madness Took the glue to mend his voice, 'Twas the crawfish showed his sadness That the bluebird could rejoice.

Then the perspicacious parrot Sought to save the suicide By administering carrot, But the monkey merely died.

So the crawfish and the parrot Sauntered slowly toward the sea, While the bluebird stole the carrot And returned the glue to me.

_Goldwin Goldsmith_.

THERE WAS A FROG

There was a frog swum in the lake, The crab came crawling by: ”Wilt thou,” coth the frog, ”be my make?”

Coth the crab, ”No, not I.”

”My skin is sooth and dappled fine, I can leap far and nigh.