Part 3 (1/2)
8
Down the slippery slopes of Myrtle, Where the early pumpkins blow, To the calm and silent sea Fled the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo.
There, beyond the Bay of Gurtle, Lay a large and lively Turtle.
”You're the Cove,” he said, ”for me; On your back beyond the sea, Turtle, you shall carry me!”
Said the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo, Said the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo.
9
Through the silent roaring ocean Did the Turtle swiftly go; Holding fast upon his sh.e.l.l Rode the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo.
With a sad primeval motion Toward the sunset isles of Boshen Still the Turtle bore him well.
Holding fast upon his sh.e.l.l, ”Lady Jingly Jones, farewell!”
Sang the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo, Sang the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo.
10
From the Coast of Coromandel Did that Lady never go, On that heap of stones she mourns For the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo.
On that Coast of Coromandel, In his jug without a handle Still she weeps, and daily moans; On the little heap of stones To her Dorking Hens she moans, For the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo, For the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo.
[_Edward Lear_
NONSENSE VERSES
1
There was an Old Man with a beard, Who said, ”It is just as I feared!-- Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard.”
2
There was an old man of Hong Kong, Who never did anything wrong; He lay on his back, with his head in a sack, That innocuous old man of Hong Kong.
3
There was an Old Man who supposed That the street door was partially closed; But some very large Rats ate his coats and his hats, While that futile Old Gentleman dozed.
4
There was a Young Lady of Norway, Who casually sat in a doorway; When the door squeezed her flat, she exclaimed ”What of that?”
This courageous Young Lady of Norway.
5
There was an old person of Bow, Whom n.o.body happened to know; So they gave him some soap, and said coldly, ”We hope You will go back directly to Bow!”
6
There was an Old Man on some rocks, Who shut his wife up in a box: When she said, ”Let me out,” he exclaimed, ”Without doubt You will pa.s.s all your life in that box!”