Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building Part 76

R's for Rhinoceros. You see His clothing does not fit; Yet so indifferent is he, He doesn't care a bit.

Although it does not seem to us The unconcerned Rhinoceros Has any claim to wit or grace, We must admire his earnest face.

S stands for Sponge. You'd scarce suppose This could be called a creature; It hasn't any eyes or nose-- Indeed, it has no feature.

And, though this may cause some surprise, The mermaids, I dare say, Will set a Sponge at night to rise, And make sponge-cake next day.

T stands for Tiger. In the south He roams his native heath.

He has a wide, capacious mouth, And long and glistening teeth.

'Tis not worth while your time to spend To cultivate him as a friend; But to your house, so warm and snug, Invite the Tiger as a rug.

U is for the Unicorn, The dearest little thing; Though he has but a single horn, And not a single wing.

A Unicorn of any age Is nicer, so I've heard, To keep within a gilded cage Than a canary-bird.

V is for Vervet. From his name You'd be inclined to think This creature rather mild and tame, In color somewhat pink.

But not at all; the Vervet's green, And very cross and s.p.u.n.ky; In fact, it's plainly to be seen The Vervet's just a monkey!

W is for Whale. He's in The oceans, north and south.

He doesn't have a dimpled chin, Nor yet a rosebud mouth.

Yet he is very fond of fun, And has wide smiles for every one.

X stands for Xiphias; he's a fish.

If you a Xiphias should wish, Don't let him roam around the gra.s.s, But keep him in a globe of gla.s.s.

His name, as everybody knows, Is _Xiphias Gladius_. I suppose That means the Xiphias is glad Because he wasn't born a Shad.

Y is for Yak, Who is not very tidy; And he's lazy, alack!

He sleeps all day Friday.

About a yard wide The Yak is, precisely; With fringe on each side He's trimmed very nicely.

Z stands for Zibet. I've been told This beast was much esteemed of old; But, latterly, most people think They'd rather have a moose or mink.

In a museum that's in Tibet They have one stuffed--he's an Ex-Zibet!

A WAS AN ARCHER

A was an Archer, who shot at a frog; B was a Butcher, and had a great dog.

C was a Captain, all covered with lace; D was a drunkard, and had a red face.

E was an Esquire, with pride on his brow; F was a Farmer, and followed the plough.

G was a gamester, who had but ill-luck; H was a Hunter, who hunted a buck.

I was an Innkeeper, who loved to carouse; J was a Joiner, and built up a house.

K is the King, who governs England; L was a Lady, who had a white hand.

M was a Miser, and h.o.a.rded up gold; N was a n.o.bleman, gallant and bold.

O was an Oyster-Girl, who went about town; P was a Parson, and wore a black gown.

Q was a Queen, who wore a silk slip; R was a Robber, and wanted a whip.

S was a Sailor, and spent all he got; T was a Tinker, and mended a pot.

U was an Usurer, a miserable elf; V was a Vintner, who drank all himself.

W was a Watchman, and guarded the door; X was expensive, and so became poor.

Y was a Youth, that did not love school; Z was a Zany, a poor harmless fool.