LIMERICKS I There was an old man with a beard, Four larks and a wren, Have all built their nests in my beard!" - EDWARD LEAR 2 There was an old man who said, "How I will sit on this stile And continue to smile, Which may soften the heart of that cow!" - EDWARD LEAR 3 There once was an old kangaroo, 4 I'd rather have fingers than toes, I'm glad it's all there, I'll be awfully sad when it goes. - Unknown GELETT BURGESS One morning remarked to his granny, "A canner can can Anything that he can, But a canner can't can a can, can he?” Were imprisoned, so what could they do? Said the flea, "Let us fly,' So they flew through a flaw in the flue. 9 There was a young lady of Niger With the lady inside, And the smile on the face of the tiger. COSMO MONKHOUSE HORATIUS AT THE BRIDGE THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY Lars Porsena of Clusium By the Nine Gods he swore Should suffer wrong no more. East and west and south and north Who lingers in his home, Is on the march for Rome. The horsemen and the footmen From many a stately market place; From many a fruitful plain; From many a lonely hamlet, Which hid by beech and pine, Like an eagle's nest, hangs on the crest Of purple Apennine. And now hath every city But by the yellow Tiber The throng stopped up the ways; Through two long nights and days. And droves of mules and asses And endless flocks of goats and sheep, And endless trains of wagons That creaked beneath the weight The Fathers held a council Before the River Gate. Short time was there, ye well may guess, For musing or debate.. Just then a scout came flying, All wild with haste and fear; "To arms! to arms! Sir Consul, Lars Porsena is here." And nearer fast and nearer Doth the red whirlwind come; In broken gleams of dark-blue light, The Consul's brow was sad, And the Consul's speech was low, And darkly looked he at the wall, And darkly at the foe. "Their van will be upon us Before the bridge goes down; And if they once may win the bridge, What hope to save the town?" Then out spake brave Horatius, Death cometh soon or late. |