66 "O Oysters," said the Carpenter, "You've had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?" But answer came there none And this was scarcely odd, because They'd eaten every one. LEWIS CARRoll. Song of the Turtle and Flamingo A lively young turtle lived down by the banks An expansively crimson flamingo! A beautiful, bouncing flamingo! Spake the turtle in tones like a delicate wheeze: "To the water I've oft seen you in go, And your form has impressed itself deep on my shell, You perfectly modeled flamingo! You tremendously Al' flamingo! You inex-pres-si-ble flamingo! To be sure I'm a turtle, and you are a belle, In Merry In Merry But smile on me, tall one, and be my bright flame, You blazingly beauteous flamingo! You inflammably gorgeous flamingo!" Then the proud bird blushed redder than ever before, And that was quite un-nec-ces-sa-ry, And she stood on one leg and looked out of one eye, The position of things for to vary,— This aquatical, musing flamingo! This dreamy, uncertain flamingo! This embarrassing, harassing flamingo! Then she cried to the quadruped, greatly amazed: "Why your passion toward me do you hurtle? I'm an ornithological wonder of grace, And you're an illogical turtle,— A waddling, impossible turtle! A low-minded, grass-eating turtle! A highly improbable turtle!" Then the turtle sneaked off with his nose to the ground, And never more looked at the lasses; And falling asleep, while indulging his grief, Was gobbled up whole by Agassiz,— The peripatetic Agassiz! The turtle-dissecting Agassiz! The illustrious, industrious Agassiz! Go with me to Cambridge some cool, pleasant day, He's in a hard case, but he'll look in your face, JAMES T. FIELDS. In Merry Captain Reece Of all the ships upon the blue, He was adored by all his men, If ever they were dull or sad, A feather-bed had every man, In Merry Brown Windsor from the captain's store, Did they with thirst in summer burn, Then currant wine and ginger-pops New volumes came across the sea One summer eve, at half-past ten, "By any reasonable plan I'll make you happy if I can; My own convenience count as nil: It is my duty, and I will.” Then up and answered William Lee “You have a daughter, Captain Reece, "Now, somehow, sir, it seems to me, Unmarried members of the crew. "If you'd ameliorate our life, Good Captain Reece, that worthy man, 66 "I quite agree," he said, "O Bill; It is my duty, and I will. "My daughter, that enchanting gurl, Has just been promised to an Earl, And all my other familee To peers of various degree. "But what are dukes and viscounts to The happiness of all my crew? In Merry Mood |