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 mama, And had several mouthfuls of thee! Be kind to the badger! for who shall decide The depth of his badgery 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 butter 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 humour its wishes and ways; And when the poor elephant suffers from bile, Then tenderly lace up his stays! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CAVE PAINTING by HAYDEN CARRUTH FOREST FLOWERS by ROBERT FROST EVERYONE KNOWS WHOM THE SAVED ENVY by JAMES GALVIN FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE by EMMA LAZARUS SORROWING LOVE by KATHERINE MANSFIELD TO A FRIEND WRITING ON CABARET DANCERS by EZRA POUND A PROBLEM IN AESTHETICS by KAREN SWENSON |