Ghent. “Now, wouldn’t that frost you!” said Joris, but we [Pg 75] [Pg 75] THE DINOSAUR Behold the mighty Dinosaur, Famous in prehistoric lore, Not only for his weight and strength But for his intellectual length. You will observe by these remains The creature had two sets of brains— One in his head (the usual place), The other at his spinal base. Thus he could reason a priori As well as a posteriori. No problem bothered him a bit; He made both head and tail of it. So wise he was, so wise and solemn, Each thought filled just a spinal column. If one brain found the pressure strong It passed a few ideas along; If something slipped his forward mind ’Twas rescued by the one behind; And if in error he was caught He had a saving afterthought. As he thought twice before he spoke He had no judgments to revoke; For he could think, without congestion, Upon both sides of every question. Oh, gaze upon this model beast, Defunct ten million years at least. [Pg 76] [Pg 76] A BALLADE OF CAP AND BELLS When as a dewdrop joy enspheres This pleasant planet, arched with blue, When every prospect charms and cheers, And all the world is fair to view— Who does not envy (have not you?) That mortal, by Thalia kissed, Who plies, in plumes of cockatoo, The blithesome trade of humorist? But when the wind of fortune veers, And blue-white skies turn leaden hue, When every pleasant prospect blears And all the weary world’s askew— Who then would envy (if he knew) Jack Point the jester, glum and trist; Or ply, tho’ first of all the crew, The dismal trade of humorist? Ah, jocund trifles writ
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