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 spunky; 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 grass, But keep him in a globe of glass. 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 hoarded up gold; N was a Nobleman, 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.