Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SNUFF-BOXES, by ANONYMOUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SNUFF-BOXES, by                    
First Line: A village pedagogue announced one day
Last Line: "round, sir, on sundays, square on other days"
Subject(s): Bureaucracy;snuff (tobacco)


A VILLAGE pedagogue announced one day
Unto his pupils, that Inspector A.
Was coming to examine them. Quoth he:
"If he should try you in Geography,
Most likely he will ask—'What's the Earth's shape?'
Then, if you feel as stupid as an ape,
Just look at me: my snuff-box I will show,
Which will remind you it is round, you know."

Now, the sagacious master, I declare,
Had two snuff-boxes—one round, t'other square;
The square he carried through the week, the round
On Sundays only.
Hark! a footstep's sound:
'Tis the Inspector. "What's the Earth's shape, lad?"
Addressing one by name. The latter, glad
To have his memory helped, looked at the master;
When, piteous to relate, O, sad disaster!
The pupil without hesitation says:
"Round, sir, on Sundays, square on other days."





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