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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE FOUR BEAUS by FAIRFAX DOWNEY

First Line: ERNEST WAS AN ELEPHANT, A GREAT BIG DUMBBELL
Last Line: BUT I GAVE 'EM ALL THE GATE.
Subject(s): ANIMALS; LOVE;

Ernest was an elephant, a great big dumbbell,
Leonard was a lion on a social trail,
George was a goat, keen to win some belle,
And James was as slow as a snail.

Leonard had a stall, as a bluff a strong one,
Ernest had some ideas but they all were thick,
George had a hunch, but it always was the wrong one,
And James was a bit of a hick.

Ernest made love like a film of slow motion.
Leonard tried to pull this stuff on Art.
George seldom ever had a snappy notion,
And James never got a start.

Ernie may have been very well-intentioned.
Len and Jim may have only been late.
In a year or so George words of love might have mentioned,
But I gave 'em all the gate.



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