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." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MARRIAGE by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE ELF AND THE DORMOUSE by OLIVER BROOK HERFORD FOR MY OWN TOMBSTONE by MATTHEW PRIOR THE ADVERTISING MAN'S LOVE SONG by BERTON BRALEY WHILE LOVELINESS GOES BY by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH THE CAMPUS IN VACATION by ANNE MILLAY BREMER TO ROBERT BURNS; AN EPISTLE ON INSTINCT by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES |