Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PUZZLED CENSUS-TAKER, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PUZZLED CENSUS-TAKER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Got any boys?' the marshal said
Last Line: The lady from over the rhine.
Variant Title(s): Nein' Boys And Girls
Subject(s): Census; Language; Words; Vocabulary


"GOT any boys?" the Marshal said
To a lady from over the Rhine;
And the lady shook her flaxen head,
And civilly answered, "Nein!"

"Got any girls?" the Marshal said
To the lady from over the Rhine;
And again the lady shook her head,
And civilly answered, "Nein!"

"But some are dead?" the Marshal said
To the lady from over the Rhine;
And again the lady shook her head,
And civilly answered, "Nein!"

"Husband of course?" the Marshal said
To the lady from over the Rhine;
And again she shook her flaxen head,
And civilly answered, "Nein!"

"The devil you have!" the Marshal said
To the lady from over the Rhine;
And again she shook her flaxen head,
And civilly answered, "Nein!"

"Now what do you mean by shaking your head,
And always answering, 'Nine'?"
"Ich kann nicht Englisch!" civilly said
The lady from over the Rhine.





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