head

OON will be issued monthly

Each number

of the first series (twelve parts) will be complete in itself and contain several poems that may be classified under one general

The poems will be "famous" poems, old favorites, that have stood the test of time & Lovers of literature, it is hoped, will welcome them in this new setting The publisher desires to make them of service to parents and teachers in forming the taste of young readers for the best in English literature

WILLIAM S. LORD

Evanston : Illinois

ENTERED AT THE POST-OFFICE AT EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, AS SECOND-CLASS MATTER, OCTOBER 26, 1900.

I

T was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant

(Though all of them were blind,)
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approached the Elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl;
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried: "Ho! what have we here,

So very round and smooth and sharp?

NOON

74

To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And, happening to take

The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:

"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out his

And felt about the knee:

eager hand,

"What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," quoth he;

"Tis clear enough the elephant

Is

very like a tree."

The Fifth who chanced to touch the ear,

Said: "E'en the blindest man

Can tell what this resembles most;

Deny the fact who can

This marvel of an Elephant

Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,

"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"