A FOSSILIFEROUS FABLE The Great Tyrannosaurus
Lived centuries ago;
Through marshes wet and porous
He rambled to and fro. The most tremendous Lizard
That ever browsed on meat,
His length from A to Izzard
Was forty-seven feet. The Great Tyrannosaurus
In habitude was not
What one would call decorous--
He ate an awful lot. Lamellibranchs in sixes,
Iguanodons to spare
And Archæ opteryxes
Comprised his bill of fare. The Great Tyrannosaurus
Of all the world was king;
With trumpetings sonorous
He swallowed everything. When everything was swallowed
Beneath the azure sky,
What naturally followed?--
The Creature had to die. The Great Tyrannosaurus,
That was so blithe and free,
Hath passed away before us;
Then learn from him and me: This earth can never nourish
An appetite like his;
So, if you hope to flourish,
Don't gobble all there is!