•  * * *


    There was an Old Man of the Wrekin,

    Whose shoes made a horrible creaking

           But they said, “Tell us whether,

           Your shoes are of leather,

    Or of what, you Old Man of the Wrekin?”

    <Publ. 1846>

  •  

     * * *


     There was an old man of Thermopylæ,

     Who never did anything properly;

     But they said, "If you choose,

     To boil eggs in your shoes,

     You shall never remain in Thermopylæ."


     <Publ. 1846>

  •  * * *


     There was an old man of Three Bridges,

     Whose mind was distracted by midges,

     He saate on a wheel,

     Eating underdone veal,

     Which relieved that old man of Three Bridges.

     

     <Publ. 1872>

  •  * * *


     There was an Old Man of Vesuvius,

     Who studied the works of Vitruvius;

     When the flames burnt his book,

     To drinking he took,...



  •  * * *


    There was an Old Man of Vienna,

    Who lived upon Tincture of Senna;

           When that did not agree,

           He took Camomile Tea,

    That nasty Old Man of Vienna.


    <Publ. 1846>

  •  * * *


    There was an Old Man on a hill,

    Who seldom, if ever, stood still;
    He ran up and down,
    In his Grandmother's gown,

    Which adorned that Old Man...

  •  * * *


     There was an Old Man who said, 'How

     Shall I flee from that horrible cow?

          I will sit on this stile,

          And continue to smile,

     Which may soften the heart of that cow.'


     <Publ. 1846>

  •  * * *


     There was an Old Man who said, 'Hush!

     I perceive a young bird in this bush!'

     When they said, 'Is it small?'

     He replied, 'Not at all!

     It is four times as big as the bush!'


     <Publ. 1846>



  •  * * *


    There was an Old Man who supposed,

    That the street door was partially closed;

           But some very large rats,

           Ate his coats and his hats,

    While that futile old gentleman dozed.


    <Publ. 1846>

  •  * * *


     There was an Old Man with a beard,

     Who said, 'It is just as I feared!

     Two Owls and a Hen,

     Four Larks and a Wren,

     Have all built their nests in my beard!'


     <Publ. 1846>