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 Archæopteryxes
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!