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The Scroobious Pip went out one day

  When the grass was green, and the sky was grey.

  Then all the beasts in the world came round

  When the Scroobious Pip sat down on the ground.

  The cat and the dog and the kangaroo

  The sheep and the cow and the guineapig too —

  The wolf he howled, the horse he neighed

  The little pig squeaked and the donkey brayed,

  And when the lion began to roar

  There never was heard such a noise before.

  And every beast he stood on the tip

  Of his toes to look a the Scroobious Pip.

  At last they said to the Fox - “By far,

  You’re the wisest beast! You know you are!

  Go close to Scroobious Pip and say,

  Tell us all about yourself we pray-

  For as yet we can’t make out in the least

  If you’re Fish or Insect, or Bird or Beast.”

  The Scroobious Pip looked vaguelyy round

  And sang these words with a rumbling sound-

  Chippetty Flip; Flippetty Chip;-

  My only name is the Scroobious Pip.

  2

  The Scroobious Pip from the top of a tree

  Saw the distant Jellybolee,-

  And all the birds in the world came there,

  Flying in crowds all through the air.

  The Vulture and Eagle, the cock and the hen

  The Ostrich the Turkey the Snipe and the Wren;

  The Parrot chattered, the Blackbird sung

  And the owl looked wise bu held his tongue,

  And when the Peacock began to scream

  The hullabaloo was quite extreme.

  And every bird he fluttered the tip

  Of his wng as he stared at the Scroobious Pip.

  At last they said to the owl- “By far,

  You’re the wisest Bird — you know you are!

  Fly close to the Scroobious Pip and say,

  Explain all about yourself we paray-

  For as yet we have neither seen nor heard

  If you’re fish or insect, beast or bird!”

  The Scroobious Pip looked gaily round

  And sang these words with a chirpy sound-

  Chippetty Flip; Flippetty Chip;-

  My only name is the Scroobious Pip.

  3

  The Scroobious Pip went into the sea

  By the beautiful shore of Jellybolee-

  All the fish in the world swam round

  With a splashing squashy spluttering sound.

  The sprat, the herring, the turbot too

  The shark, the sole and the mackerel blue,

  The flounder spluttered, the purpoise puffed

  ...............................................................

  And when the whale began to spout

  ...............................................................

  And every fish he shook the tip

  Of his tail as he gazed on the Scroobious Pip

  At last they said to the whale- “By far

  You’re the biggest Fish - you know you are!

  Swim close to the Scroobious Pip and say-

  Tell us all about yourself we pray!-

  For to know you yourself is our only wish;

  Are you beast or insect, bird or fish?”

  The Scroobious Pip looked softly round

  And sung these words with a liquid sound-

  Pliffity Flip; Pliffety Flip;-

  My only name is the Scroobious Pip.

  4

  The scroobious Pip sat under a tree

  By the silent shores of the Jellybolee;

  All the insects in all the world

  About the Scroobious Pip entwirled.

  Beetles and with purple eyes

  Gnats and buzztilential flies-

  Grasshoppers, butterflies, spiders too,

  Wasps and bees and dragon-flies blue,

  And when the gnats began to hum

  bounced like a dismal drum,

  And every insect curled the tip

  Of his snout, and looked a the Scroobious Pip.

  At last the said to the Ant - “By far

  You’re the wisest insect, you know you are!

  Creep close to the Scroobious Pip and say-

  Tell us all about yourself we pray,

  For we can’t find out, and we can’t tell why-

  If you’re beast or fish or a bird or a fly.”

  The Scroobious Pip turned quickly round

  And sang these words with a whistly sound

  Wizzeby wip - wizzeby wip —

  My only name is the Scroobious Pip.

  5

  Then all the beasts that walk on the ground

  Danced in a circle round and round-

  And all the birds that fly in the air

  Flew round and round in a circle there,

  And all the fish in the Jellybolee

  Swum in a circle about the sea,

  And all the insects that creep or go

  Buzzed in a circle to and fro.

  And they roared and sang and whistled and cried

  Till the noise was heard from side to side-

  Chippetty tip! Chippetty tip!

  It’s only name is the Scroobious Pip.

  THE ADVENTURES OF MR. LEAR, THE POLLY AND THE PUSSEYBITE ON THEIR WAY TO THE RITERTITLE MOUNTAINS

  Aug. 23, 1866.

  1, Upper Hyde Park Garden

  Mr. Lear goes out a walking with Polly and the Pusseybite.

  Mr. Lear, feeling tired, and also the Polly and the Pusseybite, sit down on a wall to rest.

  Mr. Lear, the Polly and the Pusseybite go into a shop to buy a Numbrella, because it began to rain.

  Mr. Lear, the Polly and the Pusseybite having purchased umbrellas, proceed on their walk.

  Mr. Lear, the Polly and the Pusseybite arrive at a bridge, which being broken they do not know what to do.

  Mr. Lear, the Polly and the Pusseybite all tumble promiscuous into the raging river and become quite wet.

  A page missing here from the manuscript.

  Mr. Lear, the Polly and the Pusseybite peruse their journey in a benevolent boat.

  Mr. Lear, the Polly and the Pusseybite incidentally fall over an unexpected cataract, and are all dashed to atoms.

  A page missing here from the manuscript.

  The 2 venerable Jebusites fasten the remains of Mr. Lear, the Polly and the Pusseybite, but fail to reconstruct them perfectly as 3 individuals.

  Mr. Lear and the Pusseybite and the Pollycat and the 2 Jebusites and the Jerusalem Artichokes and the Octogonal Oysterclippers all tumble into a deep hole and are never seen or distinguished or heard of never more afterwards.

  The Poems

  The headquarters of the Zoological Society, London. By the age of 16, Lear was already earning a wage from his illustration work, employed as an ornithological draughtsman by the Zoological Society.

  LIST OF POEMS IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER

  THERE WAS AN OLD DERRY DOWN DERRY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH A NOSE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON OF SMYRNA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN ON A HILL

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CHILI

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH A GONG

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF KILKENNY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF COLUMBIA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A TREE

  THERE WAS AN OLD LADY OF CHERTSEY

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY WHOSE CHIN

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH A FLUTE, —

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF PORTUGAL

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF ISCHIA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF VIENNA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A BOAT

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BUDA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF MOLDAVIA

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF HURST

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF MADRAS

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF DOVER
>
  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF LEEDS

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CADIZ

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE ISLES

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BASING

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO SUPPOSED

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON WHOSE HABITS

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE WEST

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF MARSEILLES

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE WREKIN

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY WHOSE NOSE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF NORWAY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF APULIA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF QUEBEC, —

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF BUTE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF PHILŒ

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH A POKER

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF PRAGUE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF PERU

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE NORTH

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF TROY

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF MOLD

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF TRING

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF NEPAUL

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE NILE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF TH’ ABRUZZI

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF CALCUTTA

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF RHODES

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE SOUTH

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF MELROSE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE DEE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF LUCCA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF COBLENZ

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF BOHEMIA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF CORFU

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF VESUVIUS

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF DUNDEE

  THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHOSE FOLLY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN ON SOME ROCKS

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF RHEIMS

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF LEGHORN

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A PEW

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF JAMAICA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO SAID, “HOW

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF TROY

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF HULL

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF DUTTON

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO SAID, “HUSH!

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF RUSSIA

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF TYRE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BANGOR

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE EAST

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE COAST

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF KAMSCHATKA

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF GRETNA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH A BEARD

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF BERLIN

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE WEST

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CHEADLE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF ANERLEY

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF WALES

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF WELLING

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF TARTARY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF WHITEHAVEN

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF SWEDEN

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CHESTER

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE CAPE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BURTON

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF EMS

  THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL OF MAJORCA

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF POOLE

  THERE WAS AN OLD LADY OF PRAGUE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF PARMA

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SPARTA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN ON WHOSE NOSE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF TURKEY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF AÔSTA

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON OF CRETE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF CLARE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF DORKING

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF CAPE HORN

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CROMER

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE HAGUE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SPAIN

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO SAID, “WELL!

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH AN OWL

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A CASEMENT

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF EWELL

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF PERU.

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WITH A BEARD

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY WHOSE EYES

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF RYDE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY WHOSE BONNET

  THE OWL AND THE PUSSY-CAT.

  THE DUCK AND THE KANGAROO.

  THE DADDY LONG-LEGS AND THE FLY.

  THE JUMBLIES.

  THE NUTCRACKERS AND THE SUGAR-TONGS.

  CALICO PIE.

  MR. AND MRS. SPIKKY SPARROW.

  THE BROOM, THE SHOVEL, THE POKER, AND THE TONGS.

  THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR.

  ALPHABET I. (1871)

  ALPHABET II. (1871)

  ALPHABET III. (1871)

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON OF BANTRY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN AT A JUNCTION

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF MINETY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THERMOPYLAE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF DEAL

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN ON THE HUMBER

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A BARGE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF DUNROSE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF TOULOUSE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BREE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BROMLEY

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SHIELDS

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF DUNLUCE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF DEE-SIDE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON IN BLACK

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THE DARGLE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF PINNER

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CHINA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A MARSH

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BRILL

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF WICK

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN AT A STATION

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THREE BRIDGES

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF HONG KONG

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON IN GREEN

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF FIFE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHO SCREAMED OUT

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY IN WHITE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SLOUGH

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF DOWN

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON IN RED

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF HOVE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON IN PINK

  THERE WAS AN OLD LADY OF FRANCE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF PUTNEY

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF LOO

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF WOKING

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF DEAN

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY IN BLUE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A GARDEN

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF PISA

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF FLORENCE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SHEEN

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF WARE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON OF JANINA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF CASHMERE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CASSEL

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF PETT

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF SPITHEAD

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN ON THE BORDER

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF DUMBREE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF FILEY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHOSE REMORSE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF IBREEM

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF WILTS

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF GRANGE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF NEWRY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF DUMBLANE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF PORT GRIGOR

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF EL HUMS

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF WEST DUMPET

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SARK

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN WHOSE DESPAIR

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BARNES

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF NICE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF GREENWICH

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CANNES

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF ICKLEY

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF HYDE

  THERE W
AS AN OLD PERSON IN GRAY

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF ANCONA

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SESTRI

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BLYTHE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON OF AYR

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF RIMINI

  THERE IS A YOUNG LADY, WHOSE NOSE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF EALING

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF THAMES DITTON

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BRAY

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON WHOSE HISTORY

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BOW

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF RYE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF CROWLE

  THERE WAS AN OLD LADY OF WINCHELSEA

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN IN A TREE

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF CORSICA

  THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY OF FIRLE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF STROUD

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF BOULAK

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SKYE

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF BLACKHEATH

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN, WHO WHEN LITTLE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF DUNDALK

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF SHOREHAM

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BAR

  THERE WAS A YOUNG PERSON OF KEW

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF JODD

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BUDE

  THERE WAS AN OLD PERSON OF BRIGG

  THERE WAS AN OLD MAN OF MESSINA

  THE ABSOLUTELY ABSTEMIOUS ASS

  THE BOUNTIFUL BEETLE

  THE COMFORTABLE CONFIDENTIAL COW

  THE DOLOMPHIOUS DUCK

  THE ENTHUSIASTIC ELEPHANT

  THE FIZZGIGGIOUS FISH

  THE GOOD-NATURED GREY GULL

  THE HASTY HIGGELDIPIGGLEDY HEN

  THE INVENTIVE INDIAN

  THE JUDICIOUS JUBILANT JAY

  THE KICKING KANGAROO

  THE LIVELY LEARNED LOBSTER

  THE MELODIOUS MERITORIOUS MOUSE

  THE NUTRITIOUS NEWT

  THE OBSEQUIOUS ORNAMENTAL OSTRICH

  THE PERPENDICULAR PURPLE POLLY

  THE QUEER QUERULOUS QUAIL

  THE RURAL RUNCIBLE RAVEN

  THE SCROOBIOUS SNAKE

  THE TUMULTUOUS TOM-TOMMY TORTOISE

  THE UMBRAGEOUS UMBRELLA-MAKER

  THE VISIBLY VICIOUS VULTURE

  THE WORRYING WHIZZING WASP

  THE EXCELLENT DOUBLE-EXTRA XX

  THE YONGHY-BONGHY-BO

  THE ZIGZAG ZEALOUS ZEBRA

  THE DONG WITH A LUMINOUS NOSE.

  THE TWO OLD BACHELORS.