The Excellent Double-extra XX

The Excellent Double-extra XX
imbibing King Xerxes, who lived a
long while ago.

Edward Lear

Edward Lear was an English artist, musician, author, and poet famous for his literary nonsense and limericks. Born on May 12, 1812, in Holloway, England, Lear created a genre of literary nonsense that influenced many later English writers. He is best known for his work 'A Book of Nonsense' and 'The Owl and the Pussycat.' His whimsical style and imaginative use of language captivated both children and adults alike. Lear passed away on January 29, 1888.

Edward Lear

Book Of Nonsense Limerick 85.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

Mr. And Mrs. Spikky Sparrow.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

More Nonsense Limerick 72

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

The Absolutely Abstemious Ass,

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

The Enthusiastic Elephant,

The Enthusiastic Elephant,
who ferried himself across the water with the
Kitchen Poker and a New pair of Ear-rings.

Edward Lear

The Absolutely Abstemious Ass,

The Absolutely Abstemious Ass,
who resided in a Barrel, and only lived on
Soda Water and Pickled Cucumbers.

Edward Lear

The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo

The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bo,
whose Head was ever so much bigger than his
Body, and whose Hat was rather small.

Edward Lear

Nonsense Alphabet 3

A



A was an ape,
Who stole some white tape,
And tied up his toes
In four beautiful bows.

a!

Funny old ape!


B



B was a bat,
Who slept all the day,
And fluttered about
When the sun went away.

b!

Brown little bat!


C



C was a camel:
You rode on his hump;
And if you fell off,
You came down such a bump!


c!

What a high camel!


D



D was a dove,
Who lived in a wood,
With such pretty soft wings,
And so gentle and good!

Edward Lear

Nonsense Alphabet 1

A



A was an ant
Who seldom stood still,
And who made a nice house
In the side of a hill.

a!
Nice little ant!


B



B was a book
With a binding of blue,
And pictures and stories
For me and for you.

b!
Nice little book!


C



C was a cat
Who ran after a rat;
But his courage did fail
When she seized on his tail.

c!
Crafty old cat!


D



D was a duck
With spots on his back,
Who lived in the water,
And always said "Quack!"

d!
Dear little...

Edward Lear

The Perpendicular Purple Polly

The Perpendicular Purple Polly,
who read the Newspaper and ate Parsnip Pie
with his Spectacles.

Edward Lear