William Schwenck Gilbert Poems

The earth has armies plenty,
And semi-warlike bands,
I dare say there are twenty
In European lands;
...

On a tree by a river a little tomtit
Sang "Willow, titwillow, titwillow!"
And I said to him, "Dicky-bird, why do you sit
Singing 'Willow, titwillow, titwillow'?
...

IN all the towns and cities fair
On Merry England's broad expanse,
No swordsman ever could compare
With THOMAS WINTERBOTTOM HANCE.
...

JOHN courted lovely MARY ANN,
So likewise did his brother, FREDDY.
FRED was a very soft young man,
While JOHN, though quick, was most unsteady.
...

Sir GUY was a doughty crusader,
A muscular knight,
Ever ready to fight,
A very determined invader,
...

MACPHAIRSON CLONGLOCKETTY ANGUS McCLAN
Was the son of an elderly labouring man;
You've guessed him a Scotchman, shrewd reader, at sight,
And p'r'aps altogether, shrewd reader, you're right.
...

The Sun, whose rays
Are all ablaze
With ever-living glory,
Will not deny
...

(To be sung to the Air of "An 'Orrible Tale.")


Oh list to this incredible tale
...

Comes a train of little ladies
From scholastic trammels free,
Each a little bit afraid is,
Wondering what the world can be!
...

Oh! is there not one maiden breast
Which does not feel the moral beauty
Of making worldly interest
Subordinate to sense of duty?
...