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

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 44.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

Book Of Nonsense Limerick 51.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

The Broom, The Shovel, The Poker, And The Tongs.

Edward Lear, Simple Poetry

More Nonsense Limerick 16

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 Courtship Of The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò.



    I.

On the Coast of Coromandel
Where the early pumpkins blow,
In the middle of the woods
Lived the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò.
Two old chairs, and half a candle,
One old jug without a handle, -
These were all his worldly goods:
In the middle of the woods,
These were all the worldly goods
Of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò,
Of the Yonghy-Bonghy Bò.


    II.

Once, among the Bong-trees walking
Where the early pumpkins blow,
To a little heap of stones
Came the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò.
There he heard a Lady talking,
To some milk-white Hens of Dorking, -
"'Tis the Lady Jingly Jones!
On that little heap of stones
Sits the Lady Jingly Jones!"
Said the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò,
Said the Yonghy...

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 Zigzag Zealous Zebra

The Zigzag Zealous Zebra,
who carried five Monkeys on his back all
the way to Jellibolee.

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

The Kicking Kangaroo

The Kicking Kangaroo,
who wore a Pale Pink Muslin dress
with Blue spots.

Edward Lear

The Umbrageous Umbrella-maker

The Umbrageous Umbrella-maker,
whose Face nobody ever saw, because it was
always covered by his Umbrella.

Edward Lear