(_By a Worritted One._)
[The Frilled Lizard--_Chlamydosaurus Kingi_--from Roebuck Bay, Western
Australia, a recent addition to the Zoo, is believed to "elevate its
frill when angry or excited"; but as no power on earth seems to make
it excited or angry, its frill never shows to advantage.]
Oh _Chlamydosaurus!_ You spread out before us,
If not your fine frill, an example!
With lizards to live what a deal would one give,
At least, if they're all up to sample!
Oh, thing enigmatic, lethargic, lymphatic,
True type of the _eadem semper_;
Your finery gay you can't rightly display,
For lack of that trifle--a temper!
If creatures more human--especially woman--
Were like you in dress and in diet,
And perfectly willing to sacrifice frilling,
And other mere show-things, to quiet.
'Twould bring us all balm, for our world would be calm
As though stilled by the wand of a wizard.
But ladies are few who will learn at the Zoo
The true secret of life--from a lizard.
* * * * *