The Dragon Book of Verse was first published in 1935. The introduction to my (1937) edition was the property of Leighton Park School in Reading; a Quaker school founded in 1890. The Introduction explains that it is divided into two Books.
“Book I, in which there is a selection of lyric and narrative poems of a simpler kind, is intended to be introductory to Book II.” So it’s surprising that a poem by PG Wodehouse is in Book II, until I read further on “Part III (of Book II) contains a short selection of light verse which may be appreciated by the young”.
Well, that’s rather patronising and I aver that readers of any age will enjoy Good Gnus.
When cares attack and life seems black,
How sweet it is to pot a yak,
Or puncture hares and grizzly bears,
And others I could mention;
But in my Animals “Who’s Who”
No name stands higher than the Gnu;
And each new gnu that comes in view
Receives my prompt attention.
When Afric’s sun is sinking low,
And shadows wander to and fro,
And everywhere there’s in the air
A hush that’s deep and solemn;
Then is the time good men and true
With View Halloo pursue the gnu;
(The safest spot to put your shot
is through the spinal column).
To take the creature by surprise
We must adopt some rude disguise,
Although deceit is never sweet,
And falsehoods don’t attract us;
So, as with gun in hand you wait,
Remember to impersonate
A tuft of grass, a mountain-pass,
A kopje or a cactus.
A brief suspense, and then at last
The waiting’s o’er, the vigil past;
A careful aim. A spurt of flame.
It’s done. You’ve pulled the trigger,
And one more gnu, so fair and frail,
Has handed in its dinner-pail;
(The females all are rather small,
The males are somewhat bigger).
The PG Wodehouse Society (UK) gathers at the Savile Club in London tomorrow evening. If you are not a member come along and join – a nugatory £22 a year.
For the uninitiated ‘The Dragon Book of Verse’ was originally published for pupils at the Dragon School, Oxford and one is given a new copy on arrival aged 8 (billed to the parents no doubt). The anthology was first published by two Dragon masters messrs. W C & N H Wilkinson in 1935 and has been periodically revised since. We used to learn and recite the poems often standing on a chair and although some of them now seem a bit dated (Thackeray, Dryden, Macaulay) there is plenty of good stuff from Shakespeare to Wodehouse and the original engravings by Gillian Alington are a delight. I still cherish my ancient copy (vols.1&2) and turn to it regularly when the news is too awful to contemplate. I see there is now a ‘New Dragon Book of Verse’ still published by OUP.
A year ago last thursday, I was strolling in the zoo
When I met a man who thought he knew the lot
He was laying down the law about the habbits of baboons
And the number of quills a porcupine has got
So I asked him “What’s that creature’s name?” and he answered “That’s a helk!”
And I’d have gone on thinking that was true
If the animal in question hadn’t put that chap to shame,
And remarked?”I ain’t a helk? I’m a gnu!
I’m a gnu? I’m a gnu
The g-nicest work of g-nature in the zoo
I’m a gnu? how do you do?
You really oughtta g-know w-who’s w-who
I’m a gnu? spelt G – N – U
I’m not a camel or a kangaroo
So let me introduce, I’m neither man nor moose
Oh, g-no, g-no, g-no, I’m a gnu!”
I had taken furnished lodgings down at Rustington-on-sea
Whence I travelled on to Aston-under-lyne
On the second night I stayed there I was wakened from a dream
Which I’ll tell you all about some other time
Among the hunting trophies on the wall above my bed
Stuffed and mounted was a face I thought I knew
A bison? An okapi? Could it be a hearty beast?
Then I seem to hear a voice?”I’m a gnu!
I’m a gnu? a-g-nother gnu
I wish I could g-nash my teeth at you
I’m a gnu? how do you do?
You really oughtta g-know w-who’s w-who
I’m a gnu? spelt G – N – U
Call me bison or okapi and I’ll sue
Nor am I in the least like that dreadful hearty beast
Oh, g-no, g-no, g-no, I’m a gnu!
G-no, g-no, g-no, I’m a gnu!
G-no, g-no, g-no, I’m a gnu!”
Songwriters: Donald Swann / Michael Flanders