A bowl that sits on a shelf at Merry Mount
I am a man More sinned against than sinning. (Lear, Act 3 Scene 2)
They told me I was everything: 'tis a lie, I am no ague-proof. (Lear, Act 4 Scene 5)
I offer you Edward Lear’s whimsical poem, “Teapots and Quails”, and I ask, “Who is him, he, and it”?
Teapots and Quails
Teapots and Quails, Snuffers and Snails, Set him a sailing and see how he sails! Mitres and Beams, Thimbles and Creams, Set him a screaming and hark! how he screams! Houses and Kings, Whiskers and Swings, Set him a stinging and see how he stings! Ribands and Pigs, Helmets and Figs, Set him a jigging and see how he jigs! Rainbows and Knives, Muscles and Hives, Set him a driving and see how he drives! Tadpoles and Tops, Teacups and Mops, Set him a hopping and see how he hops! Herons and Sweeps, Turbans and Sheeps, Set him a weeping and see how he weeps!
Lobsters and Owls, Scissors and Fowls, Set him a howling and hark how he howls! Eagles and Pears, Slippers and Bears, Set him a staring and see how he stares! Sofas and Bees, Camels and Keys, Set him a sneezing and see how he'll sneeze! Wafers and Bears, Ladders and Squares, Set him a staring and see how he stares! Cutlets and Eyes, Swallows and Pies, Set it a flying and see how it flies! Thistles and Moles, Crumpets and Soles, Set it a rolling and see how it rolls! Tea urns and Pews, Muscles and Jews, Set him a mewing and hear how he mews!
Watches and Oaks, Custards and Cloaks, Set him a poking and see how he pokes! Bonnets and Legs, Steamboats and Eggs, Set him a begging and see how he begs! Volumes and Pigs, Razors and Figs, Set him a jigging and see how he jigs! Hurdles and Mumps, Poodles and Pumps, Set it a jumping and see how he jumps! Pancakes and Fins, Roses and Pins, Set him a grinning and see how he grins! Gruel and Prawns, Bracelets and Thorns, Set him a yawning and see how he yawns! Chimnies and Wings, Sailors and Rings, Set him a singing, and hark how he sings!
Trumpets and Guns, Beetles and Buns, Set him a running and see how he runs! Saucers and Tops, Lobsters and Mops, Set it a hopping and see how it hops! Puddings and Beams, Cobwebs and Creams, Set him a screaming and hear how he screams! Rainbows and Wives, Puppies and Hives, Set him a driving and see how he drives! Houses and Kings, Oysters and Rings, Set him a singing and see how he sings! Scissors and Fowls, Filberts and Owls, Set him a howling and see how he howls! Blackbirds and Ferns, Spiders and Churns, Set it a turning and see how it turns!
-Edward Lear
Had enough? Basta! “Who is him, he, and it”? Of course, the man in the moon.
If weather permits, you can experience a full moon tomorrow evening. Enjoy!
CPW
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