Select Poetry.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 27, 29 July 1871, Page 18

Select Poetry.

THE DESCENT OE MAN. (DARWIN LOQUITUR) “ Man comes from a Mammal that lived up a tree, And a great coat of hair on his outside had he, Very much like the Dreadnoughts we frequently see— Which nobody can deny. “ He had points to his ears, and a tail to Ins rump, To assist him with ease through the branches to jump— In some cases quite long, and in some a mere stump — Which nobody can deny. “This mammel, abstaining from mischievous pranks, Was thought worthy in time to be raised from the ranks, And with some small ado came to stand on two shanks — Which nobody can deny. “ Thus planted, his course he so prudently steered, That his hand soon improved, and his intellect cleared; Then his forehead enlarged, and his tail disappeared, Which nobody can deny. “ ’Tisn’ easy to settle when Man became Man, When the Monkey type stooped and the human began; But some very queer things were involved in the plan — Which nobody can deny. “ Women plainly had beards and big whiskers first ; While the men supplied milk when the baby was nursed ; And some other strong faffs I could tell —if I durst— Which nobody can deny. “ Our arboreal sire had a pedigree too ; The Marsupial system comes here into view ; So we’ll trace him, I think, to a • great Kangaroo — Which nobody can deny. “This Kangaroo’s parent perhaps was a bird ; But an Ornithorhynehns would not be absurd ; Then to frogs and strange fishes we back are referred— Which nobody can deny.” Thus far Darwin has said : But the root of the Tree— Its nature, its name, and what caused it to be, Seems a secret to him, just as much as to me — Which nobody can deny. Did it always exist as a great institution ? And what made it start on its first evolution ? And to this our good friend offers no contribution — Which nobody can deny. Yet I think that if Darwin would make a clean breast Some botanical views would be frankly confessed, And that all Elesli is Grass would stand boldly expressed— Which nobody can deny. The Loves of the Plants so deliciously sung, Must have softened bis heart when his bosom was young, And the Temple of Nature has prompted his tongue — Which nobody can deny. But now if in future good breeding wo prize, To be cherubs and angels we some day may rise, And, indeed, some sweet angels are now iu my eyes — Which nobody can deny. If this is our wish, we must act with due care ; And in choosing our spouse no pains we should sparo, But select only those that are wise, good, and fair— Which nobody can deny. Yet howover he came by it, man has a soul, That will not so submit to despotic control, As to make monks and nuns of three-fourths of the whole— Which nobody can deny. The bad may be pretty, the good may be plain ; And sad matches are made from tbe lucre of gain ; So perhaps as w r e are we shall likely remain Which nobody can deny. After all, then, I ask, what’s the object in view And what practical good for his creed can ensue ? I can’t find in it much that’s both useful and new —

Which nobody can deny. Our old friend Lucretius explained long ago How tbe fittest survive and the weak are laid

low, And our friends of the farm must a thing or two know — Which nobody can deny. I would ne’er take offence at what’s honestly

meant, Or that truth should be told of our lowly

descent To be sprung from that dust I am humbly content — Which nobody can deny.

But this groping and guessing may all be mistaken, And in sensitive minds may much trouble awskon So I’ll shut up my book, and go back to my Bacon — Which nobody can deny. —“ Blackwood’s Magazine.”