Bait for the Zoo

I must begin by quoting the entry—not, fear, quite prizeworthy—which has given me most delight : They say the Lion and the Lizard The rhinoceros and the izard Although they have nothing in cotnmon Are unquestionably wizard.

(J. C. SILK)

This delicacy apart, I sought for verses which were both attractive as advertisements and were marked by verbal dexterity. This last-named attribute was more often to be found than the other. R. S. Stanier's verse that ends : Walk up,• walk up, and do not mind the smell, however great its merits, is hardly a siren call.

There is a mournful enticement in one of the nine entries of A. Davis : They say the Lion and the Lizard weep, And Monkeys mope, and Jumbo cannot sleep After a day when visitors are few. Pray enter then : 'tis courteous and 'tis cheap.

Mrs. Kennedy-Cooke has a neat parody of the original : They say the Lion and the Lizard claim The Park that Nash and Prinny brought to fame ; And Mappin, that high Builder—the evil Goat Leaps up his Rocks, and keeps alive his Name.

One of R. Kennard Davis's six entries also deserves similar commendation : They say the Lion and the Lizard vow " A lump of meat, a bunch of flies, and Thou Beholding us through bars at Regent's Park, And Regent's Park were Paradise enow ! "

Both Nancy Gunter and H. A. C; Evans made admirable word play, but were hardly compelling as advertisers : They say the Lion and the Lizard too And many beasts whose names you scarcely gnu Supply bright lynx in Education's chain And light your wisdom's tapir at the Zoo. (NANCY GUNTER) They say the Lion and the Lizard fuss'd To see how Chimpanzeesily disgust. If you agree, or find the Kangarood, Ignore them, as the Hippopotamust. (H. A. C. EVANS) The Rev. J. P. Stevenson also sends an excellent comment on the Zoo which must be cited :

." They say the Lion and the Lizard'. . . ." The usual prizes were offered for the best completion of this stanza (in the Omar Khayyam stanza-form) as an advertisement for the Zoo.

They say the Lion and the Lizard hark Back to the Golden Age at Regent's Park ; The only tears are from the Crocodile ; The only vacancy is for a Snark.

Also highly commended are J. N. P. and G. J. Milne.

Now for the winners. I think £1 10s, should go to Peter Hadley ; £1 each to M. M. M., Helen Towers, and Alan Cheales, and 10s. to Mrs. E. P. Sikes.

PRIZES (PETER HADLEY) They say the Lion and the Lizard see That they have naught to gain by being free : Come hither, stranger, and yourself enjoy Some self-sought moments of captivity.

(M. M. M.) They say the Lion and the Lizard too Are always " on parade " at London Zoo, Why not arrange a visit there today, And let the creatures have a look at YOU ?

(HELEN TOWERS) They say the Lion and the Lizard can Arrange the World more sensibly than Man, But yet, arranged by Man, the Zoo displays Ten Thousand Samples of the Master's plan.

(ALAN CHEALES) They say the Lion and the Lizard chose The plains where silently Euphrates flows ; And when confined the Eagle wastes and dies ; But ask the child in Regent's Park—he knows.

(MRS. E. P. SIKES) They say the Lion and the Lizard rage When kept within the confines of a cage. Believe it not ! Our modern Zoo provides Free meals, health service and safe tutelage.