The Oxen


The oxen are such clever beasts,

They'll drag the plough all day;

They're very strong and tug along

Great loads of wood or hay.



They feed on grass, when green or dry;

Their flesh is beef, for food;

Their lungs are "lights," their stomach, "tripe,"

Their skin for leather's good.



Their hair men use in mortar, too,

Lime, water,
and and hair,

They nicely mix and smoothly fix,

For plastering, so fair.







For making soap their bones are used;

Their horns for combs we group;

Their feet are boiled for "neat's-foot-oil,"

Their tails for ox-tail soup.



Their heart-case forms a money-bag;

Their tallow, candles, white;

Their intestine, gold-beater's skin,

With which gold-leaf we smite.



Thus every part is useful made;

The same is true of cows,--

Except their ilk gives luscious milk

Instead of dragging ploughs.







Oxen and cows are "cattle" called;

They go in "herds," when wild;

But when they're tame, by other name,--

A "drove," en masse, they're styled.



Their little ones are "calves,"--and cows'

Rich milk produces cream,

Which butter makes, and nice cheese-cakes,

With curd, whey, and caseine.



And now 'tis funny, but 'tis true,

Some children young and mazy,

Have thought their eyes were used some-wise,

To make the ox-eyed daisy!







This cannot be, yet creatures' bones

Placed round trees, plants and bowers,

Will serve to feed just what they need,

To grow fine fruits and flowers.



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