Hark, the trumpet loudly pealing
Knocks the plaster from the ceiling,
As there marches on the course
The Jumbos of the police-force.

Clowns, and Dogs with queer expression
Have their place in this procession;
And ’tis hard for dogs, I know,
On their two hind legs to go.

Who are these with courtly manners
Bearing lofty poles and banners? 
Faithfully they represent
Followers of the tournament.

Next a line of pretty pages
Our attention close engages;
The Chinese Giant in the rear
Making them like dwarfs appear.

Here’s a funny turnout, surely,
With an Ostrich lashed securely
To a coach, Zenobia shares! 
And well the bird the burden bears!

Goats upon the mountains ramble,
And in harness sometimes amble;
But a tandem-team like this,
Is a sight you should not miss.

Through the desert Camels travel,
Speeding o’er the sand and gravel,
Bearing heavy burdens too,
Which in our land they could not do.

Here the roads are rough and stony;
And the Camel’s back’s so bony,
None but Clowns would dare to go
On them, with the Circus Show.

Goodness gracious!  Did you ever? 
Here are harnessed up quite clever
Two Giraffes!  The whip they heed;
Nor venture at a break-neck speed.

A Soldier comes!  On stilts he’s stalking! 
Back of him a Dude is walking,
Either side of him a friend
As you can see;—­and that’s the End!

***End of the project gutenberg EBOOK the circus procession***

******* This file should be named 10749.txt or 10749.zip *******

This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:  http://www.gutenberg.net/1/0/7/4/10749

Updated editions will replace the previous one—­the old editions will be renamed.

Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the project gutenberg-tm concept and trademark.  Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research.  They may be modified and printed and given away—­you may do practically anything with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is subject to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.