you'd think a lion or a snake

were quite enough one's nerves to shake;

but in this classic beast we find

a lion and a snake combined,

and, just as if that weren't enough,

a goat thrown in to make it tough.

let scientists the breed pooh! pooh!

come with me to some social zoo

and hear the bearded lion bleat

goat-like on patent-kidded feet,

whose "civil leer and damning praise"

the serpent's cloven tongue betrays.

lo! lion, goat, and snake combined!

thus nature doth repeat her kind.