Poem by Carolyn Wells

A Bicycle Built for Two

There was an ambitious young eel
Who determined to ride on a wheel;
      But try as he might,
      He couldn't ride right,
In spite of his ardor and zeal.

If he sat on the saddle to ride
His tail only pedalled one side;
      And I'm sure you'll admit
      That an eel _couldn't_ sit
On a bicycle saddle astride.

Or if he hung over the top,
He could go, but he never could stop;
      For of course it is clear
      He had no way to steer,
And under the wheel he would flop.

His neighbor, observing the fun,
Said, "I think that the thing can be done,
      If you'll listen to me,
      You'll quickly agree
That two heads are better than one.

"And this is my project, old chap,
Around our two waists I will wrap
      This beautiful belt
      Of bottle-green felt
And fasten it firm with a strap." 

This done, with a dignified mien
The two squirmed up on the machine,
      And rode gayly away,
      Or at least, so they say,
Who witnessed the wonderful scene.

1. The Two Bears
2. A Modern Invention
3. A Dream Lesson
4. The Grandiloquent Goat
5. The Poster-Girl after Dante Gabriel Rossetti

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