Around the World in the Good Ship DOGGEREL, 139

A doggerel series about the countries of the world.

Portugal.

I do not speak much Portuguese—

In fact, I can’t speak any—none.

So if you say, “Oh, pretty please!”

I must stay silent as the sun.

I’ve always liked to see it there—

Attached to Spain … fraternally?

Though in the history books you stare

And read about their rivalry.

Its empire was so long ago—

Six hundred years ago it reigned.

But it’s a history we should know—

So much of empires there explained.

It has a coast line—very long.

And mountains, rivers, islands, too.

So tourists there just can’t go wrong:

There is so much to see and do.

But Portugal has got some … beasts.

There are some harmless ones, of course—

Like goat and pig and deer (for feasts!).

But wolf and lynx? I need a horse!

My kingdom for a horse!