October’s poem

… is reproduced by Iona and Peter Opie, in The Oxford Book of Nursery Rhymes, from “A Little Book for Little Children … which was published during the reign of Queen Anne.”

If you have seen The Favourite, the tenor of this poem will not surprise you.

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A was an Archer, and shot at a Frog;
B was a Blind-man, and led by a Dog:
C was a Cutpurse, and liv’d in Disgrace;
D was a Drunkard, and had a red Face:
E was an Eater, a Glutton was he;
F was a fighter, and fought with a Flea:
G was a Gyant, and pul’d down a House;
H was a Hunter, and hunted a Mouse:
I was an ill Man, and hated by all;
K was a Knave, and he rob’d great and small:
L was a Liar, and told many Lies;
M was a Madman, and beat out his Eyes:
N was a Nobleman, nobly born;
O was an Ostler, and stole Horses’ Corn:
P was a Pedlar, and sold many Pins;
Q was a Quarreller, and broke both his Shins:
R was a Rogue, and ran about Town;
S was a Sailor, a Man of Renown:
T was a Taylor, and Knavishly bent;
U was a Usurer took ten per Cent:
W was a Writer, and Money he earn’d;
X was one Xenophon, prudent and learn’d:
Y was a Yeoman, and work’d for his Bread;
Z was one Zeno the Great, but he’s dead.

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But what of J and V?