Acts of thy courage might occur
To grace heroic song;
But I thy gentle deeds prefer,
Thou strongest of the strong!

Where India serves the British throne,
In scenes no longer wild,
A menial Elephant was known,
Most singularly mild!

It was his custom, fresh and gay
By his attendant led,
Walking to water, every day,
To pass a gard'ner's shed,

This gard'ner, of good natured fame,
Admir'd the noble beast;
And gave him, whensoe'er he came,
A vegetable feast.

Some dainty, from his stall bestow'd,
So made the beast his friend;
'Twas joy to see, at this abode,
His blythe proboscis bend.

Not coarsely eager for his food,
He seem'd his love to court,
And oft delighted, as he stood.
To yield his children sport.