John Godfrey Saxe （b. 1816,d.1887）,an American humorist,lawyer,and journalist,was born at Highgate,Vt. He graduated at Middlebury College in 1839;was admitted tthe bar in 1843;and practiced law until 1850,when he became editor of the "Burlington Sentinel." In 1851,he was elected State’s attorney. "Progress,a Satire,and Other Poems," his first volume,was published in 1849,and several other volumes of great merit attest his originality. For genial humor and good-natured satire,Saxe‘s writings rank among the best of their kind,and are very popular.
1.It was six men of Indostan,Tlearning much inclined,Whwent tsee the elephant,（Though all of them were blind,） That each by observationMight satisfy his mind.
2.The first approached the elephant,And,happening tfallAgainst his broad and sturdy side,At once began tbawl:"God bless me! but the elephant Is very like a wall!"
3.The second,feeling of the tusk,Cried: "Ha! what have we here,Svery round,and smooth,and sharp?Tme ’t is very clear,This wonder of an elephantIs very like a spear!"
4.The third approached the animal,And,happening ttakeThe squirming trunk within his hands,Thus boldly up he spake:
"I see," quoth he,"the elephant Is very like a snake!"
5.The fourth reached out his eager hand,And fell about the knee:
"What most this wondrous beast is like,Is very plain," quoth he;" ‘T is clear enough the elephant Is very like a tree!"
6.The fifth,whchanced ttouch the ear,Said: "E’en the blindest manCan tell what this resembles most: Deny the fact whcan,This marvel of an elephant Is very like a fan!"
7.The sixth nsooner had begun About the beast tgrope,Than,seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope,"I see," quoth he,"the elephant Is very like a rope!"
8.And sthese men of Indostan.Disputed loud and long,Each in his own opinionExceeding stiff and strong,Though each was partly in the right,And all were in the wrong!