Classic Poem

The subject of my story, or the hero of my tale,
Is an under jaw immoveable as that of Jonah's whale,
A mouth so wide extended, that at one devouring swoop
'Twould easily have swallow'd down the whole of Korah's troop.

No doubt you've heard of mouths, my friends, of ev'ry size and shape,
Of twisted mouths, and mouths awry, that never dared gape,
Of pretty mouths with cherry lips, of which fair maides boast,
Just made to kiss and sip their tea, and mince their sweeten'd toast.

You may have heard of jaws, my friends, much more that I can prate,
Of steel-trap jaws, and lantern jaws, and crooked ones and straight;
And death by means of jaws, they say, has sometimes come to pass,
For Sampson slew his thousands with the jaw-bone of as ass.
I will not, therefore, try to say for what all jaws were made,
Although there's reason to believe that eating is their trade;
But jaws you ought to know are moved on hinges tough as leather,
And when they're stretch'd too far apart, they will not come together.

For once upon a time , it is the truth that I relate,
A certain under jaw, sirs, underwent a doleful fate;
One evening when its owner yawn'd, as sleepy men will do.
This jaw hung down most sadly, and he could not shut it to.

We hasten'd for a surgeon; but no surgeon could be found;
And terror first, but mirth at last, drew many gazers round;
Till viewing in the looking-glass his much distorted face,
Our friend laughed too, so keenly, that his jaw resumed its place.