| There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bed |
| Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red) |
| And all the day long he'd a wonderful view |
| Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue) |
 |
| A Doctor came hurrying round, and he said: |
| "Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed. |
| Just say 'Ninety-nine', while I look at your chest... |
| Don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?" |
 |
| The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied |
| (When he'd said "Ninety-nine") that he'd tried and he'd tried, |
| And much the most answering things that he knew |
| Were geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue). |
| The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head, |
| And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said: |
| "What the patient requires is a change," and he went |
| To see some chrysanthemum people in Kent. |
 |
| The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view |
| Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue), |
| And he knew there was nothing he wanted instead |
| Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red). |
 |
| The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant, |
| He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent. |
| "Now these," he remarked, "give a much better view |
| Than geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)." |
| They took out their spades and they dug up the bed |
| Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red), |
| And they planted chrysanthemums (yellow and white). |
| "And now," said the Doctor, "we'll soon have you right." |
| The Dormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh: |
| "I suppose all these people know better than I. |
| It was silly, perhaps, but I did like the view |
| Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)." |
| The Doctor came round and examined his chest, |
| And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics, and Rest. |
| "How very effective," he said, as he shook |
| The thermometer, "all these chrysanthemums look!" |
| The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sight |
| Of the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white). |
| "How lovely," he thought, "to be back in a bed |
| Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)." |
 |
| The Doctor said, "Tut! It's another attack!" |
| And ordered him Milk and Massage-of-the-back, |
| And Freedom-from-worry and Drives-in-a-car, |
| And murmured, "How sweet your chrysanthemums are!" |
 |
| The Dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes, |
| And imagined himself such a pleasant surprise: |
| "I'll pretend the chrysanthemums turn to a bed |
| Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)!" |
 |
| The Doctor next morning was rubbing his hands, |
| And saying, "There's nobody quite understands |
| These cases as I do! The cure has begun! |
| How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun!" |
| The Dormouse lay happy, his eyes were so tight |
| He could see no chrysanthemums, yellow or white. |
| And all that he felt at the back of his head |
| Were delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red). |
 |
| And that is the reason (Aunt Emily said) |
| If a Dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed, |
| You will find (so Aunt Emily says) that he lies |
| Fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes. |
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