Ode on the Mammoth Cheese Weighing over 7,000 Pounds

by James McIntyre

We have seen the Queen of cheese,

Laying quietly at your ease,

Gently fanned by evening breeze –

Thy fair form no flies dare seize.

All gaily dressed soon you'll go

To the great Provincial Show,

To be admired by many a beau

In the city of Toronto.

Cows numerous as a swarm of bees –

Or as the leaves upon the trees –

It did require to make thee please,

And stand unrivalled Queen of Cheese.

May you not receive a scar as

We have heard that Mr. Harris

Intends to send you off as far as

The great World's show at Paris.

Of the youth – beware of these -

For some of them might rudely squeeze

And bite your cheek; then songs or glees

We could not sing o' Queen of Cheese.

We'rt thou suspended from baloon,

You'd caste a shade, even at noon;

Folks would think it was the moon

About to fall and crush them soon.