The Lion and the Unicorn
Were fighting for the crown
Of Nature’s secrets, leading down
To matter’s innermost recesses,
The depth of which they searched in vain.
The Unicorn with hanging mane
Peered down the bottomless abysses,
The Lion with his mighty paw
In vain did scratch his lofty brow.
For, like a meadow dug by moles,
The universe seemed full of holes:
Every electron in its course
Bored such a hole through space,
And so did each proton, of course;
But, oh what a disgrace,
Each infant meson newly born
Of the same mischief was suspected,
And this was still more unexpected.
“Let’s try our hand, quoth Unicorn,
At those holes we know best;
And later on cope with the rest.”
The Lion, sunk in deep concern,
Received the hint with scorn:
“Nature's great lesson we must learn”,
He said unto the Unicorn;
“Half-hearted work Dame Nature shuns:
Whatever holes she has to fill,
She’ll fill them all at once.”
This speech was but of little use:
The Unicorn he sat quite still
And did not change his views.
So on they fight for Nature's crown
A fight that brings them wide renown,
And praise of ages yet unborn
To Lion and to Unicorn.