You will notice that in some of these alphabets, i is not considered a separate letter to j, nor u to v.
The Alphabet in Verse.
A stands for Apple and Awl,
B stands for Book and for Ball.
C stands for Custard and Cream,
D stands for Dog and for Dream,
E stands for Eve and for East,
F stands for Foot and for Feast.
G stands for Gold and for Gem,
H stands for He and for Hem.
J stands for John and for Job,
K stands for Knot and for Knob.
L stands for Lamb and Lark,
M stands for Marble and Mark.
N stands for Nag and for Note,
O stands for Owl and for Oat.
P stands for Plumbs and for Pail,
Q stands for Question and Quail.
R stands for Riches and Rule,
S stands for Stone and for Stool.
T stands for Tell and for Tale,
V stands for Virtue and Veal.
W stands for Wind and for Would,
X stands for Xantippe the Scold.
Y stands for Year and for Yeast,
Z stands for Zeal and for Zest.
A Stands for Apple and Ace,
And is always found in every face.
B Stands for Boy and for Bat
and for Box to put in a new hat.
C Stands for Cow and for Cell
And for Cream that we all love so well
D Stands for Dog and for Dick,
and for Dunce who is heavy and thick
E Stands for Elm and for ear,
and for egg, all times of the year.
F Stands for Fancy and Fame,
and for Folly which leadeth to shame
G Stands for Game, and for Gold
And for Guineas, all shining behold.
H Stands for Horse and for Hound,
and for Harrow, that raketh the Ground.
I Stands for Inn and for Isle,
whereon the Sun doth often smile.
J Stands for James and for Jane,
and for Jumping that oft giveth pain.
K Stands for Kite and for Knave,
and for King, that's both noble and brave.
L Stands for Land and for Lead,
and for a little thing in the head.
M Stands for Man and for Might,
and for Money, most people's delight.
N Stands for Name, and for Nancy,
and for Nobody always in fancy.
O Stands for Owe and for Owl,
and for Oil that's not good when 'tis foul.
P Stands for Pit, and for Pool,
and for Punch, that makes many a fool.
Q Stands for Quart and for Quote,
and for Quarrel of wonderful note.
R Stands for Rogue and for Ring,
and for Right, called a very good thing
S Stands for Spring and for Sop,
and the Sash of a very fine Shop.
T Stands for Tom and for Tame,
and for Tobit, a very good name.
U Stands for Us, and for Urn,
and for Use that [torn....] in turn.
V Stands for Vine and for Vase,
and for Vinegar, four and [torn....]
W Stands for Watch and for Wine,
and for Welcome to all Books of mine.
X Stands for Xantippe so loud,
and for Xerxes, a King very proud.
Y Stands for Yawl and for Young,
and for Youth with a very smooth tongue.
Z Stands for Zaccheus bold,
and for Zealot, both wrinkled and old.
THE ALPHABET,
With Examples in Verse.
A is an ANGLER, who caught a great fish,
B is a BISHOP, who loves a good dish,
C is a CAPTAIN, frank-hearted and free,
D is a DOCTOR, in search of a fee,
E is an EARL, so rich, proud and great,
F is a FIDLER, who plays at the gate,
G is a GLUTTON, whose maw knows no bounds,
H is a HUNTSMAN, that follows the hounds,
I is an INN, fam'd for mirth and good cheer,
J is a JUDGE, whom all rogues dread and fear,
K is a KETTLE, to boil on the fire,
L is a LASS, whom the young men admire,
M is a MOUSE, catch'd fast in a trap,
N is a NURSE, with a child in her lap,
O is an OVEN, to bake a mincy-pye,
P is a PIDGEON, just learning to fly,
Q is a QUEEN, with a crown on her head,
R is a ROBBER, of travellers the dread,
S is a SOLDIER, who fights for the king,
T is a TREE, on which the birds sing,
U is an USHER, who teaches the class,
V is a VIPER, concealed in the grass,
W's a WIDOW, decrepid and old,
X is XANTIPPE, a desperate scold,
Y is a YOUTH, gay and gaudily drest,
Z is a ZANY, who comes up the last.
G Was a Giant, both surly and stout.
H Was a Huntsman, and rov'd all about.
I Was an Innkeeper, and he sold Ale.
K Was a King that would often regale.
L Was a Liar, by all Men abhorr'd.
M Was a Merchant, as rich as a Lord.
N Was a Noodle, and he turned a Rake.
O Was an Oven to bake a Plumb Cake.
P Was a Parrot, and chatter'd away.
Q Was the Question, to School or to play.
R Ran a Race by himself, and was beat.
S Was a Slut, and spoilt the Roast Meat.
T Was a Traytor and deserved to swing.
V Vow'd him Vengeance, and told it the King.
W Was a Warrior stout, active, and bold.
X Was Xantippe that arrant old Scold.
Y Was a Youth, a pretty good Lad.
Z Was a Zany, altogether as bad.
| Abraham A a Apples | A Was an Archer, and a shot at a Frog. |
| Balaam B b Bread | B Was a Butcher, and had a great Dog. |
| Charles C c Cheese | C Was a Captain, all cover'd with Lace. |
| David D d Drink | D Was a Drunkard, and had a red Face. |
| Edward E e Ears | E Was Esquire, with Pride on his Brow. |
| Francis F f Feet | F Was a Farmer, and follow'd the Plough. |
| George G g Gloves | G Was a Gamester, and he had bad Luck. |
| Hands H h Henry | H Was a Hunter, and hunter a Buck. |
| George G g Gloves | G Was a Gamester, and he had bad Luck. |
| Hands H h Henry | H Was a Hunter, and hunted a Buck |
| Isaac I i Instep | I Was a Joiner, and built up a House. |
| Kitty K k Knees | K Was a King, and he govern'd a Mouse. |
| Lewis L l Legs | L Was a Lady, and had a white Hand. |
| Martin M m Mouth | M Was a Merchant, to each foreign Land. |
| Nanny N n Nose | N Was a Nobleman, gallant and bold. |
| Obadiah O o Orange | O Was an Oyster- wench, and a sad Scold. |
| Peter P p Pudding | P Was a Parson, and wore a black Gown. |
| Quintin Q q Quinces | Q Was a Quaker, and would not bow down. |
| Richard R r Rod | R Was a Robber, and wanted a Whip. |
| Samuel S s Sugar | S Was a Sailor, and liv'd in a Ship. |
| Thomas T t Turnips | T Was a Tinker, and mended a Pot. |
| Valentine V v Vinegar | V Was a Vinter, a very great Sot. |
| William W w Water | W Was a Watch- man, and guard- ed the Door. |
| Xeres X x 'Xercise | X Was expensive, and so became poor. |
| Young Y y Yellow | Y Was a Young- ster, that did not love School. |
| Zachary Z z Zeal | Z Was a Zany, and talk'd like a Fool. |
From The easy instructor: or, the only method to make the orthography and pronunciation of the English language easy, by John Moscrip, pp13-16, 1790.
An ALPHABET in VERSE.
A sounded a. B--bee.
A was an Archer, and shot at a Frog,
B was a Butcher, and had a great Dog,
C--se, or kay. D--dee.
C was a Captain, all cover'd with Lace,
D was a Drunkard, and had a red Face.
E--ee, F--eff.
E was a 'Squire with Pride on his Brow,
F was a Farmer, and follow'd the Plow.
G-- gee, or gue. H--aitch.
G was a Gamester, and he had ill luck.
H was a Hunter, and hunter a Buck.
J--jay. K--kay
J was a Joiner, and built up a House.
K was a King, and he govern'd a Mouse.
L--el. M--em.
L was a Lady, and had a white Hand.
M was a Merchant to a foreign Land.
N--en. O--o.
N was a Nobleman, gallant and bold.
O was an Oyseter-wench, and a sad scold.
P--pee. Q--qu.
P was a Parson, and wore a black Gown.
Q was a Queen, and she wore a fine Crown
R--ar. S--ess.
R was a Robber, and wanted a Whip.
S was a Sailor and liv'd in a ship.
T-tee. V--vee.
T was a Tinker, and mended a Pot.
V was a Vinter, a very great Sot.
W--double u. X--ex.
W was a Watchman, and guarded the door
X was Expensive, and so became Poor.
Y--wi. Z--zed, or ze.
Y was a wild Youth, and did not love School.
Z was a Zanny, and look'd like a Fool.
From The orphan; or, the entertaining history of Little Goody Goosecap, pp12-15, c1790.
A New invented ALPHABET.
A
Was an Angler, who fish'd in a brook.
B
Was a Blockhead, who ne'er learn'd his book.
C
Was a Captain, a very bold man.
D
Was a Drunkard say all that you can.
E
Was an Eagle, which soar'd to the sky.
F
Faithful and Honest, who ne'er told a lie.
G
Was a Goose, and cackled all day.
H
'Tis well known, was a maker of Hay.
I
Kept an Inn, where people might dine.
J
Was a Jack-day, and serv'd for the sign.
K
Knowledge had long made his study and care.
L
Learned his Book, and came in for a share.
M
A Musician, and very well known.
N
Nonsense, you'll find it in ev'ry town.
O
Was an Orange, brought over from Spain.
P
Was a Parson, the word to explain.
Q
Was a Quaker, so stiff and so prim.
R
Was a Rogue, who made game of him.
S
Always was Sober, as ev'ry one should.
T
Was a Turnip, both wholesome and good.
V
Was a Village, and fair to behold.
U
Was a Usurer, wretched and old.
W
Was a Weather-cock, mov'd by the wind.
X
Was a King Xerxes, in story we find.
Y
Was a Youth, both saucy and bold.
Z
Was Zenocles so famed of old.
Whoever this Alphabet strives right to learn,
A piece of plumb-cake and a farthing shall earn;
But those who neglect, nor to learn it take care,
Shall be jeer'd and despis'd like the Dunce you see here.
Apple-pye. B bit it. C cut it. D divided it. E eat it. F fought for't. G got it. H [illegible] I join'd for't. [K] kept it. L long'd for't. M mourn'd for't. N nodded at it. O open'd it. P peep'd in't. Q quarter'd it. R rum for't. S snatch'd it. T turn'd it. V view'd it. W won it. X, Y, Z, &. I wish I had a Piece of it now in my Hand.
Another Alphabet.
A.
A Wit's a Feather, and a Chief a Rod.
An honest Man's the noblest Work of God.
B.
Be sure he be at least as good as thee,
To whom thy Friendship shall familiar be.
C.
Count all th' Advantage prosp'rous Vice attains,
'Tis but what Virtue flies from and disdains.
D.
Despair of nothing that you would attain,
Unweary'd Diligence your Point will gain.
E.
Envy will Merit, as its Shade, pursue ;
But, like a Shadow, proves the Substance true.
F.
First worship God ; he that forgets to pray,
Bids not himself good Morrow, nor good Day.
G.
Greatness by Virtue's only understood :
None's truly great that is not truly good.
H.
Honour or Shame from no Condition rise ;
Act well your Part, there all the Honour lies.
I.
Immodest Words admit of no Defence;
For want of Decency is want of Sense.
K.
Know well thy self, presume not God to scan,
The proper Study of Mankind is Man.
L.
Live well, and then how soon soe'er you die,
You are of Age to claim Eternity.
M.
Make much of ev'ry Moment of your Time,
If you aspire in Art to be sublime.
N. Ne'er judge between two Friends, but rather see
If thou canst bring them friendly to agree.
O.
Others in Wealt and Pomp their Thoughts may please,
But be thou rich in wishing none of these.
P.
Pleasure, as wrong or rightly understood,
Is our worst Evil, or our greatest Good.
Q.
Questions may be propounded by a Fool,
That no wise Man can answer for his Soul.
R.
Reason's whole Pleasures, all the Joys of Sense,
Lie in three Words: Health, Peace, and Competence.
S.
Safe in thy Breast close lock up thy Intents;
For he that knows thy Purpose, best prevents.
T.
Thank those that do thee Good, so shall thou gain
Their second Help, if thou shouldst need again.
V.
Vice is a Monster of so frightful Mien,
As to be hated, needs but to be seen.
W.
Whoever makes his Father's Heart to bleed,
Shall have a Child that will revenge the Deed.
X.
Xantippe brawls, whilst Socrates was still,
And ne'er was quiet, till she had her Will.
Y.
Young Men, be diligent, and I'll engage
Your youthful Pains will Pleasure yield in Age.
Z.
Zeal is a Fire, and useful in its kind;
But nothing is more dangerous, if blind.
THE
ALPHABET in VERSE :
For the USE of CHILDREN.
At early dawn of day arise,
Bless first the Rules of the skys,
Cleanse, wash, and comb, and every day
Dress, read, or work before you play.
Each hour in useful business spend,
For time soon hastens to an end.
Govern your thoughts by wisdom's rule,
Hate every knave, and shun a fool.
Improve in each ingenious art,
Knowledge, like beauty, wins the heart.
Love all your friends, nor hate your foes,
Make all these your friends, as well as those.
No bribe shou'd tempt you to a lie,
Or glittering bait allure your eye.
Place not your heart on sordid pelf,
Quarrel with no one but yourself.
Rail not at others--since you may
Some faults commit, as well as they.
Tell not a secret, nor pretend,
Under disguise, to be a friend.
Value no one for gold, or lace.
Wisdom will more than rubies grace.
Xerxes o'er millions weeping cry'd,
Yon host the grave must shortly hide.
Z comes at last--best place of any,
To fit a zealot, or a zany.
An Alphabet of Moral Precepts in Verse.
A
A Little Learning is a dang'rous thing.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring.
B.
Be thou the first true Merit to befriend:
His Praise is lost, who stays till all commend.
C.
Content is all we aim at with our Store;
He that has that with Little, needs no more.
D.
Do thou with Pleasure own thy Errors past,
And make each Day a Critick on the last.
E.
Ever be silent when you doubt your Sense,
And speak, tho' sure, with seeming Diffidence.
F.
Fortune's vain Favours, never at a Stay,
Like empty Shadows pass, and glide away.
G.
Give to thy poorer Neighbour, if thou see
That thou hast Pow'r, and be Necessity.
H.
He who bewails and not forsakes his Sin,
Confesses only what he'll do again.
I.
Just be thy Thoughts, and every Word sincere;
And know no Wish but what the World may hear.
K.
Know this one Truth (enough for Man to know)
Virtue alone is Happiness below.
L.
Lord of myself I am, whilst those that have
More Wealth, make that their Lord, which is my Slave.
M.
Manners with Fortunes, Humours change with Climes,
Tenets with Books, and Principles with Times.
N.
Neglected Beauty now is prize'd by Gold,
And sacred Love is basely bought an sold.
O.
One Science only will one Genius sit,
So vast is Art, so narrow human Wit!
P.
Pride is the never-failing Vice of Fools,
The Wise and Virtuous walk by humble Rules.
Q.
Quarrels and Strife, and Law-suits wisely shun ;
By Peace and Silence no Man is undone.
R.
Riches, like Insects, when conceal'd they lie,
Wat but for Wings, and in their Season fly.
S.
So live with Man, as if God's curious Eye
Did ev'ry where into they Actions pry.
T.
Trust not yourself: but your Defects to know,
Make use of ev'ry Friend and ev'ry Foe.
V.
Virtuous and vicious ev'ry Man must be,
Few in th'Extreme, but all in the Degree.
W.
We think our Fathers Fools, so wise we grow;
Our wiser Sons, no doubt, will think us so.
X
Xerxes survey'd his mighty Host with Tears,
To think they all must die within few Years.
Y.
Yesterday's past, To-morrow's none of thine,
To-day thy Life to virtuous Acts incline.
Z.
Zealously strive with Sense to store thy Mind,
And to that Sense let Virtue still be join'd.
From Reading made quite easy and diverting, pp104-105, 1784.
AN ALPHABET IN VERSE
CONTAINING
RULES OF LIFE.
A. ATtend the advice
Of the old and the wise
B. Be not angry nor fret;
But forgive and forget.
C. Can you think it no ill,
To pilfer and steal?
D. Do the thing you are bid,
Nor be sullen when chid.
E. Envy none for their wealth,
Or their honour or health.
F. Fear, worship, and love
The great God above.
G. Grow quiet and easy,
When fools try to teize you.
H. Honour father and mother;
Love sister and brother.
I. It is dangerous folly
To jest with things holy.
K. Keep your book without blot,
And your cloaths without spot.
L. Let your hands do no wrong,
Nor backbite with your tongue.
M. Make haste to obey,
Nor dispute, or delay.
N. Never stay within hearing
Of cursing and swearing.
O. Offer God all the prime
Of your strength and your time.
P. Provoke not the poor,
Though he lie at your door.
Q. Quash all evil thoughs,
And mourn for your faults.
R. Remember the liar
Has his part in hell-fire.
S. Shun the wicked and rude,
But converse with the good.
T. Transgress not the rule,
Or at home, or at school.
V. Vie still with the best,
And excell all the rest.
X. 'Xcuse, but with truth,
The follies of youth.
Y. Yield a little for peace,
And let quarrelling cease.
Z. Zeal and charity join'd,
Make you pious and kind.
Select proverbial Sentences, alphabetically digested.
A. A Friend in court is better than money in your purse.
B. Birds of a feather will flock together.
C. Company in distress, make the trouble the less.
D. Dear bought and far fetch'd is good for ladies.
E. Empty vessels make the greatest sound.
F. Fire and water are good servants, but bad masters.
G. Give a man luck, and throw him into the sea.
H. He that lies down with dogs, must expect to rise with fleas.
I. It is ill dog that does n't deserve a crust.
K. Keep my dog and take my line.
L. Learning is the eye of the mind.
M. Money makes the mare to go.
N. No one is so deaf as he that won't hear.
O. One man's meat is another man's poison.
P. Poverty is the school of wisdom.
Q. Quantity without quality is worth nothing.
R. Ride softly that you may come the sooner.
S. Service too readily offer'd is generally refus'd.
T. 'Tis an ill wind that blows nobody good.
V. Virtue and a trade are the best portions.
W. What's bread in the bone will ne'er be out of the flesh.
X. 'Xample prevails more than precept.
Y. You must not look a gift horse in the mouth.
Z. Zeal makes a bad cause worse.