Edward Lear ​was a master of nonsense. Born in 1812, he was not only a poet but also a skilled artist and musician. Yet today, he is best remembered for his limericks. These short, five-line poems use humor, wit, and wordplay to amuse readers of all ages. Lear’s work stands out because of its charm, its rhythm, and its imagination.

Though his poems are filled with odd characters and absurd situations, they also carry warmth. Some of them explore ideas about companionship, kindness, and joy. These are all essential to friendship. Lear may not have written limericks about friendship directly in every case, but many of his poems celebrate connection, laughter, and shared adventure—qualities that define true friendship.

Friendship in Lear’s limericks is often gentle and silly. His characters may not speak directly about love or loyalty, but their actions show those values. Whether they sing together, travel together, or simply enjoy each other’s company, these figures reflect the fun and comfort of being with a friend.

In this article, we will explore twenty limericks by Edward Lear that reveal, suggest, or celebrate friendship in its many forms. Each one offers a moment of delight and a glimpse into the poet’s whimsical world.

1. There Was an Old Man with a Beard

There was an Old Man with a beard,
Who said, “It is just as I feared!—
Two Owls and a Hen,
Four Larks and a Wren,
Have all built their nests in my beard!”

This poem shows an unusual type of friendship. The birds are not afraid of the man. They trust him. They live with him. He allows them to stay, even if it seems strange. It is a picture of comfort and peace.

2. There Was an Old Person of Chili

There was an Old Person of Chili,
Whose conduct was painful and silly;
He sat on the stairs,
Eating apples and pears,
That imprudent Old Person of Chili.

Though the subject may be foolish, the humor invites us to laugh together. Lear’s limericks build a sense of shared fun. This is one way friendship begins—with shared laughter.

3. There Was an Old Man with a Nose

There was an Old Man with a nose,
Who said, “If you choose to suppose,
That my nose is too long,
You are certainly wrong!”
That remarkable Man with a nose.

Here, the old man defends himself with pride. He does not scold. Instead, he answers with gentle firmness. Friends accept our odd features. They may even celebrate them.

4. There Was an Old Man with a Flute

There was an Old Man with a flute,
A serpent ran off with his boot;
But he played day and night,
Till the serpent took flight,
And returned with the boot and the flute.

This limerick tells of music and forgiveness. The man plays despite losing something. The serpent responds. They end in harmony. It is a small tale of reconciliation and shared joy.

5. There Was an Old Man with a Tree

There was an Old Man with a tree,
Who was horribly bored by a bee;
When they said, “Does it buzz?”
He replied, “Yes, it does!
It’s a regular brute of a bee!”

Even in annoyance, the man continues the conversation. The bee stays near. Friends do not always understand each other, but they stick around.

6. There Was an Old Person of Basing

There was an Old Person of Basing,
Whose presence was rather amazing;
He ate a large steak,
For the dear woman’s sake,
That affable Person of Basing.

The man eats to show care. It is a small gesture, but it speaks of kindness. He does something for someone else. Friendship often grows in such moments.

7. There Was a Young Lady of Wales

There was a Young Lady of Wales,
Who caught a large fish without scales;
When she said, “It is odd!”
They replied, “Oh, my God!
That ecstatic Young Lady of Wales!”

The girl’s excitement becomes a shared event. Others react. They speak. There is joy in discovery. Friends often share surprise and delight.

8. There Was an Old Person of Dean

There was an Old Person of Dean,
Who dined on one pea and one bean;
For he said, “More than that
Would make me too fat,”
That cautious Old Person of Dean.

The humor here is gentle. It does not mock. It allows us to smile. Lear’s limericks often welcome the reader into a circle of laughter.

9. There Was an Old Man in a Marsh

There was an Old Man in a Marsh,
Whose manners were futile and harsh;
He sat on a log,
And sang songs to a frog,
That lugubrious Man in the Marsh.

The man and the frog are companions. Strange ones, perhaps—but still connected. They share time, space, and song.

10. There Was an Old Person of Bray

There was an Old Person of Bray,
Who sang through the whole of the day;
To his friends he would call,
“I’m not tired at all!”
That sprightly Old Person of Bray.

Here we see a figure filled with life. He invites others into his joy. His energy brings people together. Friendship is often found in shared energy.

11. There Was an Old Man of Dunrose

There was an Old Man of Dunrose,
Who had a large wart on his nose;
When they said, “It looks odd!”
He replied, “Oh, thank God!
It grows just like one of my toes!”

The man responds with humor. He accepts himself. Others comment, but the tone remains light. This creates space for friendship and ease.

12. There Was a Young Lady Whose Bonnet

There was a Young Lady whose bonnet,
Came untied when the birds sat upon it;
But she said, “I don’t care!
All the birds in the air
Are welcome to sit on my bonnet!”

The lady is generous. She welcomes the birds. She does not complain. This kindness is a model of friendliness.

13. There Was an Old Person of Cromer

There was an Old Person of Cromer,
Who stood on one leg to read Homer;
When they cried, “You are wrong!”
He merely said, “Strong!”
That blind-minded Old Person of Cromer.

Even in odd behavior, he continues. He responds, not with anger, but a word of strength. A friend lets others be themselves.

14. There Was an Old Man of the Isles

There was an Old Man of the Isles,
Who was troubled with mumps and the piles;
He sang high and low,
Through the rain and the snow,
That annoying Old Man of the Isles.

His suffering does not stop his song. Friends may be annoyed at times, but they admire the will to keep going.

15. There Was a Young Lady of Clare

There was a Young Lady of Clare,
Who was madly pursued by a bear;
When she found she was tired,
She abruptly expired,
That unfortunate Lady of Clare.

Though sad, the tale is told gently. Lear often describes danger with soft humor. He makes space for sympathy, a root of friendship.

16. There Was an Old Person of Fife

There was an Old Person of Fife,
Who was greatly disgusted with life;
They sang him a song,
To keep him from wrong,
That hopeful Old Person of Fife.

In this limerick, others care enough to help. They use song. They use presence. That is friendship in action.

17. There Was an Old Man of the Coast

There was an Old Man of the Coast,
Who placidly sat on a post;
But when it was cold,
He turned very bold,
And invited his friends to a roast.

The man shares warmth and food. His action turns weather into occasion. This is the spirit of celebration and friendship.

18. There Was a Young Lady of Malta

There was a Young Lady of Malta,
Who danced on the edge of an altar;
She fell in the fire,
Which made her perspire,
That imprudent Young Lady of Malta.

Even misfortune is shared here. The poem invites us to laugh gently, never cruelly. Friends laugh, but they also care.

19. There Was an Old Person of Dutton

There was an Old Person of Dutton,
Whose head was as small as a button;
So to make it look big,
He wore a large wig,
That eccentric Old Person of Dutton.

The man finds a solution. He embraces it. Eccentricity becomes charm. Friends accept and enjoy such quirks.

20. There Was an Old Man in a Boat

There was an Old Man in a boat,
Who said, “I’m afloat! I’m afloat!”
When they said, “No, you’re not!”
He was terribly hot,
And he jumped from the boat like a goat.

This final limerick ends in motion and surprise. But the group shares the moment. They speak. They watch. Even misunderstanding can lead to connection.

Conclusion: The Friendship Found in Laughter

Edward Lear did not always write directly about friendship, but his limericks hold the heart of it. They show people and creatures sharing space, time, trouble, and joy. His characters are strange, but never cruel. They accept one another, laugh together, and make room for difference.

In Lear’s world, nonsense is not meaningless. It is full of warmth. It reminds us that friendship does not need great drama. It only needs humor, openness, and a little kindness. These twenty limericks remind us that the best friendships may begin with a laugh—and last through every silly line.