Originating in England, the poem “The Lion and The Unicorn” is thought to have been penned around since the 17th century or before. The poem is an oral tradition that has been passed down through the years, and it has been included in numerous anthologies of children's books and nursery rhymes, Poem for Kids. The poem has persisted as a beloved work of children's literature despite its unclear exact beginnings, because of its whimsical portrayal of the mystical character unicorn and lion fighting playfully for the crown.
The lion and the unicorn
Were fighting for the crown
The lion beat the unicorn
All around the town.
Some gave them white bread,
And some gave them brown;
Some gave them plum cake
and drummed them out of town.
And when he had beat him out,
He beat him in again;
He beat him three times over,
His power to maintain.
In the poem The Lion and the Unicorn, the unicorn is portrayed as a horse. This helps to explain why the unicorn and lion playfully step over the town and fight for the crown, with the inhabitants offering bread as payment for victory. Though they aim to become the lion's heir, as is well known, the lion always succeeds in fights. The unicorn is still consuming the food, but in the end, the lion triumphs and takes home the crown.
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