Similes.

“Pray, mother, what are similes?”

“They are resemblances, my child; the word simile means a thing that is like another. We often use them to give clearness and energy to our ideas. I will tell you some similes in common use, and put into rhyme so that you may remember them.

“As proud as a peacock—as round as a pea;
As blithe as a lark—as brisk as a bee.
As light as a feather—as sure as a gun;
As green as the grass—as brown as a bun.
As rich as a Jew—as warm as toast;
As cross as two sticks—as deaf as a post.
As sharp as a needle—as strong as an ox;
As grave as a judge—as sly as a fox.
As old as the hills—as straight as a dart;
As still as the grave—as swift as a hart.
As solid as marble—as firm as a rock;
As soft as a plum—as dull as a block.
As pale as a lily—as blind as a bat;
As white as a sheet—as black as my hat.
As yellow as gold—as red as a cherry;
As wet as water—as brown as a berry.
As plain as a pikestaff—as big as a house;
As flat as the table—as sleek as a mouse.
As tall as the steeple—as round as a cheese;
As broad as ’tis long—as long as you please.”