# The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò — Nonsense Books character guide

> The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò in Nonsense Books by Edward Lear.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Mr. Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò, Mr. Yonghy

**First appearance:** 0098-the-courtship-of-the-yonghy-bonghy-b

## Snapshot

A tiny-bodied, large-headed suitor who courts Lady Jingly Jones with turkeys and candle-ends, only to be politely turned away.

## Who they are

The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò lives on the coast of Coromandel and loves Lady Jingly Jones, offering her his jug without a handle and his three Dorkings. She cannot return his affection and asks him, kindly, to go away. He flees down the slopes of Myrtle to a large and lively Turtle, and his sad, absurd departure gives the book its tenderest portrait of rejection.

## In the story

### [Twenty-Six Nonsense Rhymes and Pictures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/twenty-six-nonsense-rhymes-and-pictures)

Described as having a head much bigger than his body and a rather small hat.

### [Laughable Lyrics: A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/laughable-lyrics-a-fourth-book-of-nonsense-poems-songs-botany-music-etc)

The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò proposes to Lady Jingly Jones, is rejected due to poverty, and departs on a Turtle, leaving her mourning.

### [Laughable Lyrics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/laughable-lyrics)

The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò proposes to Lady Jingly Jones but is rejected because she is already married; he then flees on a turtle.

### [The Courtship of the Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/the-courtship-of-the-yonghy-bonghy-b)

Proposes marriage to Lady Jingly Jones, is rejected, and flees on a Turtle.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/i)

Introduced as a solitary figure living in the woods on the Coast of Coromandel with minimal possessions.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/ii)

Walking among the Bong-trees, he hears Lady Jingly Jones talking and identifies her.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/iii)

Proposes to Lady Jingly Jones, expressing loneliness and desire for companionship.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/iv)

Speaks of the Coast of Coromandel, offers his chairs, candle, and jug, and declares his love.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/v)

Proposes to Lady Jingly Jones but is turned away.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/vi)

Mr. Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò is addressed by Mr. Jones, who advises him to keep his chairs, candle, and jug without a handle.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/vii)

Addressed by Lady Jingly Jones, who comments on his tiny body and large head.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/viii)

Flees to the sea and persuades a turtle to carry him away.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/ix)

Rides the Turtle across the ocean, singing farewell to Lady Jingly Jones.

### [The Yonghy-Bonghy-Bò](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/chapters/x)

Departed in his jug without a handle, leaving Lady Jingly behind

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters/the_yonghy_bonghy_bo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/nonsense_books_se/characters