Page:Collected poems vol 2 de la mare.djvu/154

 And not one weary,
 * And not one spent,

And lo, and behold!
 * Past Willow-cum-Leigh

Stretched with its waters
 * The great green sea.

Says Farmer Bates,
 * "I puffs and I blows,

What's under the water,
 * Why, no man knows!"

Says Farmer Giles,
 * "My wind comes weak,

And a good man drownded
 * Is far to seek."

But Farmer Turvey,
 * On twirling toes

Up's with his gaiters,
 * And in he goes:

Down where the mermaids
 * Pluck and play

On their twangling harps
 * In a sea-green day;

Down where the mermaids,
 * Finned and fair,

Sleek with their combs
 * Their yellow hair. . ..

Bates and Giles —
 * On the shingle sat,

Gazing at Turvey's
 * Floating hat.