Page:The Muse in Arms, Osborn (ed), 1917.djvu/142

100 "Why, there's a catch! Aye, pull it in!

'Tis on your second hook!

Well, that's as odd a little fish

As e'er a line ha' took!

I've ne'er seen nothing like it, m'm—

Don't touch it wi' your hand—

These strange 'uns prick like poison, m'm,

Sometimes—you understand?

"I'll take it off! It won't hurt me!

You wonder what it's called?

I couldn't say! The rummest thing

That ever yet was hauled!

A farthing's worth o' queerness, m'm,

I'd name it if 'twas priced!

A young John Dory? No—they bears

The marks o' Jesus Christ.

"You'll see His fingers and His thumb!

Where are they? Well, a bit

Beyond the gills—look! Here's the place,

Just where I'm holding it!

So this ain't no John Dory, m'm!

I'll put it safe away!

You'll tell your friends you pulled it from

The bottom o' Poole Bay!

"'Twas better than a submarine?

There ain't such devils here!

We've got the North Sea trawlers down,

They keeps the harbour clear!