Page:The Muse in Arms, Osborn (ed), 1917.djvu/143

Rh You saw a heap o' tangled wire

A-lyin' on the quay?

And thought as they'd just hauled it up?

Aye, m'm! That's how 'twould be.

"We're what they calls a 'Naval Base'

Since this here war abroke!

You seen it up? Aye, yonder there!

'Tis hard for fisher-folk!

We gets our catches in the night!

But we mayn't leave the Bay

Save when the sun is on the sea—

You don't catch much by day!

"But we've our bit to bear, as much

As richer men nor we.

We got to get a 'permit' now

To take our nets to sea.

We starts at dawn—if tides is right—

And, when the sun be gone,

Unless we lie inside the booms

We'd like be fired upon!

"You want to see the mack'rel shoals?

They come in black as—see—

Yon house that's tarred from roof to floor

Just there, beside the quay!

My smack's up now by Christchurch steps,

I've got my 'permit' signed!

I'll take you out o' Thursday next

If so be you've a mind?