Early Verse
801
If the fish be a pike, I'll engage not to strike,
Till I've waited ten minutes at least."
Till I've waited ten minutes at least."
"But in those ten minutes to desolate Fate
Your brother a victim may fall!"
"I'll reduce it to five, so perhaps you'll survive.
But the chance is exceedingly small."
Your brother a victim may fall!"
"I'll reduce it to five, so perhaps you'll survive.
But the chance is exceedingly small."
"Oh hard is your heart for to act such a part;
Is it iron, or granite, or steel?"
"Why, I really can't say—it is many a day
Since my heart was accustomed to feel.
Is it iron, or granite, or steel?"
"Why, I really can't say—it is many a day
Since my heart was accustomed to feel.
"'Twas my heart-cherished wish for to slay many fish
Each day did my malice grow worse,
For my heart didn't soften with doing it so often,
But rather, I should say, the reverse."
Each day did my malice grow worse,
For my heart didn't soften with doing it so often,
But rather, I should say, the reverse."
"Oh would I were back at Twyford school.
Learning lessons in fear of the birch!"
"Nay, brother!" he cried, "for whatever betide,
You are better off here with your perch!
Learning lessons in fear of the birch!"
"Nay, brother!" he cried, "for whatever betide,
You are better off here with your perch!
"I am sure you'll allow you are happier now,
With nothing to do but to play;
And this single line here, it is perfectly clear,
Is much better than thirty a day!
With nothing to do but to play;
And this single line here, it is perfectly clear,
Is much better than thirty a day!
"And as to the rod hanging over your head,
And apparently ready to fall,
That, you know, was the case, when you lived in that place,
So it need not be reckoned at all.
And apparently ready to fall,
That, you know, was the case, when you lived in that place,
So it need not be reckoned at all.
