TO AN EEL 



Elusive Eely so darkly fond of worming 



Tour way in ooze and mud. 



So like a politician in your squirming ; 



And yet , upon the flood, 



Like a long ribbon, you can float in grace, 



Though not one gleam of beauty marks your face. 



Nosing about for food in every weather, 



By day and midnight found, 



You have a skin that can be turned to leather, — 



A flesh white, firm, and sound, 



Nor bad in taste ; though some not kindly take 



To you as food — you look so like a snake ! 



Small mind you have, they say, and though so squirming, 



But little sense of pain ; 



Snake-like you are ; yet that shall not deter me 



From frying you again ; 



And it 's great fun to " bob " for you at night, 



Or spear you by the full moon s yellow light. 



Tes, though I grant that you are not a 

 And slimy to the touch, — 

 Since to speak truth is always a mans duty, 

 VII own, I like you much ; 

 For, like some men who fancy they are smart 

 As eels, to catch you is an easy art. 

 *33 



