CARP-GOSSIP. 157 



" The carp peeped out from his reedy bed, 



And forth he slyly crept, 

 But he liked not the look, for he saw the black hook, 



So he turned his tail and slept. 

 There is a flower grows in the field, 



Some call it a marigold-a, 

 And that which one fish would not take, 



Another surely wold-a ! 

 And the Knight had read in the books of the dead, 



So the Knight did not repine, 

 For they that cannot get carp, sir, 



Upon tench may very well dine. 

 St. George, etc. 



" He has brushed the dew from the lawn again, 



He hath taken the depth by the rule : 

 Here is boiled bean and pea, come breakfast with me, 



Sly tenant of the pool. 

 The carp peeped forth from his reedy bed, 



The carp peeped forth in time ; 

 But he liked not the smell, so he cried Fare you well, 



And he stuck his nose in the slime. 

 But the Knight had read in the books of the dead, 



And the Knight did not repine, 

 For they that cannot get carp, sir, 



Upon tench may very well dine. 

 St. George, etc. 



" Then up spoke the Lord of Penbury's board, 



Well skilled in musical lore, 

 And he swore by himself, though cunning the elf, 



He would charm him and draw him ashore. 

 The middle of day he chose for the play, 



And he fiddled as in went the line : 



