THE SEA-SERPENT. 
59 
One by one the family came, with bloody fangs 
and eyes of flame ; however, they seemed quite 
ready to eat, and each took at the table his usual 
seat. They were served by horrid forms, born 
in darkness and cradled in storms ; monsters, 
that ’neath the dark blue waves live and die, in 
ocean’s caves. A dog-fish was lying under the 
table, to eat the crumbs that tumbled there ; 
the minister wanted to eat him ; he ’s able to do 
so, but just at that time did n’t care on etiquette 
so far to trample, unless his Highness should 
set the example. The sharks outside smelt the 
steam of the victuals, so they came into the 
kitchen and looked into the kettles ; but the 
serpent howled, and every one swam off, with¬ 
out getting so much as a bone. After dinner a 
school of whales came in and sung, and beat time 
with their tails. Several young Kraken, of no¬ 
ble mien, a mile and a quarter long at least, 
declared that there they ’d no more be seen, if 
the whales were to sing at the close of the feast. 
Just at this moment a shout was heard ; Soe 
