The other day by Tamar's banks
We two sat down and lunched:
There came a roguish youngster by
And watched us as we munched;
His waders and his rod and creel
Proclaimed the fisher lad:
In friendliness we turned and asked
What sort of sporThe'd had.

" How many fish? " he answer made;
" An easy thing to ask,
But if you'd count the fish I've caught
It is a stiffish task. "
The youth put on a solemn look,
" Pray, listen, sirs, " he said;
" I grieve to say I've caught six fish,
But six ... without a head! "

" I need not tell you, gentlemen,
Their fate I much bewail!
But what is quite as bad to tell,
I've nine without a tail. "
" Without a head! " my friend replied;
" Without a tail! " cried I.
" Pray let us see. " The youngster said:
" You shall see by-and-bye.

" But kindly wait a little while: "
The youngster heaved a sigh,
" Alack, dear sirs, ten fish I've caught,
But ten without an eye! "
" I've not done yet, " the youth went on,
" Most horrible to view,
Besides all these I've caught eight more,
But eight ... all cut in two! "

Our heads, they drooped! Our lunch, it fell
Untasted from our lips!
Such cruelties had rent our hearts,
Our hands sunk to our hips.
And this is sport! Ah, who think so
Might take another view.
Without a head! Without a tail!
If they were cut in two!

The youth, he laughed and showed his creel.
" Forgive my bit of fun,
A headless 6, a tailless 9,
And r-less ro is none!
And double none is still the same,
So don't bewail their fate,
Two nothings is the residue
When cut in two is 8. "