Signor Topsy-Turvy's wonderful magic lantern or The World turned upside down. By the author of "My Mother," and other poems [Ann and Jane Taylor]. Illustrated with twenty-four engravings |
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FISH OUT OF WATER.
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 | Signor Topsy-Turvy's wonderful magic lantern |  |
47
FISH OUT OF WATER.
Some folks there are, both small and great,
Who (though it very strange is),
Seem discontented in their state,
And always long for changes.
Who (though it very strange is),
Seem discontented in their state,
And always long for changes.
The poor are pining to be rich,
And dunces to be witty;
Thus all are discontented, which
Is certainly a pity.
And dunces to be witty;
Thus all are discontented, which
Is certainly a pity.
That such may alter this defect,
And learn to grow contented,
With all due reverence and respect,
This fable is presented.
And learn to grow contented,
With all due reverence and respect,
This fable is presented.
48
It happen'd that a little cod,
Once gazing at the sky,
Began to think it very odd,
That he must in the water plod,
While birds in air can fly.
Once gazing at the sky,
Began to think it very odd,
That he must in the water plod,
While birds in air can fly.
A sprat, a herring, and a trout,
United in replying,
That if they all should venture out,
Their fins would serve beyond a doubt,
Instead of wings for flying.
United in replying,
That if they all should venture out,
Their fins would serve beyond a doubt,
Instead of wings for flying.
So out they sprang,—but dreadful slaughter
Ensued, and sad commotion;
Poor trout!—a flying eagle caught her,
The cod shriek'd out, and cried for water!
The sprat and herring died in torture,
Before they reach'd the ocean!
Ensued, and sad commotion;
Poor trout!—a flying eagle caught her,
The cod shriek'd out, and cried for water!
The sprat and herring died in torture,
Before they reach'd the ocean!
49
The finny tribes, both sire and son,
Had come from every quarter,
Impatient all to see the fun;
But when the fatal stroke was done,
Fear seiz'd upon them every one,
And all dived under water.
Had come from every quarter,
Impatient all to see the fun;
But when the fatal stroke was done,
Fear seiz'd upon them every one,
And all dived under water.
A grave old fish, who cut the tide
With fifty sons behind her;
Now told how their companions died,
And warn'd them 'gainst such foolish pride,
So all the little fishes cried,
And promis'd they would mind her.
With fifty sons behind her;
Now told how their companions died,
And warn'd them 'gainst such foolish pride,
So all the little fishes cried,
And promis'd they would mind her.
A.
| Signor Topsy-Turvy's wonderful magic lantern | |