Edwardsville Spectator

POETRY.

THE DEVIL FISHING.

[BY SELLECK OSBORN.]

"ALL THE WORLD'S A FISH POND."

Shakespeare corrected.

What luck, old Clovenfoot, to-day?
Said I one foggy morning,
As he threw out his line for prey,
Poor mortal folk suborning.

"Not much," quoth he, "but what I have,
Beyond dispute, is fair gain;
With notes to shave, I've caught a knave,
A miser with a bargain.

To catch a needy beau, I took
A draggle-tailed surtout—
A would-be belle found on my hook
A tempting full dress suit.

I caught a Congressman, by dint
Of double compensation;
A Lawyer, on promotion bent,
By timely nomination.

These lawyers are, though oft you wish
(No thanks for't) Satan had 'em,
The most unprofitable fish
Of all the sons of Adam.

I caught a Surgeon with a high-
Fed subject for dissection;
An office-hunter, with a lie,
Well seasoned for election."

"What fish bite sharpest, Pug?" says I—
"Why, as to that," quoth he,
"I find not many very shy,
Of high or low degree.

Your toper bites well at a cork.
(When there's a bottle to it)—
Your Jew will even bite at pork,
If he smell money through it.

Your old man likes a parchment, when
By mortgage some one's bitten;
Your youngster likes a fresher skin,
Where yet there's nothing written!

Some shy ones play about the line,
Till prudence waxes feeble,
And those at last are often mine,
Who only meant to nibble!

There's few indeed of small or great,
(Or I am much mistaken)
But may, by some particular bait,
Be tempted, and then taken.

But there is one of all the rest,
Who most employs my cook—
The IDLER pleases me the best,
He bites the NAKED HOOK!"