But Mermen didn't seem to care Much time (as far as I'm aware) With CLEGGS'S legs to spend; Though Mermaids swam around all day And gazed, exclaiming, "That's the way A gentleman should end! "A pair of legs with well-cut knees And calves and ankles such as these Which we in rapture hail, Are far more eloquent, it's clear, When clothed in silk and kerseymere, Than any nasty tail." [Illustration] And CLEGGS--a worthy kind old boy-- Rejoiced to add to others' joy, And, though he scarce knew why (Perhaps to please the lookers-on), He sat there every day--though con- Stitutionally shy. At first the Mermen sneered pooh-pooh, But finally they jealous grew, And sounded loud recalls; But vainly. So these fishy males Declared they too would clothe their tails In silken hose and smalls. They set to work, these water-men, And made their nether robes--but when They drew with dainty touch The kerseymere upon their tails, They found it scraped against their scales, And hurt them very much. The silk, besides, with which they chose To deck their tails, by way of hose (They never thought of shoon), For such a use was much too thin,-- It tore against the caudal fin And "went in ladders" soon. So they designed another plan: They sent their most seductive man This note to CLEGGS to show-- "Our Monarch sends to CAPTAIN CLEGGS His humble compliments, and begs He'll join him down below; "We've pleasant homes below the sea-- Besides, if CAPTAIN CLEGGS should be (As our advices say) A judge of Mermaids, he will find Our lady-fish of every kind Inspection will repay." Good CAPEL sent a kind reply, For CAPEL thought he could descry An admirable plan To study all their ways and laws-- (But not their lady-fish, because He was a married man). The Merman sank--the Captain too Jumped overboard, and dropped from view Like stone from catapult; And when he reached the Merman's lair He certainly was welcomed there, But, ah! with what result? [Illustration] They didn't let him learn their law, Or make a note of what he saw, Or interesting mem.: The lady-fish he couldn't find, But that, of course, he didn't mind-- He didn't come for them. For though when CAPTAIN CAPEL sank The Mermen drawn in double rank Gave him a hearty hail; Yet when secure of CAPTAIN CLEGGS, They cut off both his lovely legs, And gave him _such_ a tail!