Placid Pug, and Other Rhymes

<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </SPAN></p> <br/> <h2> FRAGMENT FOR PHILOSOPHERS </h2> <p class="pfirst"> <span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>N the abysses of the ocean deeps,</p> <p class="indent5"> Fathoms removed from men and mortal strife,</p> <p><br/><br/></p> <p><SPAN name="linkimage-0013" id="linkimage-0013"> </SPAN></p> <div class="fig"> <ANTIMG src="images/050m.jpg" alt="050m " width-obs="100%" /><br/></div> <p>The unexpectant Oyster smiles and sleeps</p> <p class="indent5"> Through the calm cycle of his peaceful life.</p> <p><br/></p> <p>What though above his head the steamboat plies,</p> <p class="indent5"> And close at hand he hears the fume and fuss</p> <p>Of the impetuous Halibut that flies</p> <p class="indent5"> The mad embraces of the Octopus.</p> <p><br/></p> <p>Though the fierce tails of Whales like flails descend</p> <p class="indent5"> Upon the water lashed to furious foam,</p> <p>And the Sea-serpents writhe and twist and bend</p> <p class="indent5"> All round the purlieus of his ocean home,</p> <p><br/></p> <p>He still preserves his philosophic calm,</p> <p class="indent5"> His high detachment from material things,</p> <p>And lays to his untroubled soul the balm</p> <p class="indent5"> Of that contentment oft denied to kings.</p> <p><br/></p> <p>Not far off, on the shore, men fume and fret,</p> <p class="indent5"> And prowl and howl and postulate and preach,</p> <p>The Baby bellows in the bassinet,</p> <p class="indent5"> And the Salvation Army on the beach.</p> <p><br/></p> <p>The unsuccessful "Artist" of the "Halls"</p> <p class="indent5"> Has blacked his face with cork, and now he sings</p> <p>Of moons and coons and comic funerals</p> <p><br/><br/></p> <p><SPAN name="linkimage-0014" id="linkimage-0014"> </SPAN></p> <div class="fig"> <ANTIMG src="images/052m.jpg" alt="052m " width-obs="100%" /><br/></div> <p class="indent5"> And the enchantment that the cake-walk brings.</p> <p><br/></p> <p>And on the pier the "milingtary band"</p> <p class="indent5"> Poisons the air with beastly brazen sound,</p> <p>While cockney couples wander hand in hand,</p> <p><br/><br/></p> <p><SPAN name="linkimage-0015" id="linkimage-0015"> </SPAN></p> <div class="fig"> <ANTIMG src="images/053m.jpg" alt="053m " width-obs="100%" /><br/></div> <p class="indent5"> And dismal tourists tour,</p> <p><br/><br/></p> <p><SPAN name="linkimage-0016" id="linkimage-0016"> </SPAN></p> <div class="fig"> <ANTIMG src="images/054m.jpg" alt="054m " width-obs="100%" /><br/></div> <p>And bounders bound.</p> <p><br/></p> <p>And donkey-boys allure to donkey rides</p> <p class="indent5"> The sitters on the sand beside the sea,</p> <p>And touts sell "guides" to all the town provides,</p> <p class="indent5"> From theatres to "painless dentistry."</p> <p><br/></p> <p>To all this noise the Oyster lends no ear,</p> <p class="indent5"> Partly because he has no ear to lend,</p> <p>Partly because he hates to interfere,</p> <p class="indent5"> Chiefly because these rhymes must have an end.</p> <p><br/> <br/><br/></p> <p><SPAN name="linkimage-0017" id="linkimage-0017"> </SPAN></p> <div class="fig"> <ANTIMG src="images/056m.jpg" alt="056m " width-obs="100%" /><br/></div> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />