Punch: Punch (91.1886)

278

PUNCH, OK THE LONDON CHARIVARI. [December 11, 1886.

A FOREIGN "DEVIL" FISH IN BRITISH WATERS.

Father Neptune loquitur:
Ahoy ! Ahoy there,'Mr. Buxl ! A pretty sort of game
Some parties seem a-playing up. Why, what d 'ye call this same ?
A very jolly kind of fish to gather round your shores!
I tell you, John-, they 're getting just the biggest kind of hores,
Plumping among us down helow; the sort of thing to frighten
The pluckiest Nereid of my team, or even scare a Triton.
Why, Victoe Hugo's Devil Fish sings small to this, J. B.,
And, as to fish torpedoes, well, they don't run loose at sea.
Look to it, john ! There's room enough for all, on sea or land,
But here's a thing that I will not, and you ought not to stand.
We want no rows, hut, hang it all! the sweetest patience frets,
To see this ugly horror play the " devil" with our nets.

I pity the poor fishermen, who simply lose their lahour
When _ this odd fish drops down on them, a most unpleasant
neighbour.

For any little difference, which surely is a slight one.
There must he modes of settling up, hut this can't be the right
one.

You used to rule the waves, my boy, at least, that was your notion,
But, anyhow, you ought to clear these fish from out the ocean.
They can't be right on any tack; to spoil my finny spoil,
And ruin with their ugly jaws the precious tools of toil
Is simply murderous mischief, sheer unmitigated _evil;
So put your foot down, John, my boy, against this sort of devil.