The See Serpent

The sea-serpent out in his midsummer home

     Is sporting and laughing in glee;

He is posing all day in his serpentine way,

     For the people who travel a-sea.

He’s bowing and scraping at each passing ship,

     Tho’ he keeps a safe distance away;

He lies at full length or he stands upon end

     Just to see what the papers will say.

A wonderful fellow this monster marine,

     From a quarter to twenty miles long;

Elusive and gay, he sports all the day

     To tickle the sea-going throng.

He’s black and he’s ugly, his whiskers protrude

     Like the limbs of a big, barren tree;

His head and his tail are as big as a whale,

     And his eyes are a terror to see.

Have you seen the sea-serpent way out in the sea?

     If you haven’t you’re way in the rear;

You should start right away for the ocean I say,

     And have a good look at the dear.

And if for some reason sea-serpents were scarce,

     Or you should quite near-sighted be;

A quart of good rye will help you to spy

     The pet of the midsummer sea.

Aug. 2, 1904