Puck and the Crocodile Dedicated to the Godly Puck, wandering on the banks of Nile, Beheld one day a Crocodile, That with heart-wringing sighs and sobs, With groans and cries and throes and throbs, Made moan, until his rushing tears Ran down the wrinkles of the sand. 'What ails thee, Monster?' made demand The Sprite, 'and why these million tears?' 'I weep, I shriek,' the other cries, 'To see the World's iniquities.' 'And I with you,' the Elf replies. 'The World,' resumed the Crocodile, 'Is full of Cruelty and Guile.' 'Except for you,' Puck said, 'it's vile.' 'Honour and Chivalry are dead; The Soul of Pity vanished.' 'Save in yourself, Sir,' Robin said. 'How are the Righteous much abhor'd, And silent still the Godly Word!' 'Not while you live,' the Sprite aver'd. 'My friend, I thank you,' said the Beast; 'I think you sympathise at least. The world is evil--pray beware-- How fat you are, I do declare! God grant us all some day remission-- I vow you're in a fine condition. I think that all--I must say that For a fairy you are very fat. What unctuous food--excuse me, friend-- You fays must find in fairy land. As I was saying, all is not-- Fie, what a toothache I have got! See here, this molar. Pray look nearer, And you shall see the bad place clearer. Nay if you could but just creep in And say which tooth the mischief's in--' 'No thank you, friend,' our Puck replied; 'I'll keep upon the outer side. With many large soul'd folk I've met I've found the stomach's larger yet; And when the Righteous talk of Sin Look to your pockets or your skin.'