And drew--a thousand minnows from the tide!
Then came the fisher to conclude the match,
And at the monarch's feet spread out his catch--
A hundred salmon, greater than before--
"I win!" he cried: "the King must pay the score."
Then Martin, angry, threw his tackle down:
"Rather than lose this game I'd lose my crown!"

Nay, thou hast lost them both," the fisher said;
And as he spoke a wondrous light was shed
Around his form; he dropped his garments mean,
And in his place the River-god was seen.
"Thy vanity hast brought thee in my power,
"And thou shalt pay the forfeit at this hour:
"For thou hast shown thyself a royal fool,
"Too proud to angle, and too vain to rule.
"Eager to win in every trivial strife,--
"Go! Thou shalt fish for minnows all thy life!"
Wrathful, the King the scornful sentence heard;
He strove to answer, but he only CHIRR-R-ED:
His Tyrian robe was changed to wings of blue,
His crown became a crest,--away he flew!

And still, along the reaches of the stream,
The vain King-fisher flits, an azure gleam,--
You see his ruby crest, you hear his jealous scream.

April, 1904.