The book of earth

by Alfred Noyes

With Darwin round the world. They used to call him

The old philosopher. Heard the bosun once,

Pointing the officers out—damned funny it was!—

“That’s Captain FitzRoy. That’s the second mate;

And that”—pointing a thumb at Darwin’s back—

“That’s our Fly-Catcher!”

Best of fellows, too,

But queer. He’d tell you, in the simplest way

—As if it meant no more than pass the salt,—

Something that knocked you endways; calmly shift