She sighed—she felt just then more sad than e'er she felt before;
Just then a Fish of monstrous size jumped from the water out.
And, balanc'd nicely on his tail, asked what she was about.
At such a sight she fainted, yet still she did not fall,
But straightway told her sorrows, she told him of them all,
The Fish he wagged his little fin, and shook his pointed nose,
And said, "My darling Maiden, into my mouth you goes!"
Now, who would think a maiden of two and twenty years,
Would step into a fish's mouth without the slightest fears!