To be opposed by such a man as this—
A man so grave, important, cautious, wise,
Who dared not trust his feeling or his eyes;
No wonder he should lurk and lie in wait,
Should fit his hooks and ponder on his bait;
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Should on his movements keep a watchful eye;
For he pursued a fish who led the fry.
With his own peace our clerk was not content;
He tried, good man! to make his friends repent.