My father’s spirit - he who always tried

To give me trouble, when he lived and died -

When he was gone he could not be content

To see my days in painful labour spent,

But would appoint his meetings, and he made

Me watch at these, and so neglect my trade.

“’Twas one hot noon, all silent, still, serene,

No living being had I lately seen;

I paddled up and down and dipp’d my net,

But (such his pleasure) I could nothing get, -