Was mending his boat’s broken beam.
The Horseman said, “Grandsire! Good-day!
God help thee, friend! how liveth thou?
Doth thou catch much? and tell me, pray,
Where doth thou sell thy takings now?”
The old man answered sullenly,
“Are fishes in the river few?
And other market have I none,
Except the town, there, close to you.
“And how am I to fish to-day?