Hark, by the seaside yester eve
I had a wondrous vision.
The sun was just about to leave
With his well-known precision,
When I espied upon the sand
A tin of a familar brand.
And, as I gazed, my limbs grew limp
And giddiness came o'er me;
For from it stepped a fish-like imp
That smirked and bowed before me;
His puckered features seemed to be
Awry with spite and devilry.
"Young man," he said, "You're wasting time.
Why do you sit there mooning?
So brave a youth, just in his prime,
Should find more joy in spooning.
For, see! the ocean hath its pearls;
Go forth and mingle with the girls!"
And from the tins that lay about
Upon the silver shingle
I heard a wee shrill chorus shout,
"Young man, go forth and mingle!"
And then I knew each empty tin
Concealed its special imp within.
Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/152
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144
THE MINGLERS
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Backblock_Ballads_and_Later_Verses_%28C.J._Dennis%2C_1918%29.djvu/page152-1024px-Backblock_Ballads_and_Later_Verses_%28C.J._Dennis%2C_1918%29.djvu.jpg)