Our tail with which like fishes we can swim
Shall split into an awkward double-limb,
And we must waddle on the arid soil,
And build dirt-huts, and get our food with toil,
And lose our happy, happy lives!" And so
These gentle creatures wept "Alas for woe!"
This same night forty thousand years ago.
IX.
What was the case ten thousand years before?"
Ten thousand years before 'twas Sunday night;
Four lovely girls were listening with delight,
Three noble youths admired another youth
Discoursing History crammed full of truth:
They all were sitting upon Hampstead Heath,
And monstrous grimy London lay beneath.
"The stupidest story Lazy ever told;
I've no more faith in his fine times of old."
"How do you like our prospects now, my dears?
We'll all be mermaids in ten thousand years."
"Mermaids are beautiful enough, but law!
Think of becoming a poor naked squaw!"
"But in these changes, sex will change no doubt;
We'll all be men and women turn about."
