Have you been catching fish, Tom Noddy? br Have you snared a weeping hare? br Have you whistled 'No Nunny' and gunned a poor bunny, br Or blinded a bird of the air? br br Have you trod like a murderer through the green woods, br Through the dewy deep dingles and glooms, br While every small creature screamed shrill to Dame Nature br 'He comes - and he comes!'? br br Wonder I very much do,Tom Noddy, br If ever, when off you roam, br An ogre from space will stoop a lean face, br And lug you home: br br Lug you home over his fence, Tom Noddy, br Of thorn-sticks nine yards high, br With your bent knees strung round his old iron gun br And your head a dan-dangling by: br br And hung you up stiff on a hook, Tom Noddy, br From a stone-cold pantry shelf, br Whence your eyes will glare in an empty stare, br Till you are cooked yourself!br br Walter de la Marebr br