Amy Lowell - The Trout

Naughty little speckled trout¹,
Can't I coax² you to come out?
Is it such great fun to play
In the water every day?
Do you pull the Naiads' hair
Hiding in the lilies there?
Do you hunt for fishes' eggs,
Or watch tadpoles³ grow their legs?
Do the little trouts have school
In some deep sun-glinted pool,
And in recess⁴ play at tag
Round that bed of purple flag?
I have tried so hard to catch you,
Hours and hours I've sat to watch you;
But you never will come out,
Naughty little speckled trout!