The Pigtail

The Pigtail

There lived a sage in days of yore,

And he a handsome pigtail wore

But wondered much and sorrowed more

Because it hung behind him

He mused upon this curious case

And swore he’d change the pigtail’s place

And have it hanging at his face

Not dangling there behind him

Says he “The mystery I’ve found

I’ll turn me round” he turned him round

But still it hung behind him

Then round, and round, and out and in,

All day the puzzled sage did spin

In vain – it mattered not a pin

The pigtail hung behind him

And right, and left, and round about,

And up, and down, and in, and out,

He turned: but still the pigtail stout

Hung steadily behind him

And though his efforts never slack

And though he twists, and twirl, and tack

Alas! Still faithful to his back

The pigtail hangs behind him

William Makepeace Thackeray