The World’s Wit and Humor: An Encyclopedia in 15 Volumes. 1906.
Adelbert von Chamisso (17811838)The Pigtail
T
And he a handsome pigtail wore;
But wondered much, and sorrowed more,
Because it hung behind him.
And swore he’d change the pigtail’s place,
And have it hanging at his face,
Not dangling there behind him.
I’ll turn me round.” He turned him round,
But still it hung behind him.
All day the puzzled sage did spin;
In vain—it mattered not a pin—
The pigtail hung behind him.
And up, and down, and in, and out
He turned. But still the pigtail stout
Hung steadily behind him.
And though he twist, and whirl, and tack,
Alas! still faithful to his back
The pigtail hangs behind him!