When I was a kid I read several books where the hero was a kid named Homer Price. The most memorable story was how he was left in charge of a small baked goods shop and due to his fascination with the automated donut making machine, he turned it on but he didn't know how to turn it off hence, like Lucy, he had to pile up finished donuts in magnificent proportions. but I seem to recall an episode where a stranger comes to town reciting the above poem, and Homer hears it but can't stop repeating it until he teaches it to another unfortunate, whereupon he is released from the spell. I don't believe I knew it was attributable to the Great Twain.