- It pinches me--but never mind!
- I WILL NOT CHARGE YOU INTEREST!'
- 'How good! How great!' poor Peter cried.
- 'Yet I must sell my Sunday wig--
- The scarf-pin that has been my pride--
- My grand piano--and my pig!'
- Full soon his property took wings:
- And daily, as each treasure went,
- He sighed to find the state of things
- Grow less and less convenient.
- Weeks grew to months, and months to years:
- Peter was worn to skin and bone:
- And once he even said, with tears,
- 'Remember, Paul, that promised Loan!'
- Said Paul' I'll lend you, when I can,
- All the spare money I have got--
- Ah, Peter, you're a happy man!
- Yours is an enviable lot!
- 'I'm getting stout, as you may see:
- It is but seldom I am well:
- I cannot feel my ancient glee
- In listening to the dinner-bell:
- But you, you gambol like a boy,
- Your figure is so spare and light:
- The dinner-bell's a note of joy
- To such a healthy appetite!'
- Said Peter 'I am well aware
- Mine is a state of happiness:
- And yet how gladly could I spare
- Some of the comforts I possess!
- What you call healthy appetite
- I feel as Hunger's savage tooth:
- And, when no dinner is in sight,
- The dinner-bell's a sound of ruth!
- 'No scare-crow would accept this coat:
- Such boots as these you seldom see.
- Ah, Paul, a single five-pound-note
- Would make another man of me!'
- Said Paul 'It fills me with surprise
- To hear you talk in such a tone:
- I fear you scarcely realise
- The blessings that are all your own!
- 'You're safe from being overfed:
- You're sweetly picturesque in rags:
- You never know the aching head
- That comes along with money-bags:
- And you have time to cultivate
- That best of qualities, Content--
- For which you'll find your present state
- Remarkably convenient!'
- Said Peter 'Though I cannot sound
- The depths of such a man as you,
|
|
By PanEris
using Melati.
|
|
|
|
Copyright: All texts on Bibliomania are © Bibliomania.com Ltd,
and may not be reproduced in any form without our written permission.
See our FAQ for more details.
|
|