IX

He says I’m no use! but I won’t reply.

You’re lucky not being of use to him!

On week-days he’s playing at Spider and Fly,

And on Sundays he sings about Cherubim!

Nailing shillings to counters is his chief work:

He nods now and then at the name on his door:

But judge of us two, at a bow and a smirk,

I think I’m his match: and I’m honest—that’s more.

X

No use! well, I mayn’t be. You ring a pig’s snout,

And then call the animal glutton! Now, he,

Mr. Shopman, he’s nought but a pipe and a spout

Who won’t let the goods o’ this world pass free.

This blazing blue weather all round the brown crop,

He can’t enjoy! all but cash he hates.

He’s only a snail that crawls under his shop;

Though he has got the ear o’ the magistrates.

Poems — Volume 1 · 第 96 / 271 题