Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, POLITENESS, by HARRY GRAHAM


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POLITENESS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Politeness is a useful art
Last Line: The more polite you ought to be.
Alternate Author Name(s): Streamer, Col. D.
Subject(s): Etiquette; Manners; Courtesy


Politeness is a useful art
Which all should cultivate with zest;
It mollifies the hardest heart,
And smoothes the savage breast;
And even villains seem "all right,"
Who "smile and smile and are" -- polite!

Then be as courteous as you can,
Since fortunes often are bestowed
On those who help some rich old man
Across a slipp'ry road
(He hastens home, unfolds his will,
And adds a grateful codicil).

My cousin John was most polite.
He led shortsighted Mrs. Bond,
By accident, one winter's night
Into a village pond.
Her life perhaps he might have saved
But how genteelly he behaved!

Each time she rose and waved to him
He smiled and bowed and doffed his hat;
Thought he, although I cannot swim,
At least I can do that --
And when for the third time she sank
He stood bareheaded on the bank.

When female friends you chance to see,
Your hat should be removed in haste;
Bareheaded you must either be,
Or else be deemed barefaced.
The breeze that whistles through your hair
Is music to each lady fair.

If bald or apt to catch a cold,
Pray imitate my Uncle Fred
Who always wears -- or so I'm told --
Two hats upon his head.
With one his homage he performs.
His scalp meanwhile the other warms.

With health and comfort thus ensured,
He waves his beaver in his hand, --
Its undulating brim beneath secured
By an elastic band.
(Good title for a novel, that: --
The Uncle with the Secret Hat.)

Be civil, then, to young and old;
Especially to persons who
Possess a quantity of gold
Which they might leave to you.
The more they have, it seems to me,
The more polite you ought to be.





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