If I were rich what would I do? I'd leave the horse just ready to shoe; I'd leave the pail beside the cow; I'd leave the furrow beneath the plough; I'd leave the ducks, tho' they should quack, "Our eggs will be stolen before you're back"; I'd buy a diamond brooch, a ring, A chain of gold that I would fling Around her neck.... Ah, what an itch, If I were rich! What would I do if I were wise? I would not debate about the skies; Nor would I try a book to write; Or find the wrong in the tangled right; I would not debate with learned men Of how, and what, and why, and when; -- I'd train my tongue to a linnet's song, I'd learn the words that couldn't go wrong -- And then I'd say ... And win the prize, If I were wise! But I'm not that nor t'other, I bow My back to the work that's waiting now: I'll shoe the horse that's standing ready; I'll milk the cow if she'll be steady; I'll follow the plough that turns the loam; I'll watch the ducks don't lay from home: -- And I'll curse, and curse, and curse again Till the devil joins in with his big amen; And none but he and I will wot When the heart within me starts to rot; To fester and churn its ugly brew ...Where's my spade! I've work to do! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE LIFE OF MAN by WALTER RALEIGH SONNET: 86 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE ARAB TO THE PALM by BAYARD TAYLOR THE DEATH OF ADONIS by THEOCRITUS FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SACRIFICE SELF-COMPENSATED by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES PIONEERS OF DETROIT by LEVI BISHOP |