Have you heard the old saw of the Persians, That saying both witty and true, "The whole world is covered with leather To him who is shod with a shoe"? Fine calfskin or kid or morocco, Great cavalry boots armed with steel, The daintiest, jauntiest slippers, Coarse brogues tumbled down at the heel -- What matter the differing fashions? -- The richest and poorest of you Will find the whole world clad in leather As soon as you put on your shoe! Before, it was cold and uneven, Rough pebbles and sharp bits of glass. Now, presto! a smooth and warm pavement Wherever it please you to pass. But ah! there's a maid -- have you seen her? -- A little maid cheery and sweet, Who daintily trips, yet I see not What leather she wears on her feet; For I know by her sunny eyes' sparkle, And by the calm curve of her mouth, And by the kind grace of her manners, Like warm breezes fresh from the South, I know that wherever her foot falls On loving task speeding or sent -- The cobbler may laugh, but I care not -- She is shod with the shoe of content! And, little maid, though Cinderella Might claim your wee shoe for her own, And borrowing's out of the question For me, with my "sevens" outgrown, Just whisper the secret, I pray thee: Come, what are the shop and the street, And where is the cobbler who fashions Such beautiful gear for the feet? I'll go and I'll offer a treasure Will make his big spectacles shine, If only two shoes -- somewhat larger -- Like your little shoes, can be mine! And then I will don them, and leaping Off over the world will I go, Off over my frets and my worries, Off over my aches and my woe. And loudly to all limping grumblers My shoemaker cheer shall be sent: "The whole world is covered with gladness To him who is shod with content!" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...RAIN MUSIC by JOSEPH SEAMON COTTER JR. FREDERICK DOUGLASS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE FAIRY THORN; AN ULSTER BALLAD by SAMUEL FERGUSON JOHN PELHAM by JAMES RYDER RANDALL MAGNIFICENT CRY by HELEN BRYANT |