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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE OLD VIRTUES by WALT MASON

First Line: THE OLD-FASHIONED VIRTUES ARE NOT OUT OF
Last Line: MURMUR GOOD-BYE, THEY SHOW US HOW SPORTSMAN-LIKE DELEGATES DIE.
Subject(s): HONESTY;
THE old-fashioned virtues are not out of date; they'll never relapse to
abandoned estate. The records will show you that honesty pays, as much as it did

in the halcyon days. And industry brings reputation and scads, the same as it
did in the times of our dads. Sobriety helps us to lay up a wad, the larder to
fill when the wolf is abroad. The silver-tongued speakers are jaunting around,
and filling the air with a riot of sound, instructing the people just how they
should vote, if they would be sure of retaining their goat; they're talking of
creeds and of isms and things, and nothing of value the spell-binder brings. The

world would be better if speakers would boom the old-fashioned virtues, and keep

them in bloom, and say to the people, "Don't worry, don't fret, be honest and
sober and keep out of debt." Oh, that is the counsel the plain people need; it's

better than platitudes going to seed. The old-fashioned virtues much sustenance

give; when they are adhered to, they teach us to live; and when we are ready to

murmur good-bye, they show us how sportsman-like delegates die.



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