Lines in Pleasant Places Rhythmics of many moods and quantities. Wise and otherwise |
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[I saw an organ grinder in the street] |
 | Lines in Pleasant Places |  |
[I saw an organ grinder in the street]
I saw an organ grinder in the street,
And he did turn his crank in vigorous way,
While down about the organ grinder's feet
There was a little sad-faced ape at play.
And he did turn his crank in vigorous way,
While down about the organ grinder's feet
There was a little sad-faced ape at play.
Upon his form a tawdry ragged gown,
A cap of velveteen upon his head,
And there he stood and looked all up and down,
For any stray remunerative “red.”
A cap of velveteen upon his head,
And there he stood and looked all up and down,
For any stray remunerative “red.”
And then methought what grievous wrong was here,
To drag this ape from native jungle bright,
From home and friends that doubtless he held dear,
To pick up nickels for this Israelite!
To drag this ape from native jungle bright,
From home and friends that doubtless he held dear,
To pick up nickels for this Israelite!
And then the insult added to the wrong,
Of putting on such duds to wear as those!
To move, degraded, human folks among,
In such array of ignominious clo'es!
Of putting on such duds to wear as those!
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In such array of ignominious clo'es!
No wonder he was sad, but still his eye
Quick wandered round with eager, anxious bent,
The first faint hint of “bucksheesh” to espy,
Just like a greyhound eager for the cent.
Quick wandered round with eager, anxious bent,
The first faint hint of “bucksheesh” to espy,
Just like a greyhound eager for the cent.
And here again most plainly I could scan
How bad example may corrupt the heart;
This ape, thus through companionship with man,
Had grown corrupted in his better part.
How bad example may corrupt the heart;
This ape, thus through companionship with man,
Had grown corrupted in his better part.
Forgot the habits of his early days,
The customs of his early sylvan life,
He now pursues these mercenary ways,
And seeks for pennies with persistent strife.
The customs of his early sylvan life,
He now pursues these mercenary ways,
And seeks for pennies with persistent strife.
A money-catcher in a velvet cap—
My sympathy I fear is all misplaced;
He is no better than some broker chap
With mean cupidity and greed debased.
My sympathy I fear is all misplaced;
He is no better than some broker chap
With mean cupidity and greed debased.
| Lines in Pleasant Places | |