The Ingoldsby Legends or, Mirth and Marvels. By Thomas Ingoldsby [i.e. R. H. Barham] |
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 | The Ingoldsby Legends |  |
But, however discreetly one cuts and contrives,
We've been most of us taught in the course of our lives,
That “Needs must when the Elderly Gentleman drives!”
In proof of this rule, A thoughtless young fool,
Bassanio, a Lord of the Tomnoddy school,
Who, by showing at Operas, Balls, Plays, and Court,
A “swelling” (Payne Collier would read “swilling”) “port,”
And inviting his friends to dine, breakfast, and sup,
Had shrunk his “weak means,” and was “stump'd,” and “hard up,”
Took occasion to send To his very good friend
Antonio, a merchant whose wealth had no end,
And who'd often before had the kindness to lend
Him large sums, on his note, which he'd managed to spend.
“Antonio,” said he, “Now listen to me;
I've just hit on a scheme which, I think you'll agree,
All matters consider'd, is no bad design,
And which, if it succeeds, will suit your book and mine.
We've been most of us taught in the course of our lives,
That “Needs must when the Elderly Gentleman drives!”
39
Bassanio, a Lord of the Tomnoddy school,
Who, by showing at Operas, Balls, Plays, and Court,
A “swelling” (Payne Collier would read “swilling”) “port,”
And inviting his friends to dine, breakfast, and sup,
Had shrunk his “weak means,” and was “stump'd,” and “hard up,”
Took occasion to send To his very good friend
Antonio, a merchant whose wealth had no end,
And who'd often before had the kindness to lend
Him large sums, on his note, which he'd managed to spend.
“Antonio,” said he, “Now listen to me;
I've just hit on a scheme which, I think you'll agree,
All matters consider'd, is no bad design,
And which, if it succeeds, will suit your book and mine.
| The Ingoldsby Legends | |