  So, friend, your shop was all your house!65 Its front, astonishing the street, Invited view from man and mouse To what diversity of treat Behind its glass—the single sheet! What gimcracks, genuine Japanese:70 Gape-jaw and goggle-eye, the frog; Dragons, owls, monkeys, beetles, geese; Some crush-nosed human-hearted dog: Queer names, too, such a catalogue! I thought, "And he who owns the wealth75 Which blocks the window's vastitude, —Ah, could I peep at him by stealth Behind his ware, pass shop, intrude On house itself, what scenes were viewed! "If wide and showy thus the shop,80 What must the habitation prove? The true house with no name a-top— The mansion, distant one remove, Once get him off his traffic-groove! "Pictures he likes, or books perhaps;85 And as for buying most and best, Commend me to these City chaps! Or else he's social, takes his rest On Sundays, with a lord for guest. "Some suburb-palace, parked about90 And gated grandly, built last year; The four-mile walk to keep off gout; Or big seat sold by bankrupt peer— But then he takes the rail, that's clear. "Or, stop! I wager, taste selects95 Some out o' the way, some all-unknown Retreat; the neighborhood suspects Little that he who rambles lone Makes Rothschild tremble on his throne!" Nowise! Nor Mayfair residence100 Fit to receive and entertain— Nor Hampstead villa's kind defense From noise and crowd, from dust and drain— Nor country-box was soul's domain! Nowise! At back of all that spread105 Of merchandise, woe's me, I find A hole i' the wall where, heels by head, The owner couched, his ware behind —In cupboard suited to his mind. For why? He saw no use of life110 But, while he drove a roaring trade, To chuckle, "Customers are rife!" To chafe, "So much hard cash outlaid Yet zero in my profits made! "This novelty costs pains, but—takes?115 Cumbers my counter! Stock no more! This article, no such great shakes, Fizzes like wildfire? Underscore The cheap thing—thousands to the fore!" 'Twas lodging best to live most nigh120 (Cramp, coffinlike as crib might be) Receipt of Custom; ear and eye Wanted no outworld: "Hear and see The bustle in the shop!" quoth he My fancy of a merchant-prince125 Was different. Through his wares we groped Our darkling way to—not to mince The matter—no black den where moped The master if we interloped! Shop was shop only: household-stuff?130 What did he want with comforts there? "Walls, ceiling, floor, stay blank and rough, So goods on sale show rich and rare! 'Sell and scud home' be shop's affair!" What might he deal in? Gems, suppose!135 Since somehow business must be done At cost of trouble—see, he throws You choice of jewels, everyone, Good, better, best, star, moon, and sun! Which lies within your power of purse?140 This ruby that would tip aright Solomon's scepter? Oh, your nurse Wants simply coral, the delight Of teething baby—stuff to bite! Howe'er your choice fell, straight you took145 Your purchase, prompt your money rang On counter—scarce the man forsook His study of the "Times," just swang Till-ward his hand that stopped the clang— Then off made buyer with a prize,150 Then seller to his "Times" returned; And so did day wear, wear, till eyes Brightened apace, for rest was earned; He locked door long ere candle burned. And whither went he? Ask himself,155 Not me! To change of scene, I think. Once sold the ware and pursed the pelf, Chaffer was scarce his meat and drink, Nor all his music—money-chink. Because a man has shop to mind160 In time and place, since flesh must live, Needs spirit lack all life behind, All stray thoughts, fancies fugitive, All loves except what trade can give? I want to know a butcher paints,165 A baker rhymes for his pursuit, Candlestick-maker much acquaints His soul with song, or, haply mute, Blows out his brains upon the flute! But—shop each day and all day long!170 Friend, your good angel slept, your star Suffered eclipse, fate did you wrong! From where these sorts of treasures are, There should our hearts be—Christ, how far! |
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