GIVEN a roof, and a taste for rations,

And you have the key to the “wealth of nations.”

Given a boy, a tree, and a hatchet,

And virtue strives in vain to match it.

Given a pair, a snake, and an apple,

You make the whole world need a chapel.

Given “no cards,” broad views, and a hovel,

You have a realistic novel.

Given symptoms and doctors with potion and pill,

And your heirs will ere long be contesting your will.

That good leads to evil there’s no denying:

If it were not for truth there would be no lying.

“I’m nobody!” should have a hearse;

But then, “I’m somebody!” is worse.

“Folks say,” et cetera! Well, they shouldn’t,

And if they knew you well, they wouldn’t.

When you coddle your life, all its vigor and grace

Shrink away with the whisper, “We’re in the wrong place.”