were, And I the same man still, You’d be the gainer by it, For you—you can’t deny it— p. 79 A most uncommon dunce were; My profit would be nil, If you were what you once were, And I the same man still.

p. 79

If you were last in Latin, And I were first in Greek, I’d write your Latin proses, While you indulged in dozes, Or carved the bench you sat in, So innocent and meek; If you were last in Latin, And I were first in Greek.

If I had got a prize, Jim, And your certif. was bad, And you were filled with sorrow And brooding on the morrow, p. 80 I’d gently sympathise, Jim, And bid you not be sad, If I had got a prize, Jim, And your certif. was bad.

p. 80

If I were through in Moral, And you were spun in Math., I’d break it to your parent, When you confessed you daren’t, And so avert a quarrel And smooth away his wrath; If I were through in Moral, And you were spun in Math.

My prospects rather shone, Jim, And yours were rather dark, And those who knew us both then Would often take their oath then, p. 81 That you would not get on, Jim, While I should make my mark; My prospects rather shone, Jim, And yours were rather dark.

p. 81

Yet somehow you’ve made money, And I am still obscure; Your face is round and red, Jim, While I look underfed, Jim; The thing’s extremely funny, And beats me, I am sure, Yet somehow you’ve made money, And I am still obscure.

p. 82THE GOLF-BALL AND THE LOAN

p. 82

after longfellow

after longfellow

I drove a golf-ball into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight.

I lent five shillings to some men, They spent it all, I know not when, For who is quick enough to know The time in which a crown may go?

Long, long afterward, in a whin I found the golf-ball, black as sin; But the five shillings are missing still! They haven’t turned up, and I doubt if they will.

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