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Show MY EMPTY PURSE by Mary ?? ?? You little needy thing of silk and leather, We've had some very pleasant hours together, When you were full. Now, empty, if you please, Answer a few slight questions, such as these. Want's bad enough, you know; but debt is worse Nor can a creditor be paid in verse? Say are hexameters, as I've been told, In certain markets just as good as gold? Is it a lawful trader leader if the brain Coin its ?? in some pleasant strain? Are metres current? Will a stanza pay For gloves and trifles needed every day? May rhymes be offered for a debt or fee? Are the ?? ?? good security? If I could mortgage ?? ??, would I find a soul to rate the paper good? I heard a little rippling laugh, and then A pleasant voice, which said: "So long as [unreadable] "While maidens smile, and youths enraptured love, While earth is green below, heaven blue above, While home is sweet, while children laugh and play, While love of country o'er the heart holds sway- "Sing on! sing on! The world has not grown cold, If thy notes please it, they are good as gold Sing from the heart, and never doubt not we Shall find the Muses good security." |