Page:Backblock Ballads and Later Verses (C.J. Dennis, 1918).djvu/97



Ah, prithee, friend, if them hast aught Of love and kind regard for me, Tell not yon bore the stories droll That yesternight I told to thee.

Nor tell him stories of thine own, Nor chestnut of antiquitee; Nor quip nor crank, nor anything If thou hast aught of love for me.

For sense of humour hath he none, No gift for telling tales hath he; Yet thinks himself, within his heart, A wit of wondrous drolleree.

And in the golden summer-time With ear a-cock he roameth free, Collecting quibble, quip, and crank; And anecdotes collecteth he.

89