Page:Carroll - Sylvie and Bruno.djvu/180

152 'You're safe from being overfed:
 * You're sweetly picturesque in rags:

You never know the aching head
 * That comes along with money-bags:

And you have time to cultivate
 * That best of qualities, Content—

For which you'll find your present state
 * Remarkably convenient!'

Said Peter 'Though I cannot sound
 * The depths of such a man as you,

Yet in your character I've found
 * An inconsistency or two.

You seem to have long years to spare
 * When there's a promise to fulfil:

And yet how punctual you were
 * In calling with that little bill!'

'One can't be too deliberate,'
 * Said Paul, 'in parting with one's pelf

With bills, as you correctly state,
 * I'm punctuality itself.

A man may surely claim his dues:
 * But, when there's money to be lent,

A man must be allowed to choose
 * Such times as are convenient!'