Page:The Bab Ballads.djvu/77

 It left him quiet, calm, and cool,
 * Though hardly knowing what a crown was—

You can't imagine what a fool
 * Poor rich, uneducated was!

He scouted all who wished to come
 * And give him monetary schooling;

And I propose to give you some
 * Idea of his insensate fooling.

I formed a company or two—
 * (Of course I don't know what the rest meant,

I formed them solely with a view
 * To help him to a sound investment).

Their objects were—their only cares—
 * To justify their Boards in showing

A handsome dividend on shares,
 * And keep their good promoter going.

But no—the lout prefers his brass,
 * Though shares at par I freely proffer:

Yes—will it be believed?—the ass
 * Declines, with thanks, my well-meant offer!

He added, with a bumpkin's grin,
 * (A weakly intellect denoting)

He'd rather not invest it in
 * A company of my promoting!