Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/Economy
Economy; or, the Lady and the Carter.
O'er economy some have such perfect control,
They make the one half go as far as the whole:
You need not be told that in what I relate,
I allude not to those who now govern the State!
No, I speak of a Dame, an old woman 'tis true,
But still with the Government nothing to do!
In her household a pattern of saving you saw,.
For she could with ease make her bricks without straw.
Roast and boiled at her table she had every day,
For potatoes, you know, can be cooked either way:
And at feasts a plum-puddiug with her wasn't rare,
For 'tis a plum-pudding, when one plum is there!
Certain rubbish it chanced 'twas expedient to clear,
And the job being over, to give John some beer:—
A tankard was drawn—"'Tis my brewing," said she,
"Malt and hops—nothing else;"—"Yes, ma'am, to be free,"
Said the man, "something else—I believe a slight matter"—
"What else?" she exclaimed—"Why," said John, "madam, water!"
"Ay, true," was her answer—"Yes, that I forgot"—
"No," said John with a grin, "No, ma'am, you did not!"
They make the one half go as far as the whole:
You need not be told that in what I relate,
I allude not to those who now govern the State!
No, I speak of a Dame, an old woman 'tis true,
But still with the Government nothing to do!
In her household a pattern of saving you saw,.
For she could with ease make her bricks without straw.
Roast and boiled at her table she had every day,
For potatoes, you know, can be cooked either way:
And at feasts a plum-puddiug with her wasn't rare,
For 'tis a plum-pudding, when one plum is there!
Certain rubbish it chanced 'twas expedient to clear,
And the job being over, to give John some beer:—
A tankard was drawn—"'Tis my brewing," said she,
"Malt and hops—nothing else;"—"Yes, ma'am, to be free,"
Said the man, "something else—I believe a slight matter"—
"What else?" she exclaimed—"Why," said John, "madam, water!"
"Ay, true," was her answer—"Yes, that I forgot"—
"No," said John with a grin, "No, ma'am, you did not!"