'Not willingly would I inflict,'

    Said Peter, 'on that noble heart

    One needless pang. Yet why so strict?

    Is this to act a friendly part?

    However legal it may be

    To pay what never has been lent,

    This style of business seems to me

    Extremely inconvenient!

    'No Nobleness of soul have I,

    Like some that in this Age are found!'

    (Paul blushed in sheer humility,

    And cast his eyes upon the ground)

    'This debt will simply swallow all,

    And make my life a life of woe!'

    'Nay, nay, nay Peter!' answered Paul.

    'You must not rail on Fortune so!

    'You have enough to eat and drink:

    You are respected in the world:

    And at the barber's, as I think,

    You often get your whiskers curled.

    Though Nobleness you ca'n't attain

    To any very great extent—

    The path of Honesty is plain,

    However inconvenient!'

    "Tis true, 'said Peter,' I'm alive:

    I keep my station in the world:

    Once in the week I just contrive

    To get my whiskers oiled and curled.

    But my assets are very low:

    My little income's overspent:

    To trench on capital, you know,

    Is always inconvenient!'

    'But pay your debts!' cried honest Paul.

    'My gentle Peter, pay your debts!

    What matter if it swallows all

    That you describe as your "assets"?

    Already you're an hour behind:

    Yet Generosity is best.

    It pinches me—but never mind!

    I WILL NOT CHARGE YOU INTEREST!'

    'How good! How great!' poor Peter cried.

    'Yet I must sell my Sunday wig—

    The scarf-pin that has been my pride—

    My grand piano—and my pig!'

    Full soon his property took wings:

    And daily, as each treasure went,

    He sighed to find the state of things

    Grow less and less convenient.

    Weeks grew to months, and months to years:

    Peter was worn to skin and bone:

    And once he even said, with tears,

    'Remember, Paul, that promised Loan!'

    Said Paul' I'll lend you, when I can,

    All the spare money I have got—

    Ah, Peter, you're a happy man!

    Yours is an enviable lot!