A SUPERCILIOUS NABOB of the East -- Haughty, being great -- purse-proud, being rich -- A governor, or general, at the least, I have forgotten which -- Had in his family a humble youth, Who went from England in his patron's suite, An unassuming boy, in truth A lad of decent parts, and good repute. This youth had sense and spirit; But yet, with all his sense, Excessive diffidence Obscured his merit. One day, at table, flushed with pride and wine, His Honor, proudly free, severely merry, Conceived it would be vastly fine To crack a joke upon his secretary. "Young man," he said, "by what art, craft, or trade, Did your good father gain his livelihood?" "He was a saddler, sir," Modestus said, "And in his time was reckoned good." "A saddler, eh! and taught you Greek Instead of teaching you to sew! Pray, why did not your father make A saddler, sir, of you?" Each parasite, then, as in duty bound, The joke applauded, and the laugh went round, At length Modestus, bowing low, Said (craving pardon, if too free he made), "Sir, by your leave, I fain would know Your father's trade!" "My father's trade! By heaven, that's too bad! My father's trade? Why, blockhead, are you mad? My father, sir, did never stoop so low -- He was a gentleman, I'd have you know." "Excuse the liberty I take," Modestus said, with archness on his brow, "Pray, why did not your father make A gentleman of you?" | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BIRTHDAY by LOUIS UNTERMEYER A BARD'S EPITAPH by ROBERT BURNS A PRAYER TO THE WIND by THOMAS CAREW THE CREMATION OF SAM MCGEE by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE PSALM 83 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE UNINITIATED by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE |