Harry is a spender; brings me gifts of splendor, Rings and things of platinum and gold, Silk-lined dressing cases from the smartest places, Webby stockings lovely to behold. Harry's gifts I treasure with a lot of pleasure, But—they make no inroads on his hoard; One as rich as Harry can be lavish, very. Jimmy gives me gifts he can't afford! Cyril is a highbrow, tall above the eyebrow; Cyril gives me esoteric books; Spends his bright sesterces on thin books of verses Which are very nobby and de luxe. On me Cyril showers Nietzsches, Schopenhauers, With the deepest dogmas underscored; They are gifts expensive; still, his roll's extensive; Jimmy gives me gifts he can't afford! Jimmy has no money, yet with smile that's sunny Jimmy fetches little lovely things; Pawns his watch and buys me presents to surprise me, Beauty in each token that he brings. They're not rich or showy, but I chance to know he Bought me gifts—and stinted on his board. So, I choose the whimmy, spendthrift, reckless Jimmy— Jimmy gives me gifts he can't afford! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...L.E.L.'S LAST QUESTION by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING DELIGHT IN DISORDER by ROBERT HERRICK FOR THE INAUGURATION OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL, CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY by WALT WHITMAN PSALM 114 by OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE THE INDIAN SUMMER by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD LINES ON A PICTURE OF A GIRL IN THE ATTITUDE OF A PRAYER BY THE ARTIST GRUSE by THOMAS CAMPBELL |