'T WAS tempting, fat, and looked well filled; With joy the villain's heart it thrilled. "These women have no sense," he said, As he approached with stealthy tread. "They tempt us with their foolishness, And so I take that purse, I guess." A sudden grab, and then a scream, A cry, "Stop thief," and through the stream Of moving people quick there glides The man, and in an alley hides. There gloatingly he eyes the purse. "Oho!" he cries; "I'll reimburse Myself for all the pains I took To get this well-filled pocketbook." 'T is open, and within he sees A yard of tape and two trunk keys, A postage stamp (he waxes wroth), A spool of thread, a piece of cloth; And, as reward for this bold crime, He finds at last one silver dime. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...IN THE TWILIGHT by JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL THE SILKWORM by VINCENT BOURNE AN ELEGY ON THE COUNTESS DOWAGER OF PEMBROKE by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) THE POET'S VOW by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |