Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


JIM by FRANCIS BRET HARTE

Poet Analysis

First Line: SAY THERE! P'R'APS / SOME ON YOU CHAPS
Last Line: LONG-LEGGED JIM!

SAY there! P'r'aps
Some on you chaps
Might know Jim Wild?
Well, -- no offence:
Thar ain't no sense
In gettin' riled!

Jim was my chum
Up on the Bar:
That's why I come
Down from up thar,
Lookin' for Jim.
Thank ye, sir! you
Ain't of that crew, --
Blest if you are!

Money? -- Not much:
That ain't my kind;
I an't no such.
Rum? -- I don't mind,
Seein' it's you.

Well, this yer Jim,
Did you know him? --
Jess 'bout your size;
Same kind of eyes? --
Well, that is strange:
Why, it's two year
Since he come here,
Sick, for a change.

Well, here's to us;
Eh?
The deuce you say!
Dead? --
That little cuss?

What makes you star, --
You over thar?
Can't a man drop
's glass in yer shop
But you must rar'?
It wouldn't take
Derned much to break
You and your bar.

Dead!
Poor -- little -- Jim!
-- Why, there was me,
Jones, and Bob Lee,
Harry and Ben, --
No-account men:
Then to take him!

Well, thar -- Good-bye, --
No more, sir, -- I --
Eh?
What's that you say?--
Why, dern it! -- sho! --
No ? Yes! By Jo!
Sold!
Sold!
Why you limb,
You ornery,
Derned old
Long-legged Jim!



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