ONCE, in Madrid, there dwelt a worthy man, And wealthy too, of whom 't was truly said His house -- the best the architects could plan -- Was vastly better furnished than his head! And yet one room this splendid dwelling lacked A wealthy squire should have, beyond a doubt; To wit, a Library, -- a thing in fact "No gentleman can fairly live without." So said a neighbor, adding his advice That one be built without the least delay; "And let," he said, the room be large and nice; By Jove! I wouldn't wait another day!" "Egad!" he answered, "I must find a spot Somewhere about the house; of course I know A man wants books, and books, sir, shall be got; If not for use, they're requisite for show! "I have it now! my carpenter shall use What space he chooses in the northern wing; One sees from there the loveliest of views; Faith! on reflection, it is just the thing! "I'll have it finished in the finest style; Such as may suit a gentleman's abode; With doors and shelves ('t will cost a pretty pile!) All stained and gilded in the latest mode. "And then I'll send my trusty servant Bob (An honest fellow and the best of cooks, And always clever at a tasty job), By careful measurement, to buy the books." But ere the work was done, from floor to shelf, The owner, pondering on the great expense Incurred already, said within himself: "This room, egad! is really quite immense! "With handsome books these cases to supply Will cost a sum of money rather tall! But since I merely aim to please the eye, Pray, what's the use of real books at all? "A thousand gilded backs will do as well, Lettered to look like volumes all a-row; Mere wooden backs in fact, but who can tell They are not real, I should like to know!" So said, so done; and now at length behold All things complete. With pride the owner looks To see -- at little cost of precious gold -- His wooden cases filled with wooden books! MORAL. "A fool!" you say, "to spend his money so!" Well -- not a very Solomon, indeed; But wiser, sure, than they who buy for show The costly volumes which they never read! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...HAPPY WIND by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES SKIPPER IRESON'S RIDE by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER VILLANELLE, WITH STEVENSON'S ASSISTANCE by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS HINDOO FUNERAL SONG by EDWIN ARNOLD SARCOPSYLLA PENETRANS by ALTA WRENWICK BROWN TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. ON THE EVE OF DEPARTURE by EDWARD CARPENTER PORTRAITS: 6 by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS |