Social Commentaries

Of liberality in giuing nothing

by Sir John Harington 1560–1612

From The Most Elegant and Witty Epigrams (1618), Book 1

Social Commentaries

I Heare some say, and some belieue it too,
That craft is found eu'n in the clouted shoo
Sure I haue found it with the losse of pence,
My Tenants haue both craft and eloquence.
For when one hath a suite before he aske it.
His Orator pleades for him in a basket.
Well Tenant well, he was your friend that taught you
This learn'd Exordium, Master, here cha brought you.
For with one courtesie and two Capons giuing,
Thou sauest ten pounds in buying of thy liuing.
Which makes me say, that haue obseru'd this quality
In poore men not to giue, is niggerality.

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Book 1, Epigram 11

MLA

Harington, John. “Of liberality in giuing nothing.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/harington/9/.

Chicago

Harington, John. “Of liberality in giuing nothing.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/harington/9/.

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