Читать книгу Neghborly Poems and Dialect Sketches - Riley James Whitcomb - Страница 18

I tell you what I'd ruther do —

Ef I only had my ruthers, —

I'd ruther work when I wanted to

Than be bossed round by others; —

I'd ruther kindo' git the swing

O' what was needed, first, I jing!

Afore I swet at anything! —

Ef I only had my ruthers; —

In fact I'd aim to be the same

With all men as my brothers;

And they'd all be the same with me—

Ef I only had my ruthers.

I wouldn't likely know it all —

Ef I only had my ruthers; —

I'd know some sense, and some base-ball —

Some old jokes, and – some others:

I'd know some politics, and 'low

Some tarif-speeches same as now,

Then go hear Nye on "Branes and How

To Detect Theyr Presence." T'others,

That stayed away, I'd let 'em stay —

All my dissentin' brothers

Could chuse as shore a kill er cuore,

Ef I only had my ruthers.

The pore 'ud git theyr dues sometimes —

Ef I only had my ruthers, —

And be paid dollars 'stid o' dimes,

Fer childern, wives and mothers:

Theyr boy that slaves; theyr girl that sews —

Fer others– not herself, God knows! —

The grave's her only change of clothes!

… Ef I only had my ruthers,

They'd all have "stuff" and time enugh

To answer one-another's

Appealin' prayer fer "lovin' care" —

Ef I only had my ruthers.

They'd be few folks 'ud ast fer trust,

Ef I only had my ruthers,

And blame few business-men to bu'st

Theyrselves, er harts of others:

Big Guns that come here durin' Fair-

Week could put up jest anywhare,

And find a full-and-plenty thare,

Ef I only had my ruthers:

The rich and great 'ud 'sociate

With all theyr lowly brothers,

Feelin' we done the honorun —

Ef I only had my ruthers.