The Man of Questions paused and stood <br />Before the Man of Toil, <br />And asked, 'Are you content, my man, <br />To dig here in the soil? <br />Do you not yearn for wealth and fame, <br />And this wide world to see?' <br />The Man of Toil still stirred the soil <br />And answered, 'No, sir-ee!' <br /> <br />'Do you not yearn,' the Questioner asked, <br />'To pluck life's higher fruits?' <br />'Oh, yes,' said he, 'I'd like, maybe, <br />Another pair of boots.' <br />'And wouldn't you like a coat to match, <br />And pantaloons and a hat; <br />And wouldn't you like to dress as well <br />As your neighbor Jacob Pratt?' <br />'Why, I'd have duds as good as Jake,' <br />The Man of Toil replied; <br />'Why, I'd have clo'es as good as those <br />'Fore I'd be satisfied.' <br /> <br />'But if Jake ran for selectman <br />And nothing could defeat him, <br />How would it do, then, just for you <br />To step right in and beat him?' <br />'First-class idee,' the Man of Toil <br />Responded with delight; <br />'I think I'd make mince-meat of Jake <br />'Fore we got through the fight.' <br /> <br />'And then you'd settle down content?' <br />'Content? Of Course! I swan! <br />A man's a hog who asks for more <br />When he's a sillickman.' <br />'But, sir, our Congress is corrupt <br />And needs a renovation; <br />Wouldn't you consent in such event <br />To take the nomination?' <br />'Oh yes I'd take the job,' said he. <br />The Questioner arched his eyes, <br />'Then don't you think the presidency <br />Would be about your size? <br />Now after Congress had been cleansed <br />Beyond a shade of doubt <br />I think you'd go--you would, I know-- <br />And clean the White House out.' <br /> <br />'I'd take the job and do it brown,' <br />The Man of Toil replied; <br />'But you hoe corn from morn till night <br />And still are satisfied.' <br />'Me satisfied! I guess that you <br />Don't know me,' he began-- <br />'Oh, yes, I do, I well know you <br />You are the Average Man.'<br /><br />Sam Walter Foss<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/toil-s-sweet-content/
