There's little to have but the things I had, <br />There's little to bear but the things I bore. <br />There's nothing to carry and naught to add, <br />And glory to Heaven, I paid the score. <br /> <br />There's little to do but I did before, <br />There's little to learn but the things I know; <br />And this is the sum of a lasting lore: <br />Scratch a lover, and find a foe. <br /> <br />And couldn't it be I was young and mad <br />If ever my heart on my sleeve I wore? <br />There's many to claw at a heart unclad, <br />And little the wonder it ripped and tore. <br />There's one that'll join in their push and roar, <br />With stories to jabber, and stones to throw; <br />He'll fetch you a lesson that costs you sore: <br />Scratch a lover, and find a foe. <br /> <br />So little I'll offer to you, my lad; <br />It's little in loving I set my store. <br />There's many a maid would be flushed and glad, <br />And better you'll knock at a kindlier door. <br />I'll dig at my lettuce, and sweep my floor, <br />Forever, forever I'm done with woe. <br />And happen I'll whistle about my chore, <br />"Scratch a lover, and find a foe." <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> L'ENVOI <br /> <br />Oh, beggar or prince, no more, no more! <br /> Be off and away with your strut and show. <br />The sweeter the apple, the blacker the core: <br /> Scratch a lover, and find a foe!<br /><br />Dorothy Parker<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ballade-of-a-great-weariness/
