Rap! rap!--Is that my lass-- <br />Rap! rap!--is rapping there? <br />It is Fortune. Let her pass! <br />I'll not open the door to her. <br />Rap! rap!-- <br /> <br />All of my friends are making gay <br />My little room, with lips wine-wet: <br />We only wait for you, Lisette! <br />Fortune! you may go your way. <br />Rap! rap!-- <br /> <br />If we might credit half her boast, <br />What wonders gold has in its gift! <br />Well, we have twenty bottles left <br />And still some credit with our host. <br />Rap! rap!-- <br /> <br />Her pearls, and rubies too, she quotes, <br />And mantles more than sumptuous: <br />Lord! but the purple's naught to us,-- <br />We're just now taking off our coats. <br />Rap! rap!-- <br /> <br />She treats us as the rawest youths, <br />With talk of genius and of fame: <br />Thank calumny, alas, for shame! <br />Our faith is spoiled in laurel growths. <br />Rap! rap!-- <br /> <br />Far from our pleasures, we care not <br />Her highest heavens to attain; <br />She fills her big balloons in vain <br />Till we have swamped our little boat. <br />Rap! rap!-- <br /> <br />Yet all our neighbors crowd to be <br />Within her ring of promises, <br />Ah! surely, friends! our mistresses <br />Will cheat us more agreeably. <br />Rap! rap!--<br /><br />Pierre Jean de Beranger<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fortune-9/
