Poem by John Lapraik

An Empty Pocket Easily Known

1.

Man wi’ his pocket so conceited,
He sympathises and ‘s affected;
If emptiness is but suspected,
		‘Tis plainly seen,
He looks like one who’s much neglected,
		When’s pocket’s toom;

2.

His spirits often rise and fall;
They’re subject just to pocket’s call:
His neighbours know, as well’s himsel,
		His current cash:
‘Tis known by ‘s being flat or dull,
		Or spirits flush.

3.

When that his pockets are quite drain’d,
He’s flat, he’s dull, and much asham’d;
His vital pow’rs appear all maim’d,
		Baith word an’ action:
He looks like one that’s self condemn’d,
		Void o’ protection.

4.

The very muscles o’ his face
Are lines that one may read apace;
So that one’s at no loss to guess
		His present state,
Whether his pocket’s full o’ cash,
		Or empty yet.

1. Epistle to R****t B***s
2. The Devil’s Answer to the Poet’s Address
3. When I Upon Thy Bosom Lean…
4. Harvest
5. Summer

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