THE POVERTY OF ROTHSCHILD

(Adapted from La Pauvreté de Rothschild by Théodore de BanvUle), by Sir Tollemache Sinclair. Some hard cash to expect I was led, "Which from London I thought I might miss, Tears of pity I then sadly shed Thinking how poor the rich Rothschild is.

Without cash I was like a cask,

And a beggar I thought I might be,

But what most I deplored was the task

Which Rothschild's bored life seems to me.

That time's money don't me control,

And verse is a passion with me,

To high thoughts it lifts the glad soul,

Of my heart it has always the key.

I love London, it's brimful of charm.

East or West my gay lodgings I pitch,

Great fun's mine and that can't me harm,

And therefore I sometimes feel rich.

Poor Rothschild hears scarcely a sound.

Save of business distracting and work,

He's a slave, who to toil is fast bound,

On his desk piles of papers now lurk.

At the home of some much valued friend

I most eagerly join in his glee.

And whilst with a jest I unbend.

Poor Rothschild toils hard after tea.

When my darling to sing I elect.

My lyre's seized with boundless delight,

But Rothschild, who perhaps is henpecked,

Must to figures add figures all night.

Rothschild, bored, of his wealth seldom prates,

And care will I think drive him mad.

When his cash he erroneously rates,

He must count it again, and is sad.

When I ve a good meal to enjoy.

And on salmon and game have a feast,

This news may poor Rothschild annoy,

« The price of your bonds is decreased. »

Seldom Rothschilds have e'er charming wives,

Neither have they like me many friends,

Of them few have joy in their lives.

Sympathy for my ills makes amends.

Rothschild's appetite, I'm told, is poor,

I believe I more heartily eat ;

His life's shorter than that of a boor,

Than his champagne my tea's more a treat.

Want and woe to relieve's my chief joy,

And at no time impostors me bore,

But Rothschild's great gains have alloy.

Beggars plague him and watch at his door.

0 Muse ! que Rothschild est pauvi-e ! aux bois, l'été,

Jamais le soleil jaune Ne l'a vu. C'est pourquoi je suis souvent tenté

De lui faire l'aumône.