But my assets are very low:
My little income's overspent:
To trench on capital, you know,
Is always inconvenient!' <br><br>
'But pay your debts!' cried honest Paul.
'My gentle Peter, pay your debts!
What matter if it swallows all
That you describe as your "assets"?
Already you're an hour behind:
Yet Generosity is best.
It pinches me—but never mind!
I will not charge you interest!'<br><br>
'How good! How great!' poor Peter cried.
'Yet I must sell my Sunday wig—
The scarf-pin that has been my pride—
My grand piano—and my pig!'
Full soon his property took wings:
And daily, as each treasure went,
He sighed to find the state of things
Grow less and less convenient.<br><br>
Weeks grew to months, and months to years:
Peter was worn to skin and bone: