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