Poems (Rice)/Out to Board
OUT TO BOARD.
YOU'RE very kind me to invite, My friend, with you to dine; I could not be so impolite This kindness to decline; I really cannot well afford Not to accept—I am out to board.
The first night of our change, you know, I threw myself upon my bed, White dress enveloped all aglow, Remember you now what I said? How buoyantly my spirit soared, That I, at last, was out to board.
Our landlady, good in her way, Aye she endeavors hard to make Some money, and I think we pay A heap to her, and no mistake; Economy—O ain't we gored.At our house—we're out to board.
I really never knew before, Not by sad experience, How to save every scrap and core, To make of these a hash or mince; This mixture I have oft ignored, Must eat it now—I'm out to board.
The old cracked bell is rung and rung To call us where the rations wait; Not dainties such as Blot has sung Find we upon our dinner plate; Professor, aye, he would be floored Should he, like me, go out to board.
Our rooms are furnished in the style That often such apartments are; But these our stomachs won't beguile With a table at low par; Could home to me but be restored, I'd never more go out to board.
I therefore now accept, and wish You'd not, my friend, before me sit A single rich, nutritious dish, Unless you'd deal it bit by bit; My system is so weak and lowered—For six months I've been out to board.