GARRULOUS WISDOM

I KNOW a wondrous man — my neighbor he;

He’ s ripe in years, and great in understanding.

He’ s versed in art, and in philosophy

He shows a mind that’ s verily commanding.

He’ ll stand before a painting, and without

A single instant’ s thought, or hesitation,

He’ ll tell the painter’ s name, nor any doubt

Is there he gives the proper information.

The rocks, the hills and valleys, hold from him

No secret that is past a man’ s revealing.

He knows why some are stout and others slim;

He comprehends all kinds of human feeling.

The records of the stars he knows, and each

Romance that round about the heavens lingers.

At dinner-time he oft delights to preach

On which was made the first, or forks or fingers.

Indeed, all things he knows, or high or low —

The things that fly on wing, or go a-walking —

Except one thing he never seems to know,

And that’ s when he should stop his endless talking.