THE DISCREET COLLECTOR

Down south there is a curio-shop

Unknown to many men;

Thereat do I intend to stop

When I am south again;

The narrow street through which to go —

Aha! I know it well!

And may be you would like to know —

But no — I will not tell!

‘ T is there to find the loveliest plates

( The bluest of the blue! )

At such surprisingly low rates

You'd not believe it true!

And there is one Napoleon vase

Of dainty Sèvres to sell —

I'm sure you'd like to know that place —

But no — I will not tell!

Then, too, I know another shop

Has old, old beds for sale,

With lovely testers up on top

Carved in ornate detail;

And there are sideboards rich and rare,

With fronts that proudly swell —

Oh, there are bargains waiting there,

But where I will not tell!

And hark! I know a bottle-man

Smiling and debonair,

And he has promised me I can

Choose of his precious ware!

In age and shape and color, too,

His dainty goods excel —

Aha, my friends, if you but knew —

But no! I will not tell!

A thousand other shops I know

Where bargains can be got —

Where other folk would like to go

Who have what I have not.

I let them hunt; I hold my mouth —

Yes, though I know full well

Where lie the treasures of the south,

I'm not a going to tell!