GIVEN a roof, and a taste for rations,

And you have the key to the “wealth of nations.”

Given a boy, a tree, and a hatchet,

And virtue strives in vain to match it.

Given a pair, a snake, and an apple,

You make the whole world need a chapel.

Given “no cards,” broad views, and a hovel,

You have a realistic novel.

Given symptoms and doctors with potion and pill,

And your heirs will ere long be contesting your will.