An English Gentleman
I determined yesterday to become English gentleman;And I have this morning bought a bowler hat.I have bought brown boots and a suit of rare blue serge,Which the affable one who supplied me with itSpoke of as Natty, and added his assuranceThat I would look Quite the Gentleman.I have bought white collars and many-coloured ties,And a walking-stick and a blue-spotted shirt.
Apparelled thus, I strolled this evening down Pennyfields,And the old men came out with expressions of no-kindness.They made ugly mouths,And passed words one to the other of a derisive nature.
But I am young Quong Lee,Who write verse in the English tongue,And am quite English gentleman.And English gentlemanNot suffer himself to be disturbed by hooting of owls.