Give Not Poem by Hannington Mumo

Give not the mire-loving swine the glossiest pearl
Or she'll crush gift and gifter under messiest mud;
And off inane canines that senseless smell and snarl
Keep your most treasured token and the golden stud.

The best blade for high toil given to the most lost scoundrel
Becomes the sharpest edge under which will fall your laurel
When to the bloodiest use such a benign tool is put
By numbskulls who prefer otiose soot for lofty loot.

"And look the gift goat in the mouth
For silver spoons do therein repose":
This serves for a jingle for rascals of thankless wits
Whom sundials unwind, whom high hosts oppose.

So to yourself keep your privy things of worth
Like your chest of gold…like your merry mirth;
For amidst arid desolations these prove pricey,
When stingy men and their erratic joys act dicey.