Perverted Proverbs: A Manual of Immorals for the Many — 'Don't Buy a Pig in a Poke.'
"_Don't Buy a Pig in a Poke.
_" Unscrupulous Pigmongers will Attempt to wheedle and to coax The ignorant young housewife till She purchases her pigs in pokes;
Beasts that have got a Lurid Past, Or else are far Too Good to Last.
So, should you not desire to be The victim of a cruel hoax, Then promise me, ah!
promise me, You will not purchase pigs in pokes!
('Twould be an error just as big To poke your purchase in a pig.
) Too well I know the bitter cost, To turn this subject off with jokes;
How many a fortune has been lost By men who purchased pigs in pokes.
(Ah!
think on such when you would talk With mouths that are replete with pork!
) And, after dinner, round the fire, Astride of Grandpa's rugged knee, Implore your bored but patient sire To tell you what a Poke may be.
The fact he might disclose to you-- Which is far more than _I_ can do.
* * * * *