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Poem
April 15, 1855
Nashville Union And American
Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee
What is this article about?
A didactic poem urging readers to avoid debt, arguing that mending old clothes and living simply preserves peace of mind and honor over fashionable appearances that lead to anxiety and servitude.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
DON'T RUN IN DEBT
Don't run in debt: never mind, never mind it thy clothes are needed and torn:
Fix 'em up, make 'em do: it is better by far
Than to have the heart weary and worn.
Who's to love you the less for the set of your hat
Or the cut, or the length of your shoe,
The shape of your coat, or your boots or cravat,
If they know you're in debt for the new?
There's no comfort, I tell you, in waiting the street
In fine clothes if you know you're in debt;
And half of your chance you some tradesman may meet
Who will sneer—"They're not paid for yet."
Go friends. Let me beg of you, don't run in debt—
If the chairs and the sofas are old,
They will fit your back better than any unless
They're paid for—with gold:
If the house is too small, draw the closer together,
Keep it warm with hearty good will;
A big one, unpaid for, in all kinds of weather
Will send your blood chill.
Don't run in debt: now, dear girls, take a hint,
(If the husband have changed since last season,)
Old nature is out in the very same tint—
And old Nature, you think, has some reason:
But just say to your friend that you cannot afford
To spend time to keep up with the fashion;
That your purse is too light and your honor too bright
To be tarnished with such silly passion.
Gents, don't run in debt: let your friends, if they can,
Have fine houses, feathers and flowers;
But, unless they are paid for, be more of a man
Than to envy their sunshiny hours.
If you've money to spare, I have nothing to say;
Spend your dollars and dimes as you please;
But, mind you, the man who his note has to pay,
Is the man who is never at ease.
Kind husbands, don't run in debt any more;
'Twill fill your wife's cup full of sorrow
To know that your neighbor may call at your door
With a bill you must settle to-morrow.
O, take my advice; it is good, it is true!
(But, lest some of you may doubt,)
I'll whisper a secret now, seeing 'tis you—
I have tried it, and know all about.
The chain of a debtor is heavy and cold—
Its links all corrosion and rust;
Gild it o'er as you will, it is never of gold;—
Then spurn it aside with disgust.
The man who's in debt is too often a slave;
Though his heart may be honest and true
Can he hold up his head, and look saucy and brave,
When a note he can't pay becomes due?
Don't run in debt: never mind, never mind it thy clothes are needed and torn:
Fix 'em up, make 'em do: it is better by far
Than to have the heart weary and worn.
Who's to love you the less for the set of your hat
Or the cut, or the length of your shoe,
The shape of your coat, or your boots or cravat,
If they know you're in debt for the new?
There's no comfort, I tell you, in waiting the street
In fine clothes if you know you're in debt;
And half of your chance you some tradesman may meet
Who will sneer—"They're not paid for yet."
Go friends. Let me beg of you, don't run in debt—
If the chairs and the sofas are old,
They will fit your back better than any unless
They're paid for—with gold:
If the house is too small, draw the closer together,
Keep it warm with hearty good will;
A big one, unpaid for, in all kinds of weather
Will send your blood chill.
Don't run in debt: now, dear girls, take a hint,
(If the husband have changed since last season,)
Old nature is out in the very same tint—
And old Nature, you think, has some reason:
But just say to your friend that you cannot afford
To spend time to keep up with the fashion;
That your purse is too light and your honor too bright
To be tarnished with such silly passion.
Gents, don't run in debt: let your friends, if they can,
Have fine houses, feathers and flowers;
But, unless they are paid for, be more of a man
Than to envy their sunshiny hours.
If you've money to spare, I have nothing to say;
Spend your dollars and dimes as you please;
But, mind you, the man who his note has to pay,
Is the man who is never at ease.
Kind husbands, don't run in debt any more;
'Twill fill your wife's cup full of sorrow
To know that your neighbor may call at your door
With a bill you must settle to-morrow.
O, take my advice; it is good, it is true!
(But, lest some of you may doubt,)
I'll whisper a secret now, seeing 'tis you—
I have tried it, and know all about.
The chain of a debtor is heavy and cold—
Its links all corrosion and rust;
Gild it o'er as you will, it is never of gold;—
Then spurn it aside with disgust.
The man who's in debt is too often a slave;
Though his heart may be honest and true
Can he hold up his head, and look saucy and brave,
When a note he can't pay becomes due?
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Debt
Frugality
Fashion
Honor
Moral Advice
Avoid Debt
Self Control
Poem Details
Title
Don't Run In Debt
Subject
Advice Against Running Into Debt
Key Lines
Don't Run In Debt: Never Mind, Never Mind It Thy Clothes Are Needed And Torn:
Fix 'Em Up, Make 'Em Do: It Is Better By Far
Than To Have The Heart Weary And Worn.
The Chain Of A Debtor Is Heavy And Cold—
Its Links All Corrosion And Rust;
Gild It O'er As You Will, It Is Never Of Gold;—
Then Spurn It Aside With Disgust.