"A Pedlar" by John Dowland

A Pedlar

by John Dowland

Fine knacks for ladies! cheap, choice, brave, and new,
   Good pennyworths–but money cannot move:
I keep a fair but for the Fair to view–
   A beggar may be liberal of love.
Though all my wares be trash, the heart is true,
   The heart is true.

Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again;
   My trifles come as treasures from my mind:
It is a precious jewel to be plain;
   Sometimes in shell the orient'st pearls we find–
Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain!
   Of me a grain!