The Private Conference of Harry Fat

Said Harry Fat to Holyoake,
"With fools outside the door,
Wise men within, I'll tell you straight
I hate the sulky boor
Who flaunts his dirty fingernails
And never owned a store."

"Oh, yes, indeed," said Holyoake,
"We've met their kind before."

Said Harry Fat, "I've read about
A doll who liked to sing,
And where you tapped his wooden head
His little bell would ring.
I like the kind of country where
The little man is king."

"I quite agree," said Holyoake,
"It is a splendid thing."

Said Hairy Fat, "I've heard it said
The Civil Service needs
Protection from the Communists
Who sow rebellious seeds.
The right man in the right place
Will pluck them out like weeds."

"We must keep watch," said Holyoake
"On any man who reads."

Said Harry Fat, "If you will take
A businessman's advice—
Tell me a voter's income
And I'll tell you his price;
Although it's wiser not to come
With the same promise twice."

"Upon my word," said Holyoake,
"The point is very nice."

Said Harry Fat, "I call the man
Who digs my garden, 'Bert.'
He has his place and I have mine,
His job's to shovel dirt.
But I'll have no truck with a Chinese ape
Who wears a peasant shirt."

"Except with guns," said Holyoake—
"The message then is curt."

Said Harry Fat to Holyoake,
"To falter would be sin;
But oh I had a fearful dream
When the small hours begin;
I dreamt I was a mouse inside
A mangy lion skin."

"We are the truth," said Holyoake,
"The truth will always win."

—James K. Baxter.