The Boasting Traveller

A fellow who abroad had been,

Told marvels he had done and seen:

“When resident at Rhodes,” he said,

“A leap of twenty yards he made

Over a barrier ten feet high;

A dozen witnesses were by.”

“Come on,” says one, at the same table,

“Yon ditch and fence to o’erleap you’re able.

They’re not, by much, so high or wide;

Here let the experiment be tried.

Suppose yourself at Rhodes, and we

Your faithful witnesses will be.”

The man replied, “that he to-day

Was not quite well,” and stole away.

Who boast of what they cannot do

Both knavery and folly show.