A Child's Mint

When young, I kissed a miser man,

A brand new penny for my pain;

In case he asked me for a ha-penny back,

I kissed him once and then again.

With kisses here, and kisses there,

I kissed for all that I could get;

I had a mint so rich and full

That kisses paid my every debt.

My kisses now are wind, not breath,

In refuse-heaps they lie unsold;

All debts and favours, all demands

Cry out for silver, and for gold.