| If you fancy that your people came of better stock than mine,
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| If you hint that higher breeding by a word or by a sign,
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| If you’re proud because of fortune or the clever things you do --
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| Then I’ll play no second fiddle: I’m a prouder man than you!
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| If you think that your profession has the more gentility,
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| And that you are condescending to be seen along with me;
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| If you notice that I’m shabby while your clothes are spruce and new --
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| You have only got to hint it: I’m a prouder man than you!
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| If you have a swell companion when you see me on the street,
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| And you think that I’m too common for your toney friend to meet,
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| So that I, in passing closely, fail to come within your view --
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| Then be blind to me for ever: I’m a prouder man than you!
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| If your character be blameless, if your outward past be clean,
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| While 'tis known my antecedents are not what they should have been,
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| Do not risk contamination, save your name whate’er you do --
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| 'Birds o' feather fly together': I’m a prouder bird than you!
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| If you fancy that your people came of better stock than mine,
|
| If you hint that higher breeding by a word or by a sign,
|
| If you’re proud because of fortune or the clever things you do --
|
| Then I’ll play no second fiddle: I’m a prouder man than you!
|
| If you think that your profession has the more gentility,
|
| And that you are condescending to be seen along with me;
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| If you notice that I’m shabby while your clothes are spruce and new --
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| You have only got to hint it: I’m a prouder man than you! |