Down south there is a curio-shop
Unknown to many men;
Thereat do I intend to stop
When I am south again;
The narrow street through which to go —
Aha! I know it well!
And may be you would like to know —
But no — I will not tell!
‘ T is there to find the loveliest plates
( The bluest of the blue! )
At such surprisingly low rates
You'd not believe it true!
And there is one Napoleon vase
Of dainty Sèvres to sell —
I'm sure you'd like to know that place —
But no — I will not tell!
Then, too, I know another shop
Has old, old beds for sale,
With lovely testers up on top
Carved in ornate detail;
And there are sideboards rich and rare,
With fronts that proudly swell —
Oh, there are bargains waiting there,
But where I will not tell!
And hark! I know a bottle-man
Smiling and debonair,
And he has promised me I can
Choose of his precious ware!
In age and shape and color, too,
His dainty goods excel —
Aha, my friends, if you but knew —
But no! I will not tell!
A thousand other shops I know
Where bargains can be got —
Where other folk would like to go
Who have what I have not.
I let them hunt; I hold my mouth —
Yes, though I know full well
Where lie the treasures of the south,
I'm not a going to tell!