Toughly Commercial In Dispatch

[F L Light]

I think Rand was not much taken with W.S. as he is rarely mentioned in her works.

Shakespeare's father in the incipient capitalism of 16th century England was much involved and likely had his eldest son assist him with the deeds or bonds of deals. These poems are from Shakespeare Undiminished, a work of more than 900 biographical sonnets on the poet.

Shakespeare Undiminished Book 3

Tuition Wrought Him Tough

Tuition wrought him tough, him thrifty, him

Intent to thrive. Censorious trafficking

He’d offer. Verbal scowling, ever grim

In covenants, he’d inflict, unpitying

For money. Tutored to esteem a trade,

He practised estimations to appraise

New wool. In manifold events he made

Decisions, proving sage, judicious days

Enjoying. Traffic should be querulous,

He knew, when by the carping chapmen wool

Was offered. Chaffering vociferous

In sharpest prudence Shakespeare proved, not full

Of pride. He learned repining, loath to pay

Too much, not leave the market in dismay.

Shakespeare Undiminished Book 3

He Chaffer?

He chaffer? he Shakespeare? he sage enough

To shape a deal? A buyer’s readiness

To bicker he revealed, as aptly tough

As traders are in judgement, merciless

Conceits maintaining. His acuity

Came forth in censure, carping at the price

Of wool. “A hundred worthy tods should be

For ninety pounds exchanged,” he said, precise

In cheaping. Gainful bargains he vouchsafed

To buy, the chariest haggler grieving, sure

By instance to succeed. His greed was chafed,

Not lightly cowed, if less expenditure

Pertained. For his renowned negations not

A fool he proved who much for little got.

Shakespeare Undiminished Book 3

Wisely Dubious

Shakespeare, of wisely dubious wit, who trained

His hesitation to demur at length,

In presages suspicious, oft refrained

From trades, aware how prices by the strength

Of new demand might fly. His diffidence

In value never sentiment allowed.

Perfidious markets fearing, providence

He followed, by no reckless instance cowed.

The busiest workings of his brain, in sense

Of proper worth, judicious proved, affairs

Of judgement weighing, in no consequence

Misled, conducted by sagacious cares.

He kept his traffic slow, not lightly bent

On deals but in demurral provident.

Edited October 11, 2006 by F L Light