# Young Swell and Tramp explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A conceited young swell encounters a witty tramp who, despite being rebuffed for money, cleverly asks for the swell's calling card to visit his home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

The poem illustrates a moral lesson about pride and humility, as the swell's conceit is met with the tramp's clever persistence.

## Character check-ins

### Young Benwell

The young swell full of conceit, encountered by the tramp.

### Jack Smith

The witty tramp who tells a sad tale and asks for the swell's card.

## Key lines

> One day a youth full of conceit, With witty tramp he chanced to meet, As he was taking walk abroad So leisurely along the road.

A self-important young man encountered a clever tramp while strolling casually down the road.

_Introduces the two characters and the setting of their meeting._

> Said swell, “I never take a load Of money with me when abroad, For to dispense to tramps on street, When I by chance with them do meet.”

The swell claimed he never carries money to give to beggars he meets on the street.

_The swell's excuse for not giving money to the tramp._

> Said he, “Give me your card to call, And visit your manorial hall.”

The tramp then asked for the swell's calling card so he could visit his grand home.

_The tramp's witty retort, turning the tables on the swell._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/young-swell-and-tramp
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters