 | Interludes and Undertones, or, Music at Twilight |  |
58
XLVII. THE PHILOSOPHIC SMOKER.
BY ONE WHO DOES NOT SMOKE.
Sometimes the big world vexes me,
Sometimes dull care perplexes me:
Sometimes on the sea of life
Such storms around me cluster,
And roar and rave and bluster,
I seem to sink in the strife.
No matter! There's always truce
In the heat of the wildest war:
At least I dream or think so,
Smoking my first cigar.
Sometimes dull care perplexes me:
Sometimes on the sea of life
Such storms around me cluster,
And roar and rave and bluster,
I seem to sink in the strife.
No matter! There's always truce
In the heat of the wildest war:
At least I dream or think so,
Smoking my first cigar.
Sometimes when nothing ails me,
Except that the red gold fails me,
I envy the rich in their pride;
Though their only obvious merit
Is the gold that they inherit
And couldn't earn if they tried;
But quietly after dinner
I banish such thoughts afar,
What do I care for Fortune
Smoking my second cigar?
Except that the red gold fails me,
I envy the rich in their pride;
Though their only obvious merit
Is the gold that they inherit
And couldn't earn if they tried;
But quietly after dinner
I banish such thoughts afar,
What do I care for Fortune
Smoking my second cigar?
59
Sometimes, in the heartless city,
I think it a shame and pity
That cash and virtue are one;
That to swindle for shillings seems awful,
While to plunder for millions is lawful,
If only successfully done.
But why should I mend its morals,
Or call the world to my bar?
I've dined, and I wish to be quiet—
I'll smoke my last cigar!
I think it a shame and pity
That cash and virtue are one;
That to swindle for shillings seems awful,
While to plunder for millions is lawful,
If only successfully done.
But why should I mend its morals,
Or call the world to my bar?
I've dined, and I wish to be quiet—
I'll smoke my last cigar!
| Interludes and Undertones, or, Music at Twilight | |