Classic and Contemporary Poetry
TO THE REV. MR. NEWTON [RECTOR OF ST. MARY, WOOLNOTH], by WILLIAM COWPER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Says the pipe to the snuff-box, 'I can't understand' Last Line: "but of any thing else they may choose to put in us." Subject(s): Smoking; Tobacco; Pipes; Cigars; Cigarettes | ||||||||
SAYS the Pipe to the Snuff-box, "I can't understand What the ladies and gentlemen see in your face, That you are in fashion all over the land, And I am so much fallen into disgrace. "Do but see what a pretty contemplative air I give to the company,--pray do but note 'em,-- You would think that the wise men of Greece were all there, Or, at least, would suppose them the wise men of Gotham. "My breath is as sweet as the breath of blown roses, While you are a nuisance where'er you appear; There is nothing but snivelling and blowing of noses, Such a noise as turns any man's stomach to hear." Then, lifting his lid in a delicate way, And opening his mouth with a smile quite engaging, The Box in reply was heard plainly to say, "What a silly dispute is this we are waging! "If you have a little of merit to claim, You may thank the sweet-smelling Virginian weed; And I, if I seem to deserve any blame, The before-mentioned drug in apology plead. "Thus neither the praise nor the blame is our own, No room for a sneer, much less a cachinnus; We are vehicles, not of tobacco alone, But of any thing else they may choose to put in us." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ONE LAST DRAW OF THE PIPE by PAUL MULDOON CHANEL NO. 5 by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR OLD MEN ON THE COURTHOUSE LAWN, MURRAY, KENTUCKY by JAMES GALVIN DOWN BY THE CARIB SEA: 2. LOS CIGARILLOS by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON A COMPARISON by WILLIAM COWPER |
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