Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SNAKE IN THE GLASS; A HOMILY, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE Poet's Biography First Line: Come listen awhile to me, my lad Last Line: And visit a regular show! Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics | ||||||||
COME listen awhile to me, my lad; Come listen to me for a spell; Let that terrible drum For a moment be dumb, For your uncle is going to tell What befell A youth who loved liquor too well. A clever young man was he, my lad; And with beauty uncommonly blest, Ere, with brandy and wine, He began to decline, And behaved like a person possessed; I protest The temperance plan is the best. One evening he went to a tavern, my lad; He went to a tavern one night, And drinking too much Rum, brandy, and such. The chap got exceedingly "tight;" And was quite What your aunt would entitle a fright. The fellow fell into a snooze, my lad; 'T is a horrible slumber he takes; He trembles with fear, And acts very queer; My eyes! how he shivers and shakes When he wakes, And raves about horrid great snakes! 'T is a warning to you and to me, my lad; A particular caution to all, -- Though no one can see The vipers but he, -- To hear the poor lunatic bawl: -- "How they craw! -- All over the floor and the wall!" Next morning he took to his bed, my lad; Next morning he took to his bed; And he never got up To dine or to sup, Though properly physicked and bled; And I read, Next day, the poor fellow was dead! You've heard of the snake in the grass my lad; Of the viper concealed in the grass; But now, you must know, Man's deadliest foe Is a snake of a different class; Alas! -- 'T is the viper that lurks in the glass! A warning to you and to me, my lad; A very imperative call: Of liquor keep clear; Don't drink even beer, If you'd shun all occasion to fall; If at all, Pray take it uncommonly small. And if you are partial to snakes, my lad (A passion I think rather low), Don't enter, to see 'em, The Devil's Museum! -- 'T is very much better to go (That's so!) And visit a regular show! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...NO NONSENSE by CHARLES BUKOWSKI THE REPLACEMENTS by CHARLES BUKOWSKI BELLEVUE EXCHANGE by NORMAN DUBIE EVEN NOW YOU ARE LEAVING by TESS GALLAGHER ANY NEWS FROM ALPHA CENTAURI by ANSELM HOLLO DEATH AND CUPID; AN ALLEGORY by JOHN GODFREY SAXE |
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