The Meerschaum white, or the brown briar-root— How many phases of life they suit! Good luck or bad luck, glory or gloom, All tone to one colour—take one perfume, If you've just "struck oil," and with pride run mad, If you haven't a sou, and are bound to the bad— Good luck may vanish, or bad luck mend: Put each in your pipe and smoke it, friend! If you love a Lady fair to view, And she turns with a cold contempt from you, While at your rival a smile she darts— Walking with pride on a pathway of hearts, Wrapt in her softness, dainty and nice, Fire in her eyes, at her bosom ice— In search of returns precious time why spend? Put your love in your pipe and smoke it, friend! If you climb the ladder of politics, where Whose ascends breathes difficult air; And, being highest of men of the time, Are slightly elate with your seat sublime, A little apt at yourself to wonder, And mistake your own bray for real thunder; Think how rockets rise and how sticks descend— Put success in your pipe and smoke it, friend. If Fame be your football, any day A stronger player may kick it away. Round @3you@1 to-day lion-hunters smother; Next week the Lion's skin goes to another. From Popularity's box-seat hurled, Lie still and see your successor purled. A nine-days' wonder nine days will spend: So put "vogue" in your pipe and smoke it, friend! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SICKNESS by CHARLES BUKOWSKI TO THE GIRL WHO HELPED IN THE WAR by JOSEPHINE DODGE DASKAM BACON SEVEN HONEST MEN by MARTIN BENSON THE CANON OF AUGHRIM by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE ELDER WOMAN'S SONG: 3, FR. KING LEAR'S WIFE by GORDON BOTTOMLEY THE WANDERER: 5. IN HOLLAND: AUTUMN by EDWARD ROBERT BULWER-LYTTON |