Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MY JOLLY FRIEND'S SECRET, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Ah, friend of mine, how goes it Last Line: I am purty tight -- that's all! Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Drinks & Drinking; Friendship; Kisses; Secrets; Wine | ||||||||
Ah, friend of mine, how goes it, Since you've taken you a mate? -- Your smile, though, plainly shows it Is a very happy state! Dan Cupid's necromancy! You must sit you down and dine, And lubricate your fancy With a glass or two of wine. And as you have "deserted," As my other chums have done, While I laugh alone diverted, As you drop off one by one -- And I've remained unwedded, Till -- you see -- look here -- that I'm, In a manner, "snatched bald-headed" By the sportive hand of Time! I'm an "old 'un!" yes, but wrinkles Are not so plenty, quite, As to cover up the twinkles Of the boy -- ain't I right? Yet, there are ghosts of kisses Under this mustache of mine My mem'ry only misses When I drown 'em out with wine. From acknowledgment so ample, You would hardly take me for What I am -- a perfect sample Of a "jolly bachelor"; Not a bachelor has being When he laughs at married life But his heart and soul's agreeing That he ought to have a wife! Ah, ha I old chum, this claret, Like Fatima, holds the key Of the old Blue-Beardish garret Of my hidden mystery! Did you say you'd like to listen? Ah, my boy! the "SAD NO MORE!" And the tear-drops that will glisten -- Turn the catch upon the door, And sit you down beside me, And put yourself at ease -- I'll trouble you to slide me That wine decanter, please; The path is kind o' mazy Where my fancies have to go, And my heart gets sort o' lazy On the journey -- don't you know? Let me see -- when I was twenty -- It's a lordly age, my boy, When a fellow's money's plenty, And the leisure to enjoy -- And a girl -- with hair as golden As -- that; and lips -- well -- quite As red as this I'm holdin' Between you and the light. And eyes and a complexion -- Ah, heavens! -- le'-me-see -- Well, -- just in this connection, -- Did you lock that door for me? Did I start in recitation My past life to recall? Well, that's an indication I am purty tight -- that's all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A CUP OF TREMBLINGS by JOHN HOLLANDER VINTAGE ABSENCE by JOHN HOLLANDER SENT WITH A BOTTLE OF BURGUNDY FOR A BIRTHDAY by JOHN HOLLANDER TO A CIVIL SERVANT by EDMUND JOHN ARMSTRONG WINE by FRIEDRICH MARTIN VON BODENSTEDT THE GOOD FELLOW by ALEXANDER BROME WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN by DAVID LEHMAN A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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