| |
| GOOD Master, you and I were born | |
| In “Teacup days” of hoop and hood, | |
| And when the silver cue hung down, | |
| And toasts were drunk, and wine was good; | |
| |
| When kin of mine (a jolly brood) | 5 |
| From sideboards looked, and knew full well | |
| What courage they had given the beau, | |
| How generous made the blushing belle. | |
| |
| Ah me! what gossip could I prate | |
| Of days when doors were locked at dinners! | 10 |
| Believe me, I have kissed the lips | |
| Of many pretty saints—or sinners. | |
| |
| Lip service have I done, alack! | |
| I don’t repent, but come what may, | |
| What ready lips, sir, I have kissed, | 15 |
| Be sure at least I shall not say. | |
| |
| Two honest gentlemen are we,— | |
| I Demi John, whole George are you; | |
| When Nature grew us one in years | |
| She meant to make a generous brew. | 20 |
| |
| She bade me store for festal hours | |
| The sun our south-side vineyard knew; | |
| To sterner tasks she set your life, | |
| As statesman, writer, scholar, grew. | |
| |
| Years eighty-six have come and gone; | 25 |
| At last we meet. Your health to-night. | |
| Take from this board of friendly hearts | |
| The memory of a proud delight. | |
| |
| The days that went have made you wise, | |
| There ’s wisdom in my rare bouquet. | 30 |
| I ’m rather paler than I was; | |
| And, on my soul, you ’re growing gray. | |
| |
| I like to think, when Toper Time | |
| Has drained the last of me and you, | |
| Some here shall say, They both were good,— | 35 |
The wine we drank, the man we knew.
1886 | |
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