POETRY OF SMOKE. 



39 



A GOOD CIGAR. 



OH, 'tis well enough 

 A whiff or a puff 



From the heart of a pipe to get ; 

 And a dainty maid 

 Or a budding blade 



May toy with the cigarette ; 

 But a man, when the time 

 Of a glorious prime 



Dawns forth like a morning star, 

 Wants the dark-brown bloom 

 And the sweet perfume 



That go with a good cigar. 



To lazily float 

 In a painted boat 



On a shimmering morning sea, 

 Or to flirt with a maid, 

 In the afternoon shade, 



Seems good enough sport to be } 

 But the evening hour, 

 With its subtle power, 



Is sweeter and better far, 

 If joined to the joy, 

 Devoid of alloy, 



That lurks in a good cigar. 



When a blanket wet 

 Is solidly set 

 O'er hopes prematurely grown ; 



