42 POETRY OF SMOKE. 



A FAREWELL TO TOBACCO 



MAY the Babylonish curse 



Straight confound my stammering verua 



If I can a passage see 



In this word-perplexity, 



Or a fit expression find, 



Or a language to my mind 



(Still the phrase is wide or scant) 



To take leave of thee, Great Plant 1 



Or in any terms relate 



Half my love or half my hate : 



For I hate yet love thee so, 



That, whichever things I show, 



The plain truth will seem to be 



A constrain'd hyperbole, 



And the passion to proceed 



More from a mistress than a weed. 



Sooty retainer to the vine 



Bacchus' black servant, negro-fine ; 



Sorcerer, thou makest us dote upon 



Thy begrimed complexion, 



And for thy pernicious sake, 



More and greater oaths to break 



Than reclaimed lovers take 



'Gainst women ; thou thy siege dost lay 



Much too in the female way, 



While thou suck'st the laboring breath 



Paster than kisses or than death. 



