TOBACCO LEAVES 

 PLANTA DIVINA 



WHEN the gods, at their symposia, 

 Supped on nectar and ambrosia, 



Surely something more was needed than 



they knew. 



'Tis quite true there was no lack o' 

 Food and drink but no tobacco 

 For the only " pipe " then known Pan 

 softly blew. 



At the court where Odin lorded, 

 Neither he knew nor yet Thor did 



Of the grateful fragrance of the balmy 



weed; 



For a " pipe," to those Walhallans, 

 Meant a many, many gallons 



Of their foaming and exhilarating mead. 



No! 'Twas left for mighty Gitche 

 Manito to send so rich a 



Blessing down upon his children here 

 below. 



118 



