Classic Poem

I

Now some have sense and little cash,
And men with cash have one sense;
They have the sense to keep their trash,
And think all else but nonsense.
Life is the running of a race
Along a slippery, muddy place,
Where some are helped with friends and grace
The prize to gain,
While others, with endeavouring pace,
Fall on the plain.

II

Some mortals buy the joys of life,
Some beg its necessaries,
Some wage with Fortune endless strife,
Some laugh at her vagaries. —
The Parson minds his tithes and souls,
The Lawyer thrives on sin and rolls,
The Doctor fills the sexton's holes
With murderous blunders;
Great captains send men hence in shoals
'Mid warlike thunders.

III

We civilise the animal,
Yet elbow back the angel;
Would not have man a cannibal,
But keep him in his range well —
This century like lopsided boat,
Just keeps its wretched hulk afloat,
Its God, attired in best black coat,
It worships daily.
Which God, hight Practical, doth dote
On things going gaily.

IV

Dame Fortune like a churlish boor
Helps those who have the wherewith;
Luck oftener falls to those with store,
The poor's success an air-myth. —
The undeserving get the tart,
While merit strains each nerve and art —
Though far behind even at the start —
To reach the prize,
Knaves kick the dust when they've the start
In worthy eyes.

V

Poor honesty is still a fool,
Crowned with a cap and painted,
While craft doth keep a thriving school
And virtue is attainted. —
Hypocrisy's a strumpet jade,
Religion too a thriving trade,
Our creeds like clothes are ready made
To suit all sizes;
Blind justice even loves parade,
The Law, disguises.

VI

What is the use of sad complaint?
It brings no alteration;
Life's goods are but the actor's paint
And life — a situation! —
Man is but man when all is told,
Whatever accidents controlled
His birth; — be 't poverty or gold
He ends the same —
A little dust, a little mould,
A vanished name.

VII

Then let us up and do our part
With manly resolution,
A ready hand, and manly heart
Will yield us life's solution.
Let's pledge each other in our cups,
And square our " downs" against our " ups"
E'en as we can,
And when misfortune with us sups,
Pass him the can.