Classic Poem

What! my friend! you're surely daft
To frown because at you we laught?
Why, ha, ha, ha! good fellow, good fellow,
You're like old wine to us, ruby and mellow.
And is't not a compliment divine
To tap a good fellow like rare old wine?
And laugh at him, laugh at him, ha, ha, ha!
Till he too laughs like a noble good fellow!
At first half ashamed as the bell-wethers bad
But at last full loud as the mighty bulls bellow!
Ha, ha, ha, ha; had! —

He's a totterer on life's staff
Who can't give & take a laugh:
Why, ha, ha, ha! good fellow! to win us
You've but to pierce to the laughable in us
For they who pretend to be exempt
Instead of laughter meet contempt.

Laughter is that airy whim
Which just makes the vessel swim
Laughter is the good man's wealth
And might be the rich man's health.

Gentleman is he, wise elf,
Who leads the laugh against himself
And twill be on a noble morn
When follies are as feathers worn.