Classic Poem

So " Keats took snuff " ? A few more years,
When we are dead and famous — eh?
Will they record our pipes and beers,
And if we smoked cigarSor clay?
Or will the world cry " Quantum suff. "
To tattle such as " Keats took snuff " ?

Perhaps some chronicler would wish
To know what whisky we preferred,
And if we ever dined on fish,
Or only took the joint and bird?
Such facts are quite as worthy stuff,
Good chronicler, as " Keats took snuff. "

You answer: " But, if you were Keats — "
Tut! never mind your buts and ifs.
Of little men record their meats,
Their drinks, their troubles and their tiffs.
Of the great dead there's gold enough
To spare us such as " Keats took snuff. "

Well, go your ways, you little folk,
Who polish up the great folks' lives;
Record the follies that they spoke,
And paint their squabbles with their wives.
Somewhere, if ever ghosts be gruff,
I trust some Keats will " give you snuff. "