Classic Poem

Some later friends, and some old mates,
Have gathered here tonight again
From round the world, and all the States,
To pledge the New Bar in champagne:
And some shall long be far away,
And some shall long be dead and cold,
And some dark heads be bald or grey
In days when this new bar is old.

But there'll be many a spree ere then,
And many a “night” our hearts to cheer—
While men divorced, and single men,
And double husbands gather here:
Full many a racy anecdote
And yarn of other days be told,
And many a man shall act the goat
Ere days when this new bar is old.

Full many a friendly joke they'll crack,
And many a lofty lie they'll tell
And smite each other on the back
When things are bad, or things are well.
And some who knew me in the past,
When I am laid beneath the mould,
Shall read these faded lines at last
In days when this new bar is old.