SONG OF THE CIGAR SMOKER. 135

Than woman's praise, not poets' lays

Are sweeter to manhood's ear;

And the dazzling light of her beauty bright,
As love, to the bard is dear:

But her praises fair, like smoke in the air,
Each breath may blow away;

And the witching wile of her dazzling smile
But lures us to betray!

Then bring the flame !—as we light the same,
We'll give you the smoker's creed ;—
Though women and wine be all divine,
Huzza! for the fragrant weed!

Though rich the glow, in its generous flow,

Of the bright and ruby wine,

And though worthy fame, and an honoured name, Be dearest wish of mine,

Yet the cup hath a sting, which too oft doth bring
To its sweetness, its own alloy;

And foul slander's loathsome taint will cling
To the fame it may not destroy!

Then bring the flame!—away with fame,
And the red wine's sparkling bead!-
Be ours the joy that, without alloy,

We draw from the fragrant weed!

Then let poets rare, sing of ladies fair,
Or of glory and war's renown-
With my loved Cigar, I am happier, far,
Than the monarch with his crown!

As its balm I prove, I but laugh at love—
Ambition view as a joke;

With thee, trusty friend, all my troubles end,
Loved Cigar-like thee—in smoke!
Then bring the flame!—as we light the same,
This still be the toast I rede-

Of the joys we love, there are none above
The fume of the fragrant weed!

AN ALBUM DEDICATION.

A BOOK's before me-each fair virgin page
Clad in its robe of yet unsullied white;
Within which "goodlie matter," staid and sage,
A lady fair hath bidden me indite:

She says she'd have me "Something in it write
Discreet and sensible !"-Dread conjuration!
I'll write let's see- -I'll write the DEDICATION!

Most Dedications are but stupid things,

(I should not wonder if this proved the same!) They used to be addressed to lords and kings,

And still thrive chiefly upon borrowed fame: There are, 'tis true, exceptions I could nameFor instance, that to WILLIS's "Bianca ;"But for the mass I would'nt give a thank ye!

12*

The fashion's to address your Dedication
To some known public favourite, your friend;
To whom, in token of your admiration,

(And his to gain,) your volume you commend; But I'm not fashionable-Heaven forfend!And so I'll e'en select the wildest rangers; Instead of friends, I dedicate to strangers!

First then, ånd chief, unto plain Common-Sense,
The least familiar of the stranger-tribe-
To Humour rare-true Wit, without pretence,
And Modesty—these pages I inscribe ;

To the intent that they may ne'er imbibe Aught inconsistent with that due decorum, Which these exact from all who come before 'em!

To Friendship, fervent, lasting and sincere,

This little volume next I dedicate;
To meek Religion, mild and unaustere,
And Virtue, her hand-maiden antiquate,
Be all its pages ever consecrate :

Here let Affection, fond, herself enshrine,
While Love, round all, his garland gay shall twine!

LETTER CONGRATULATORY,

TO QUEEN VICTORIA ON HER MARRIAGE.

LADY: God send thee, in thy new condition,
Health, happiness, and all prosperity;
May'st reap, of thine each hope a full fruition!
True, I am not thy subject-nor my knee
To thee in homage bend—yet this petition
Make I to Heaven for your majesty:

Fair Queen! thus o'er the broad Atlantic's waters,
I wish thee health, and-many sons and daughters!

A year or two, nay, few short months ago,

You had not thanked me for the wish, I ween; Though doubtless now it comes quite apropos,

Since (so the papers tell us,) you, fair Queen, At length are married; and-and so and soPshaw!--but you understand what 'tis I mean ! When ladies wed, we don't of course expect

That they belong to the Malthusian sect!