In the low-roofed tavern-room, full of pleasent smoke perfume,
We were drinking, in the golden even glow;
But, alas, the company was not what it used to be
When the Pipe and Glass Club met there years ago.
And our President arose and said: "Brethren, I suppose
You know well what we are here assembled for?
We wish strongly to protest" --- here he struck his grand old chest --
"'Gainst this cruel Japanese and Russian War.
"When the nations go to fight with their bayonets shining bright,
And their trumps and drums, and banners flaunting gay,
Do they know, or do they care, for the woe they cause elsewhere,
And the humble little industries they slay?
"I, myself, as you know all, earn a pittance sure, if small,
Writing yarns re birds and reptiles, and so forth,
But no paper will from me purchase Natural History
When Unnatural History's making in the North.
"Our friend Tityrus looks pale as he sits and sips his ale ---
Well he may, for when the sword-blades rasp and ring,
And the armies fight and bleed (in the papera) who would read
(Or would print) his 'Gentle Art of Gardening.'
"There's another friend I see -- who will buy his Poetry
When the wild beast on the readers is let loose,
When the Press shall shout and shriek and shall like a shambles reek
For his rhymes of love and dove who will find use?
"When the nations go to fight with their bayonets shining bright,
To themselves it may conceivably be play --
But, alas, my friends, I fear they care nothing for us here,
Nor for all the humble industries they slay."
In the low-roofed tavern-room there was silence sad and gloom,
Yet, somehow, I half expected blood would flow --
But, ah me, the company was not what it used to be
When the Pipe and Glass Club met there years ago.
First published in The Bulletin, 17 March 1904
We were drinking, in the golden even glow;
But, alas, the company was not what it used to be
When the Pipe and Glass Club met there years ago.
And our President arose and said: "Brethren, I suppose
You know well what we are here assembled for?
We wish strongly to protest" --- here he struck his grand old chest --
"'Gainst this cruel Japanese and Russian War.
"When the nations go to fight with their bayonets shining bright,
And their trumps and drums, and banners flaunting gay,
Do they know, or do they care, for the woe they cause elsewhere,
And the humble little industries they slay?
"I, myself, as you know all, earn a pittance sure, if small,
Writing yarns re birds and reptiles, and so forth,
But no paper will from me purchase Natural History
When Unnatural History's making in the North.
"Our friend Tityrus looks pale as he sits and sips his ale ---
Well he may, for when the sword-blades rasp and ring,
And the armies fight and bleed (in the papera) who would read
(Or would print) his 'Gentle Art of Gardening.'
"There's another friend I see -- who will buy his Poetry
When the wild beast on the readers is let loose,
When the Press shall shout and shriek and shall like a shambles reek
For his rhymes of love and dove who will find use?
"When the nations go to fight with their bayonets shining bright,
To themselves it may conceivably be play --
But, alas, my friends, I fear they care nothing for us here,
Nor for all the humble industries they slay."
In the low-roofed tavern-room there was silence sad and gloom,
Yet, somehow, I half expected blood would flow --
But, ah me, the company was not what it used to be
When the Pipe and Glass Club met there years ago.
First published in The Bulletin, 17 March 1904
