When age and his own lucky star
To him perfected wisdom show,
The schooner glides across the bar,
And beer for him shall freely flow;
A pipe with genial warmth shall glow,
To which he turns in direst need,
To seek in smoke surcease of woe,--
A slave is each man to the weed.




ENVOI.


Smokers, who doubt or con or pro,
And ye who dare to drink, take heed!
And see in smoke a friendly foe,--
A slave is each man to the weed.

BRANDER MATTHEWS.




HE RESPONDETH.


SHE.