To comfort and sustain the man within?

Pleading for drinks, unheeded he'll grow wheezy,

But he'll improve his breath if he'll Speak Easy.

The Drunkard's fate would be a dreadful warning,

Who, having "opened" Riley's place each morning

Found, one cold dawn, the foot-rail gone and read—

"Soft Drinks for Sale" where Schnapps was sold instead.

Picture his sorrow! See him pallid grow

When told the facts: a spectacle of woe!

Back to his wife he slinks: he couldn't face her!