'Twas one of my most cherished dreams To write a Moral Book some day; What says the Bard? "The best laid schemes Of Mice and Men gang aft agley!" (The Bard here mentioned, by the bye, Is Robbie Burns, of course—not I.)
And tho' my pen records each thought As swift as the phonetic Pitman, Morality is not my "forte," O Camarados! (vide Whitman) And, like the Porcupine, I still Am forced to ply a fretful quill.
We may be Master of our Fate, (As Henley was inspired to mention) Yet am I but the Second Mate Upon the ss. "Good Intention"; For me the course direct is lacking— I have to do a deal of tacking.
To seek for Morals here's a task Of which you well may be despairing; "What has become of them?" you ask, They've given us the slip—like Waring. "Look East!" said Browning once, and I Would make a similar reply.
Look East, where in a garret drear, The Author works, without cessation, Composing verses for a mere- ly nominal remuneration; And, while he has the strength to write 'em, Will do so still—ad infinitum.
FINIS.
Transcriber's Notes:
The words 'bo-num' and 'mere-ly' were retained hyphenated at the ends of lines to match the printed edition and maintain the poetical intent of the author.
Changed 'Heidsick' to 'Heidsieck.'