Have found no peace in sitting, for fear of burning brand.”
This was declared to be too easy a game for such a wild and superfluous supply of brains, and, therefore, the word Poker was pronounced to be an essential element of every future poem. Poor Browning and Longfellow, Bret Harte and Walter Scott, were mercilessly spitted on that poker. Much foolscap was spoiled, but much fun gained. Here is one of the poker successes:
“AFTER BYRON, WITH A POKER; ALSO AFTER DRINKING FLIP.
“Here, too, the Poker stands in brass! and fills
The air around with safety! We inhale
The ambrosial aspect which its heat instills
(Part of its immortality) to Flip
(That beer which is half drawn), within the cup
We breathe, and its deep secrets dip.
Who Flip can make—who cares where he may fail!