The Poetry Corner

Per Aspera Ad Astra.

By George Augustus Baker, Jr.

A canvas-back duck, rarely roasted, between us, A bottle of Chambertin, worthy of praise Less noble a wine at our age would bemean us A salad of celery en mayonnaise, With the oysters we've eaten, fresh, plump, and delicious, Naught left of them now but a dream and the shells; No better souper e'en Lucullus could wish us Why, even our waiter regards us as swells. Your dress is a marvel, your jewels show finely, Your friends in the circle all envied your box; You say Lilli Lehman sang quite too divinely I know I can't lose on that last deal in stocks. Without waits our footman to call for our carriage Gad, how he must hate us, out there in the cold! We rode in a hack on the day of our marriage, Number two forty-six I was rolling in gold, For I'd quite fifty dollars; and don't you remember We drove down to Taylor's, a long cherished dream: How grandly I ordered just think, in December! Some cake, and two plates of vanilla ice-cream. And how we enjoyed it! Your glance was the proudest Among the proud beauties, your face the most fair; I'm rather afraid, too, your laugh was the loudest; I know we shocked every one we didn't care. Now we'd care a great deal with two sons at college, And daughters just out, whose sneers make you wince, We've tasted the fruit of Society's knowledge I don't think we've quite enjoyed anything since. All through, dear? Now, don't wipe your mouth with the doily! They're really not careful at all with their wine; It wasn't half warmed the salad was oily And I don't think the duck was remarkably fine.