Page:Sea spray and smoke drift (IA seaspraysmokedri00gord).pdf/46

Shall we leave to others their gathering,
And turn from clustering fruits that cling
 To the garden wall in scorn?
Albeit those purple grapes hang high,
 Like the fox in the ancient tale,
Let us pause and try, ere we pass them by,
 Though we, like the fox, may fail.

All hurry is worse than useless; think
 On the adage, “Tis pace that kills;”
Shun bad tobacco, avoid strong drink,
 Abstain from Holloway's pills,
Wear woollen socks, they're the best you'll find,
 Beware how you leave off flannel;
And whatever you do, don't change your mind
 When once you have pick'd your panel;
With a bank of cloud in the south south-east
 Stand ready to shorten sail;
Fight shy of a corporation feast;
 Don't trust to a martingale;
Keep your powder dry, and shut one eye,
"Not both, when you touch your trigger;
Don't stop with your head too frequently
 (This advice ain't meant for a nigger);
Look before you leap if you like, but if
 You mean leaping, don't look long,
Or the weakest place will soon grow stiff,
 And the strongest doubly strong;