Classic Poem

With Pipe and Book at close of day,
O! what is sweeter, mortal, say
It matters not what book on knee,
Old Izaak or the Odyssey,
It matters not meerschaum or clay.

And though one's eyes will dream astray,
And lips forget to sue or sway,
It is “enough to merely Be,”
With Pipe and Book.

What though our modern skies be grey,
As bards aver, I will not pray
For “soothing Death” to succour me,
But ask thus much, O Fate, of thee,—
A little longer here to stay
With Pipe and Book.