if evil be so swiftly slain?
Be sure none shall escape, with God pursuing.
Question no more--but to your work again!

BALLADE TO A DEPARTING GOD

God of the Wine List, roseate lord,
And is it really then good-by?
Of Prohibitionists abhorred,
Must thou in sorry sooth then die,
(O fatal morning of July!)
Nor aught hold back the threatened hour
That shrinks thy purple clusters dry?
Say not good-by--but _au revoir_!

For the last time the wine is poured,
For the last toast the glass raised high,
And henceforth round the wintry board,
As dumb as fish, we'll sit and sigh,
And eat our Puritanic pie,
And dream of suppers gone before,
With flying wit and words that fly--
Say not good-by--but _au revoir_!

'Twas on thy wings the poet soared,
And Sorrow fled when thou wentst by,
And, when we said "Here's looking toward" . . .
It seemed a better world, say I,
With greener grass and bluer sky . . .
The writ is on the Tavern Door,
And who would tipple on the sly? . . .
'Tis not good-by--but _au revoir_!

ENVOI

Gay God of Bottles, I deny
Those brave tempestuous times are o'er;
Somehow I think, I scarce know why,
'Tis not good-by--but au revoir!

BALLADE OF THE ABSENT GUEST

Friends whom to-night once more I greet,
Most glad am I with you to be,
And, as I look around, I meet
Many a face right good to see;
But one I miss--ah! where is he?--
Of merry eye and sparkling jest,
Who used to brim my glass for me;
I drink--in what?--the Absent Guest.

Low lies he in his winding-sheet,
By organized hypocrisy
Hurled from his happy wine-clad seat,
Stilled his kind heart and hushed his glee;
His very name daren't mention we,
That good old friend who brought such zest,
And set our tongues and spirits free:
I drink--in what?--the Absent Guest.

No choice to-night 'twixt "dry" or "sweet,"
'Twixt red or white, 'twixt Rye,--ah! me--
Or Scotch--and think! we live to see't--
No whispered word, nor massive fee,
Nor even influenza plea,
Can raise a bubble; but, as best
We may, we make our hollow spree:
I drink--in what?--the Absent Guest.

ENVOI

Friends, good is coffee, good is tea,
And water has a charm unguessed--
And yet--that brave old deity!
I drink--in tears--the Absent Guest.

TOBACCO NEXT

They took away your drink from you,