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To a Friend

(A Eulogistic Fumoresque)

Comrade o'nights and many an idle hour,
Charged with the sweet brown weed of warmer climes
On thy fair shrine my benedictions shower,
Wakener of mem'ries dim of far-off times.

Thou art the key that turns the cumbrous lock
And opes a door of usual sealed and fast
(Aye! Let the sceptic infidel e'er mock)
Affording wondrous vistas of the past—
Witchery of Marguerite, the vain surmise
Met by your gentle mockery, Genevieve,
And the slow smile that dawns in Sylvia's eyes,
All these in pleasing pattern interweave;
Heart-breaking climbs in sun or south wind's roar,
Up silvan slopes, 'mid lichen, fern and brake,
Orongo's shingled course, Otari's moor,
Te Rimurapa—freshened memories wake;
The muddy swish of gasping forwards' feet
And taut suspense until the ball comes through,
The red sphere swerving, willow's arc to meet,
Then soaring high into the heaven's blue;
Beyond stout oaken barriers comely maids
Minist'ring to thirsty pilgrims; care-free toasts
To celebrate life's triumphs—fickle jades—
Or drown life's woes; brave words and idle boasts;
Convivial evenings when the wine flows free,
Exotic glimpses, youthful follies, morning's gloom,
Si jeunesse savait—but why dim that ecstasy?
'Neath gay lights dancers whirling round the room.

O friend of meditation, in thy spell
Mem'ries, fond hopes and dreams alike are bound,
Fantastic, vain they are we know full well,
Yet thy grace draws a strength'ning girdle round.
Well might the painted Pawnees' reeking bowl
Circle the glowing camp-fire's coppery few,
Sealing the compact after battle's toll,
Symbol of peace and safety. I swear to you,
O sage philosophers and bards of old,
Of the weed's easeful joys all ignorant,
Clearer your reasoning, your verse more bold,
Soothed by the magic of the blessed plant.
Blind Homer's grisly lute, gay Ovid's fire,
Sere Cato's stern rebukes, intolerant mood,
Must all have softened with a mellow briar,
With the balm and fragrance of sweet cherry-wood.

O ye base fools who have no faith, and ye
Who bow to Cigarette, false, fickle queen,
Believe! Renounce half-hearted fealty;
At briar-wood altar kneel to Nicotine!

—Lotus-eater.