Poems and Essays

by Joseph Howe

 

THE BLUE NOSE.

AIR.—Bumper of Burgundy.

 
Let the Student of Nature in rapture descant
    On the Heavens’ cerulean hue; [Page 145]
Let the Lover indulge in poetical rant,
    When the eyes of his Mistress are blue.

But fill high your glasses—fill, fill to the brim,
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    I’ve a different toast to propose:
While such eyes, and such skies, still are beaming for him,
    Here’s a health to the jolly Blue Nose.

Let the Frenchman delight in his vine-covered vales,
    Let the Greek toast his old classic ground;
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Here’s the land where the bracing Northwester prevails,
    And where jolly Blue Noses abound.

Long—long may it flourish, to all of us dear,
    Loved and honored by hearts that are true;
But, should ever a foe chance his nose to show here
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    He shall find all our Noses true Blue. [Page 146]