One And Twenty

 LONG-EXPECTED one and twenty 
Ling'ring year at last has flown, 
Pomp and pleasure, pride and plenty 
Great Sir John, are all your own. 

Loosen'd from the minor's tether, 
Free to mortgage or to sell, 
Wild as wind, and light as feather 
Bid the slaves of thrift farewell. 

Call the Bettys, Kates, and Jenneys 
Ev'ry name that laughs at care, 
Lavish of your Grandsire's guineas, 
Show the spirit of an heir. 

All that prey on vice and folly 
Joy to see their quarry fly, 
Here the gamester light and jolly 
There the lender grave and sly. 

Wealth, Sir John, was made to wander, 
Let it wander as it will; 
See the jocky, see the pander, 
Bid them come, and take their fill. 

When the bonny blade carouses, 
Pockets full, and spirits high, 
What are acres? What are houses? 
Only dirt, or wet or dry. 

If the Guardian or the Mother 
Tell the woes of willful waste, 
Scorn their counsel and their pother, 
You can hang or drown at last.

Form: Light Verse

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