Tom Beatty

 I was a lawyer like Harmon Whitney
Or Kinsey Keene or Garrison Standard,
For I tried the rights of property,
Although by lamp-light, for thirty years,
In that poker room in the opera house.

And I say to you that Life's a gambler
Head and shoulders above us all.

No mayor alive can close the house.

And if you lose, you can squeal as you will;
You'll not get back your money.

He makes the percentage hard to conquer;
He stacks the cards to catch your weakness
And not to meet your strength.

And he gives you seventy years to play:
For if you cannot win in seventy
You cannot win at all.

So, if you lose, get out of the room --
Get out of the room when your time is up.

It's mean to sit and fumble the cards,
And curse your losses, leaden-eyed,
Whining to try and try.

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