One And Twenty

by Samuel Johnson

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, 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 wilful waste.
Scorn their counsel and their pother,
You can hang or drown at last



Published by Robin

I'm a retired journalist who still has stories to tell. This seems to be a good place to tell them.

Leave a comment