When George Was King

Cards, and swords, and a lady's love,

That is a tale worth reading,

An insult veiled, a downcast glove,

And rapiers leap unheeding.

And 'tis O! for the brawl,

The thrust, the fall,

And the foe at your feet a-bleeding.

Tales of revel at wayside inns,

The goblets gaily filling,

Braggarts boasting a thousand sins,

Though none can boast a shilling.

And 'tis O! for the wine,

The frothing stein,

And the clamor of cups a-spilling.

Tales of maidens in rich brocade,

Powder and puff and patches,

Gallants lilting a serenade

Of old-time trolls and catches.

And 'tis O! for the lips

And the finger-tips,

And the kiss that the boldest snatches.

Tales of the buckle and big rosette,

The slender shoe adorning,

Of curtseying through the minuet

With laughter, love, or scorning.

And 'tis O! for the shout

Of the roustabout,

As he hies him home in the morning.

Cards and swords, and a lady's love,

Give to the tale God-speeding,

War and wassail, and perfumed glove,

And all that's rare in reading.

And 'tis O! for the ways

Of the olden days,

And a life that was worth the leading.