The Indian Weed

This Indian weed, now withered quite, Though green at noon, cut down at night, Shows thy decay,— All flesh is hay: Thus think, and drink 1 tobacco. The pipe, so lily-like and weak, Does thus thy mortal state bespeak; Thou art e’en such,— Gone with a touch: Thus think, and drink tobacco. And when the smoke ascends on high, Then thou behold’st the vanity Of worldly stuff,— Gone with a puff: Thus think, and drink tobacco. And when the pipe grows foul within, Think on thy soul defiled with sin; For then the fire It does require: Thus think, and drink tobacco. And seest the ashes cast away, Then to thyself thou mayest say That to the dust Return thou must: Thus think, and drink tobacco. Note 1. The current phrase for smoking, in the XVII. Century. [back]