Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/515

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HOW-D'YE-DO, AND GOOD-BYE.
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Mr. Penny, whose father was rolling in wealth,
Consumed all the fortune his dad won,
Large Mr. Le Fever's the picture of health,
Mr. Goodenough is but a bad one.
Mr. Cruickshank stept into three thousand a year,
His figure attracted an heiress:
Now I hope you'll acknowledge I've made it quite clear,
Surnames ever go by contraries.

How-D'Ye-Do, and Good-Bye.
One day Good-bye met How-d'ye-do,
Too close to shun saluting;
But soon the rival sisters flew,
From kissing to disputing.

"Away," says How-d'ye-do, "your mien
Appals my cheerful nature;
No name so sad as yours is seen
In sorrow's nomenclature.

"Whene'er I give one sunshine hour,
Your cloud comes in to shade it;
Whene'er I plant one bosom's flower,
Your mildew drops do fade it.

"Ere How-d'ye-do has tuned each tongue
To hope's delightful measure,
Good-bye in Friendship's ear has rung
The knell of parting pleasure.

"From sorrows past my chemic skill
Draws smiles of consolation;
While you from present joys distil
The tears of separation."

Good-bye replied, "Your statement's true,
And well your cause you've pleaded;
But pray who'd think of How-d'ye-do,
Unless Good-bye preceded?

"Without my prior influence
Could you have ever flourished?
And can your hand one flower dispense,
But what my tears have nourished?

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