Ballade Of The Absent Guest

Friends whom to-night once more I greet,     Most glad am I with you to be,     And, as I look around, I meet     Many a face right good to see;     But one I miss - ah! where is he? -     Of merry eye and sparkling jest,     Who used to brim my glass for me;     I drink - in what? - the Absent Guest.     Low lies he in his winding-sheet,     By organized hypocrisy     Hurled from his happy wine-clad seat,     Stilled his kind heart and hushed his glee;     His very name daren't mention we,     That good old friend who brought such zest,     And set our tongues and spirits free:     I drink - in what? - the Absent Guest.     No choice to-night 'twixt "dry" or "sweet,"     'Twixt red or white, 'twixt Rye, - ah! me -     Or Scotch - and think! we live to see't -     No whispered word, nor massive fee,     Nor even influenza plea,     Can raise a bubble; but, as best     We may, we make our hollow spree:     I drink - in what? - the Absent Guest.     ENVOI     Friends, good is coffee, good is tea,     And water has a charm unguessed -     And yet - that brave old deity!     I drink - in tears - the Absent Guest.