Comic Miseries

My dear young friend, whose shining wit         Sets all the room a-blaze,     Don't think yourself a "happy dog,"         For all your merry ways;     But learn to wear a sober phiz,         Be stupid, if you can,     It's such a very serious thing         To be a funny man!     You're at an evening party, with         A group of pleasant folks, -     You venture quietly to crack         The least of little jokes, -     A lady doesn't catch the point,         And begs you to explain -     Alas for one that drops a jest         And takes it up again!     You're talking deep philosophy         With very special force,     To edify a clergyman         With suitable discourse, -     You think you've got him - when he calls         A friend across the way,     And begs you'll say that funny thing         You said the other day!     You drop a pretty jeu-de-mot         Into a neighbor's ears,     Who likes to give you credit for         The clever thing he hears,     And so he hawks your jest about,         The old authentic one,     Just breaking off the point of it,         And leaving out the pun!     By sudden change in politics,         Or sadder change in Polly,     You, lose your love, or loaves, and fall         A prey to melancholy,     While everybody marvels why         Your mirth is under ban, -     They think your very grief "a joke,"         You're such a funny man!     You follow up a stylish card         That bids you come and dine,     And bring along your freshest wit         (To pay for musty wine),     You're looking very dismal, when         My lady bounces in,     And wonders what you're thinking of         And why you don't begin!     You're telling to a knot of friends         A fancy-tale of woes     That cloud your matrimonial sky,         And banish all repose -     solemn lady overhears         The story of your strife,     And tells the town the pleasant news:         You quarrel with your wife!     My dear young friend, whose shining wit         Sets all the room a-blaze,     Don't think yourself "a happy dog,"         For all your merry ways;     But learn to wear a sober phiz,         Be stupid, if you can,     It's such a very serious thing         To be a funny man!                     John G. Saxe.