A Short Song of Congratulation
Johnson, Samuel (1709-1784)
Long-expected one-and-twenty; Lingering year at last is flown: Pomp and pleasure, pride and plenty, Great Sir John, are all you own. Loosened from the minor's tether, Free to mortgage or to sell, Wild as wind, and light as feather, Bid the slaves of thrift farewell. Call the Betties, Kates, and Jennies, Every name that laughs at care; Lavish of your grandsire's guineas, Show the spirit of an heir. All that prey on vice and folly Joy to see their quarry fly; Here the gamester light and jolly, There the lender grave and sly. Wealth, Sir John, was made to wander, Let it wander as it will; See the jockey, see the pander, Bid them come and take their fill. When the bonny blade carouses, Pockets full, and spirits high, What are acres? What are houses? Only dirt, or wet or dry. If the guardian or the mother Tell the woes of wilful waste, Scorn their counsenl, scorn their pother: You can hang or drown at last!