Ah, friend of mine, how goes it Since you've taken you a mate?-- Your smile, though, plainly shows it Is a very happy state! Dan Cupid's necromancy! You must sit you down and dine, And lubricate your fancy With a glass or two of wine. {115} [Illustration: Ah, friend of mine, how goes it] {117} And as you have "deserted," As my other chums have done, While I laugh alone diverted, As you drop off one by one--- And I've remained unwedded, Till--you see--look here--that I'm, In a manner, "snatched bald-headed" By the sportive hand of Time! I'm an "old 'un!" yes, but wrinkles Are not so plenty, quite, As to cover up the twinkles Of the _boy_--ain't I right? Yet there are ghosts of kisses Under this mustache of mine My mem'ry only misses When I drown 'em out with wine. From acknowledgment so ample, You would hardly take me for What I am--a perfect sample Of a "jolly bachelor"; Not a bachelor has being When he laughs at married life But his heart and soul's agreeing That he ought to have a wife! {118} Ah, ha! old chum, this claret, Like Fatima, holds the key Of the old Blue-Beardish garret Of my hidden mystery! Did you say you'd like to listen? Ah, my boy! the "_Sad No More!_" And the tear-drops that will glisten-- _Turn the catch upon the door,_ And sit you down beside me And put yourself at ease-- I'll trouble you to slide me That wine decanter, please; The path is kind o' mazy Where my fancies have to go, And my heart gets sort o' lazy On the journey--don't you know? Let me see--when I was twenty-- It's a lordly age, my boy, When a fellow's money's plenty, And the leisure to enjoy-- {119} And a girl--with hair as golden As--_that_; and lips--well--quite As red as _this_ I'm holdin' Between you and the light? And eyes and a complexion-- Ah, heavens!--le'-me-see-- Well,--just in this connection,-- _Did you lock that door for me?_ Did I start in recitation My past life to recall? Well, _that's_ an indication I am purty tight--that's all! [Illustration: My jolly friend's secret--tailpiece] {120} IN THE HEART OF JUNE In the heart of June, love, You and I together, On from dawn till noon, love, Laughing with the weather; Blending both our souls, love, In the selfsame tune, Drinking all life holds, love, In the heart of June. In the heart of June, love, With its golden weather, Underneath the moon, love, You and I together. Ah! how sweet to seem, love, Drugged and half aswoon With this luscious dream, love, In the heart of June. {121} [Illustration: The old band--headpiece] THE OLD BAND