The Hum

PUSH about the brisk Bowl, 'twill enliver the heart,
While thus we sit round on the—Stay!
What business have I an old Song to impart,
When I, Sirs, a new one can say, can say,
When I, Sirs, a new one can say

What shall I first say, or what shall I first do?
What best will my bad voice become?
Why faith, Sirs, I'll strive by my verses to shew,
That Life is, alas! but a Hum.

Children weep at their birth, and old men who they dye,
At Death the most happy look glum;
At our Entrance and Exit we equally cry,
Which proves our Life's plainly a Hum.

Law and Physic you see will make sure of the fee,
What advice to you gratis will come;
If poor, you are lost, tho' merit you boast,
For Worth without Wealth is a Hum.

Acquaintance pretend that your fortunes they'll mend,
And vow to your service they'll come;
But be you in need, and you'll find that indeed,
Modern Friendship is merely a Hum.

When some Ladies kneel, small devotion they feel
(But let us be modest and mum)
At the altar they bow, but 'tis only for shew,
Religion with them is a Hum.

We are hum'd from our birth, till we're hum'd into earth,
To an end of our jokes then we come:
Take your Glass my brisk brother, and I'll take another,
And thus make the most of a Hum, a Hum,
And let's make the most of a Hum.