Shapes of Clay

Death, are you well? I trust you have no cough

That's painful or in any way annoying—

No kidney trouble that may carry you off,

Or heart disease to keep you from enjoying

Your meals—and ours. 'T were very sad indeed

To have to quit the busy life you lead.

You've been quite active lately for so old

A person, and not very strong-appearing.

I'm apprehensive, somehow, that my bold,

Bad brother gave you trouble in the spearing.

And my two friends—I fear, sir, that you ran

Quite hard for them, especially the man.

I crave your pardon: 'twas no fault of mine;

If you are overworked I'm sorry, very.

Come in, old man, and have a glass of wine.

What shall it be—Marsala, Port or Sherry?

What! just a mug of blood? That's funny grog

To ask a friend for, eh? Well, take it, hog!