The Snuff Taker

…. before I budge an inch
I hail Aurora with a pinch;
After three cups of morning tea
A pinch most gratful is to me;
If then by chance the post arrive,
My fingers still the deeper dive.
When gallant Nelson gains his point,
I sink in deep to middle joint;
And soon as e’er the work he clinches,
Oh, then I take the pinch of pinches!
But if our heroes chance to fail,
I seldom go beyond the nail.
If I on ancient classics pore,
Or turn their learned pages o’er,
I take a pinch at every pause,
A tribute of my just applause.
Whene’er I dip in page historic,
Or pass an hour in wit with Yorick,
I relish more each paragraph
If season’d with a pinch and laugh.
Or if discussing subjects curious,
I revel in a pinch luxurious;
E’en joyous friends and claret rosy,
Insipid are sans pinches cosy.
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
My social box attends on me;
It warms my nose in winter’s snow,
Refreshes midst midsummer’s glow;
Of hunger sharp it blunts the edge,
And softens grief, as some allege.
Thus, eased of care or any stir,
I broach my freshest canister;
And freed from trouble, grief, or panic,
I pinch away in snuff balsamic;
For rich or poor, in peace or strife,
It smoothes the rugged path of life.

The Rev. W. King of Marlow 1788

Several other snuff related poems are included in books listed in the snuff book section

The Snuff Taker.

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Tags: Snuff, snuff book, Snuff Poems, the snuff taker

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