CHOOSING A WIFE BY A PIPE OF TOBACCO.
Reading edition
Tube, I love thee as my life; By thee I mean to choose a wife. Tube, thy color let me find, In her skin, and in her mind. Let her have a shape as fine; Let her breath be sweet as thine; Let her, when her lips I kiss, Burn like thee, to give me bliss; Let her, in some smoke or other, All my failings kindly smother. Often when my thoughts are low, Send them where they ought to go; When to study I incline, Let her aid be such as thine; Such as thine the charming power In the vacant social hour. Let her live to give delight, Ever warm and ever bright; Let her deeds, whene'er she dies, Mount as incense to the skies.
Gentleman's Magazine.