Indeed,áiyá indeed--to Quit It oft Before I swore,--but did I mean it when I swore? =And then,--and then came Three, and, Cards in Hand, I Joined them, and they made me keep the Score!
Alas, how Subtle Bridge alluring Woos! And robs me of my Nightly Beauty=Snooze. =I often Wonder what Bridge Players gain One=half so Precious as the Sleep they Lose.
Oh, Threats of Loss, and Hopes of Golden Store, One thing in Bridge is Certain,--'tis not Lore! =One thing is Certain, and the Rest is Chance: The Hand that holds the Cards will win the Score!
Some for the Gain of Penny Points, and Some Sigh for the Lovely Prizes yet to come. =Oh, take the Prize and let the Pennies go, Nor heed the winning of a Paltry Sum.
When You and I our Last Bridge Game have played, The Games will go right on by Those who've Stayed, =Who of Our Coming and Departure heed As the Heart Ace should heed a little Spade.
We are no other than a Moving Row Of Magic Dummy Hands that Come and Go. =Played to the Last Trump by the Hand of Fate, By whom our Hearts are Shuffled To and Fro.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Rubáiyát of Bridge, by Carolyn Wells