Comic Miseries

My dear young friend, whose shining wit
    Sets all the room a-blaze,
Don't think yourself a "happy dog,"
    For all your merry ways;
But learn to wear a sober phiz,
    Be stupid, if you can,
It's such a very serious thing
    To be a funny man!

You're at an evening party, with
    A group of pleasant folks, -
You venture quietly to crack
    The least of little jokes, -
A lady doesn't catch the point,
    And begs you to explain -
Alas for one that drops a jest
    And takes it up again!

You're talking deep philosophy
    With very special force,
To edify a clergyman
    With suitable discourse, -
You think you've got him - when he calls
    A friend across the way,
And begs you'll say that funny thing
    You said the other day!

You drop a pretty jeu-de-mot
    Into a neighbor's ears,
Who likes to give you credit for
    The clever thing he hears,
And so he hawks your jest about,
    The old authentic one,
Just breaking off the point of it,
    And leaving out the pun!

By sudden change in politics,
    Or sadder change in Polly,
You, lose your love, or loaves, and fall
    A prey to melancholy,
While everybody marvels why
    Your mirth is under ban, -
They think your very grief "a joke,"
    You're such a funny man!

You follow up a stylish card
    That bids you come and dine,
And bring along your freshest wit
    (To pay for musty wine),
You're looking very dismal, when
    My lady bounces in,
And wonders what you're thinking of
    And why you don't begin!

You're telling to a knot of friends
    A fancy-tale of woes
That cloud your matrimonial sky,
    And banish all repose -
solemn lady overhears
    The story of your strife,
And tells the town the pleasant news:
    You quarrel with your wife!

My dear young friend, whose shining wit
    Sets all the room a-blaze,
Don't think yourself "a happy dog,"
    For all your merry ways;
But learn to wear a sober phiz,
    Be stupid, if you can,
It's such a very serious thing
    To be a funny man!

                John G. Saxe.

John Godfrey Saxe I

John Godfrey Saxe I was an American poet known for his humorous verse often based on fables and borrowed themes. He was born on June 2, 1816, and became widely known in the 19th century. He contributed to several major magazines of his time. His work often touched on moral and ethical themes wrapped in wit. Saxe passed away on March 31, 1887.

John Godfrey Saxe I

Early Rising

John Godfrey Saxe I, Simple Poetry

English

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