Poets Corner.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 61, 3 October 1844, Page 4

Poets Corner.

THE GAME OF LIFE. The life of man is but a game, However we may change the name ; What cutting oat and cutting ia— What fears to lose—what hopes to win,Shuffling and sorting, and concealing, With double games, and much mis-dealing. First, still to higher games he soars, — We find bim playing at ali-foiirs, Anxiens tp gajn bis little stake, A rattle, sugar-plum, or cake, And long before his boyish bead, Has done with " put the fool to bed." Youth's season soon the table changes. In higher circles then he ranges, With various partners prone to mix, And try who plays the best odd tricks. And many a point, if right, I ken, Are deeply scored against him Ihen. Years of discretion bring him round. To that bewitching came vingt vn, Where many a precious hour is spent, In rashly tiifling with content. Doomed still to find ill fortune ,—such A card too little or too much. At thirty years, perhaps be tries To gain a.matrimonial prize ; Then 'tis Cassino to a title, First comes great Cass, then comes little. At sixty.five, alas! we see His match in with infirmity ; 1 ho* great the odds, yet down they set, And his last game we call piquet ; Point, quint, quatorze, against him turn. His run of luck 'tis vain to mohtn; • He yields to what appears allotted, Piqued and re»piqued, at length capotted ; His cards thrown tip—by time outscored, Death rushes in ard sweeps the board. West Town, Jan. 31, 1844. M.E.