The Reckoning

Hey folks. We have something interesting for you today. Vieux Bill sent in a portion of the poem, The Reckoning by Robert Service. He knew how to convey some of the same sentiments as the author of Everyman but briefly. Check it out. Have you noticed that the word bill appears often. Perhaps Vieux Bill collects bill poetry? I wonder.



Here is a site of Service if you want to explore Robert's musing on the Yukon.
http://www.classicreader.com/booktoc.php/sid.4/bookid.269/

Robert Service (1874 - 1958)

The Reckoning

It's fine to have a blow-out in a fancy restaurant,
With terrapin and canvas-back and all the wine you want;
To enjoy the flowers and music, watch the pretty women pass,
Smoke a choice cigar, and sip the wealthy water in your glass.
It's bully in a high-toned joint to eat and drink your fill,
But it's quite another matter when you
Pay the bill.

It's great to go out every night on fun or pleasure bent;
To wear your glad rags always and to never save a cent;
To drift along regardless, have a good time every trip;
To hit the high spots sometimes, and to let your chances slip;
To know you're acting foolish, yet to go on fooling still,
Till Nature calls a show-down, and you
Pay the bill.

Time has got a little bill -- get wise while yet you may,
For the debit side's increasing in a most alarming way;
The things you had no right to do, the things you should have done,
They're all put down; it's up to you to pay for every one.
So eat, drink and be merry, have a good time if you will,
But God help you when the time comes, and you
Foot the bill.