BOHEMIAN UPS AND DOWNS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue II, 13 July 1895, Page 32

BOHEMIAN UPS AND DOWNS.

’Way up in a garret high Just a few feet from the sky, Dwell I in Bohemia. What care I for aught below ? There have I nor friend nor foe ! Pity I the struggling throng While I live my life of song Up here in Bohemia.

’Tween my teeth my briar-root— Best of friends, since always mute — Rare thing in Bohemia ; Upward as the thick smoke curls What care I for simp’ring girls ? Love is weak ; my pipe is strong ; Why for love, then, be the song Sung here in Bohemia ?

Oft my little songs fall flat, Hungry ? What care I for that, Fasting in Bohemia ? Put my only coat in pawn. Live on that and still sing on ; Puff my pipe and think I’ve dined— Barmecidal feasts I find Often in Bohemia.

Haply then my rhymelets take, With a check my fast to break, Feast we in Bohemia, ’Round the to ner of the block, Sign o'erhead a crowing cock, Mug of beer and sandwich fine ; What care we how nabobs dine, Feasting in Bohemia ?

Friends have I, some three or four— Quite enough, for who has more In or out Bohemia ? With them joy is always young, Grief is but a song that's sung ; Live we, laugh we debonair. Skies are bright and winds are fair Always in Bohemia !