Long Ago and Far Away
Our humorist Nash nastily says that
A friend in need, up close, looms darkly worse
Than any distant enemy. A frat
Friend at your mansion door makes you averse
If he’s a bankrupt begging, wish he’d go
Away and let you drink vermouth and gin
In peace. You’d rather beat your business foe
In trade–in any capitalist sin–
Yes, even cheating in the rough (if you’re
Not caught by anyone playing), shifting
The ball. Tchaikovski’s patroness was sure
(Although she found his music uplifting)
That it would be far better if indeed
They never met in person. He agreed.