Tom Beatty + 

I was a lawyer like Harmon Whitney + 

Or Kinsey Keene or Garrison Standard, + 

For I tried the rights of property, + 

Although by lamp-light, for thirty years, + 

In that poker room in the opera house. + 

And I say to you that Life’s a gambler + 

Head and shoulders above us all. + 

No mayor alive can close the house. + 

And if you lose, you can squeal as you will; + 

You’ll not get back your money. + 

He makes the percentage hard to conquer; + 

He stacks the cards to catch your weakness + 

And not to meet your strength. + 

And he gives you seventy years to play: + 

For if you cannot win in seventy + 

You cannot win at all. + 

So, if you lose, get out of the room⁠— + 

Get out of the room when your time is up. + 

It’s mean to sit and fumble the cards, + 

And curse your losses, leaden-eyed, + 

Whining to try and try. + 