WTF is it about a cigar?
- Thread starter oneaday
- Start date
I could give a few reasons that probably wouldn`t be much different from the next guy`s.
Every year, as my anniversary approaches (3 weeks) this poem comes to mind. Even though the piece is a bit tongue-in-cheek, I think Mr. Kipling understood the "Why" very well.
The Betrothed
“You must choose between me and your cigar.”
— Breach of Promise Case, circa 1885.
by Rudyard Kipling
Open the old cigar-box, get me a Cuba stout,
For things are running crossways, and Maggie and I are out.
We quarrelled about Havanas—we fought o’er a good cheroot,
And I know she is exacting, and she says I am a brute.
Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a space;
In the soft blue veil of the vapor musing on Maggie’s face.
Maggie is pretty to look at—Maggie’s a loving lass,
But the prettiest cheeks must wrinkle, the truest of loves must pass.
There’s peace in a Larranaga, there’s calm in a Henry Clay;
But the best cigar in an hour is finished and thrown away—
Thrown away for another as perfect and ripe and brown—
But I could not throw away Maggie for fear o’ the talk o’ the town!
Maggie, my wife at fifty—grey and dour and old—
With never another Maggie to purchase for love or gold!
And the light of Days that have Been the dark of the Days that Are,
And Love’s torch stinking and stale, like the butt of a dead cigar—
The butt of a dead cigar you are bound to keep in your pocket—
With never a new one to light tho’ it’s charred and black to the socket!
Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a while.
Here is a mild Manila—there is a wifely smile.
Which is the better portion—bondage bought with a ring,
Or a harem of dusky beauties, fifty tied in a string?
Counselors cunning and silent—comforters true and tried,
And never a one of the fifty to sneer at a rival bride?
Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close,
This will the fifty give me, asking nought in return,
With only a Suttee’s passion—to do their duty and burn.
This will the fifty give me. When they are spent and dead,
Five times other fifties shall be my servants instead.
The furrows of far-off Java, the isles of the Spanish Main,
When they hear my harem is empty will send me my brides again.
I will take no heed to their raiment, nor food for their mouths withal,
So long as the gulls are nesting, so long as the showers fall.
I will scent ’em with best vanilla, with tea will I temper their hides,
And the Moor and the Mormon shall envy who read of the tale of my brides.
For Maggie has written a letter to give me my choice between
The wee little whimpering Love and the great god Nick o’ Teen.
And I have been servant of Love for barely a twelvemonth clear,
But I have been Priest of Cabanas a matter of seven year;
And the gloom of my bachelor days is flecked with the cheery light
Of stumps that I burned to Friendship and Pleasure and Work and Fight.
And I turn my eyes to the future that Maggie and I must prove,
But the only light on the marshes is the Will-o’-the-Wisp of Love.
Will it see me safe through my journey or leave me bogged in the mire?
Since a puff of tobacco can cloud it, shall I follow the fitful fire?
Open the old cigar-box—let me consider anew—
Old friends, and who is Maggie that I should abandon you?
A million surplus Maggies are willing to bear the yoke;
And a woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke.
Light me another Cuba—I hold to my first-sworn vows.
If Maggie will have no rival, I’ll have no Maggie for Spouse!
Every year, as my anniversary approaches (3 weeks) this poem comes to mind. Even though the piece is a bit tongue-in-cheek, I think Mr. Kipling understood the "Why" very well.
The Betrothed
“You must choose between me and your cigar.”
— Breach of Promise Case, circa 1885.
by Rudyard Kipling
Open the old cigar-box, get me a Cuba stout,
For things are running crossways, and Maggie and I are out.
We quarrelled about Havanas—we fought o’er a good cheroot,
And I know she is exacting, and she says I am a brute.
Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a space;
In the soft blue veil of the vapor musing on Maggie’s face.
Maggie is pretty to look at—Maggie’s a loving lass,
But the prettiest cheeks must wrinkle, the truest of loves must pass.
There’s peace in a Larranaga, there’s calm in a Henry Clay;
But the best cigar in an hour is finished and thrown away—
Thrown away for another as perfect and ripe and brown—
But I could not throw away Maggie for fear o’ the talk o’ the town!
Maggie, my wife at fifty—grey and dour and old—
With never another Maggie to purchase for love or gold!
And the light of Days that have Been the dark of the Days that Are,
And Love’s torch stinking and stale, like the butt of a dead cigar—
The butt of a dead cigar you are bound to keep in your pocket—
With never a new one to light tho’ it’s charred and black to the socket!
Open the old cigar-box—let me consider a while.
Here is a mild Manila—there is a wifely smile.
Which is the better portion—bondage bought with a ring,
Or a harem of dusky beauties, fifty tied in a string?
Counselors cunning and silent—comforters true and tried,
And never a one of the fifty to sneer at a rival bride?
Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close,
This will the fifty give me, asking nought in return,
With only a Suttee’s passion—to do their duty and burn.
This will the fifty give me. When they are spent and dead,
Five times other fifties shall be my servants instead.
The furrows of far-off Java, the isles of the Spanish Main,
When they hear my harem is empty will send me my brides again.
I will take no heed to their raiment, nor food for their mouths withal,
So long as the gulls are nesting, so long as the showers fall.
I will scent ’em with best vanilla, with tea will I temper their hides,
And the Moor and the Mormon shall envy who read of the tale of my brides.
For Maggie has written a letter to give me my choice between
The wee little whimpering Love and the great god Nick o’ Teen.
And I have been servant of Love for barely a twelvemonth clear,
But I have been Priest of Cabanas a matter of seven year;
And the gloom of my bachelor days is flecked with the cheery light
Of stumps that I burned to Friendship and Pleasure and Work and Fight.
And I turn my eyes to the future that Maggie and I must prove,
But the only light on the marshes is the Will-o’-the-Wisp of Love.
Will it see me safe through my journey or leave me bogged in the mire?
Since a puff of tobacco can cloud it, shall I follow the fitful fire?
Open the old cigar-box—let me consider anew—
Old friends, and who is Maggie that I should abandon you?
A million surplus Maggies are willing to bear the yoke;
And a woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke.
Light me another Cuba—I hold to my first-sworn vows.
If Maggie will have no rival, I’ll have no Maggie for Spouse!
Last edited:
I am continually amazed at the personalities of the people I meet in this community we call Cigar Smokers. Participation on other forums remind me that nothing is absolute but for the most part, I am drawn to the interests and humors of these B/SOTL. I am reminded of times, weather they be herfs of new found friends or old buddies gathered around the poker table, of great fellowship and engaging conversation. Trading knowledge of our leafed passion melts hours into minutes and can burn an evening up in seconds but it's the friendships forged that give this past time the allure that keeps me coming back.
So why do I do it? I do it because it gives me 10x back what I invest.
So why do I do it? I do it because it gives me 10x back what I invest.
Being new to the art of smoking Cigars, here's my take, which is similar
I tried one because my boss smokes and wanted to form a bond there, but what I didn't realize was how relaxing it could be and the experience in general- the flavor, the smell.... folks I have met since on here and in my local shop I've started going to are some of the nicest down to earth people around.... I've received alot of good advice and people are eager to help. All this is what's keeping me coming back and spending more$$$$
jmatkins
BoM January 08
It is a form of relaxation! I do go out to a cigar sometimes, but I love going in my back yard and lighting up a cigar and have a nice drink. If at all possible it is enjoyed with friends.
Since my wife will not come out in the evenings when I smoke it is also a time of quit.
Since my wife will not come out in the evenings when I smoke it is also a time of quit.
I always loved that poem.
It is a combination of things, Ken. There is something about a good cigar or pipe that I find incredibly relaxing. It gives me great joy when I have a peaceful, quiet smoke, taste the nuances of the smoke and tune out much of the world for that little space in time. Other times it is a great complement to a situation.
My aged mother is staying with us for a few days. Yesterday afternoon we sat down for a nice cocktail and I lit up a Partagas Lonsdale from '00. It was superb. My mother and wife both commented about how wonderful the cigar smelled. We ended up spending quite a bit of time talking about cigars. My wife has never smoked, but loves the smell. My mother is a cigarette smoker who also loves the smell of a good cigar. It was truly a wonderful afternoon and that great cigar was part of it.
It is a combination of things, Ken. There is something about a good cigar or pipe that I find incredibly relaxing. It gives me great joy when I have a peaceful, quiet smoke, taste the nuances of the smoke and tune out much of the world for that little space in time. Other times it is a great complement to a situation.
My aged mother is staying with us for a few days. Yesterday afternoon we sat down for a nice cocktail and I lit up a Partagas Lonsdale from '00. It was superb. My mother and wife both commented about how wonderful the cigar smelled. We ended up spending quite a bit of time talking about cigars. My wife has never smoked, but loves the smell. My mother is a cigarette smoker who also loves the smell of a good cigar. It was truly a wonderful afternoon and that great cigar was part of it.
The relaxation coupled with enjoyment of the taste. I mostly reserve my smoking for times when there's nothing else to distract other than a good book so it's a time to block out the rest of the world. The wife only tolerates my habit and hates the smell, so it certainly has nothing to do with her. :wink:
Thanks, Fidel. I've read that line too many times to count, but have never seen the poem in its entirety. And glad to see it now.
rick12string
Caught in the Crossfire
Relaxation and just love the shit out of it!:thumbsup:
It has to do with a lot of things.
I think that the best cigar is enjoyed with friends (even if it is a Swisher Sweet). What I would give to burn a stick once a week with my good friends.
It's the tranquility, just relaxing, reading a good book, working on the computer and burning a stick.
Knowing that you have one thing in common with someone and can have a hour and a half conversation on the subject.
I have never meet anyone on this board yet ( I know i am a slacker) but I feel a connection with each and everyone of you. I know that when we do end up meeting that we will be able to have a stick and a conversation that I will always remember.
Thanks everyone.
I think that the best cigar is enjoyed with friends (even if it is a Swisher Sweet). What I would give to burn a stick once a week with my good friends.
It's the tranquility, just relaxing, reading a good book, working on the computer and burning a stick.
Knowing that you have one thing in common with someone and can have a hour and a half conversation on the subject.
I have never meet anyone on this board yet ( I know i am a slacker) but I feel a connection with each and everyone of you. I know that when we do end up meeting that we will be able to have a stick and a conversation that I will always remember.
Thanks everyone.
Last edited:
Cause it looks F@cking Cool!!!!
Aside from that, it is a luxury that is relatively affordable. Gives cause to sit, relax and enjoy some "ME" time. I also love exploring a new cigar's nuances, and characteristics.
Aside from that, it is a luxury that is relatively affordable. Gives cause to sit, relax and enjoy some "ME" time. I also love exploring a new cigar's nuances, and characteristics.
Because I can!!! And it relaxes me!