one for the road

by ancient law the one who speaks must pay
not just his scot but every listener's drink
so that long speech concludes with happy clink

a word of caution speeds each on their way
much more is needed than a simple wink
by ancient law the one who speaks must pay

we choose to work when we should have to play
it takes no effort to achieve the brink
but on the cliff there is no pause to think
by ancient law the one who speaks must pay