They might not need me, yet they might — Illicit Whiskey

This poem combines the rare use of smile as whiskey, small as of low alcoholic strength, and necessity as illicit spirit. It explains the last word necessity, a mock at the alcoholic.

They might not need me－yet they might－
I'll let my Heart be just in sight－
A smile so small as mine might be
Precisely their necessity－

(F.1425/J.1425)

[1] me:: a bottle of illicit, diluted whiskey. they:: the alcoholic.
[2] Heart:: the strength (of the alcohol).
[3] smile:: whiskey. _{(OED n.1 2)}. small:: of low alcoholic strength; light, weak _{(OED 12)}.
[4] necessity:: bad, illicit spirit _{(OED n. 10c)}.

It, of course, comes over extremely expyreumatic; and is dank in a recent state, under the appropriate name of "necessity." ─ The Rural Economy of the West of England (1805)