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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DRINKING SONG, by NICOLAS BOILEAU-DESPREAUX Poet's Biography First Line: Ye sages who boast you have nothing to learn Last Line: And who knows not this lesson knows naught. Alternate Author Name(s): Boileau, Nicolas | |||
YE sages who boast you have nothing to learn, Of Bacchus sworn foes, to your duty return, Your wits are not half what you think. Begone, aged fool; go and learn how to drink. Who has learnt to drink well is well taught, And who knows not this lesson knows naught. When a song or a jest should enliven the feast, Your sage sits dumfoundered, nor helps in the least: Wine summons bright thoughts to the brink. Then go, aged dullards, and learn how to drink. Who has learnt to drink well is well taught, And who knows not this lesson knows naught. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VERBATIM FROM BOILEAU by NICOLAS BOILEAU-DESPREAUX ITS ORIGIN by NICOLAS BOILEAU-DESPREAUX A FANCY FROM FONTENELLE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON JOURNEY by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY ODE TO THE SWALLOW by ANACREON MAN MUST DO MORE FOR MAN by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE PLANTING by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN STANZAS FOR MUSIC by MARY (BALFOUR) BRUNTON OBSERVATIONS IN THE ART OF ENGLISH POESY: 20. ELEGIAC VRSE: THE THIRD EPIGRAM by THOMAS CAMPION |
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