I COME, let us drink away the time, A pox upon this pelting rhyme! When wine's run high, wit's in the prime. II Drink, and stout drinkers are true joys, Odes, Sonnets, and such little toys, Are exercises fit for boys. III Then to our liquor let us sit, Wine makes the soul for action fit, Who bears most drink, has the most wit. IV The whining Lover, that does place His wonder in a painted face, And wastes his substance in the chase, V Could not in melancholy pine, Had he affections so divine, As once to fall in love with wine. VI The Gods themselves their revels keep, And in pure nectar tipple deep, When slothful Mortals are asleep. VII They fuddled once, for recreation, In water, which by all relation, Did cause Deucalion's inundation. VIII The spangled Globe, as it held most, Their bowl, was with salt-water dos't, The sun-burnt centre was the toast. IX In drink, Apollo always chose His darkest oracles to disclose, 'Twas wine gave him his ruby nose. X The Gods then let us imitate, Secure of Fortune, and of Fate, Wine wit, and courage does create. XI Who dares not drink 's a wretched wight; Nor can I think that man dares fight All day, that dares not drink all night. XII Fill up the goblet, let it swim In foam, that overlooks the brim, He that drinks deepest, here's to him. XIII Sobriety, and study breeds Suspicion of our thoughts, and deeds; The downright drunkard no man heeds. XIV Let me have sack, tobacco store, A drunken friend, a little wh -- re, @3Protector,@1 I will ask no more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SORROW SINGERS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON AN OLD WOMAN: 2. HARVEST by EDITH SITWELL THE CANTERBURY TALES: THE GENERAL PROLOGUE by GEOFFREY CHAUCER IN TIME OF 'THE BREAKING OF NATIONS' by THOMAS HARDY INTROSPECTIVE by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI WITHER AWAY by THOMAS HAYNES BAYLY |