Love in a humour play'd the prodigal And bade my Senses to a solemn feast; Yet, more to grace the company withal, Invites my Heart to be the chiefest guest. No other drink would serve this glutton's turn But precious tears distilling from mine eyne, Which with my sighs this epicure doth burn, Quaffing carouses in this costly wine; Where, in his cups o'ercome with foul excess, Straightways he plays a swaggering ruffian's part, And at the banquet in his drunkenness Slew his dear friend, my kind and truest Heart. A gentle warning, friends, thus may you see What 'tis to keep a drunkard company. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO THE CUCKOO by MICHAEL BRUCE WYNKEN, BLYNKEN AND NOD by EUGENE FIELD THE RESPECTABLE BURGHER, ON 'THE HIGHER CRITICISM' by THOMAS HARDY WILD SWANS by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY RESERVE by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE THE TWO MASKS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH STANZAS COMPOSED AT CARNAC by MATTHEW ARNOLD |