THERE is a potion of forgetfulness As wonderful as sleep and exquisite, And he who once hath drunk his full of it Loses his sometime heart-break and distress; No lethe this, yet in its depths no less Lies Peace. And Life, who brewed this cup with wit, Hath called it "Labor," and those men who sit About his board, drink deep and laugh and bless. Drink and forget the burden of old sighs; Drink, and behold, the world is glorious! This was God's plan; this wondrous gift and glad He gave to Adam, losing Paradise, "Behold, I bid you labor!" Yea, and thus Saved the first man, perchance, from going mad. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE DEBT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR THE BEGGAR'S OPERA: SONG. AIR 16: OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY by JOHN GAY AN HYMN OF HEAVENLY BEAUTY by EDMUND SPENSER EPIGRAM by FRANCOIS GUILLAUME JEAN STANISLAS ANDRIEUX BROTHER GENE by EVA K. ANGLESBURG A MISUNDERSTANDING (CONNEMARA) by JANE BARLOW DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: ISBRAND by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |