Stones from The Quarry or, Moods of Mind. By Henry Browne [i.e. Henry Ellison] |
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NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND
BEVERAGES. |
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 | Stones from The Quarry |  |
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NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BEVERAGES.
Had Bacchus nurtured our old English brains,Not upon barley-bree but pure grape-juice,
The inspirations of our island-Muse,
Her mighty issue and renown'd birth-pains,
Might have ta'en other shape, yielded new “strains”
Of bloods and genius—a finer use
And turn of wit; less rudeness to excuse;
A Pegasus who less the bit disdains.
For manly vigour, independent thought,
John Barleycorn may hold his own with all;
The Muses with the tankard spells have wrought
As with the wine-cup, high-potential;
But the more subtle flavours, which are caught
By Taste's fine palate, for Falernian call.
| Stones from The Quarry | |