University of Virginia Library

DRINKING.

When with brisk Wine I am inspir'd,
And all my Veins are nobly fir'd,
In the delicious Juice I steep,
And lull my wakeful Cares asleep:
My ruffling Sighs no more molest
The Even Calmness of my Breast,
No more their former Rage retain,
Like Storms allay'd by Show'rs of Rain.
While thus I drink, a secret Joy
Does on my trembling Heart-Strings play;
The well-tun'd Nerves in Parts agree,
And I'm all over Harmony.
My Voice, in Silence fetter'd long,
Breaks unprovok'd into a Song,
And gratefully breaths Hymns Divine,
To praise the God that gave Us Wine.
With Garlands Crown'd I drink, and sing
More Happy than the Persian King.
With glowing Leaves the Roses spread
A starry Circle round my Head;
Which with new blushing Glories shine,
Enflam'd and purpl'd with our Wine.
Let Desp'rate Wretches ply the Wars,
For Honourable Wounds, and Scars;
For Loss of Limbs Curs'd Gold receive,
And barter Life it self, to live.
The gentler Combats I pursue,
Will Pleasure give, and Riches too.
I feel, I burn with thirsty Rage,
And grow impatient to engage.
Fly, fly, my Boy, with Haste prepare
Supplies to carry on the War;
Draw out my Forces on this Plain,
Present a Revelling Campaign.
Charge all the Bowls and Glasses there,
Now form the Van, Gross, Wings, and Rear;
That Train of larger Vessels mount
For loud Artill'ry, in the Front:
See now I charge, and now give Fire:
Those Ranks disorderly retire;
I charge again, and now they fly,
Sound, Io! sound the Victory.
But hold—perfidious Death I see,
As I press on, pursuing me;
And while Without I Triumphs win,
He undermines my Life Within.
Fill, fill the Bowl, the very Sight
Shall put that Phantom soon to Flight.
Brave Wine sure Armour will bestow,
And make me Proof against the Blow.
Brisk Wine is sickly Nature's Stay,
From Ruin frees, and from Decay:
It, Chymist like, can Life restore,
And from its Ashes raise the Flow'r;
Wine sprightly Youth does still supply,
And gives Us Immortality.