 | Collected Poems of Thomas Parnell |  |
115
Anacreontick.
I
Gay Bacchus liking Estcourt's Wine,A noble Meal bespoke;
And for the Guests that were to Dine,
Brought Comus, Love, and Joke.
II
The God near Cupid drew his Chair,And Joke near Comus plac'd;
Thus Wine makes Love forget its Care,
And Mirth exalts a Feast.
III
The more to please the sprightly God,Each sweet engaging Grace
Put on some Cloaths to come abroad,
And took a Waiters Place.
IV
Then Cupid nam'd at every GlassA Lady of the Sky;
While Bacchus swore he'd Drink the Lass,
And had it Bumper high.
116
V
Fat Comus tost his Brimmers o're,And always got the most;
For Joke took care to fill him more,
When-e'er he mist the Toast.
VI
They call'd, and drank at every Touch,Then fill'd, and drank again;
And if the Gods can take too much,
'Tis said, they did so then.
VII
Free Jests run all the Table round,And with the Wine conspire,
(While they by sly Reflection wound,)
To set their Heads on Fire.
VIII
Gay Bacchus little Cupid stung,By reck'ning his Deceits;
And Cupid mock'd his stammering Tongue,
With all his staggering Gaits.
IX
Joke droll'd on Comus' greedy Ways,And Tales without a Jest;
While Comus call'd his witty Plays,
But Waggeries at Best.
117
X
Such Talk soon set 'em all at Odds;And, had I Homer's Pen,
I'd sing ye, how they drunk, like Gods,
And how they fought, like Men.
XI
To part the Fray, the Graces fly,Who make 'em soon agree;
And had the Furies selves been nigh,
They still were Three to Three.
XII
Bacchus appeas'd, rais'd Cupid up,And gave him back his Bow;
But kept some Darts to stir the Cup,
Where Sack and Sugar flow.
XIII
Joke taking Comus' rosie Crown,In Triumph wore the Prize,
And thrice, in Mirth, he pusht him down,
As thrice he strove to rise.
XIV
Then Cupid sought the Myrtle Grove,Where Venus did recline,
And Beauty close embracing Love,
They join'd to Rail at Wine.
118
XV
And Comus loudly cursing Wit,Roll'd off to some Retreat,
Where boon Companions gravely sit,
In fat unweildy State.
XVI
Bacchus and Joke, who stay behind,For one fresh Glass prepare;
They Kiss, and are exceeding kind,
And Vow to be sincere.
XVII
But part in Time, whoever hearThis our Instructive Song;
For tho' such Friendships may be dear,
They can't continue long.
| Collected Poems of Thomas Parnell | |