Calls his mirth void of fancy, his joy insincere— Who can recognise Oldham and Rochester here? Or, to leave those choice wits and choice fellows of yore, Who will own this the picture of Morris and Moore? Renovation to hope, inspiration to song: Age gathers fresh verdure from wonderful wine, And the best bloom of youth, radiant liquor, is thine! Thou easest the captive, thou lull'st to repose The sad eye that too long has forgotten to close; All, all canst thou conquer-ah! wouldst thou but prove Victorious for me over absence and love. HODGSON. DRINKING SONG. I CANNOT eat but little meat, My stomach is not good; I am nothing a cold, I stuff my skin so full within Of jolly good ale and old. Back and side go bare, go bare, Both foot and hand go cold; But, belly, God send thee good ale enough, Whether it be new or old. I have no roast but a nut-brown toast, And a crab laid in the fire; A little bread shall do me stead, Much bread I not desire. No frost, no snow, no wind, I trow, I am so wrapp'd and thoroughly lapp'd And Tib, my wife, that as her life Now let them drink till they nod and wink, They shall not miss to have the bliss And all poor souls that have scour'd bowls, God save the lives of them and their wives, Whether they be young or old. 1566. STILL. ANACREONTIC, FREELY IMITATED FROM THE LATIN OF WALTER DE MAPES. merry, I'LL in a tavern end my days mid boon companions [sherry, Place at my lips a lusty flask replete with sparkling That angels hovering round may cry, when I lie dead as door nail, Rise, genial deaçon, rise and drink of the well of Life Eternal.' 'Tis wine the fading lamp of life renews with fire celestial, [terrestrial; And elevates the raptured sense above this globe Be mine the grape's pure juice unmix'd with any base ingredient, [no need on't. Water to heretics I leave, sound churchmen have spiration! Various implements belong to every occupation; Give me a haunch of venison-and a fig for in[indite 'em, Verses and odes without good cheer I never could Sure he who meager days devised is d-d ad infinitum! When I exhaust the bowl profound and generous liquor swallow, [bers follow; Bright as the beverage I imbibe the generous numYour sneaking water drinkers all, I utterly con[Agamemnon. He that would write like Homer must drink like demn 'em ; Mysteries and prophetic truths, I never could un fold 'em [ham; Without a flagon of good wine and a slice of cold But when I've drain'd my liquor out, and eat what's in the dish up, Though I am but an archdeacon, I can preach like an archbishop. HUDDISFORD. ANACREONTIC. IF when the sparkling goblet flows, I bid the tide of Bacchus roll- And bathed within the cup I'd be That glows with love, and glows of thee. If, when retiring to repose, Still in my chamber bloom the rose, Then come, Næëra, sweeter rose! Come, whelm in dearer joys the soul More, more than vision'd bliss 'twill be- THELWALL. A BALLAD OF SIMILES. If life, like a bubble, evaporates fast, You must take off your wine if you wish it to last; If life's like a flower, as grave moralists say, The world to a theatre liken'd has been, [act. |