Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BALLAD TO THE TUNE OF 'THE HEALTHS', by PATRICK CAREY


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLAD TO THE TUNE OF 'THE HEALTHS', by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Come, faith, since I'm parting, and that god knows when
Last Line: Each health still going round.
Subject(s): Farewell; Toasts; Parting


I

COME, faith, since I'm parting, and that God knows when
The walls of sweet Wickham I shall see again;
Let's e'en have a frolic, and drink like tall men,
Till heads with healths go round.

II

And first to Sir William, I'll take't on my knee
He well doth deserve that a brimmer it be:
More brave entertainments none ere gave than he;
Then let his health go round.

III

Next to his chaste lady, who loves him alife;
And whilst we are drinking to so good a wife,
The poor of the parish will pray for her life;
Be sure her health go round.

IV

And then to young Will, the heir of this place;
He'll make a brave man, you may see't in his face;
I only could wish we had more of the race;
At least let his health go round.

V

To well-grac'd Victoria the next room we owe;
As virtuous she'll prove as her mother, I trow,
And somewhat in housewifery more she will know;
O let her health go round!

VI

To plump Bess, her sister, I drink down this cup:
Birlackins (my masters) each man must take't up;
'Tis foul play (I bar it) to simper and sup,
When such a health goes round.

VII

And now helter-skelter to th' rest of the house,
The most are good fellows, and love to carouse;
Who's not, may go sneak-up; he's not worth a louse,
That stops a health i' th' round.

VIII

To th' clerk, so he'll learn to drink in the morn;
To Heynous, that stares when he has quaft up his horn;
To Philip, by whom good ale ne'er was forlorn;
These lads can drink a round.

IX

John Chandler! come on, here's some warm beer for you;
A health to the man that this liquor did brew:
Why, Hewet! there's for thee; nay, take't, 'tis thy due,
But see that it go round.

X

Hot Coles is on fire, and fain would be quench'd;
As well as his horses the groom must be drench'd;
Who's else? let him speak, if his thirst he'd have stench'd,
Or have his health go round.

XI

And now to the women, who must not be coy.
A glass, Mistress Cary, you know's but a toy;
Come, come, Mistress Sculler, no pardonnez moy,
It must, it must go round.

XII

Dame Nell, so you'll drink, we'll allow [you] a sop.
Up with't, Mary Smith; in your draught never stop.
Law! there now, Nan German has left ne'er a drop,
And so must all the round.

XIII

Jane, Joan, Goody Lee, great Meg, and the less,
Ye must not be squeamish, but do as did Bess:
How th' others are nam'd, if I could but guess,
I'd call them to the round.

XIV

And now, for my farewell, I drink up this quart;
To you, lads and lasses, e'en with all my heart:
May I find ye ever, as now when we part,
Each health still going round.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net