Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE STIRRUP-CUP by SIDNEY LANIER

Poet Analysis

First Line: DEATH, THOU'RT A CORDIAL OLD AND RARE
Last Line: I'LL DRINK IT DOWN RIGHT SMILINGLY.
Subject(s): ALCOHOLISM & ALCOHOLICS; DRUNKARDS; ALCOHOL ABUSE;

DEATH, thou'rt a cordial old and rare:
Look how compounded, with what care!
Time got his wrinkles reaping thee
Sweet herbs from all antiquity.

David to thy distillage went,
Keats, and Gotama excellent,
Omar Khayyam, and Chaucer bright,
And Shakespeare for a king-delight.

Then, Time, let not a drop be spilt:
Hand me the cup whene'er thou wilt;
'T is thy rich stirrup-cup to me;
I'll drink it down right smilingly.



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