Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SIEGE OF VIRE by OLIVIER BASSELIN

First Line: ENCAMPED AROUND OUR CITY WALL
Last Line: BUT DRAIN THE BARRELS BARE, I PRAY.

ENCAMPED around our city wall
Stands the fierce foe in dense array!
Save, save, our precious casks, I pray!
Ye soldiers, haste and seize on all
We have, and plunder as ye may,
But spare our precious casks, I pray.

After the war is done we yet
By drink may drive our grief away:
Save, save, our precious casks, I pray.
The foe, if the first chance he get,
No moderation will display:
Our casks then let us drain, I pray.

Though to the foe our town we yield,
Let dregs alone his thirst allay:
Our barrels let us drain, I pray.
Though able nothing else to shield,
Spare not the cider night or day,
But drain the barrels bare, I pray.



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