IF Life were a banquet, and Beauty were wine, And Being the cup to contain it, What duty had man save at ease to recline, Drink deeply, and never disdain it? If Life were a banquet, and Beauty were wine, And Being the cup to contain it! If Life were a banquet, and Glory were wine, And Pain were the strong bowl that held it, Would any man pause ere he quaffed, or repine At the cost, though his heart's blood had swelled it? If Life were a banquet, and Glory were wine, And Pain were the strong bowl that held it! If Life were a banquet, and Love were the wine, And pure lips alone touched the chalice, What soul would refuse for a draught so divine, To purge itself wholly from malice? But Life @3is@1 a banquet, and Love @3is@1 the wine, And pure lips alone touch the chalice! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHANSON INNOCENTE: 2, FR. TULIPS by EDWARD ESTLIN CUMMINGS UNREALITY by MERCEDES DE ACOSTA ABBEY ASAROE by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM INFLUENCE by BELLE BEARDEN BARRY MORGUE: 1. LITTLE ASTER by GOTTFRIED BENN A SONG OF APPLE-BLOOM by GORDON BOTTOMLEY |