O NEPOS, twice my neighbour (since at home We're door by door, by Flora's temple dome; And in the country, still conjoined by fate, Behold our villas standing gate by gate), Thou hast a daughter, dearer far than life -- Thy image and the image of thy wife. Thy image and thy wife's, and be it so! But why for her, O Nepos, leave the can And lose the prime of thy Falernian? Hoard casks of money, if to hoard be thine; But let thy daughter drink a younger wine! Let her go rich and wise, in silk and fur; Lay down a bin that shall grow old with her; But thou, meantime, the while the batch is sound With pleased companions pass the bowl around; Nor let the childless only taste delights, For Fathers also may enjoy their nights. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PROGRESS OF POETRY; A VARIATION by MATTHEW ARNOLD SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: RUTHERFORD MCDOWELL by EDGAR LEE MASTERS SONNET: 42 by EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY THE MULBERRY GARDEN: CHILD AND MAIDEN by CHARLES SEDLEY BREAK, BREAK, BREAK by ALFRED TENNYSON |