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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ANACREONTIC by THOMAS MOORE

Poem Explanation

First Line: I FILL'D TO THEE, TO THEE I DRANK
Last Line: AS BATHES IT IN THIS BOWL OF MINE!

I FILL'D to thee, to thee I drank,
I nothing did but drink and fill;
The bowl by turns was bright and blank,
'Twas drinking, filling, drinking still!

At length I bid an artist paint
Thy image in this ample cup,
That I might see the dimpled saint,
To whom I quaff'd my nectar up.

Behold how bright that purple lip
Is blushing through the wave at me
Every roseate drop I sip
Is just like kissing wine from thee!

But, oh! I drink the more for this;
For, ever when the draught I drain,
Thy lip invites another kiss,
And in the nectar flows again!

So, here's to thee, my gentle dear!
And may that eye for ever shine
Beneath as soft and sweet a tear
As bathes it in this bowl of mine!



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