Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DRINK OF THIS CUP by THOMAS MOORE

Poem Explanation

First Line: RINK OF THIS CUP - YOU'LL FIND THERE'S A SPELL IN / ITS EVERY DROP
Last Line: HER CUP WAS A FICTION, BUT THIS IS REALITY.
Subject(s): DRINKS & DRINKING; WINE;
Drink of this cup—you'll find there's a spell in
Its every drop 'gainst the ills of mortality—
Talk of the cordial that sparkled for Helen!
Her cup was a fiction, but this is reality.
Would you forget the dark world we are in,
Only taste of the bubble that gleams on the top of it;
But would you rise above earth, till akin
To Immortals themselves, you must drain every drop of it.
Send round the cup—for Oh! there's a spell in
Its every drop 'gainst the ills of mortality—
Talk of the cordial that sparkled for Helen!
Her cup was a fiction, but this is reality.
Never was philter formed with such power
To charm and bewilder, as this we are quaffing;
Its magic began, when, in Autumn's rich hour,
As a harvest of gold in the fields it stood laughing.
There, having by Nature's enchantment been filled
With the balm and the bloom of her kindliest weather,
This wonderful juice from its core was distilled,
To enliven such hearts as are here brought together.
Then drink of this cup, etc.

And though, perhaps—but breathe it to no one—
Like cauldrons the witch brews at midnight so awful,
In secret this philter was first taught to flow on,
Yet—'tis not less potent for being unlawful.
What though it may taste of the smoke of that flame
Which in silence extracted its virtue forbidden—
Fill up—there's a fire in some hearts I could name,
Which may work too its charm, though now lawless and hidden.
So drink of the cup—for Oh! there's a spell in
Its every drop 'gainst the ills of mortality—
Talk of the cordial that sparkled for Helen!
Her cup was a fiction, but this is reality.



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