CANST thou, O Varus, plant a tree That would so great a blessing be As would the vine, to Tibur's soil? What else would so repay the toil Of laborers without the wall Of Catilus? With jaundiced eye, The sober, dry, See things awry! 'Tis Bacchus' curse upon them all! How else do fears and cares disperse Than in good wine? Is this world worse To him who quaffs a cup of wine? Nay, these the blessings of the vine— To cheer and keep our spirits up! Not even war seems hard to me, Nor poverty— I am care free, When I have tasted of the cup! So, sing the praises, soon and late, Of Bacchus! Yes, and celebrate In wine the charms of Venus fair— But, in thy drinking, have a care! No clemency doth Bacchus show Himself, to foolish drinkers, such As take too much, When their lips touch The cup that doth with spirits flow! In drunkenness, the Centaurs fought The Lapithæ! The Thracians sought Their thirst and lust to satisfy— The great god Bacchus to defy! I will take warning from their fate, Nor rouse thee, Bacchus, against me— I will not be With wine too free— In drinking, I'll be moderate! The music shall not grow too loud; I will not boast before the crowd; I will not babble foolishly What secrets are vouchsafed to me; Tipsy self-love I will restrain, And wine's light-headed vanity! My cups shall be From excess free; So may I live—to drink again! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 22 by OMAR KHAYYAM SONNET: THE RARITY OF GENIUS by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH IN DEFENSE OF YOUTH by ROBBINS WOLCOTT BARSTOW IDYLL 15. THE EPITHALAMIUM OF ACHILLES AND DEIDAMIA by BION STANZAS TO AUGUSTA (2) by GEORGE GORDON BYRON TO THE DUKE OF DORSET by GEORGE GORDON BYRON GERTRUDE OF WYOMING; OR, THE PENNSYLVANIAN COTTAGE: 3 by THOMAS CAMPBELL |