Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

EVERY MAN TAKE A GLASS IN HIS HAND by ANONYMOUS

Last Line: HERE'S A HEALTH TO ALL HONEST MEN
Subject(s): BLESSINGS;COURTS & COURTIERS;
EVERY Man take a glass in his hand,
And drink a good health to our King;
Many years may he rule o'er this land,
May his laurels for ever fresh spring;
Let wrangling and jangling straightway cease,
Let every man strive for his country's peace;
Neither Tory nor Whig
With their parties look big;
Here's a health to all honest men.

'Tis not owning a whimsical name
That proves a man loyal and just;
Let him fight for his country's fame,
Be impartial at home, if in trust:
'Tis this that proves him an honest soul,
His health we will drink in a brimful bowl.
Then leave off all debate,
No confusion create;
Here's a health to all honest men.

When a company's honestly met,
With intent to be merry and gay,
Their drooping souls for to whet,
And drowns the fatigues of the day;
What madness it is thus to dispute,
When neither side can his man confute:
When you've said what you dare
You're but just where you were;
Here's a health to all honest men.

Then agree, rash Britons, agree,
And ne'er quarrel about a nickname;
Let our enemies trembling see
That an Englishman's always the same:
For our King, our Church, our Laws, and Right,
Let's lay by all feuds, and strait unite;
Then who need care a fig
Who's Tory or Whig?
Here's a health to all honest men.



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