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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


"IF SORROW, THE TYRANT, INVADE THE BREAST" by ANONYMOUS

Last Line: "BE MERRY AND JOLLY, AND DROWN ALL THY CARE / FOR EVER AND AYE, IN A MUG, A MUG!"
Subject(s): DRINKS & DRINKING;

If Sorrow, the tyrant, invade the breast,
Haul out the foul fiend by the lug, the lug!
Let no thought of the morrow disturb your rest,
But banish despair in a mug, a mug!

Or if thy wife prove none of the best,
Or admits no time but to think, to think,
Or the weight of thy horns bow down thy crest,
Divert the dull Demon with drink, with drink!

Or if thy mistress proves unworty to thee,
Ne'er pine, ne'er pine at the wanton pug!
But choose out a fairer and kinder than she,
And banish despair in a mug, a mug!

Then he is an ass that seems to despair
At any coy frown of the wanton pug;
Be merry and jolly, and drown all thy care
For ever and aye, in a mug, a mug!



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