Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE MINT JULEP, by CHARLES FENNO HOFFMAN Poet's Biography First Line: Tis said that the gods on olympus of old Last Line: When jove himself added a handful of hail. Subject(s): Mint Juleps | ||||||||
'T IS said that the gods on Olympus of old (And who the bright legend profanes with a doubt?) One night, 'mid their revels, by Bacchus were told That his last butt of nectar had somehow run out! But determined to send round the goblet once more, They sued to the fairer immortals for aid In composing a draught which, till drinking were o'er Should cast every wine ever drank in the shade. Grave Ceres herself blithely yielded her corn, And the spirit that lives in each amber-hued grain, And which first had its birth from the dew of the morn, Was taught to steal out in bright dewdrops drops again. Pomona, whose choicest of fruits on the board Were scattered profusely in every one's reach, When called on a tribute to cull from the hoard, Expressed the mild juice of the delicate peach. The liquids were mingled while Venus looked on With glances so fraught with sweet magical power, That the honey of Hybla, e'en when they were gone, Has never been missed in the draught from that hour. Flora, then, from her bosom of fragrancy, shook, And with roseate fingers pressed down in the bowl, All dripping and fresh as it came from the brook, The herb whose aroma should flavor the whole. The draught was delicious, and loud the acclaim, Though something seemed wanting for all to bewail, But Juleps the drink of immortals became, When Jove himself added a handful of hail. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CULTURAL EXCHANGE by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES MONTEREY [SEPTEMBER 23, 1846] by CHARLES FENNO HOFFMAN SPARKLING AND BRIGHT by CHARLES FENNO HOFFMAN FIRST BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 17. SIC TRANSIT by THOMAS CAMPION ON THE DEATH OF JOSEPH RODMAN DRAKE by FITZ-GREENE HALLECK THE ADOPTED CHILD by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS THE OLD MAID by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE SEVEN WORDS by GEORGE WILLARD BONTE THE TWO WAITINGS by JOHN WHITE CHADWICK BLANK MISGIVINGS OF A CREATURE MOVING ABOUT IN WORLDS NOT REALIZED: 1 by ARTHUR HUGH CLOUGH |
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