Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, NIGHTMARE ABBEY: THE MEN OF GOTHAM, by THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

NIGHTMARE ABBEY: THE MEN OF GOTHAM, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Seamen three! What men be ye?
Last Line: And your ballast is old wine.
Variant Title(s): A Catch;nightmare Abbey: Three Men Of Gotham
Subject(s): Friendship


Seamen three! What men be ye?
Gotham's three wise men we be.
Whither in your bowl so free?
To rake the moon from out the sea.
The bowl goes trim. The moon doth shine.
And our ballast is old wine --
And your ballast is old wine.

Who art thou, so fast adrift?
I am he they call Old Care.
Here on board we will thee lift.
No: I may not enter there.
Whereforeso? 'Tis Jove's decree,
In a bowl Care may not be --
In a bowl Care may not be.

Fear ye the waves that roll?
No; in charmed bowl we swim.
What the charm that floats the bowl?
Water may not pass the brim.
The bowl goes trim. The moon doth shine.
And our ballast is old wine --
And your ballast is old wine.





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