TAKE in hand the cup of delusion, With your eyes on the future, drink; Scorn the results, however appalling, Tho' you see that you stand upon Hell's dark brink. The bubbles that float on the top of the cup Are only the tears of your wife! You have drained her happiness in the draught -- Drink on, you will drain her life. Drink on, fill the glowing cup anew -- Now the drops look red, blood red: It is only the blood of your little ones -- And their doom rests on your head! Drink then, drink on; take the cup to your lips! What matter if parents' grey hairs Are floating upon its surface in scores! Drink on, you will drown your cares! Drink then, drink on; for you must take the cup -- 'Tis no longer a matter of will; No longer the cup of habit or choice -- But the cup of Punishment -- fill! Yes, drain the cup to the bitter dregs, While the fiends laugh at your pains; And exult to know that but wretchedness In the tempting wine remains. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ABANDONED RANCH, BIG BEND by HAYDEN CARRUTH AUGUST FIRST by HAYDEN CARRUTH FISH-LEAP FALL by ROBERT FROST A POEM FROM THE EDGE OF AMERICA by JAMES GALVIN AFTERGLOW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON NOBODY'S LOOKIN' BUT DE OWL AND DE MOON (A NEGRO SERENADE) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON ODE TO THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY by SIDNEY LANIER DOMESDAY BOOK: GREGORY WENNER by EDGAR LEE MASTERS DOMESDAY BOOK: THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |