Classic Poem

A SONG .

I'm a votary of B ACCHUS , his godship adore,
And love at his shrine gay libations to pour:
And Venus , blest Venus , my bosom inspires,
For she lights in our souls the most sacred of fires:
Yet to neither I swear sole allegiance to hold;
My bottle and lass I by turns must enfold;
For the sweetest of junctions that mortals can prove,
Is of B ACCHUS , gay god, and the goddess of love.

When fill'd to the fair, the brisk bumper I hold,
Can the miser survey with such pleasure his gold?
The ambrosia of gods no such relish can boast,
If Champaigne fill your glass, and fair K ITTY'S your toast,
And the charms of your girl more angelic will be,
If her sopha's encircled with wreaths from his tree;
For the sweetest of junctions that mortals can prove,
Is of B ACCHUS , gay god, and the goddess of love.

All partial distinctions I hate from my soul,
O give me my fair one, and give me my bowl;
Bliss reflected from either, will send to my heart,
Ten thousand sweet joys which they can't have apart;
Go, try it, ye smiling and gay-looking throng,
And your hearts will in unison beat to my song,
That the sweetest of junctions that mortals can prove,
Is of B ACCHUS , gay god, and the goddess of love.