Classic Poem

COME TO THE FESTAL board tonight,
For bright-eyed beauty will be there,
Her coral lips in nectar steeped
And garlanded her hair.

Come to the festal board tonight,
For there the joyous laugh of youth
Will ring those silvery peals which speak
Of bosoms pure and stainless truth.

Come to the festal board tonight,
For friendship there with stronger chain
Devoted hearts already bound
For goodwill will bind again.
I went.
Nature and art their stores outpoured,
Joy beamed in every kindling glance;
Love, friendship, youth and beauty smiled.
What could that evening's bliss enhance?
We parted.
And years have flown, but where are now
The guests who round that table met?
Riseth their sun as gloriously
As on the banquets we it set?

How holds the chain which friendship wove?
It broke and soon the hearts it bound
Were widely sundered, and for peace
Envy and strife and blood were found.

The merriest laugh which then was heard
Has changed its tones to maniac screams,
As half-quenched memory kindles up
Glimmerings of guilt in feverish dreams.

And where, is she whose diamond eyes
Golconda's purest gems outshone,
Whose roseate lips of Eden breathed—
Say, where is she, the beauteous one?

Beneath yon willows' drooping shade,
With eyes all dim and lips all pale,
She sleeps in peace. Read on her urn,
“Broken Heart.” This tells her tale.

And where is he, that tower of strength,
Whose fate with hers for life was joined;
How beats his heart, once honor's throne,
How high has soared his daring mind?

Go to the dungeon's gloom tonight,
His wasted form, his aching head,
And all that now remains of him
Lies shuddering in a felon's bed.

Ask you if all these woes the cause—
The festal board, the enticing bowl
More often came, and reason fled,
And maddened passions spurned control.

Learn wisdom there. The frequent feast
Avoid. For there with stealthy tread
Temptation walks to lure you on
Till death at last—the banquet spread.

Then shun Ovlum the enchanted cup,
Tho more its draught like joy appears;
Ere long it will be fanned by sighs,
And sadly mixed with blood and tears.