Classic Poem

I.

When the fancy-stirring bowl
Wakes its world of pleasure,
Glowing visions gild my soul,
And life's an endless treasure;
Mem'ry decks my wasted heart,
Fresh with gay desires,
Rays divine their heat impart,
And kindling hope inspires.

CHORUS

Then who'd be grave,
When wine can save
The heaviest soul from sinking,
And magic grapes
Give angel shapes
To every girl we're drinking?

II.

Here sweet benignity and love
Shed their influence round us,
Gather'd ills of life remove,
And leave us as they found us:
Tho' my head may swim, yet true,
Still to nature's feeling;
Peace and beauty swim there too,
And rock me while I'm reeling.
Then who'd be grave? &c.

III.

On youth's soft pillow tender truth
Her pensive lesson taught me;
Age soon mock'd the dream of youth,
And wisdom wak'd and caught me;
A bargain then with love I knock't,
To hold the pleasing gipsey;
When wise, to keep my bosom lock't,
But turn the key when tipsey.
Then who'd be grave? &c.

IV.

When time had 'swag'd my heated heart,
The grave boy, blind and simple,
Forgot to cool one little part,
Just flush'd by Lucy's dimples:
That part's enough of beauty's type,
To warm an honest fellow,
And tho' it touch me not when ripe,
It melts still while I'm mellow.
Then who'd be grave? &c.

V.

Life's a voyage we all declare,
With scarce a port to hide in;
Perhaps it may to pride or care; —
That's not the sea ride in:
Here floats my soul 'till fancy's eye
Her realms of bliss discover;
Bright worlds that fair in prospect lie,
To him that's half seas over.

CHORUS.

Then who'd be grave,
When wine can save
The heaviest soul from sinking,
And magic grapes
Give angel shapes
To every girl we're drinking.