Living
The Dead Host's Welcome
From Lyrics from the Dramatists of the Elizabethan Age, ed. A. H. Bullen (London: Nimmo, 1889)
Tis late and cold; stir up the fire;
Sit close, and draw the table nigher;
Be merry, and drink wine that's old,
A hearty medicine 'gainst a cold:
Your beds of wanton down the best,
Where you shall tumble to your rest;
I could wish you wenches too,
But I am dead, and cannot do.
Call for the best the house may ring,
Sack, white, and claret, let them bring,
And drink apace, while breath you have;
You'll find but cold drink in the grave:
Plover, partridge, for your dinner,
And a capon for the sinner,
You shall find ready when you're up,
And your horse shall have his sup:
Welcome, welcome, shall fly round,
And I shall smile, though under ground.
Cite this poem
MLA
Fletcher, John. “The Dead Host's Welcome.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/fletcher_j/38/.
Chicago
Fletcher, John. “The Dead Host's Welcome.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/fletcher_j/38/.
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