Rinaldo

Bring me a cup of good red wine
To drink before I die;
Though earthly joys I must resign,
I’ll breathe no earthly sigh.

I’ve lived a bold and robber life,
I’ve had on earth my way,
For with the gun or with the knife,
I made mankind obey.

My mother’s name, my father’s race,
Though he was false, she true,
It matters not — they sleep in peace.
What more can I or you?

They sleep in peace, though swords flashed wild
Around my infant head,
And I was left an orphan child,
An outcast’s path to tread.

Men are but grapes upon the vine;
My vine was planted where
Nor hand did tend, nor warm sun shine,
And mildew filled the air.

I was a robber brave and bold,
I did not, in the mart,
Lie, cheat, and steal with purpose cold.
Mine was too frank a heart.

All men are robbers, — all who win,
And get more than their due;
Though solemn phrases veil the sin,
The thief’s eye glances through.

The world denied me gold and land,
And love which all men crave;
I took the first with strong right hand,
The last I left a slave.

And though the tiger’s caged at length, —
Who made him such God knows, —
He can but fail who measures strength
Against a world of foes.

Then bring a cup of rich red wine
Before the bell tolls three,
For better men than I and mine
Have died upon the tree.