Living

A Bacchanalian Song

by Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall) 1787–1874

From Victorian Songs (1895)

Living

Sing!--Who sings
To her who weareth a hundred rings?
Ah, who is this lady fine?
The VINE, boys, the VINE!
The mother of mighty Wine.
A roamer is she
O'er wall and tree,
And sometimes very good company.

Drink!--Who drinks
To her who blusheth and never thinks?
Ah, who is this maid of thine?
The GRAPE, boys, the GRAPE!
O, never let her escape
Until she be turned to Wine!
For better is she
Than vine can be,
And very, very good company!

Dream!--Who dreams
Of the God that governs a thousand streams?
Ah, who is this Spirit fine?
'T is WINE, boys, 't is WINE!
God Bacchus, a friend of mine.
O better is he
Than grape or tree,
And the best of all good company.

MLA

Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall). “A Bacchanalian Song.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/procter_bw/2/.

Chicago

Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall). “A Bacchanalian Song.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/procter_bw/2/.

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