Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. IV. The Nineteenth Century: Wordsworth to Rossetti

Bryan Waller Procter (Barry Cornwall) (1787–1874)

A Bacchanalian Song

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?

’Tis WINE, boys, ’tis WINE!

God Bacchus, a friend of mine.

O better is he

Than grape or tree,

And the best of all good company.