Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden
John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester (16471680)The Bowl
C
As Nestor used of old,
Shew all thy skill to trim it up,
Damask it round with gold.
Up to the swelling brim,
Vast toasts on that delicious lake,
Like ships at sea, may swim.
With war I ’ve nought to do,
I ’m none of those that took Maestrick,
Nor Yarmouth leaguer knew.
Fixed stars or constellations,
For I am no Sir Sindrophel,
Nor none of his relations.
Then add two lovely boys;
Their limbs in amorous folds entwine,
The types of future joys.
May Drink and Love still reign,
With wine I wash away my care,
And then to love again.