| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Restoration Verse. 1910. | | | | Upon Drinking in a Bowl | | By John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester (1647–1680) |
| | | VULCAN, contrive me such a cup | |
| As Nestor used of old; | |
| Show all thy skill to trim it up, | |
| Damask it round with gold. | |
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| Make it so large that, filled with sack | 5 |
| Up to the swelling brim, | |
| Vast toasts on the delicious lake, | |
| Like ships at sea may swim. | |
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| Engrave not battle on his cheek, | |
| With war I’ve naught to do: | 10 |
| I’m none of those that took Maestrick, | |
| Nor Yarmouth leaguer knew. | |
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| Let it no name of planets tell, | |
| Fixed stars or constellations; | |
| For I am no Sir Sidrophel, | 15 |
| Nor none of his relations. | |
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| But carve thereon a spreading vine, | |
| Then add two lovely boys; | |
| Their limbs in amorous folds entwine, | |
| The type of future joys. | 20 |
| |
| Cupid and Bacchus my saints are, | |
| May Drink and Love still reign! | |
| With wine I wash away my care, | |
| And then to love again. | | | | |
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