Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume IX. Tragedy: Humor. 1904. | | | | Humorous Poems: II. Miscellaneous | | Ode for a Social Meeting | | Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894) |
| | With Slight Alterations by a Teetotaller
COME! fill a fresh bumper,—for why should we go | |
| While the [nectar vs. logwood] still reddens our cups as they flow? | |
| Pour out the [rich juices vs. decoction] still bright with the sun, | |
| Till o’er the brimmed crystal the [rubies vs. dye-stuff] shall run. | |
| The [purple-globed clusters vs. half-ripened apples] their life-dews have bled; | 5 |
| How sweet is the [breath vs. taste] of the [fragrance they shed vs. sugar of lead]! | |
| For summer’s [last roses vs. rank-poisons] lie hid in the [wines vs. wines!!!] | |
| That were garnered by [maidens who laughed through the vines vs. stable-boys smoking long-nines]. | |
| Then a [smile vs. scowl] and a [glass vs. howl], and a [toast vs. scoff], and a [cheer vs. sneer], | |
| For [all the good wine, and we ’ve some of it here vs. strychnine and whiskey, and ratsbane and beer]! | 10 |
| In cellar, in pantry, in attic, in hall, | |
| [Long live the gay servant that laughs for us all vs. Down, down with the tyrant that masters us all]! | | | | |
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