Salmagundi (Huddesford, 1791)/Free Imitation of an Ode by Walter de Mapes
CANTILENA.
Mihi est propositum in tabernâ mori,
Vinum fit appositum morentis ori,
Ut dicant, cùm venerint Angelorum chori:
"Deus sit propitius huic Potatori!"
Vinum fit appositum morentis ori,
Ut dicant, cùm venerint Angelorum chori:
"Deus sit propitius huic Potatori!"
Poculis accenditur animi lucerna;
Cor imbutum Nectare volat ad superna;
Mihi sapit dulcius vinum in tabernâ
Quàm quod aquâ miscuit præsulis Pincerna.
Cor imbutum Nectare volat ad superna;
Mihi sapit dulcius vinum in tabernâ
Quàm quod aquâ miscuit præsulis Pincerna.
Suum cuique proprium dat Natura munus,
Ego nunquam potui scribere jejunus:
Me jejunum vincere posset puer unus,
Sitim et jejunium odi tanquam funus.
Ego nunquam potui scribere jejunus:
Me jejunum vincere posset puer unus,
Sitim et jejunium odi tanquam funus.
Tales versus facio quale vinum bibo,
Non possum scribere nisi sumpto cibo;
Nihil valet penitùs quod jejunus scribo,
Nasonem post calices facilè præibo.
Non possum scribere nisi sumpto cibo;
Nihil valet penitùs quod jejunus scribo,
Nasonem post calices facilè præibo.
Mihi nunquàm spiritus prophetiæ datur
Nisi cùm fuerit venter benè satur;
Cùm in arce cerebri Bacchus dominatur
In me Phœbus irruit ac miranda fatur.
Nisi cùm fuerit venter benè satur;
Cùm in arce cerebri Bacchus dominatur
In me Phœbus irruit ac miranda fatur.
FREE IMITATION.
I'll in a tavern end my days 'midst boon companions merry,
Place at my lips a lusty flask replete with sparkling sherry,
That angels hov'ring round may cry, when I lie dead as door-nail:
"Rise, genial Deacon, rise and drink of the Well of Life Eternal."
Place at my lips a lusty flask replete with sparkling sherry,
That angels hov'ring round may cry, when I lie dead as door-nail:
"Rise, genial Deacon, rise and drink of the Well of Life Eternal."
'Tis Wine the fading lamp of life renews with fire celestial,
And elevates the raptur'd sense above this globe terrestrial;
Be mine the grape's pure juice unmix'd with any base ingredient,
Water to heretics I leave, sound churchmen have no need on't.
And elevates the raptur'd sense above this globe terrestrial;
Be mine the grape's pure juice unmix'd with any base ingredient,
Water to heretics I leave, sound churchmen have no need on't.
Various implements belong to ev'ry occupation;
Give me an haunch of venison,—and a fig for inspiration!
Verses and odes without good cheer I never could indite 'em,
Sure he who Meager Days devis'd is d—d ad infinitum!
Give me an haunch of venison,—and a fig for inspiration!
Verses and odes without good cheer I never could indite 'em,
Sure he who Meager Days devis'd is d—d ad infinitum!
When I exhaust the bowl profound and gen'rous liquor swallow,
Bright as the beverage I imbibe the gen'rous numbers follow;
Your sneaking water-drinkers all, I utterly condemn 'em,
He that would write like Homer must drink like Agamemnon.
Bright as the beverage I imbibe the gen'rous numbers follow;
Your sneaking water-drinkers all, I utterly condemn 'em,
He that would write like Homer must drink like Agamemnon.
Mysteries and prophetic truths, I never could unfold 'em
Without a flagon of good wine and a slice of cold ham;
But when I've drain'd my liquor out, and eat what's in the dish up,
Tho' I am but an Arch-deacon, I can preach like an Archbishop.
Without a flagon of good wine and a slice of cold ham;
But when I've drain'd my liquor out, and eat what's in the dish up,
Tho' I am but an Arch-deacon, I can preach like an Archbishop.