For a big-bellied glass is the palette I use, And I find that my nose takes the mellowest hues The fuller I fill it-the fuller! Jolly nose! there are fools who say drink hurts the sight; Such dullards know nothing about it. 'Tis better, with wine, to extinguish the light, Than live always in darkness without it! WILLIAM HARRISON AINSWORTH. 172 THE MAHOGANY TREE CHRISTMAS is here: Icy and chill, Little care we: Weather without, Sheltered about The Mahogany Tree. Once on the boughs Here we carouse, Singing like them, Perched round the stem Of the jolly old tree. Here let us sport, Boys, as we sit; Laughter and wit Flashing so free. Life is but shortWhen we are gone, Let them sing on Round the old tree. Evenings we knew, Happy as this; Faces we miss, Pleasant to see. Kind hearts and true, Gentle and just, Peace to your dust! Care, like a dun, Drink, every one; Round the old tree! Drain we the cup.- In the Red Sea: Mantle it up; Round the old tree. Sorrows, begone! Come with the dawn, Blue-devil sprite, Leave us to-night, Round the old tree. WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY (1811-1863). 173 FRIAR'S SONG SOME love the matin-chimes, which tell Which speaks the hour of dinner; For when I see a smoking fish, Р My pulpit is an alehouse bench, A smiling rosy country wench And if I'm blind, yet Heaven is kind, For sure he leads a right good life Oh, grant! 'mid all the changes there, WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. 174 COMMANDERS OF THE FAITHFUL THE Pope he is a happy man, His palace is the Vatican, And there he sits and drains his can: The Pope he is a happy man. I often say when I'm at home, I'd like to be the Pope of Rome. And then there's Sultan Saladin, But no, the Pope no wife may choose, My wife, my wine, I love, I hope, WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. 175 I'M VERY FOND OF WATER A NEW TEMPERANCE SONG (Adapted from the Platt Deutsch) I'm very fond of water, I drink it noon and night: Not Rechab's son or daughter Had therein more delight. I breakfast on it daily; And nectar it doth seem, When once I've mixed it gaily With sugar and with cream. |