Ha, ha, gods and kings; fill high, one and all;
Drink, drink! shout and drink! mad respond to
the call!
Fill fast, and fill full; ‘gainst the goblet ne’er
sin;
Quaff there, at high tide, to the uttermost
rim:–
Flood-tide, and soul-tide to the brim!
Who with wine in him fears? who thinks of his
cares?
Who sighs to be wise, when wine in him flares?
Water sinks down below, in currents full slow;
But wine mounts on high with its genial glow:–
Welling up, till the brain overflow!
As the spheres, with a roll, some fiery of soul,
Others golden, with music, revolve round the
pole;
So let our cups, radiant with many hued wines,
Round and round in groups circle, our Zodiac’s
Signs:–
Round reeling, and ringing their chimes!
Then drink, gods and kings; wine merriment
brings;
It bounds through the veins; there, jubilant
sings.
Let it ebb, then, and flow; wine never grows
dim;
Drain down that bright tide at the foam beaded
rim:–
Fill up, every cup, to the brim!
(Herman Melville)
More Poetry from Herman Melville:
Herman Melville Poems based on Topics: Mind, God, Kings & Queens, Wine, Fear, Wisdom & Knowledge, Brain, Soul, Sign & Symbol, Madness, Sin- Bridegroom Dick (Herman Melville Poems)
- The Haglets (Herman Melville Poems)
- The Victor Of Antietam (Herman Melville Poems)
- Stonewall Jackson (Ascribed To A Virginian) (Herman Melville Poems)
- A Meditation (Herman Melville Poems)
- On The Slain Collegians (Herman Melville Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: God Poems, Mind Poems, Soul Poems, Kings & Queens Poems, Fear Poems, Wisdom & Knowledge Poems, Water Poems, Sin Poems, Music Poems, Wine Poems, Sign & Symbol PoemsBased on Keywords: flood-tide