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THE EMPTY BOTTLE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah, liberty! How like thou art
Last Line: The simple memory of beer!
Alternate Author Name(s): Bon Gaultier (with Theodore Martin)
Subject(s): Drinks & Drinking; Wine


Ah, liberty! how like thou art
To this large bottle lying here,
Which yesterday from foreign mart,
Came filled with potent English beer!

A touch of steel—a hand—a gush—
A pop that sounded far and near—
A wild emotion—liquid rush—
And I had drunk that English beer!

And what remains?—An empty shell!
A lifeless form both sad and queer,
A temple where no god doth dwell—
The simple memory of beer!





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