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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
BALLAD TO THE TUNE OF 'THE HEALTHS', by PATRICK CAREY Poet's Biography First Line: Come, faith, since I'm parting, and that god knows when Last Line: Each health still going round. Subject(s): Farewell; Toasts; Parting | |||
I COME, faith, since I'm parting, and that God knows when The walls of sweet Wickham I shall see again; Let's e'en have a frolic, and drink like tall men, Till heads with healths go round. II And first to Sir William, I'll take't on my knee He well doth deserve that a brimmer it be: More brave entertainments none ere gave than he; Then let his health go round. III Next to his chaste lady, who loves him alife; And whilst we are drinking to so good a wife, The poor of the parish will pray for her life; Be sure her health go round. IV And then to young Will, the heir of this place; He'll make a brave man, you may see't in his face; I only could wish we had more of the race; At least let his health go round. V To well-grac'd Victoria the next room we owe; As virtuous she'll prove as her mother, I trow, And somewhat in housewifery more she will know; O let her health go round! VI To plump Bess, her sister, I drink down this cup: Birlackins (my masters) each man must take't up; 'Tis foul play (I bar it) to simper and sup, When such a health goes round. VII And now helter-skelter to th' rest of the house, The most are good fellows, and love to carouse; Who's not, may go sneak-up; he's not worth a louse, That stops a health i' th' round. VIII To th' clerk, so he'll learn to drink in the morn; To Heynous, that stares when he has quaft up his horn; To Philip, by whom good ale ne'er was forlorn; These lads can drink a round. IX John Chandler! come on, here's some warm beer for you; A health to the man that this liquor did brew: Why, Hewet! there's for thee; nay, take't, 'tis thy due, But see that it go round. X Hot Coles is on fire, and fain would be quench'd; As well as his horses the groom must be drench'd; Who's else? let him speak, if his thirst he'd have stench'd, Or have his health go round. XI And now to the women, who must not be coy. A glass, Mistress Cary, you know's but a toy; Come, come, Mistress Sculler, no pardonnez moy, It must, it must go round. XII Dame Nell, so you'll drink, we'll allow [you] a sop. Up with't, Mary Smith; in your draught never stop. Law! there now, Nan German has left ne'er a drop, And so must all the round. XIII Jane, Joan, Goody Lee, great Meg, and the less, Ye must not be squeamish, but do as did Bess: How th' others are nam'd, if I could but guess, I'd call them to the round. XIV And now, for my farewell, I drink up this quart; To you, lads and lasses, e'en with all my heart: May I find ye ever, as now when we part, Each health still going round. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THREE CHILDREN by JOSEPHINE JACOBSEN STUDY #2 FOR B.B.L. by JUNE JORDAN WATCHING THE NEEDLEBOATS AT SAN SABBA by JAMES JOYCE SESTINA: TRAVEL NOTES by WELDON KEES |
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