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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE PLEDGE, by ELIZA COOK Poet's Biography First Line: Full oft we breathe and echo round Last Line: For him who yields the worthless pledge. Subject(s): Temperance; Prohibition | |||
Full oft we breathe and echo round With cheering shout and minstrel sound, A name that honesty would write In colours any thing but bright. But shame be on the hands that hold The wine-cup at the shrine of gold Shame on the slavish lips that part To utter what belies the heart. Fill high, fill high, while Truth stands by To echo back the lauding cry; But gall be on the goblet's edge For him who yields the worthless pledge. However rich the stream that's poured In homage at the banquet board To coward, fool, or wealthy knave, Let, let us spurn the tainted wave. Far sweeter is the foaming ale, That circles with the fireside tale; While sacred words and beaming eyes Proclaim we pledge the souls we prize. Fill high, fill high, while Truth stands by To echo back the lauding cry, But let the glad libation prove The meed of friendship, worth, and love. Let warm Affection light the draught, Then be the nectar deeply quaffed; Let Genius claim it -- gift divine, And all shall drain the hallowed wine; Let Goodness have the honour due; Drink to the poor man if he's true; And ne'er forget that star's the best That's worn not on but in the breast. Fill high, fill high, while Truth stands by To echo back the lauding cry; But gall be on the goblet's edge For him who yields the worthless pledge. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE FOR A SOCIAL MEETING, WITH SLIGHT ALTERATIONS BY A TEETOTALER by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES TEMPER by CLARA EXLINE BOCKOVEN A TRUCKER DRIVES THROUGH HIS LOST YOUTH by DAVID BOTTOMS THE FIGHTING WORD by BERTON BRALEY THE METHOD OF THE MAD MULLAH by BERTON BRALEY ON A PROHIBITIONIST POEM by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON A MAIDEN'S DREAM by ROBERT GREENE OUR PROGRAM by ARTHUR GUITERMAN A CRACK AT THE LAW by ADRIAN HALE |
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