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A Tankard of Ale |
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THE TIPPLING PHILOSOPHERS !
Wise Thales, the father of all,
The Greek philosophical crew, Ere he gazed at the heavens would call
For a chirruping bottle or two, That, when he had brighten'd his eyes,
He the planets might better behold, And make the fools think he was wise,
By the whimsical tales that he told.
Diogenes, surly and proud,
Who snarl'd at the Macedon youth, Delighted in wine that was good,
Because in good wine there is truth ; Till growing as poor as a Job,
Unable to purchase a flask, He chose for his mansion a tub,
And liv'd by the scent of the cask.
Heraclitus would never deny
A bumper to comfort his heart; And when he was maudlin would cry,
Because he had emptied his quart: Though some are so foolish to think
He wept at man's folly and vice, 'Twas only his custom to drink
Till the liquor flow'd out of his eyes.
1 From " Wine and Wisdom, or The Tippling Philosopher!," published 1710.
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