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A Tankard of Ale |
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Altho' I have left her, the truth I'll declare, I believe she was good, and I'm sure she was fair ; But goodness and charms in a bumper I see, That makes it as good and as charming as she.
My Chloe had dimples and smiles I must own,
But tho' she could smile, yet in truth she could frown ;
But tell me, ye lovers of liquor divine,
Did you e'er See a frown in a bumper of wine ?
Her lilies and roses were just in their prime, Yet lilies and roses are conquered by Time ; But in wine from its age such a benefit flows, That we like it the better the older it grows.
They tell me my love would in time have been cloy'd, And that Beauty's insipid when once 'tis enjoyed : But in wine I both Time and enjoyment defy, For the longer I drink the more thirsty am I.
Let murders and battles and history prove
The mischiefs that wait upon rivals in love ;
But in drinking (thank Heaven !) no rival contends,
For the more we love liquor the more we are friends.
She too might have poisoned the joy of my life, With nurses and babies and squalling and strife ; But Wine neither nurses nor babies can bring, And a big-bellied bottle's a mighty good thing.
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