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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
DRINKING SONG, by NICOLAS BOILEAU-DESPREAUX Poet's Biography First Line: Ye sages who boast you have nothing to learn Last Line: And who knows not this lesson knows naught. Alternate Author Name(s): Boileau, Nicolas | |||
YE sages who boast you have nothing to learn, Of Bacchus sworn foes, to your duty return, Your wits are not half what you think. Begone, aged fool; go and learn how to drink. Who has learnt to drink well is well taught, And who knows not this lesson knows naught. When a song or a jest should enliven the feast, Your sage sits dumfoundered, nor helps in the least: Wine summons bright thoughts to the brink. Then go, aged dullards, and learn how to drink. Who has learnt to drink well is well taught, And who knows not this lesson knows naught. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...VERBATIM FROM BOILEAU by NICOLAS BOILEAU-DESPREAUX ITS ORIGIN by NICOLAS BOILEAU-DESPREAUX SONNET by DAVID HARTLEY COLERIDGE THE BELL by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE SPIRES OF OXFORD by WINIFRED MARY LETTS SONG: TO CELIA by PHILOSTRATUS WELCOME GUEST by JEAN D. ARMSTRONG SARAH THREENEEDLES (BOSTON, 1698) by KATHARINE LEE BATES VACANT STALL by ELIZABETH WILCOX BEASLEY ABIDE WITH US by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR |
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