916081Poems for the Sea — Drink, FriendsLydia Sigourney

DRINK, FRIENDS.



Drink, friends!—the parting hour draws nigh,
    Drink and forget your care,
The sultry summer-noon is high,
    Drink, and your strength repair;
The farmer with his toil-brown hands,
    The soldier, tired of slaughter,
The camel mid the burning sands,
    Drink deep the crystal water.

Our father Sun the example gives,
    Our mother Earth also;
He, jocund drinks, above the cloud,
    She, thirsting, drinks below:

Drink friends, drink deep, before we part,
   To loving wife, or daughter,
Or bright-eyed maid who rules your heart,
   Drink deep, but only water.