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The Literary Gazette, 30th June 1827, page 429


ORIGINAL POETRY.

THE WHITE SHIP.

"Strike the sails again, and drop
    Your anchor by the shore;
Our purple cup has yet to make
    A few glad circles more.
Fair sister, seat thee by my side—
    Another health to thee:
Yon sky shall lose its rival blush,
    Ere we pass o'er the sea.
I call on thee, thou minstrel young,
    To praise the ruby tide:"
Thus spoke the young Prince Henry,
    And soon the song replied:—
                     SONG.
Deep, deep, drain the cup,
    Or leave its wealth untasted—
Deep, deep, drain the cup,
    Or its best gift is wasted.
Drink not of the purple wine
    For a moment's gladness—
Flashing wit and careless laugh
    Are but transient madness;—
There's sparkling light floats on the bowl,
    There's flashing mirth within it:
But its deep forgetfulness
    Is the best spell in it.
Drain the red wine till it be
    Lethe to life's sorrow;
'Tis something to forget to-day
    That there must come to-morrow.