Chapter XXV: Book III: ODE XIX. To Telephus

I.

Thou por'st on Helvicus, and studiest in vain,
How many years pass'd betwixt King and King's reign,
To make an old woman ev'n twitter for joy
At an eighty-eight story, or the scuffle at Troy:
But where the good wine, and best fire is
When the cruel North-wind does blow,
And the trees do penance in snow;
Where the poet's delight and desire is,
Thou, pitiful book-worm, ne'er troublest thy brain.

II.

Come, drawer, some claret, we'll drown this new Moon. 10
More candles t' improve this dull night into noon:
let the healths, let the house, and the glasses turn round,
But no tears, except those of the tankard, abound.
Come! here's a good health to the Muses,
Three brimmers to the three times three,
And one to each grace let there be;
The triple-skull'd dog bite him that refuses.

III.

Let's be mad as March-hares, call the minstrels and singers,
Strike up there!--kick that rogue--he has chilblains on's fingers, 20
Let that whoreson our neighbour, on his bags that lies thinking,
Bear a part in the storm, but not the calm of our drinking.
Come! bring us a wench, or two, prithee;
Thou Telephus look'st pretty fair,
And hast a good thick head of hair,
Fetch him Chloe, she's buxom, and loves to trade with thee;
Call Glycera to me, for I am one of her swingers.

[xix. A good example of the curious 'skimble skamble'
anapaests before Dryden and Prior.]

[Line: 4 an eighty-eight story] Of the Armada.]

BOOK III. ODE XX. _To Pyrrhus._

Dry Pyrrhus, little dost thou know,
What 'tis to make a whelp forgo
His lioness,--faith 'twill not do!
It will be so.

Nearchus understands his game,
If he resolves to quit his fame,
What's that to you? To save his name
You'll purchase shame.

If before peace you war prefer,
Shoot at his butt--you'll find from her 10
A Rowland for your Oliver,
That I dare swear.

He is a gay, and sanguine man,
His periwig the wind does fan,
And she will hug him, now and than,
Do what you can.