Sake Name. - The Convivial Book.

Can the Koran from Eternity be?     'Tis worth not a thought!     Can the Koran a creation, then, be?     Of that, I know nought!     Yet that the book of all books it must be,     I believe, as a Mussulman ought.     That from Eternity wine, though, must be,     I ever have thought;     That 'twas ordain'd, ere the Angels, to be,     As a truth may be taught.     Drinkers, however these matters may be,     Gaze on God's face, fearing nought.                         1815.      -     YE'VE often, for our drunkenness,     Blamed us in ev'ry way,     And, in abuse of drunkenness,     Enough can never say.     Men, overcome by drunkenness,     Are wont to lie till day;     And yet I find my drunkenness     All night-time make me stray;     For, oh! 'tis Love's sweet drunkenness     That maketh me its prey,     Which night and day, and day and night,     My heart must needs obey,     A heart that, in its drunkenness,     Pours forth full many a lay,     So that no trifling drunkenness     Can dare assert its sway.     Love, song, and wine's sweet drunkenness,     By night-time and by day,     How god-like is the drunkenness     That maketh me its prey!                         1815.