The Cup
Here is pleasure; drink it down.
Here is sorrow; drain it dry.
Tilt the goblet, don’t ask why.
Here is madness; down it goes.
Here’s a dagger and a kiss,
Don’t ask what the reason is.
Drink your liquor, no one knows;
Drink it bravely like a lord.
Do not roll a coward eye,
Pain and pleasure is one sword
Hacking out your destiny;
Do not say, "It is not just."
That word won’t apply to life;
You must drink because you must;
Tilt the goblet, cease the strife.
Here at last is something good,
Just to warm your flagging blood.
Don’t take breath —
At the bottom of the cup
Here is death: Drink it up.
--
Duncan Campbell Scott (1862-1947)
from Labour and the Angel, 1898
[Poem is in the public domain in Canada and the United States]
Duncan Campbell Scott (by George J. Dance)
As I am fond of saying in Spanish: "Que todo rebalse!" (May everything overflow)!
ReplyDeleteDashing verses here. Absolutely loved: "Here at last is something good, Just to warm your flagging blood." Although of course the entire piece is excellent.
Think I'll "Tweet" a link to this one.
BTW - Yes, I'd be quite honored if you reposted "Principia Poetica" here as well.