Poem by John Fletcher

The Drinking Song

From "Rollo Duke of Normandy, 
or The Bloody Brother"

Drink to-day, and drown all sorrow,
You shall perhaps not do it to-morrow.
Best, while you have it, use your breath;
There is no drinking after death.

Wine works the heart up, wakes the wit;
There is no cure 'gainst age but it.
It helps the headache, cough, and tisic,
And is for all diseases physic.

Then let us swill, boys, for our health;
Who drinks well, loves the commonwealth.
And he that will to bed go sober,
Falls with the leaf still in October. 

1. Hear, ye Ladies
2. Hymn to Pan
3. Cast Our Caps and Cares Away
4. Away, Delights
5. Love's Emblems

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