In this noble ring to-dayLet my warning shame ye!
Listen to my solemn voice,--
Seldom does it name ye.
Many a thing have ye intended,Many a thing have badly ended, And now I must blame ye.
At some moment in our livesWe must all repent us!
So confess, with pious trust,All your sins momentous!
Error's crooked pathways shunning.
Let us, on the straight road running, Honestly content us!
Yes! we've oft, when waking, dream'd,Let's confess it rightly;Left undrain'd the brimming cup,When it sparkled brightly;Many a shepherd's-hour's soft blisses,Many a dear mouth's flying kisses We've neglected lightly.
Mute and silent have we sat,Whilst the blockheads prated, And above e'en song divineHave their babblings rated;To account we've even call'd usFor the moments that enthrall'd us, With enjoyment freighted.
If thou'lt absolution grantTo thy true ones ever, We, to execute thy will,Ceaseless will endeavour, From half-measures strive to wean us,Wholly, fairly, well demean us, Resting, flagging never.
At all blockheads we'll at onceLet our laugh ring clearly, And the pearly-foaming wineNever sip at merely.
Ne'er with eye alone give kisses,But with boldness suck in blisses From those lips loved dearly.
1803.*
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