Classic Poem

Yet one more hour, then comes the night;
Drink till the very soul o'erflows.
Glasses, ring!
Look how the sun in wild delight
Drowns in its crimson blood and glows.
Drink and sing:
Sing me the song of living and of dying.
Lo, upon earth the withered vines are lying.
But grapes they gave us ere the fall went flying.
Ho!

Yet one more hour, then comes the night;
In the pale river glints and spins
Somber glow.
'Tis the red moon's awakened light
That peers across the hill and grins;
Sun, oho!
Sing me the song of life, the song of death
Open your lips! Sinful resounds our mood
Cling, clang, sinful as mortal breath—
To drink and laugh one must have flesh and blood.

Yet one more hour, then comes the night;
A bridge grows over the river wide.
Hail! O hail!
It creaks beneath a horseman's might!
Saw ye yon sable horseman ride?
Hail! Thrice hail!
The song of death and life we still are singing!
Crash! A new glass! For upward we go winging
Above this life to which our lives are clinging!