Classic Poem

'T WAS far beyond the midnight hour
And more than half the stars were falling,
And jovial friends, who lost the power
Of sitting, under chairs lay sprawling;

Not Porson so; his stronger pate
Could carry more of wine and Greek
Than Cambridge held; erect he sate;
He nodded, yet could somehow speak.

" 'Tis well, O Bacchus! they are gone,
Unworthy to approach thy altar!
The pious man prays best alone,
Nor shall thy servant ever falter."

Then Bacchus too, like Porson, nodded,
Shaking the ivy on his brow,
And graciously replied the Godhead,
" I have no votary staunch as thou."