Classic Poem

La double ivresse

Calmly I slumbered in the shade;
Naeris to wake me came:
Methought that o'er her features played
The glow of passion's flame
See! Zephyr's breath her chaplet stirs,
Green vine-twigs mixed with roses,
And through that light, half-opened robe,
Her heaving breast discloses.

A child — her brother, so she says —
Who close beside her lingers,
Squeezes, to fill her cup, a bunch
Of grapes between his fingers;
And whilst before my eyes the belle
Sings, dancing to her singing,
The child, behind her, in the cup
Is deadly poison flinging.

The brimming bumper Naeris takes,
Just tastes, then hands it to me:
" Nay, nay, " said I, " the trick I spy,
I know to death 'twill do me.
Yet, hold, enchantress, 'tis thy will?
I'll drink then, if, to pay
For getting drunk on wine, I must
Get drunk on love to-day! "

Ah! what a height my madness reached:
Though still its hold was short;
Naeris no more I loved, whereat
She ventured to make sport.
Whilst I but learned — so fickle were
Those impulses of mine —
To add to love of Beauty's charms
A relish for my wine!