Classic Poem

To Charles Viner of Wadham College, Esquire

Wine, Friend, and Truth, the Proverb says, agree,
And now I'me heated take this Truth from me;
The Secrets that lay deep and hid before
Now rais'd by Wine swim up, and bubble o're;
Then take this riseing Truth I can't controul:
Thou dost not Love Me, Youth, with all thy Soul;
I know it, for this half of Life I boast
I have from you, the other half is lost:
When e're you smile I rival Gods above,
Grown perfect, and exulted by thy Love;
But when you frown, and when dislike you show,
I sink to Hell, more curst than all below;
Yet how can this with common sense agree
To torture one that loves, and dyes for Thee?
But Youth, could my Advice thy thoughts engage,
Mine who have learn'd Experience by my Age,
The Counsell's good, and when a numerous store
Of Blessings Crown Thee, Thou wilt praise me more:
On one Tree build one Nest, and build it strong,
Where no fierce Snake can creep, and seize thy young:
Now here you stand, and suddenly are gone,
You leap from Bough to Bough, and fix on none.
If any views thy Beauty, and Commends,
You straight enroll him midst your antient friends,
Whilst all your old Acquaintance laid aside,
Dear youth this smells of Vanity and Pride:
Love One, your Equal, love whilst Life remains,
This pleases all, and Commendation gains,
By this your Passion will but light appear
Which conquers all, and all are forc't to bear;
Love seizes all; and doth all Minds controul,
It melts the stubborn temper of my Soul;
But O I must embrace, Dear, grant one Kiss,
And thus reward, and practise my Advice.