Poems (Dodd)/The Wine Cup

by Mary Ann Hammer Dodd

THE WINE CUP. 

"Look thou not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color
in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
"At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."

Proverbs.

Oh, touch not thy lip to the ruby wine,Though its bubbles bright in the goblet shine,And the light of pleasure may seem to swim,In the sparkles that rise to its crystal brim.

Oh, let not thine eyes love its rosy smile!There's a serpent-sting in its winning wile:Though to taste the tempter bright lips may part,It will surely lead to a broken heart.

While the cup is wreathed where the wine is poured,And the loved are pledged round the festal board;While with wit's light flashes and mirthful song,Time swifter flies from the festive throng;

Ye will deem that a cure for care is found,When the sparkling draught and the toast goes round,Ye will drain the bowl nor believe that sin,Like an adder coils its length within,

But the jesting word and the merry song,Will be hushed as the morning hour steals on;And the faltering step and the sunken eye,Shall follow the feaster's revelry.

There is one who says "the wine maketh glad,"But his head is heavy, his soul is sad;Awhile he watched the red poison's play,Then tasted the draught and was led astray.

The pale wife weeps as his step draws nigh,And the child shrinks back from his altered eye;But no signs of woe his heart can move,Though it answered once to the voice of love.

O, changed from all that his Maker made,Is he who long at the revel stayed;With helpless limbs and a brain on fire,He reaps the fruit of his wild desire.

The friends he loved from his side have flown,With the happy hopes which his youth had known;And he follows the path of sin and shame,With a branded, scorned and dishonored name.

Then tarry not thou at the rosy wine,Though the light of joy in the goblet shine;It will lure thee on to a wretched lot;Oh, turn from the wine-cup and taste it not!