The History of Will and Jean/One Glass More

by Hector Macneill

ONE GLASS MORE.

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Stay, mortal, stay! nor heedless thou
 Thy sure destruction seal,
Within that cup there lurks a curse
 Which all who drink shall feel.

Disease and death, for ever nigh,
 Stand ready at the door,
And eager wait to hear the cry
 Of—"Give me one glass more."

Go, view the prisoners' gloomy cells,
 Their sin and misery scan;
Gaze! gaze! upon those earthly hells,
 In drink their woes began.

Of yonder children, bathed in tears,
 Ask, why is mother poor?
They'll whisper in thy startled ears—
 'Twas father's "one glass more."

Stay, mortal, stay? repent, return!
 Reflect upon thy fate;
The poisonous draught for ever spurn,
 Spurn, spurn it—ere too late.

Oh, fly the horrid ale-house then,
 Nor linger at the door,
Lest thou perchance shouldst sip again
 The treacherous "one glass more."

Trust not to thy deceitful heart,
 The Saviour's grace implore!
Through him from every sin depart
 And touch that glass no more.