XLVI — To R. A. M. S.

The Spirit of Wine

Sang in my glass, and I listened

With love to his odorous music,

His flushed and magnificent song.

-‘ I am health, I am heart, I am life!

For I give for the asking

The fire of my father, the Sun,

And the strength of my mother, the Earth.

Inspiration in essence,

I am wisdom and wit to the wise,

His visible muse to the poet,

The soul of desire to the lover,

The genius of laughter to all.

‘ Come, lean on me, ye that are weary!

Rise, ye faint-hearted and doubting!

Haste, ye that lag by the way!

I am Pride, the consoler;

Valour and Hope are my henchmen;

I am the Angel of Rest.

‘ I am life, I am wealth, I am fame:

For I captain an army

Of shining and generous dreams;

And mine, too, all mine, are the keys

Of that secret spiritual shrine,

Where, his work-a-day soul put by,

Shut in with his saint of saints -

With his radiant and conquering self -

Man worships, and talks, and is glad.

‘ Come, sit with me, ye that are lovely,

Ye that are paid with disdain,

Ye that are chained and would soar!

I am beauty and love;

I am friendship, the comforter;

I am that which forgives and forgets.’ -

The Spirit of Wine

Sang in my heart, and I triumphed

In the savour and scent of his music,

His magnetic and mastering song.