Bacchus's Advice; or, the Good Evening

Since all are subject to vexation, While in this state of expectation, For joy is oft alloy'd by sorrow, We laugh to-day, and cry to-morrow; No more with worldly sickness pine, But let your regimen be wine.

Let us compound with Time for pleasure, Our days he gives in scanty measure; Slowly, oft with grief he crambles, Perplexing with his thorny brambles, 'Till Bacchus comes, and drives away, The languid vapours of the day.

Or if you should in love be pining, And at your mistress' window whining, When she's unheedful of your 'plaining, When all your resolution's waning, Then take a goblet like to mine, And bury all your love in wine.

While you are young be not too scanty, When you are old, take bumpers plenty, For when we slacken in our paces, And care has wrinkl'd o'er our faces, Wine makes young men often sage, And gives a vigour to old age.

Then let us laugh while we are living, There's nothing ever got by grieving, And when the spirit leaves its prison, And to some better state is risen, Good fellows shall in bumpers join, And drink a long farewell in wine.