Poem A Day

Sonnet VII: Love in a Humour

by Michael Drayton

Love in a humor play'd the prodigal

And bade my Senses to a solemn feast;

Yet, more to grace the company withal,

Invites my Heart to be the chiefest guest.

No other drink would serve this glutton's turn

But precious tears distilling from mine eyne,

Which with my sighs this epicure doth burn,

Quaffing carouses in this costly wine;

Where, in his cups o'ercome with foul excess,

Straightways he plays a swaggering ruffian's part,

And at the banquet in his drunkenness

Slew his dear friend, my kind and truest Heart.

A gentle warning, friends, thus may you see

What 'tis to keep a drunkard company.

Text and source

Rights
Public domain
Source
View original source

Poem A Day

One poem today. Another tomorrow.

Save this poem to your personal anthology and build a reading streak with a new classic each day.