THE DEAD HOST'S WELCOME
by: John Fletcher
- 'IS late
and cold; stir up the fire;
- Sit close, and draw the table nigher;
- Be merry, and drink wine that's old,
- A hearty medicine 'gainst a cold:
- Your beds of wanton down the best,
- Where you shall tumble to your rest;
- I could wish you wenches too,
- But I am dead, and cannot do.
- Call for the best the house may ring,
- Sack, white, and claret, let them bring,
- And drink apace, while breath you have;
- You'll find but cold drink in the grave:
- Plover, partridge, for your dinner,
- And a capon for the sinner,
- You shall find ready when you're up,
- And your horse shall have his sup:
- Welcome, welcome, shall fly round,
- And I shall smile, though under ground.
'The Dead Host's Welcome' was originally
published in The Lovers' Progress (1647). |
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