"IN CELLAR DEEP."
(Latest Up-to-Date Version of a celebrated Bacchanalian ditty, as it might be revised by Dr. Mortimer Granville and Mr. James Payn.)
["No one drinks alcoholic liquor (unless it be beer) to quench thirst."—JAMES PAYN.]
In Cellar deep I sit and steep
My soul in GRANVILLE'S logic.
Companions mine, sound ale, good wine—
That foils Teetotal dodge—hic!
With solemn pate our sages prate,
The Pump-slaves neatly pinking.
He's proved an ass, whose days don't pass
In drinking, drinking, drinking!
In water pure there's danger sure,
All fizzle-pop's deceiving;
And ginger-beer must make you queer
(If GRANVILLE you're believing).
Safe, on the whole, is Alcohol;
It saves man's strength from sinking.
I injure none, and have good f—fun.
Whilst drinking, drinking, drinking!
Hic! Hic! Hooray!! New reasons gay
For drink from doctors borrow!
The last (not first) is simple thirst,
Thatsh true—to LAWSON'S sorrow!
Good Templarsh fain would "physic PAYN,"
And GRANVILLE squelch like winking;
But all the same, true Wisdom's—hic—game
Is drinking, drinking, drinking!
[Left playing it.