When my mood inclined to prayer and fasting,
I said that all my salvation was attained;
Alas! that those Ablutions[88] are destroyed by my pleasures,
And that Fast of mine is annulled by half a draught of wine.
Ref.: C. 170, L. 366, B. 362, S.P. 162, P. 343, B. ii. 207, T. 118.—W. 180, N. 162, V. 365.
The last line is suggested by O. 22.
Indeed, indeed, Repentance oft before
I swore—but was I sober when I swore?
And then and then came Spring, and Rose-in-hand
My thread-bare Penitence apieces tore.
This quatrain is inspired by C. 431.
Every day I resolve to repent in the evening,
Making repentance of the brimful goblet and cup;
Now that the season of roses[89] has come, I cannot grieve
Give penitence for repentance in the season of roses, O Lord!
Ref.: C. 431, L. 655, B. 647 B. ii. 510.—W. 425, V. 704.
And much as Wine has play'd the Infidel,
And robb'd me of my Robe of Honour—Well,
I wonder often what the Vintners buy
One half so precious as the stuff they sell.