The dim eyes of the waiters winked with an inward laugh;
They seemed to mock the notion that we the wine would quaff.
But as the night was waning they watched the rows grow small,
And whispered to each other, "I bet they'll drink it all!"
For the wine was flowing swiftly down, as a cataract might be
When it leaps from a mountain to the sea!
And the moon went down and the stars came out o'er the smoky London town;
And never a moment ceased the flow of the purple liquor down!
Glass after glass, the whole night long, the mighty magnums went,
And bottle after bottle was away from the table sent.