And here for the drunken wight there abide ✿ Five pardons[[198]] and bittocks of bread to bite.
My desire is the maiden who joys in verse, ✿ All such I welcome with me to alight,
And drain red wine in the garth a-morn ✿ Where beasts and birds all in pairs unite;
Where rose and lily and eglantine ✿ And myrtle with scent morning-breeze delight,
Orange bloom, gillyflower and chamomile ✿ With Jasmine and palm-bud, a joyful site.
Whoso drinketh not may no luck be his ✿ Nor may folk declare him of reason right!
Wine and song are ever the will of me ✿ But my morning wine lacks a comrade-wight.
O who brightenest the Five[[199]] do thou rise and fetch ✿ By night for my use olden wine and bright:
O thou reading this writ, prithee comprehend: ✿ Cross the stream I swear thee by God’s All-might!
This is House of Honour may none gainsay: ✿ Cup-comrade shall be who shall self invite;