Inglis Collection of printed music > Printed music > Edinburgh musical miscellany > Volume 1

MUSICAL MISCELLAN*. <?9
What trafficking then would have been on the main,
For the fake of good liquor, as well as of gain,
No fear then of tempeft, or clanger of finking,
The fifhes ne'er drown that are always a-drinking.
The hot thirfty fun would drive with more hafte,
Secure in the evening of fuch a repaft ;
And when he'd got tipfey, would have taken his nap*
With double the pleafure in Thetis's lap.
By ihe force of his rays, and thus heated with wine,
Confuler how glorioufly Phoebus would fhine,
What vaft exhalations he'd draw up on high,
To relieve the poor earth as it wanted fupply.
How happy us mortals, when bleft with fuch rain,
To fill all our veflels and fill 'em again ;
Nay even the beggar that has ne'er a difh,
Might jump in the river and drink like a fifh.
What mirth and contentment, on every one's brow^
Hob as great as a prince, dancing after his plough,
The birds in the air as they play on the wing,
Aitho' they but lip would eternally fing.
The ftars, who I think, don't to drinking incline,
Would friik and rejoice at the fume of the wine ;
And merrily twinkling would foon let us know,-
That they were as happy as mortals below,
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