Convivial Song

The Lily drinks the sunlight, 
     The Primrose drinks the dew, 
The Cowslip sips the running brook, 
     The Hyacinth heaven's blue.

The Peaches quaff the dawnlight,
     The Pears the autumn noon, 
The Apple-blossoms drink the rain
     And the first warm air of June.

The Wind-flower and the Violet
     Draw in the April breeze, 
And sun, and rain, and hurricane
     Are the tipple of the trees.

But not a bud or greenling,
     From the Hyssop on the wall 
To the Cedars of Mount Lebanon,
     Is steeped in alcohol.

From all earth's emerald basin, 
     From the blue sky's sapphire bowl,
No living thing of root or wing 
     Partakes that deadly dole.

I'll quaff the Lily's nectar,
     I'll sip at the Cowslip's cup, 
I'll drink the shower, the sun, the breeze,
     But never a poisoned drop.