Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes

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    As o'er the glacier's frozen sheet
    Breathes soft the Alpine rose,
    So through life's desert springing sweet
    The flower of friendship grows;
    And as where'er the roses grow
    Some rain or dew descends,
    'T is nature's law that wine should flow
    To wet the lips of friends.
    Then once again, before we part,
    My empty glass shall ring;
    And he that has the warmest heart
    Shall loudest laugh and sing.

    They say we were not born to eat;
    But gray-haired sages think
    It means, Be moderate in your meat,
    And partly live to drink.
    For baser tribes the rivers flow
    That know not wine or song;
    Man wants but little drink below,
    But wants that little strong.
    Then once again, etc.

    If one bright drop is like the gem
    That decks a monarch's crown,
    One goblet holds a diadem
    Of rubies melted down!
    A fig for Caesar's blazing brow,
    But, like the Egyptian queen,
    Bid each dissolving jewel glow
    My thirsty lips between.
    Then once again, etc.

    The Grecian's mound, the Roman's urn,
    Are silent when we call,
    Yet still the purple grapes return
    To cluster on the wall;
    It was a bright Immortal's head
    They circled with the vine,
    And o'er their best and bravest dead
    They poured the dark-red wine.
    Then once again, etc.

    Methinks o'er every sparkling glass
    Young Eros waves his wings,
    And echoes o'er its dimples pass
    From dead Anacreon's strings;
    And, tossing round its beaded brim
    Their locks of floating gold,
    With bacchant dance and choral hymn
    Return the nymphs of old.
    Then once again, etc.

    A welcome then to joy and mirth,
    From hearts as fresh as ours,
    To scatter o'er the dust of earth
    Their sweetly mingled flowers;
    'T is Wisdom's self the cup that fills
    In spite of Folly's frown,
    And Nature, from her vine-clad hills,
    That rains her life-blood down!
    Then once again, before we part,
    My empty glass shall ring;
    And he that has the warmest heart
    Shall loudest laugh and sing.

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Type of Poem: Lyric Poem

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem employs rich metaphorical language to explore themes of friendship, celebration, and the joy of life, while also incorporating historical and classical references. The poet uses the image of the Alpine rose growing on a glacier as a metaphor for friendship blossoming in life's hardships, setting a tone of resilience and optimism. The poem’s structure, with its refrain ‘Then once again, etc.’ in every stanza, gives it a song-like quality, reinforcing the themes of celebration and camaraderie.

The poem uses wine as a recurring symbol, representing not only the pleasure of the senses but also the deeper joy of shared experiences and human connection. The poet contrasts the human enjoyment of wine and song with 'baser tribes' that 'know not wine or song', implying that these pleasures are what elevate us and make us truly human. Historical and mythological references, such as 'Caesar's blazing brow' and 'Eros', the Greek god of love, lend the poem a timeless feel, suggesting that these themes of friendship, joy, and celebration are universal and enduring. The piece concludes on a high note, with 'he that has the warmest heart / Shall loudest laugh and sing' celebrating the vitality of life and an embrace of human warmth and fellowship.