Page:The complete poetical works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, including materials never before printed in any edition of the poems.djvu/738

708  How does the God like living in a skin?

He is content wherever he is put.

Gods should not have their body in a skin.

If he gives joy, what is his skin to you?

I hate the skin, but love the wine within.

Stay here now: drink, and make your spirit glad.

Should I not share this liquor with my brothers?

Keep it yourself, and be more honoured so.

I were more useful, giving to my friends.

But village mirth breeds contests, broils, and blows.

When I am drunk none shall lay hands on me.—

A drunken man is better within doors.

He is a fool, who drinking, loves not mirth.

But he is wise, who drunk, remains at home.

What shall I do, Silenus? Shall I stay?

Stay—for what need have you of pot companions?

Indeed this place is closely carpeted

With flowers and grass.

And in the sun-warm noon

'Tis sweet to drink. Lie down beside me now,

Placing your mighty sides upon the ground.

What do you put the cup behind me for?

That no one here may touch it.

Thievish one!

You want to drink;—here place it in the midst.

And thou, O stranger, tell how art thou called?

My name is Nobody. What favour now

Shall I receive to praise you at your hands?

I'll feast on you the last of your companions.

You grant your guest a fair reward, O Cyclops.

Ha! what is this? Stealing the wine, you rogue!

It was this stranger kissing me because

I looked so beautiful.

You shall repent

For kissing the coy wine that loves you not.

By Jupiter! you said that I am fair.

Pour out, and only give me the cup full.

How is it mixed? let me observe.

Curse you!

Give it me so.

Not till I see you wear

That coronal, and taste the cup to you.

Thou wily traitor!

But the wine is sweet.

Ay, you will roar if you are caught in drinking.

See now, my lip is clean and all my beard.

Now put your elbow right and drink again.

As you see me drink—

How now?

Ye Gods, what a delicious gulp!

 537 Stay here now. drink B.; stay here, now drink 1824.

