[There is a beautiful rill in Barbary received
into a large basin, which bears name signifying
"Drink and Away," from the great danger of
meeting with gues and assassins.--DR. SHAW.]
Up! pilgrim and rover,
Redouble thy haste!
Nor rest thee till over
Life's wearisome waste.
Ere the wild forest ranger
Thy footsteps betray
To trouble and danger,--
Oh, drink and away!
Here lurks the dark savage
By night and by day,
To rob and to ravage,
Nor scruples to slay.
He waits for the slaughter:
The blood of his prey
Shall stain the still water,--
Then drink and away!
With toil though thou languish,
The mandate obey,
Spur on, though in anguish,
There's death in delay!
No blood-hound, want-wasted,
Is fiercer than they:--
Pass by it untested--
Or drink and away!
Though sore be the trial,
Thy God is thy stay,
Though deep the denial,
Yield not in dismay,
But, wrapt in high vision,
Look on to the day
When the fountains Elysian
Thy thirst shall allay.
There shalt thou for ever
Enjoy thy repose
Where life's gentle river
Eternally flows,
Yea, there shalt thou rest thee
For ever and aye,
With none to molest thee--
Then, drink and away.