Bacchinalia Coelestia:
A POEM,
IN PRAISE OF
PUNCH:
Composd by the GODS and GODDESSES in Cabal.
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THE Gods and the Goddesses lately did Feast,
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Where Ambrosia with exquisite sawces was drest:
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The Edibles did with their qualities suit;
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But what they did drink, did occasion dispute.
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Twas time that Old Nectar should grow out of fashion,
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A Liquor they drank long before the Creation.
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When the Sky-coloured Cloth was drawn from the Board,
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For the Christalline Bowl great Jove gave the Word.
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This was a Bowl of most heavenly size,
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In which Infant-Gods they did use to baptize.
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Quoth JOVE, were informd they drink Punch upon Earth,
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By which Mortal Wights out-do us in Mirth;
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Therefore our Godheads together lets lay,
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And endeavour to make it much stronger than they.
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Twas spoke like a God, Fill the Bowl to the Top,
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Hes cashierd from the Sky that leaves but a Drop.
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APOLLO dispatcht away one of his Lasses,
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Who filld us a Pitcher from th Well of Parnassus.
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To Poets new born, this Water is brought;
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And this they suck in for thir Mornings draught.
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JUNO for Lemons sent into her Closet;
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Which when she was sick, she infusd into Posset:
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For Goddesses may be as qualmish as Gipses;
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The Sun and the Moon we find have Eclipses;
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Those Lemons were called the Hesperian-fruit,
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When Vigilant Dragon was set to look tot.
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Three dozen of these were squeezd into Water;
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The rest of the Ingredients in order came after.
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VENUS, the Admirer of things that are sweet;
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Without her infusion there had been no Treat;
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Commanded her Sugar-Loafs, white as her Doves;
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Supported to thTable by a brace of young Loves.
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So wonderful curious these Deities were,
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The Sugar they straind through a Sieve of thin Air.
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BACCHUS gave notice by dangling a Bunch,
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That without his assistance there could be no Punch.
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What was meant by his sign, was very well known;
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For they threw in a Gallon of trusty Langoon;
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MARS, a blunt God, though chief of the Briskers,
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Was seated at Table, still twirling his Whiskers;
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Quoth he, fellow-Gods and Coelestial Gallants;
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Id not give a fart for your Punch without Nants:
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Therefore Boy Ganymed I do command ye
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To put in at least two Gallons of Brandy.
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SATURN, of all the Gods was the oldest,
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And we may imagine his stomach was coldest;
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Did out of his Pouch three Nutmegs produce;
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Which when they were grated, were put to the Juyce.
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NEPTUNE this Ocean of Liquor did Crown
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With a hard Sea-Bisket well bakd in the Sun.
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This Bowl being finishd, a Health was began;
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Quoth Jove, let it be to our Creature calld Man.
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Tis to him alone these pleasures we owe,
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For Heaven was never true Heavn till now.
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Since the Gods and poor Mortals thus do agree,
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Heres a Health unto CHARLES His Majesty.
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