Contents -Volume INDEX -AUTHOR INDEX -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

Song: ‘Boy, shut to the door, and bid trouble begone’

By William Cliffton (1772–1799)

BOY, shut to the door, and bid trouble begone,

If sorrow approach, turn the key;

Our comfort this night from the glass shall be drawn,

And mirth our companion shall be.

Who would not with pleasure the moments prolong,

When tempted with Friendship, Love, Wine, and a Song?

What art thou, kind power, that softenest me so,

That kindlest this love-boding sigh,

That bid’st with affection my bosom o’erflow,

And send’st the fond tear to my eye?

I know thee! forever thy visit prolong,

Sweet spirit of Friendship, Love, Wine, and a Song.

See the joy-waking influence rapidly fly,

And spirit with spirit entwine,

The effulgence of rapture enamels each eye,

Each soul rides triumphant like mine.—

On a sea of good-humor floats gayly along,

Surrounded with Friendship, Love, Wine, and a Song.

And now to the regions of Fancy we soar,

Through scenes of enchantment we stray,

We revel in transports untasted before,

Or loiter with love on the way;

Resolved like good fellows the time to prolong

That cheers us with Friendship, Love, Wine, and a Song.

For Friendship, the solace of mortals below,

In the thicket of life loves a rose,

Good wine can content on misfortune bestow,

And a song’s not amiss, I suppose.

Then fill, my good fellows, the moment prolong,

With a bumper to Friendship, Love, Wine, and a Song.