by Coleridge · Cluster: Joy · Animals · Comic Verse Song
Abstract
A drinking song in dialogue praising ale (‘Nappy’) as nectar, declaring drinkers as blest as the Olympian gods and Olympus an ale-house; carpe diem conviviality with classical allusion.
Connections
Topoi: Carpe Diem Motifs: Wine and Drink Themes & Concepts: Joy Forms & Genres: Comic Verse Song Historical References: Greek Mythology
Testo integrale / Full text
A.
Ye drinkers of Stingo and Nappy so free,
Are the Gods on Olympus so happy as we?
B.
They cannot be so happy!
For why? they drink no Nappy.
A.
But what if Nectar, in their lingo,
Is but another name for Stingo?
B.
Why, then we and the Gods are equally blest,
And Olympus an Ale-house as good as the best!
First published in Morning Post, September 18, 1801. Included in
Essays, &c., iii. 995-6. First collected P. and D. W., 1877, ii.
167.