Drink wine, red wine, and so forget thy groans;
⁠Wine is unlawful, sayst thou? then say I—
Who loves not wine had best, I think, eat stones.

Think not that I have never tried your way
To heaven, you who pray and fast and pray :
⁠Once I denied myself both love and wine—
Yea, wine and love—for a whole summer day.

I cannot help it—were it in my power,
I would forsake my sins this very hour,
⁠Forsake the Rose, and bid the Vine good-bye,
Kiss my last kiss—if it were in my power.

O good old friends, what is it I have said?
It was the wine that got into my head—
⁠Forgive me, O forgive, I meant it not,
I shall forsake you only when I'm dead.