1. Behold the sun descending, bearing night's pall,
And the scales of time now poised and equal.

2. The birds twitter their end to silence's fall,
The wine fulfills itself, pure, crystal.

3. Earth arrays herself in fabric bejeweled;
All April's progeny don gay apparel.

4. Then drink in morning's prime, drink deep and well,
When dawn's face beams, a sunbeam parallel.

5. Like the Gazelle grazing on Life's fresh fill,
Then bounding far to Hope's wide perimeter.

6. A mirage playing in the wine-filled bowl
When the drinker's fancy joins its images.

7. "Blend well," advises the Cup-bearer, "for one
Who lacks capacity spills the brimming cup."

8. Let two natures blend: beauty and excellence.
Behold in each its paragon and symbol.