Lines Written on Windows of the Globe Tavern, Dumfries
written in 1796
Lines Written on Windows of the Globe Tavern, Dumfries - meaning Summary
Pleasure Over Stern Heroism
The speaker rejects austere heroics and philosophical martyrdom in favor of convivial pleasure, social peace, and practical living. He contrasts ‘‘old wisdom’’ and celebrated sacrifices with the immediate joys of folly, sexual and communal warmth, and drink as comfort. Martial glory and zealous causes are dismissed; making and sustaining life and pleasure matters more than dying for abstract ideals. Political engagement is treated pragmatically: to survive, avoid entanglement with powerful interests and keep your head down. The tone mixes defiance, humor, and a preference for human company over grand principles.
Read Complete AnalysesThe greybeard, old wisdom, may boast of his treasures, Give me with gay folly to live; I grant him his calm-blooded, time-settled pleasures, But folly has raptures to give. I Murder hate by field and flood, Tho' glory's name may screen us; In wars at home I'll spend my blood, Life-giving wars of Venus: The deities that I adore Are social Peace and Plenty; I'm better pleased to make one more, Than be the death of twenty. I would not die like Socrates, For all the fuss of Plato; Nor would I with Leonidas, Nor yet would I with Cato: The Zealots of the Church, or State, Shall ne'er my mortal foes be, But let me have bold Zimri's fate, Within the arms of Cosbi! My bottle is a holy pool, That heals the wounds o' care an' dool; And pleasure is a wanton trout, An ye drink it, ye'll find him out. In politics if thou would'st mix, And mean thy fortunes be; Bear this in mind, be deaf and blind, Let great folks hear and see.
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