ANSWER TO COWLEY

On the fly-leaf of a copy of Cowley's Works (London, 1668), I find the following lines:— AN ANSWER TO DRINKING (PAGE 32.). "The thirsty earth, when one would think Her dusty throat required more drink, Wets but her lips, and parts the showers Among her thousand plants and flowers: Those take their small and stinted size, Not drunkard-like, to fall, but rise. The sober sea observes her tide Even by the drunken sailor's side; The roaring rivers pressing high Seek to get in her company; She, rising, seems to take the cup, But other rivers drink all up. The sun, and who dare him disgrace With drin…