| Arthur Quiller-Couch, comp. The Oxford Book of Victorian Verse. 1922. | | | | Champagne Rosée | | By John Kenyon (1784–1856) |
| | | LILY on liquid roses floating— | |
| So floats yon foam o’er pink champagne: | |
| Fain would I join such pleasant boating, | |
| And prove that ruby main, | |
| And float away on wine! | 5 |
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| Those seas are dangerous (greybeards swear) | |
| Whose sea-beach is the goblet’s brim; | |
| And true it is they drown Old Care— | |
| But what care we for him, | |
| So we but float on wine? | 10 |
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| And true it is they cross in pain | |
| Who sober cross the Stygian ferry: | |
| But only make our Styx champagne, | |
| And we shall cross right merry, | |
| Floating away on wine! | 15 |
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| Old Charon’s self shall make him mellow, | |
| Then gaily row his boat from shore; | |
| While we and every jovial fellow, | |
| Hear unconcern’d the oar | |
| That dips itself in wine! | 20 | | | |
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