An Anacreontick

Busy, curious, thirsty Fly,

Gently drink, and drink as I;

Freely welcome to my Cup,

Could'st thou sip, and sip it up;

Make the most of Life you may,

Life is short and wears away.

Just alike, both mine and thine,

Hasten quick to their Decline;

Thine's a Summer, mine's no more,

Though repeated to threescore;

Threescore Summers when they're gone,

Will appear as short as one.

William Oldys