445. Here’s a Health to King Charles

Sir Walter Scott (1771—1832)

  BRING the bowl which you boast,

  Fill it up to the brim;

  ’Tis to him we love most,

  And to all who love him.

  Brave gallants, stand up,

  And avaunt ye, base carles!

  Were there death in the cup,

  Here’s a health to King Charles.

  Though he wanders through dangers,

  Unaided, unknown,

  Dependent on strangers,

  Estranged from his own;

  Though ’tis under our breath,

  Amidst forfeits and perils,

  Here’s to honor and faith,

  And a health to King Charles!

  Let such honors abound

  As the time can afford,

  The knee on the ground,

  And the hand on the sword;

  But the time shall come round

  When, ’mid Lords, Dukes, and Earls,

  The loud trumpet shall sound,

  Here’s a health to King Charles!