Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/How Stands the Glass around?

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How Stands the Glass Around?

It is said that this song was sung by General Wolfe, the night before the battle of Quebec.

   How stands the glass around?For shame, ye take no care, by boys!   How stands the glass around?   Let mirth and wine abound!   The trumpets sound,The colours flying are, my boys,   To fight, fill, or wound;   May we still be foundContent with our hard fare, my boys,   On the cold ground!
   Why, soldiers, whyShould we be melancholy, boys?   Why, soldiers, why,   Whose business 'tis to die?   What, sighing? fie!Shun fear, drink on, be jolly, boys!   'Tis he, you, or I,   Cold, hot, wet, or dry,We're always bound to follow, boys,   And scorn to fly.
   'Tis but in vain(I mean not to upbraid you, boys),   'Tis but in vain   For soldiers to complain;   Should next campaignSend us to Him that made us, boys,   We're free from pain;   But should we remain,A bottle and kind landlady   Cures all again.

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