Souls of Poets dead and gone
What Elysium have ye known
Happy field or mossy cavern
Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?
Have ye tippled drink more fine
Than mine host's Canary wine?
Or are fruits of Paradise
Sweeter than those dainty pies
Of venison? O generous food!
Drest as though bold Robin Hood
Would, with his maid Marian
Sup and bowse from horn and can

I have heard that on a day
Mine host's sign-board flew away
Nobody knew whither, till
An astrologer's old quill
To a sheepskin gave the story
Said he saw you in your glory
Underneath a new old sign
Sipping beverage divine
And pledging with contented smack
The Mermaid in the Zodiac

Souls of Poets dead and gone
What Elysium have ye known
Happy field or mossy cavern
Choicer than the Mermaid Tavern?