John Kenyon (patron)

John Kenyon (1784–1856) was an English verse-writer and philanthropist, now known as a patron of Robert Browning. Quotes 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!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! 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!Old Charon’s self shall make him mellow,Then gaily row his boat from shore;While we, and every jovial fellow,Hear—unconcerned—the oar,  That dips itself in wine! "Champagne Rosé", in Poems (1838); anthologised by Arthur Quiller-Couch, The Oxford Book of English Verse, 2nd ed. (1939), no. 601 External links Category:1784 births Category:1856 deaths Category:Poets from England Category:Philanthropists from England Category:Poets from Jamaica