Dunbar: At the Tavern

[grllopez]

A lilt and a swing,
And a ditty to sing,
Or ever the night grow old;
The wine is within,
And I'm sure t'were a sin
For a soldier to choose to be cold, my dear,
For a soldier to choose to be cold.

We're right for a spell,
But the fever is -- well,
No thing to be braved, at least;
So bring me the wine;
No low fever in mine,
For a drink more kind than a priest, my dear,
For a drink is more kind than a priest.

This is a really short poem, as you see. The author is justifying to his female companion?? that having a little wine makes your insides warm, especially when the night is cold outside. Possibly he is a soldier himself?? and he says he is sure it is a sin for a soldier to choose to be cold outdoors when he could be better indoors at the tavern w/ a little drink to warm him and soft conversation and singing a little song.