THE thirsty earth soaks up the rain, br And drinks and gapes for drink again; br The plants suck in the earth, and are br With constant drinking fresh and fair; br The sea itself (which one would think br Should have but little need of drink) br Drinks twice ten thousand rivers up, br So fill'd that they o'erflow the cup. br The busy Sun (and one would guess br By 's drunken fiery face no less) br Drinks up the sea, and when he 's done, br The Moon and Stars drink up the Sun: br They drink and dance by their own light, br They drink and revel all the night: br Nothing in Nature 's sober found, br But an eternal health goes round.