The Empty Bottle

Ah, liberty! how like thou art
To this large bottle lying here,
Which yesterday from foreign mart,
Came filled with potent English beer!

A touch of steel — a hand — a gush —
A pop that sounded far and near —
A wild emotion – liquid rush —
And I had drunk that English beer! And what remains? – An empty shell!
A lifeless form both sad and queer,
A temple where no god doth dwell —
The simple memory of beer!