already they cry, "In transports of Joy, "Away to the Sons of we'll fly, "And there, with good Fellows, we'll learn to "The Myrtle of with 's Vine. 3 "The and his nine fusty Maids, "From 's banks will incontinent flee, " will boast but of tenantless Shades, "And the bi-forked Hill a mere will be "My Thunder no fear on't, "Shall soon do Errand, "And dam'me! I'll swinge the Ringleaders, I warrant. "I'll trim the young Dogs, for thus daring to twine "The Myrtle of with 's Vine." 4 rose up, and said, "Pry'thee ne'er quarrel, "Good King of the Gods, with my Vot'ries below: "Your Thunder is useless"—then his Laurel, Cry'd "Sic evitabile fulmen, you know! "Then over each head "My Laurels I'll spread; "So my Sons from your Crackers no Mischief shall dread, "Whilst snug in their Club-Room, they jovially twine "The Myrtle of with 's Vine." 5 Next got up with his risible Phiz, And swore with he'd join— "The full Tide of Harmony still shall be his, "But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh shall be mine. "Then, , be not jealous "Of these honest fellows." Cry'd , "We relent, since the Truth you now tell us; "And swear by , that they long shall "The Myrtle of with 's Vine." 6 Ye Sons of , then join Hand in Hand; Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love! 'Tis to support what's so happily plann'd; You've the sanction of Gods, and the of . While thus we agree, Our Toast let it be. May our Club flourish happy, united, and free! And long may the Sons of The Myrtle of with 's Vine. The earlier version of the lyrics In the first known version of the lyrics, as published in The Vocal magazine of 1778, there are two significant textual discrepancies from later publications. In the second verse, A fig for Parnassus! To Rowley's we'll fly; appears in place of Away to the Sons of Anacreon we'll fly In the third verse, To the hill of old Lud will incontinent flee, appears in place of From Helicon's banks will incontinent flee, The two replaced lines refer to the Society's earlier meeting-place at the London Coffee-House, which was situated on Ludgate Hill and seems to have occupied the same premises as Rowley and Leech, a wine merchant. Music The following melody is taken from the first