Book 2
4
And Alexis says somewhere— Man's nature doth in much resemble wine: For young men and new wine do both need age To ripen their too warm unseason'd strength, And let their violence evaporate. But when the grosser portions are worked off, And all the froth is skilsm'd, then both are good'; The wine is drinkable, the man is wise, And both in future pleasant while they last. And according to the bard of Cyrene— Wine is like fire when 'tis to man applied, Or like the storm that sweeps the Libyan tide; The furious wind the lowest depths can reach, And wine robs man of knowledge, sense, and speech. But in some other place Alexis says the contrary to what I have just cited:— A. Man in no one respect resembles wine: For man by age is made intolerable; But age improves all wine. B. Yes; for old wines cheer us, But old men only snarl, abuse, and jeer us. And Panyasis says— Wine is like fire, an aid and sweet relief, Wards off all ills, and comforts every grief; Wine can of every feast the joys enhance, It kindles soft desire, it leads the dance. Think not then, childlike, much of solid food, But stick to wine, the only real good. And again— Good wine's the gift which God has given To man alone beneath the heaven; Of dance and song the genial sire, Of friendship gay and soft desire; Yet rule it with a tighten'd rein, Nor moderate wisdom's rules disdain; For when uncheck'd there's nought runs faster,— A useful slave, but cruel master.
