Kitap 11
8
And the exquisite Anacreon says— I do not love the man who, 'midst his cups, Says nothing but old tales of war and strife, But him who gives its honour due to mirth, Praising the Muses and the bright-faced Venus. And Ion of Chios says— Hail, our great king, our saviour, and our father! And let the cupbearers now mix us wine In silver jugs: and let the golden bowl Pour forth its pure libations on the ground, While duly honouring the mighty Jove. First of the Gods, and first in all our hearts, We pour libations to Alcmena's son, And to the queen herself,—to Procles too, And the invincible chiefs of Perseus' line. Thus let us drink and sport; and let the song Make the night cheerful; let the glad guests dance; And do thou willingly preside among us: But let the man who's a fair wife at home Drink far more lustily than those less happy.
8
Those also who were called the seven wise men used to make drinking parties; for wine comforts the natural moroseness of old age, as Theophrastus says, in his treatise on Drunkenness.
