Bkiii:Xxi Praise Of Wine

Faithful wine-jar, born, with me, in Manlius’ Consulship, whether you bring moans or laughter, whether you bring mad love, and quarrels, or whether you bring us gentle slumber, whatever the end of the vintage Massic you guard, that’s worthy of some auspicious day, be emptied, Corvinus orders us to bring out a much less powerful wine. You apply gentle torture to wits that are mostly dull: you reveal the cares of the wise, and you uncover their secret thoughts, by means of Bacchus’ happy pleasantries: you bring fresh hope to those minds that are distressed, and grant the poor man strength and courage, through you he no longer trembles at the crowns of angry kings, nor at soldiers’ weapons. You, Bacchus, and delightful Venus, if she would come, the Graces, reluctant to dissolve their knot, and the bright lamps, will be here, till Phoebus puts the stars to flight again.