“From boist’rous Wine I fled to gentle Tea; For, Calms compose us after Storms at Sea. In vain wou’d Coffee boast an equal Good; The Chrystal Stream transcends the flowing Mud. Tea, ev’n the Ills from Coffee sprung, repairs, Disclaims its Vices, and its Vertue shares. To bless me with the Juice two Foes conspire, The clearest Water with the purest Fire, Wine’s Essence in a Lamp to Fewel turns, Exhales its Soul, and for a Rival burns. The Leaf is mov’d, and the diffusive Good, Thus urg’d, resigns its Spirits in the Flood. In curious Cups the liquid Blessing flows, Cups fit alone the _Nectar_ to enclose. Dissembled Groves and Nymphs by Tables plac’d, Adorn the Sides, and tempt the Sight and Taste, Yet more the gay, the lovely Colour courts, The Flavour charms us, but the Taste transports,” etc., etc. As years went on, the poets still sung its praises; and the following portion of “Tea Drinking” brings us down to 1752, by which time it was a necessity in polite society:— [Illustration] “Sparkling with Youth’s gay Pride, like mirthful _May_ In the Sedan enclos’d, by Slaves up-born; See the Love-darting Dame, swing ’long the Way, Or to present the Visit, or return. The sleek-comb’d Valet trimly trips before; Loud, thro’ the gazing Croud, commanding Place; With well-tim’d Raps he strikes the sounding Door, Thunders in Taste, and rattles with a Grace. Along the Pavement grates the swift-slop’d Chair, Back on its well-oil’d Hinges flies the Gate; Behind the high held Hoop, up-springs the Fair, Rustling in rich Array, and silken State. The how d’ye ended, the Contest of Place, And all the fashionable flutt’ring Toils, Down, curtsying, sink the Laughter loving Race, And undisturb’d one Moment, Silence smiles. Behold! the Beau-complexion’d Porcelain, As Bell turn’d Tulips variegated show, In order set among the tittering Train, Replete with Spoils which from _Cathaya_ flow. The leading Fair the Word harmonious gives, _Betty_ around attends with bending Knee; Each white-arm Fair, the painted Cup receives Pours the rich Cream, or stirs the sweetened Tea,” etc., etc.