[_The Defence._] This is very much better, though we need not have had to wade through the other poem to get to it. It has neither the conciseness nor the finish of Ausonius's triumphant confession to Crispa, but is good enough. The Spanish heading here, which in the original has an unnecessary comma at _otros_ and an unnecessary divorce of space between _quebranta_ and _dos_, may be roughly rendered: For it is still the lover's mind That all, except himself, are blind. The piece is also assigned to Rudyard. Mr. Thorn-Drury notes a variant at ll. 23-8 of some interest from _Parnassus Biceps_, where the title is 'A Lover to one dispraising his Mistress': so clear That thou couldst view my object there; When thou her virtues didst espy, Thou 'ldst wonder and confess that I Had cause to like; and learn from hence To love. ] _To One demanding why Wine sparkles._ So diamonds sparkle, and thy mistress' eyes; When 'tis not fire but light in either flies. Beauty not thaw'd by lustful flames will show Like a fair mountain of unmelted snow: Nor can the tasted vine more danger bring Than water taken from the crystal spring, Whose end is to refresh and cool that heat Which unallay'd becomes foul vice's seat: Unless thy boiling veins, mad with desire Of drink, convert the liquor into fire. 10 For then thou quaff'st down fevers, thy full bowls Carouse the burning draughts of Portia's coals. If it do leap and sparkle in the cup, 'Twill sink thy cares, and help invention up. There never yet was Muse or Poet known Not dipt or drenched in this Helicon. But Tom! take heed thou use it with such care As witches deal with their familiar. For if thy virtue's circle not confine And guard thee from the Furies rais'd by wine, 20 'Tis ten to one this dancing spirit may A Devil prove to bear thy wits away; And make thy glowing nose a map of Hell Where Bacchus' purple fumes like meteors dwell. Now think not these sage morals thee invite To prove Carthusian or strict Rechabite; Let fool's be mad, wise people may be free, Though not to license turn their liberty. He that drinks wine for health, not for excess, Nor drowns his temper in a drunkenness, 30 Shall feel no more the grape's unruly fate, Then if he took some chilling opiate. [_To One demanding, &c._] If not exactly Poetry, this is at least sense, as was once remarked (or in words to that effect), with 'Latin' for 'Poetry', by the late Professor Nettleship, with regard to a composition not in verse. Malone MS. 22, fol. 24, has an earlier draft of this poem, commencing: