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. 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. [Sidenote: DRINKING PLEDGES.] 9. On which account, when we are met together in these Dionysiac conversaziones, no one, as is said in the Tarentines of Alexis— No one can find a just pretence to grudge us Our harmless pleasure, since we never injure One of our neighbours. Know you not, my friend, That what is called life is but a name, Well soften'd down (to make it palatable), For human fate? And whether any one Thinks that I'm right or wrong in what I say, I cannot change a word; for well I know, And long have I consider'd the whole matter, That all th' affairs of men are full of madness, And we who live are only sojourners, Like men who go to some great festival, Starting from death and darkness to a pastime, And to this light which we behold before us. But he who laughs and drinks most cheerfully, And most enjoys the charming gifts of Venus, And most attends on feasts and festivals, He goes through life, and then departs most happily. And, in the words of the beautiful Sappho,— Come, O Venus, hither come, Bringing us thy goblets fair, Mingled with the merry feast; And pour out sparkling wine, I pray, To your and my companions gay.