1892 Drinks of the world

46

DRINKS.

He laughed and shouted, He roared and dinn'd, That the children of men might hear afar, How the sturdy one Stormed and clamoured, Animated and elate with wine He admonished amply Those sitting on the bench

That they should bear it well. So was the wicked one all day, The lord and his men, Drunk with wine ; The stern dispenser of wealth ; Till that they swimming lay Over drunk. All his nobility As they were death slain, Their property poured about. So commanded the lord of men. To fill to those sitting at the feast. Till the dark night Approached the children of men."

Even the clergy and monks drank probably more than was good for them, for a priest was forbidden by law to eat or drink at places where ale was sold. But that did not prevent their drinking at home ; their