1892 Drinks of the world

DRINKS.

48

and Germany, but he says that the wine most in repute was a Spanish wine called Bastard, which Shakspeare mentions more than once, as (i Henry IV, act ii. sc. 4) Prince Henry relating his adventures with a drawer, says, ** Anon, anon, sir ! Score a pint of Bastard in the Half Moon." He gives receipts for making Hydromel, or Mead, which was to be made of one part honey, and four of

boiling water, to be well stirred, boiled, and skimmed. Hops were then to be added, then casked, and brewers' yeast added. Then to be strained, and it was fit for drinking in eight days. He tells a pathetic story of King Hunding, who being sorely grieved at the loss of his brother-in-law, Gutthorm, called all his nobility around him to a great feast, and had a large tun, filled with hydromel, placed in the middle of the hall. When his guests were sufficiently inebriated, he threw him- self into the liquor, and died sweetly.