That universal folly governs all;
For in this little life of ours, we seem
As strangers that have left their native home.
We make our first appearance from the realms
Of death and darkness, and emerge to light,
And join th' assembly of our fellow-men—
They who enjoy themselves the most, and drink,
And laugh, and banish care, or pass the day
In the soft blandishments of love, and leave
No joy untasted, no delight untried
That innocence and virtue may approve,
And this gay festival afford, depart
Cheerful, like guests contented, to their home.—Anon.
Sappho. (Book xi. § 9, p. 731.)
Come, Venus, come!
Hither with thy golden cup,
Where nectar-floated flowerets swim!
Fill, fill the goblet up!
These laughing lips shall kiss the brim—
Come, Venus, come!—Anon.
Pytheas. (Book xi. § 14, p. 734.)
Here jolly Pytheas lies,
A right honest man, and wise,
Who of goblets had very great store,
Of amber, silver, gold,
All glorious to behold,
In number ne'er equall'd before.—J. A. St. John.
Author of the Thebais. (Book xi. § 14, p. 735.)
Then Polyneices of the golden locks,
Sprung from the gods, before his father placed
A table all of silver, which had once
Been Cadmus's, next fill'd the golden bowl
