In praise of Wine mixt with Water. A Greek Epigram, Out of Meleager

THE Nymphs, when Bacchus, like an Embryo, came
Out of his Mother's Ashes, on a flame,
Dipt the young Deity in a cool stream,
To quench the fire, and take away the steam.
The Nymphs and Bacchus ever since agree,
Without the Nymphs, Thunder and Lightning He!
Thus Water moderates the rage of Wine,
And Fire it self proves cool and anodyne.
Wine all the Waters crudities consumes;
Water feeds on her hot and heady fumes:
To one another both a flavour give,
And make a Cordial of a Corrosive.