At common boards, with water in his cup,

One mess alike for every day and mood:

But here, at his right hand, a flagon stood.

He raised it, paused before he drank, and laughed.

“I’ll drown their Perfect City in this draught.”

18

He fingered the cold neck. He saw within,

Like a strange sky, some liquor that foamed blue

And murmured. Standing now with pointed chin

And head thrown back, he tasted. Rapture flew