John. We have here the unchecked virtues of the grape. How the vapors curl upwards! It were a life of gods to dwell in such an element: to see, and hear, and talk brave things. Now fie upon these casual potations. That a man's most exalted reason should depend upon the ignoble fermenting of a fruit, which sparrows pluck at as well as we.
Gray (aside to Lovel). Observe how he is ravished.
Lovel. Vanity and gay thoughts of wine do meet in him and engender madness.
[While the rest are engaged in a wild kind of talk, JOHN advances to the front of the stage, and soliloquizes.
John. My spirits turn to fire, they mount so fast.
My joys are turbulent, my hopes show like fruition.
These high and gusty relishes of life, sure,
Have no allayings of mortality in them.
I am too hot now, and o'ercapable,
For the tedious processes, and creeping wisdom,