"Agreed! Agreed!" echoed round the circle.
One ruddy-faced veteran knelt in mock adoration at the feet of the Feast Master:
"I humbly crave that, since I was born in distant Phrygia, we to-night follow the custom of the barbarians, and drink no water at all. Let us be inspired with the unadulterated soul of the god."
"Bacchus pardon thy gluttony for the sake of thy piety," said the Master.
"Law the second—Whereas wine should be drunk either hot or cold, and whereas, these Jews who are still above Hades have stopped the way to the mountains where lies the snow to chill it, therefore it is ordained that all drinks shall be heated with both fire and spice."
"Agreed! Agreed!"
"Law the third—Every goblet shall be quaffed from brim to bottom between two breaths."
"It is agreed!"
"Oh! my paunch!" cried one. "Do you think me a Deucalion to stand the deluge?"
Servants poured the water and wine in equal quantities into the crater, or great bowl, from which it was ladled into the large goblets, holding half a quart each.