Crit. Pour me wine in that chestnut-coloured cup. What is that?
Scop. A great Indian nut, surrounded with a silver edge. Won’t you drink out of that bowl of ebony wood? They say that this is the healthiest. But don’t give me too much water. Don’t you know the old proverb: “You spoil wine when you pour water into it”?
Dem. Yes, then you spoil both the water and the wine.
Pol. I would rather spoil both, than be spoiled by one of them.
Scop. Would it not be pleasant, according to the Greek custom, to drink out of the bowls and from the bigger beakers?
Pol. By no means. You reminded us just now of the old proverb. In my turn I remind you of the Pauline precept: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess”; and that of our Saviour: “And take heed to yourselves lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness.”
Water
Crit. Whence is this cold water, so pure and pellucid?
Scop. Out of the spring near by here.
Crit. Rather than mixing of wine I prefer cistern water, if it is thoroughly pure.