So much in celebration of wine; but, ever mindful of our beautiful Moselle, we will close this vintage chapter, with its praise of wine, with a few lines in praise of water, and thus preserve that happy balance between the two fluids which is the true secret of enjoyment. Both are good; both are gifts to be rightly used and thankfully enjoyed: but if the palm is to be given to one over the other, it should not be to the usurper Wine, who generally sits upon his sister’s throne.
PRAISE OF WATER.
Many sing in praise of Wine,
Many toast the bounteous Vine;
But I will sing in praise of Water,
Earth’s fairest, best, and sweetest daughter.
Many love the grape to sip,
Carrying goblets to the lip;
But I will rather seek the spring,
Its pure delights will rather sing.