Here is a measure of well-temper'd wine;
Take it, and drink it up;—
Democritus said—Hesiod, my friends, recommends men
To pour three parts of water in the cup,
And let the fourth part be the vinous juice.
And, perhaps, it was on account of Hesiod that Anaxilas said, in his Nereus,—
And this is much more pleasant; for I'd never
Have drunk one part of wine to three of water.
And Alexis, in his Nurse, recommends even a more moderate mixture than this—
See, here is wine. Shall I, then, give to Criton
Equal proportions? This is better far,
One part of wine to four of limpid water:
Perhaps you'll call that weak; but still, when you
Have drunk your fill of this, you'll find your head
Clear for discussion,—and the drink lasts longer.
And Diocles, in his Bees, says—
A. In what proportions should the wine be mix'd?
B. Four parts of water to two parts of wine.
And this mixture, as it is not that in ordinary use, put the questioner in mind of the well-known proverb,—