For I look on the liquid gold[[89]] ✿ And I measure it out by the cup.
And how goodly is the saying of the poet:—
By Allah, this is th’ only alchemy ✿ All said of other science false we see!
Carat of wine on hundredweight of woe ✿ Transmuteth gloomiest grief to joy and glee.
And that of another:—
The glasses are heavy when empty brought ✿ Till we charge them all with unmixèd wine.
Then so light are they that to fly they’re fain ✿ As bodies lightened by soul divine.
And yet another:—
Wine-cup and ruby-wine high worship claim; ✿ Dishonour ’twere to see their honour waste:
Bury me, when I’m dead, by side of vine ✿ Whose veins shall moisten bones in clay misplaced;