TALBOYS.
The moment you take it for Ceremonial, sir, you don't know what profound
meaning may, or may not be in it. The phrase is very remarkable.
NORTH.
When the "Best of the Argives" mix in the Bowl "the honorific dark-glowing
wine," or the dark-glowing wine of honour—when ὁτε—quite a specific and
peculiar occasion, and confined to the wine—you would almost think that the
Chiefs themselves are the wine-mixers, and not the usual ministrants—which
would perhaps express the descent of an antique use from a time and manners
of still greater simplicity than those which Homer describes. Or take it
merely, that in great solemnities, high persons do the functions proper to
Servants. This we do know, that usually a servant, the Ταμιευς, or the
οινοχοος, does mix the Bowl. By the way, Talboys, I think you will be not a
little amused with old Chapman's translation of the passage.
TALBOYS.
A fiery old Chap was George.
NORTH.
It runs thus—
"O Idomen, I ever loved thyself past all the Greeks,
In war, or any work of peace, at table, everywhere;
For when the best of Greeks, besides, mix ever at our cheer
My good old ardent wine with small, and our inferior mates
Drink ever that mixt wine measured too, thou drink'st without those rates
Our old wine neat; and ever more thy bowl stands like to mine;
To drink still when and what thou wilt; then rouse that heart of thine;
And whatsoever heretofore thou hast assumed to be,
This day be greater."
TALBOYS.