University of Virginia Library

FABLE I. The Old Woman and Empty Cask.

An ancient dame a firkin sees,
In which the rich Falernian lees
Send from the nobly tinctur'd shell
A rare and most delicious smell!
There when a season she had clung
With greedy nostrils to the bung
“O spirit exquisitely sweet
“(She cried) how perfectly complete;

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“Was you of old and at the best,
“When ev'n your dregs have such a zest!”
They'll see the drift of this my rhime,
Who knew the author in his prime.