The sky-lark - National Library of Scotland

120 THE SKY-LARK.
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Aristotle, that master of arts,
Had been but a dunce without wine,
For what we ascribe to his parts
Is due to the juice of the vine.
His belly, some authors agree,
Was as big as a watering trough,
He therefore leap'd into the sea,
Because he'd have liquor enough.
When Pyrrho had taken a glass,
He saw that no object appear'd
Exactly the same as it was,
Before he had liquor'd his beard
For things running round in his drink,
; ;
Which sober he motionless found,
Occasion'd the sceptic to think
There was nothing of truth to be found.
Old Plato was reckon'd divine,
Who wisely to virtue was prone
But, had it not been for good wine,
His merit had never been known.
By wine we are generous made,
It furnishes fancy with wings,
Without we ne'er should have had
Philosophers, poets, or kings.