At Table with Wine

CHARLES. 'Fore Heaven, 'tis true!--there is the great Degeneracy
of the age--many of our acquaintance have Taste--Spirit, and
Politeness--but plague on't they won't drink----

CARELESS. It is so indeed--Charles--they give into all the
substantial Luxuries of the Table--and abstain from nothing but
wine and wit--Oh, certainly society suffers by it intolerably--
for now instead of the social spirit of Raillery that used
to mantle over a glass of bright Burgundy their conversation
is become just like the Spa water they drink which has all the
Pertness and flatulence of champaine without its spirit or Flavour.

FIRST GENTLEMAN. But what are they to do who love Play better than
wine----

CARELESS. True--there's Harry diets himself--for gaming and is now
under a hazard Regimen.

CHARLES. Then He'll have the worst of it--what you wouldn't train
a horse for the course by keeping him from corn--For my Part egad
I am never so successful as when I'm a little--merry--let me throw
on a Bottle of Champaine and I never lose--at least I never feel
my losses which is exactly the same thing.

SECOND GENTLEMAN. Aye that may be--but it is as impossible to follow
wine and play as to unite Love and Politics.