will make barren land bear good vines. Know therefore,
assuredly, that your prizes have increased the quantity of bad
but not of good wine."

There was a long silence. At length the king spoke. "Give him
the purple robe and the chain of gold. Throw the wines into the
Euphrates; and proclaim that the Royal Society of Wines is
dissolved."

...


SCENES FROM "ATHENIAN REVELS."

(January 1824.)

A DRAMA.

I.

SCENE--A Street in Athens.

Enter CALLIDEMUS and SPEUSIPPUS;

CALLIDEMUS.
So, you young reprobate! You must be a man of wit, forsooth, and
a man of quality! You must spend as if you were as rich as
Nicias, and prate as if you were as wise as Pericles! You must
dangle after sophists and pretty women! And I must pay for all!
I must sup on thyme and onions, while you are swallowing thrushes