So Diamonds sparkle, and thy Mistriss eyes; <br />When tis not Fire but light in either flyes. <br />Beauty not thaw'd by lustful flames will show <br />Like a fair mountain of unmelted snow: <br />Nor can the tasted vine more danger bring <br />Then water taken from the chrystall Spring, <br />Whose end is to refresh and cool that heat <br />Which unallayd becomes foul vices seat: <br />Unless thy boyling veins, mad with desire <br />Of drink, convert the liquor into fire. <br />For then thou quaff'st down feavers, thy full bowles <br />Carouse the burning draughts of Portia's coles. <br />If it do leap and sparkle in the cup, <br />Twill sink thy cares, and help invention up. <br />There never yet was Muse or Poet known <br />Not dipt or drenched in this Helicon. <br />But Tom! take heed thou use it with such care <br />As Witches deal with their Familiar. <br />For if thy vertues circle not confine <br />And guard thee from the Furies rais'd by wine, <br />'Tis ten to one this dancing spirit may <br />A Devil prove to bear thy wits away; <br />And make thy glowing nose a Map of Hell <br />Where Bacchus purple fumes like Meteors dwell. <br />Now think not these sage moralls thee invite <br />To prove Carthusian or strict Rechabite; <br />Let fooles be mad, wise people may be free, <br />Though not to license turn their libertie. <br />He that drinks wine for health, not for excess, <br />Nor drownes his temper in a drunkenness, <br />Shall feel no more the grapes unruly fate, <br />Then if he took some chilling Opiate.<br /><br />Henry King<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-one-demanding-why-wine-sparkles/
