Page:Through a Glass Lightly (1897, Greg).djvu/126

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THROUGH A GLASS LIGHTLY

that it be full and brimming, and his third to keep it shining and bright as the sheen on a summer sea. “As Argus had a hundred eyes for his sight, he should also have (like Briareus) a hundred hands wherewith to fill us wine indefatigably.” He should have the soul of a bon vivant and the restraint of a Joseph. He should have the words of the old drinking song graven on his heart, or, at least, writ large in his pantry:—

Remplis ton verre vuide,
Vuide ton verre plein.
Je ne puis souffrir dans ta main,
Un verre ni vuide ni plein.

He should have a large sympathy with thirst; the void that nature and art alike abhor, he should ever be ready to fill; and if he cracks a bottle of your best Burgundy with your friend’s

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