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12 MONTAIGNE'S ESSAYES
others, to whom the best is ever in vice, should say
the like of knowledge to distinguish vices, without
which, and that very exact, both vertuous and wicked
men remaine confounded and unknowen. Now drunkennesse
amongst others appeareth to me a grose and
brutish vice. The minde hath more part else where;
and some vices there are which (if it may lawfully
be spoken) have a kinde of I wot not what generosity in
them. Some there are that have learning, diligence,
valour, prudence, wit, cunning, dexterity, and subtlety
joyned with them ; whereas this is meerely corporal!
and terrestriall. And the grosest and rudest nation
that liveth amongst us at this day is only that which
keepeth it in credit. Other vices but alter and distract
the understanding, whereas this utterly subverteth the
same, and astonieth the body.
cum vini vis penetravit,
Consequitur gravitas membroi um, proepediuntur
Crura vacillanti, tardescit lingua, maaet mens,
Nant ocuh, clamor, singultus, jurgiagliscunt. 1
When once the force of wine hath inly pierst,
Limbes-heavinesse is next, legs faine would goe,
But reeling cannot, tongue drawles, mindes disperst,
Eyes swimme, cries, hickups, brables grow.
The worst estate of man is where he loseth the knowledge
and government of himselfe. And amongst
other things it is said that as must wine 1 boyling and
working in a vessel, workes and sends upwards what
ever it containeth in the bottom, so doth wine cause
those that drink excessively of it to worke up and
break out their most concealed secrets.
tu sapientium ,
Curas, et arcanumjocoso
Consilium retegis Lyoeo?
Thou" (wine-cup) doest by wine reveale
The'cares, which wise men would conceale
And close drifts, at a merry meale.
¹ LUCRET. 1. iii. 479. ² HOR. 1. iii. Od. xxi. 14.