5
But tea, that enlivener of wit and of soul—
More loquacious by far than the draughts of the bowl,
Soon unloosens the tongue and enlivens the mind,
And enlightens their eyes to the faults of mankind.
'Twas thus with the Pythia, who served at the fount
That flow'd near the far-famed Parnassion mount,
While the steam was inhaled of the sulphuric spring
Her vision expanded, her fancy took wing:
By its aid she pronounced the oracular will
That Apollo commanded his sons to fulfil.
But alas! the sad vestal, performing the rite,
Appeared like a demon—terrific to sight.
E’en the priests of Apollo averted their eyes,
And the temple of Delphi reounded her cries.
But quitting the nymph of the tripod of yore,
We return to the dames of the tea-pot once more.
In harmless chit-chat an acquaintance they roast
