THE HOP. 77 



For a controversy between ale and beer, it was ; 

 and to say that hops and beer came together into 

 England, is simply a truism; since, at first, beer 

 signified an infusion of barley flavoured with the 

 hop ; while ale was a name restricted to the same 

 infusion, flavoured with any other herb. Nor are 

 the two terms very clearly defined in our lan- 

 guage, even at the present day. To this distinc- 

 tion the curious old song, "The Ex-ale-tation of 

 Ale "refers :" 



" But now, so they say, beer bears it away, 



The more is the pity, if right might prevail ; 

 For with this same beer came in heresy here, 

 The old Catholic drink is a good pot of ale. 



And physic will favour ale as it's bound, 

 And be against beer both tooth and nail ; 



They send up and down, all over the town, 

 To get for their patients a pot of good ale. 



Their aleberries, cawdles, and possets each one, 

 And syllabubs made at the milking pail, 



Although they be many, beer comes not in any, 

 But all are composed with a, pot of good ale ; 



And in very deed, the hop 's but a weed, 



Brought over 'gainst law, and here set to sale ; 



Would the law were removed, and no more beer brewed, 

 But all good men betake them to a pot of good ale. 



But to speak of killing, of that I'm not willing, 

 For that, in a manner, were but to rail ; 



But beer hath its name 'cause it brings to the bier, 

 Therefore welfare, say I, to a pot of good ale. 



