60 



pity; for most "beneficial in former times were its 

 effects on the genius and morals of the nation, as 

 we learn from the old song: 



' Give a scholar of Oxlord a pot of sixteen, 



And put him to prove that an ape has no tail, 

 And sixteen times better his wit will "be seen 

 If you fetch him from Botley a pot of good ale. 



" Thus it helps speech and wit, and hurts not a whit 



But rather doth further the virtues morale ; 

 Then think it not much if a little I touch 

 The good moral parts of a pot of good ale. 



" To the church and religion it is a good friend, 



Or else our forefathers in wisdom did fail, 

 Who at every mile, next to the church stile, 

 Set a consecrate house to a pot of good ale." 



n 



SIMPSON. Go on. 



FISHER. I cannot. The ale is out, and, as always 

 happens in such a case, my recollection gone. But 

 drink what you please, toddy, "brandy and water, or 

 "black strap, I am willing to join you. Any of the 

 usual potations in this part of the country I can 

 "bear, except gin. The real cream of the valley, at 

 three pence a quartern, should only be drank in " the 

 valley below." 



(Enter waiter, with a couple of decanters of wine.) 



SIMPSON. Now fill, and I will again give you 

 the Memory of the "Sage benign." 



