Ebrietatis Encomium Or the Praise of Drunkeness

undertaken to convert those of Melinda, " gained as much upon them by wine as by rea- " son, which, in the end, facilitated the con- " quest of the whole country. To draw a consequence from this, we say, that one must reasonably believe, that wine gave those Sages an eloquence necessary to convert the people of Melinda, and them a necessary penetration to discover the truth through the thick veils of their ignorance. Books of Travels further inform us, that " the Priests of the kingdom of Tibet, whom " they call Lamas, drink a good quantity of" wine on their days of fasting and devotion, " that they may have, to use their own words, " the tongue prompt, and ready to say their " Orisons. Bem, sur Eabel, T, 1 lib. 1. cap. 5. According to this doctrine, Palingenius was much in the wrong to say, that wine makes all Church-men uncapable to perform the duties of their function. Nec bene tractabit vinosus sacra sacerdos.'f No Priest, who tipples wine that's good, Will do his duty as he shou'd. Surely our author never conversed much with Religious. The Friers would have told him, they never perform their Office without taking a Choice Cup. Experto crede Roberto, as the saying is. There's no false Latin in this, says a good Monk to me once upon a time, drawing from under his Cassock a double Flask. You are much in the right on't Brother Peter, said I, I believe as the Church believes, and so?my service to you, and here's to the pious memory...