"It cleanses the soul of sorrow," answered the other. "Good, friend!" they all exclaimed. "Now every one in turn shall praise the noble juice in some worthy saying."
"You begin--the chief prophet of the temple of Atnenophis."
"Sorrow is a poison," said the priest, "and wine is the antidote."
"Well said!--go on; it is your turn, my lord privy councillor."
"Every thing has its secret spring," said the official, "and wine is the secret of joy."
"Now you, my lord keeper of the seal."
"Wine seals the door on discontent, and locks the gates on sorrow."
"That it does, that it certainly does!--Now the governor of Hermothis, the oldest of all the company."
"Wine ripens especially for us old folks, and not for you young people."
"That you must explain," cried a voice from the table of the military officers.
"It makes young men of the old," laughed the octogenarian, "and children of the young."
"He has you there, you youngsters," cried Gagabu. "What have you to say, Septah?"
"Wine is a poison," said the morose haruspex, "for it makes fools of wise men."
"Then you have little to fear from it, alas!" said Gagabu laughing. "Proceed, my lord of the chase."
"The rim of the beaker," was the answer, "is like the lip of the woman you love. Touch it, and taste it, and it is as good as the kiss of a bride."
"General--the turn is yours."
"I wish the Nile ran with such wine instead of with water," cried the soldier, "and that I were as big as the colossus of Atnenophis, and that the biggest obelisk of Hatasu were my drinking vessel, and that I might drink as much as I would! But now--what have you to say of this noble liquor, excellent Gagabu?"
The second prophet raised his beaker, and gazed lovingly at the golden fluid; he tasted it slowly, and then said with his eyes turned to heaven: "I only fear that I am unworthy to thank the Gods for such a divine blessing."
"Well said!" exclaimed the Regent Ani, who had re-entered the room unobserved. "If my wine could speak, it would thank you for such a speech."
"Hail to the Regent Ani!" shouted the guests, and they all rose with their cups filled with his noble present.