Euenos – whether of Paros, Askalon
or three-cornered Sicily;
even he has forgotten –
stumbled out on stage, looked around,
looked some more,
and finally said, after clearing his throat:
The best measure of Bacchus is neither much nor very little,
for he is the cause either of inspiration or of pain.
He rejoiceth when he maketh four with three Nymphs;
then too is he most apt for the bedchamber.
But if he blow too strong,
then doth he turn aside from our loves
and plungeth us in a sleep
that is neighbor unto death.
