« What I'm writing | Main | "If you want the basket, put the kittens in the brass thing." »

"...the fiery Spirits blaze..."

I quite enjoy this passage from Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock", on coffee:

For lo! the Board with Cups and Spoons is crown’d,
The Berries crackle, and the Mill turns round.
On shining Altars of Japan they raise
The silver Lamp; the fiery Spirits blaze.
From silver Spouts the grateful Liquors glide,
And China’s Earth receives the smoaking Tyde.

If I ever own a coffeehouse, there will definitely be a "Smoaking Tyde" on the menu.

January 26, 2012 in Books | Permalink

Comments