The Old Woman and Empty Cask

An ancient dame a firkin sees, In which the rich Falernian lees Send from the nobly tinctured shell A rare and most delicious smell! There when a season she had clung With greedy nostrils to the bung, "O spirit exquisitely sweet !" She cried, "how perfectly complete Were you of old, and at the best, When ev'n your dregs have such a zest !" They'll see the drift of this my rhyme, Who knew the author in his prime.