TO MERLIN, THE SOBER JUDGE

There is a river in Phrygia An ancient kingdom in west-central Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey called the Gallus,
Of which if you drink a small amount,
It heals the ailments of the body.
But if you swallow it immoderately, it will swallow you,
Even until you give up your soul,
Never to drink again.
So it is also with the letters of wisdom original: "literæ sophiæ" when lightly touched:
They contribute to a civil life,
And delight one greatly.
But if you gorge yourself too much, they will disturb you,
And drive you into madness,
Or a headlong pursuit of glory.
Since, therefore, you have been made prudent thus far,
Lest you should incur such great loss,
By the consensus of the masters
It was pleasing only to sip at wisdom original: "pitissare," a Greek-derived term for tasting or sipping wine,
Only to touch it with the lips,
And to catch the scent with the nostrils.
Therefore, I declare that you do not do well,
While you hasten here as a judge,
To shake the ears of Midas A reference to King Midas, who was given donkey ears by Apollo for his poor judgment in a musical contest; here used to warn against foolish or arrogant criticism.