The World of Courtesans c13.38

c13.38

Then the drinking party began and white, yellow, black, bitter wines and liquors were served Strong grape wine was drunk only after they had taken some *ghee*, for it was supposed to lessen its potency Now and then the participants bit their teeth into pieces of green ginger and munched meat or parched grains They talked among themselves, spoke of the excellence of the drinks and the food. In drunken torpor some saw the reflection of their eyes in a mirror; some of them ran hither and thither for fear of black bees, while some others kissed the face of his beloved reflected in the wine cup An inebriated girl kissed the lover who had filled her with drinks. Another in her drunken state quarrelled with her lover. The cheeks of men and women soon became flushed, the eyes reddened, their spirit broke and their bodies were no longer taut and firm They fought among themselves, abused each other and laughed.