“In chorus we sing of wine, sweet wine,
Its power benign, and its flavor divine.”
--_Martenz de la Rosa._
Bacchus, the youngest of the gods, was the son of Jupiter and Semele.
His mother, instigated by the jealous Juno, who appeared to her in
disguise, demanded of Jupiter that he should reveal himself to her in
all his power and majesty. Jupiter unwillingly complied and, making his
thunder bolts milder than usual, appeared before her. The lightning
which played about his head set fire to the palace and Semele was
consumed. The child, Bacchus, was snatched from the flames by his
brother Mercury and borne away to the nymphs, who guarded him most
faithfully.
While still a youth Bacchus was appointed god of wine. Spring was a
season of gladness for him, winter a time of sorrow. He delighted in
roaming over the world borne by his followers or riding in his chariot
drawn by wild beasts. His train was composed of men and women, nymphs,
fauns and satyrs who drank wine made from water and sunshine, ate
grapes, and sang the praises of their leader.
“We follow Bacchus! Bacchus on the wing,
A-conquering!
Bacchus, young Bacchus! good or ill betide,
We dance before him through kingdoms wide.”
--_Keats._