{"id":"01KG8AKY4VFZX92E9AR5QEMTN7","cid":"bafkreihkowit7nopc35bjzqds35pp5qj6gzoa5ntsazgupx6j2mpoxzoy4","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":9153,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:18.539Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 3","source_file":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","start_line":9082,"text":"A few royal epicures, however, there were: epicures intent upon\r\nconcoctions, admixtures, and masterly compoundings; who comported\r\nthemselves with all due deliberation and dignity; hurrying themselves\r\ninto no reckless deglutition of the dainties. Ah! admirable conceit,\r\nLake Como: superseding attendants. For, from hand to hand the trenchers\r\nsailed; no sooner gaining one port, than dispatched over sea to\r\nanother.\r\n\r\nWell suited they were for the occasion; sailing high out of water, to\r\nresist the convivial swell at times ruffling the sociable sea; and\r\nsharp at both ends, still better adapting them to easy navigation.\r\n\r\nBut soon, the Morando, in triumphant decanters, went round, reeling\r\nlike barks before a breeze. But their voyages were brief; and ere long,\r\nin certain havens, the accumulation of empty vessels threatened to\r\nbridge the lake with pontoons. In those directions, Trade winds were\r\nsetting. But full soon, cut out were all unladen and unprofitable\r\ngourds; and replaced by jolly-bellied calabashes, for a time sailing\r\ndeep, yawing heavily to the push.\r\n\r\nAt last, the whole flotilla of trenchers—wrecks and all—were sent\r\nswimming to the further end of Lake Como; and thence removed, gave\r\nplace to ruddy hillocks of fruit, and floating islands of flowers.\r\nChief among the former, a quince-like, golden sphere, that filled the\r\nair with such fragrance, you thought you were tasting its flavor.\r\n\r\nNor did the wine cease flowing. That day the Juam grape did bleed; that\r\nday the tendril ringlets of the vines, did all uncurl and grape by\r\ngrape, in sheer dismay, the sun ripe clusters dropped. Grape-glad were\r\nfive-and-twenty kings: five-and-twenty kings were merry.\r\n\r\nMorando’s vintage had no end; nor other liquids, in the royal cellar\r\nstored, somewhere secret in the grot. Oh! where’s the endless Niger’s\r\nsource? Search ye here, or search ye there; on, on, through ravine,\r\nvega, vale—no head waters will ye find. But why need gain the hidden\r\nspring, when its lavish stream flows by? At three-fold mouths that\r\nDelta-grot discharged; rivers golden, white, and red.\r\n\r\nBut who may sing for aye? Down I come, and light upon the old and prosy\r\nplain.\r\n\r\nAmong other decanters set afloat, was a pompous, lordly-looking\r\ndemijohn, but old and reverend withal, that sailed about, consequential\r\nas an autocrat going to be crowned, or a treasure- freighted argosie\r\nbound home before the wind. It looked solemn, however, though it\r\nreeled; peradventure, far gone with its own potent contents.\r\n\r\nOh! russet shores of Rhine and Rhone! oh, mellow memories of ripe old\r\nvintages! oh, cobwebs in the Pyramids! oh, dust on Pharaoh’s tomb!—all,\r\nall recur, as I bethink me of that glorious gourd, its contents cogent\r\nas Tokay, itself as old as Mohi’s legends; more venerable to look at\r\nthan his beard. Whence came it? Buried in vases, so saith the label,\r\nwith the heart of old Marjora, now dead one hundred thousand moons.\r\nExhumed at last, it looked no wine, but was shrunk into a subtile\r\nsyrup.\r\n\r\nThis special calabash was distinguished by numerous trappings,\r\ncaparisoned like the sacred bay steed led before the Great Khan of\r\nTartary. A most curious and betasseled network encased it; and the\r\nroyal lizard was jealously twisted about its neck, like a hand on a\r\nthroat containing some invaluable secret.\r\n\r\nAll Hail, Marzilla! King’s Own Royal Particular! A vinous Percy! Dating\r\nback to the Conquest! Distilled of yore from purple berries growing in\r\nthe purple valley of Ardair! Thrice hail.\r\n\r\nBut the imperial Marzilla was not for all; gods only could partake; the\r\nKings and demigods of the isles; excluding left-handed descendants of\r\nsad rakes of immortals, in old times breaking heads and hearts in\r\nMardi, bequeathing bars-sinister to many mortals, who now in vain might\r\nurge a claim to a cup-full of right regal Marzilla.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 3"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJW7Y6WFAG3FMN40GAWWT","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKY4VZXAJESDM5JMZ59CY","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AKY4VDZZPZVDBZ5QXNZ4Y","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:20.635Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:33.815Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}