James Holly Hanford
Excerpt:
Among the mediaeval debates which have enjoyed the widest currency and have retained their hold on popular interest for the longest time is the contention between Wine and Water. Poems on this subject are extant in most of the languages of mediaeval Europe; and the tradition has persisted with surprising vitality through more than seven centuries down to the pent day. The bickering of these two ancient foes may still be heard on the lips of the peasantry of Germany, France, and Spain