IN PRAISE OF MODERN WOMEN br br “There is truth in wine, ” claimed the Romans br Those ancient imbibers should have known better br As should those women who laughingly poured br The remains of the bottle into my glass br When told of the French belief or cunning ploy br That if an unattached women drains the dregs br She will never find a partner br A ruse I pass on to this generation br It’s earned me many undeserved drinks. br br Today they jeer in apparent disbelief br Think about it for a while before br Topping up my glass using language br Their mothers pretended not to know. br br I have reflected many times br If there was verity in that anecdote br Some very good friends would have lived br Happier lives had they told me to dropp dead br Or more likely go to hell br And drained the last drops from the bottle.