Then stop it
up close for a year or two. You may at first stop it so, that the strong
working may throw out the stopple, and yet keep it close, till it work
strongly. She saith, that such a small proportion of wormwood giveth it a
fine quick tast, and a pale colour with an eye of green. The wormwood must
not be so much, as to discern any the least bitterness in the taste; but
that the composition of it with the honey may give a quickness. The
Rosemary and Sage must be a great deal less then the Wormwood. Sometimes
she stoppeth it up close as soon as she hath Tunned it, and lets it remain
so for three moneths. Then pierce it and draw it into bottles, which stop
well, and tie down the stoppels. This will keep so a long time. She useth
this way most. It makes the Mead drink exceeding quick and pleasant. When
you pierce the Cask, it will flie out with exceeding force, and be ready to
throw out the stopper and spigot.
TO MAKE WHITE MEATH
Take Rosemary, Thyme, Sweet-bryar, Penyroyal, Bayes, of each one handful;
steep them 24 hours in a bowl of fair cold water covered close; next day
boil them very well in another water, till the colour be very high; then
take another water, and boil the same herbs in it, till it look green; and
so boil them in several waters, till they do but just change the colour of
the water.
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