Oh many a peer of England brews
Livelier liquor than the Muse,
And malt does more than Milton can
To justify God's ways to man.
Ale, man, ale's the stuff to drink
For fellows whom it hurts to think: . . .

A. E. Housman's "A Shropshire Lad" cleverly contrasts the immediate, albeit temporary, relief of alcohol with the enduring but challenging solace offered by poetry and philosophy. In this passage, Terence humorously elevates ale above the esteemed works of John Milton, specifically "Paradise Lost," which famously attempts to "justify the ways of God to men." By suggesting that "malt does more," Terence playfully argues that the simple pleasure of drinking offers a more accessible escape from life's troubles than the intellectual exertion of grappling with profound literature. The line underscores a universal human tendency to seek comfort in simplicity, highlighting the ephemeral nature of such relief. Through Terence's sardonic commentary, Housman invites readers to reflect on the ways people cope with life's complexities, suggesting that while alcohol provides a temporary respite, the deeper, more lasting insights of poetry and philosophy remain invaluable, despite their demands on the mind.