1892 The flowing bowl when and what to drink (1892, c1891)

A ROMAN BANQUET.

83

Another sweeps the fragments of the feast, That nothing useless might offend the guest. Like Ceres' priestess dark Hydaspes rears A bowl that Caecuba's rich vintage bears, While of the Chian grape, the much-famed juice, But dead and vapid, Alcon's hand produce. " If Alban or Falernian please you more," So says our host, "you may have both, good store." Poor wealth, indeed !

HORACE.

But, tell me, who were there,

Thus happy, to enjoy such luscious fare ?

FUNDANIUS.

On the first couch I haply lay between Viscus and Varius, if aright I ween ; Servilius and Vibidius both were there, Brought by Maecenas; and with him they share The middle bed. Our master of the feast On the third couch, in seat of honor placed, Porcius betwixt and Nomentanus lies Porcius, who archly swallows custard pies While Nomentanus, with his finger, shows Each hidden dainty, which so well he knows; For we, poor folk, unknowing of our feast, Eat fish and wild fowl of no common taste. But he, to prove how luscious was the treat, With a broiled flounder's entrails crowds my plate. Then told me: Apples are more ruddy bright, If gathered by fair Luna's waning light. He best can tell you where the difference lies But here Servilius to Vibidius cries: " Sure to be poison'd, unrevenged we die, Unless we drink the wretched talker dry. Slave, give us larger glasses ! A fearful pale our landlord's face o'erspread; " Struck with dread,