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

A ROMAN BANQUET.

85

While Varius, with a napkin, scarce suppress'd His laughter. Balatro, who loves a jest, Cries: " Such is the lot of life, nor must you claim For all your toils a fair return of fame. While you are tortured thus, and torn with pain, A guest like me, polite to entertain, With bread well baked, with sauces season'd right, With slaves in waiting, elegantly tight, Down rush the canopies, a trick of fate, Or a groom footman, stumbling, breaks a plate. Good fortune hides, adversity calls forth A landlord's genius and a leader's worth." To this mine host: " Thou ever gentle guest, May all thy wishes by the gods be bless'd, Thou best good man ! From bed to bed the spreading whisper flies. No play was half so fine. " But when we saw him rise,

HORACE.

But prithee say, How afterwards you laugh'd the time away.

FUNDANIUS.

" Slaves (cries Vibidius), have you broach 'd the cask ? How often must I call for the other flask ? " With some pretended joke our laugh was dress'd, Servilius ever seconding the jest; When you, great host, return 'd with alter'd face, As if to mend with art your late disgrace. The slaves behind, in mighty charger bore A crane, in pieces torn, and powder 'd o'er With salt and flour, and a white gander's liver Stuff'd fat with figs, bespoke the curious giver, Besides the wings of hares, for, so it seems, No man of luxury the back esteems. Then saw we blackbirds, with o'erroasted breast, Laid on a board, and ring-doves rumpless dress'd !