THE LITTLE TEA BOOK 



THE TEA-TABLE 



Hail, Queen of Plants, Pride of Elysian Bow- 



'rs ! 



How shall we speak thy complicated Pow'rs ? 

 Thou Won'drous Panacea to ass wage 

 The Calentures of Youths' fermenting rage, 

 And Animate the freezing Veins of age. 



To Bacchus when our Griefs repair for Ease, 

 The Remedy proves worse than the Disease. 

 Where Reason we must lose to keep the Round, 

 And drinking others Health's, our own con- 

 found : 



Whilst TEA, our Sorrows to beguile, 

 Sobriety and Mirth does reconcile : 

 For to this Nectar we the Blessing owe, 

 To grow more Wise, as we more Cheerful grow. 



Whilst fancy does her brightest beams dispense, 

 And decent Wit diverts without Offense. 

 Then in Discourse of Nature's mystick Pow'rs 

 And Noblest Themes, we pass the well spent 



Hours. 



Whilst all around the Virtues' Sacred Band, 

 Andlist'ning Graces, pleas' d Attendants, stand 



Thus our Tea-Conversation we employ, 

 Where with Delight, Instruction we enjoy ; 

 Quaffing, without the waste of Time or Wealth, 

 The Sov'reign Drink of Pleasure and of Health. 



80 



