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THE BANQUET. 



Quae virtus et quanta, boni, sit vivere parvo, 



Discite: 



Jejunus raro stomachus vulgaria tenanit. 



Horat. 



" The freedom nature gave, 

 Her water and her simplest dish." 



Canary Bird's Song. 



Behold now the banquet ! And, first, we remark, 

 That the banqueting -hall was a large shady park ; 

 The table a glade — cloth a carpet of green, 

 Where sweet-smelling shrubs strew'd about might be 



seen. 

 The lilac put forth her delights in the vale; 

 Other spring. flowers' odours were mix'd with the gale. 

 With encouraging smile nature sat at the feast ; 

 Her converse a charm that enraptured each guest. 

 The viands were various to suit every taste, 

 Got together by magic, assisted by haste : 

 The dishes, all simple, no surfeit produce ; 

 Nor did wine's effervescence excite to abuse. 



