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From “Satires,” Book III. Sat. 3.
THE COURTEOUS citizen bade me to his feast | |
| With hollow words, and overly 1 request: | |
| “Come, will ye dine with me this holiday?” | |
| I yielded, though he hoped I would say nay: | |
| For I had maidened it, as many use; | 5 |
| Loath for to grant, but loather to refuse. | |
| “Alack, sir, I were loath—another day,— | |
| I should but trouble you;—pardon me, if you may.” | |
| No pardon should I need; for, to depart | |
| He gives me leave, and thanks too, in his heart. | 10 |
| Two words for money, Darbyshirian wise: | |
| (That ’s one too many) is a naughty guise. | |
| Who looks for double biddings to a feast, | |
| May dine at home for an importune guest. | |
| I went, then saw, and found the great expense; | 15 |
| The face and fashions of our citizens. | |
| Oh, Cleopatrical! what wanteth there | |
| For curious cost, and wondrous choice of cheer? | |
| Beef, that erst Hercules held for finest fare; | |
| Pork for the fat Bœotian, or the hare | 20 |
| For Martial; fish for the Venetian; | |
| Goose-liver for the licorous Roman; | |
| Th’ Athenian’s goat; quail, Iolaus’ cheer; | |
| The hen for Eseulape, and the Parthian deer; | |
| Grapes for Arcesilas, figs for Pluto’s mouth, | 25 |
| And chestnuts fair for Amarillis’ tooth. | |
| Hadst thou such cheer? wert thou ever there before? | |
| Never,—I thought so: nor come there no more. | |
| Come there no more; for so meant all that cost: | |
| Never hence take me for thy second host. | 30 |
| For whom he means to make an often guest, | |
| One dish shall serve; and welcome make the rest. | |
