Ere you pass this threshold, stay, And give your creature leave to pay Those pious rites, which unto you, As to our household gods, are due. Instead of sacrifice, each breast Is like a flaming altar drest With zealous fires, which from pure hearts Love mix'd with loyalty imparts. Incense nor gold have we, yet bring As rich and sweet an offering; And such as doth both these express, Which is our humble thankfulness; By which is paid the all we owe To gods above, or men below. The slaughter'd beast, whose flesh should feed The hungry flames, we for pure need Dress for your supper; and the gore Which should be dash'd on every door, We change into the lusty blood Of youthful vines, of which a flood Shall sprightly run through all your veins, First to your health, then your fair train's. We shall want nothing but good fare, To show your welcome and our care; Such rarities, that come from far, From poor men's houses banish'd are: Yet we'll express in homely cheer How glad we are to see you here. We 'll have whate'er the season yields, Out of the neighbouring woods and fields; For all the dainties of your board Will only be what those afford; And, having supp'd, we may perchance Present you with a country dance. Thus much your servants, that bear sway Here in your absence, bade me say, And beg, besides, you'ld hither bring Only the mercy of a king, And not the greatness: since they have A thousand faults must pardon crave, But nothing that is fit to wait Upon the glory of your state. Yet your gracious favour will, They hope, as heretofore, shine still On their endeavours, for they swore, Should Jove descend, they could no more. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MOUSE'S PETITION TO DOCTOR PRIESTLY FOUND IN THE TRAP .. by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD FROM THE IONIAN ISLANDS by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES SONNET: 17. TO SIR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER by JOHN MILTON VERSES ON SEEING THE SPEAKER ASLEEP IN HIS CHAIR by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED HOW CYRUS LAID THE CABLE [JULY 29, 1866] by JOHN GODFREY SAXE |