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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VIRGIDEMIAE: BOOK 3: SATIRE: 3 by JOSEPH HALL

First Line: THE COURTEOUS CITIZEN BAD ME TO HIS FEAST
Last Line: ONE DISH SHALL SERUE, AND WELCOMES MAKE THE REST.
Subject(s): FEASTS; GREECE; GREEKS;

The courteous Citizen bad me to his feast,
With hollow words, and ouerly request:
Come, will ye dine with me this Holy day?
I yeelded, tho he hop'd I would say @3Nay:@1
For had I mayden'd it, as many vse,
Loath for to grant, but loather to refuse.
@3Alacke sir,@1 I were loath, @3Another day:
I should but trouble you: pardon me if you may.@1
No pardon should I neede, for to depart
He giues me leaue, and thanks too in his heart.
Two wordes for money @3Darbishirian wise:@1
(That's one too many) is a naughtie guise.
Who lookes for double biddings to a feast,
May dine at home for an importune guest.
I went, and saw, and found the great expence,
The fare and fashions of our Citizens.
O: @3Cleopatricall:@1 what wanteth there
For curious cost, and wondrous choise of cheare?
Beefe, that earst @3Hercules@1 held for finest fare:
Porke for the fat @3Boeotian,@1 or the hare
For Martiall: fish for the @3Venetian,@1
Goose liuer for the likerous @3Romane,
Th' Athenians@1 goate, Quaile, @3Iolaus@1 cheere,
The @3Hen@1 for @3Esculape,@1 and the @3Parthian Deere,
Grapes@1 for @3Arcesilas, figs@1 for @3Platoes@1 mouth.
And Chesnuts faire for @3Amarillis@1 tooth.
Had'st thou such cheer? wer't thou euer ther before?
Neuer: I thought so: nor come there no more.
Come there no more, for so ment all that cost:
@3Neuer hence take me for thy second host.@1
For whom he meanes to make an often guest,
One dish shall serue, and welcomes make the rest.



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