Page:Angelo's Pic Nic.djvu/54

THE BANQUET HALL Came, led by Marshal, to the daïs. There every trencher he essays, O'er the GREAT-SALT makes flourishes Kisses each spoon and napkin fair, Assaying whether ill lurk there, Ere he present it to the lord, Or offer it at the REWARDIE The Sewer, half-kneeling on his way, Of every dish recei At the high board, as guard from guile, The Marshal waiting by the while, And ancient carols rising slow From the young Choir and Monks below. And thus, as every course came on, These pomps an awful reverence won ves assave VI Soon as the last high course was o'er, The Chaplain from the cupboard bore The alA's-DISII to the Abbot's board, With viands from the tables stored, And ample loaf, and gave it thence, With due form and good countenance, That the Almoner might it dispense Next came the cup-bearers with wine Malmsey and golden metheglın, With spice-cake and with wafers fine. This o'er, when surnaps all were drawn And solemn Grace again was sung, Came golden ewer and bason, borne In state to the high board along. VII But at high-tide, ere all was past, Marched the huge wassail-bowl the last, Obedient to the Abbot's call, Borne by the Steward of the hal, 4