This in the Pot he plung'd without Delay,
To tame the Flesh, and drain the Salt away.
The Time between, before the Fire they sat,
And shorten'd the delay by pleasing Chat.
A Beam there was, on which a Beechen Pail
Hung by the Handle, on a driven Nail:
This fill'd with Water, gently warm'd, they set
Before their Guests; in this they bath'd their Feet,
And after with clean Towels dry'd their Sweat.
This done, the Host produc'd the genial Bed,
Sallow the Feet, the Borders, and the Sted,
Which with no costly Coverlet they spread,
But course old Garments; yet such Robes as these
They laid alone, at Feasts, on Holydays.
The good old Housewife, tucking up her Gown,
The Table sets, th' invested Gods lie down.
The Trivet-Table of a Foot was lame,
A Blot which prudent Baucis overcame,
Who thursts beneath the limping Leg a Sherd,
So was the mended Board exactly rear'd:
Then rubb'd it o'er with newly gather'd Mint,
A wholesom Herb, that breath'd a grateful Scent.
Pallas began the Feast, where first was seen
The Party-colour'd Olive, Black, and Green:
Autumnal Cornals next in order serv'd,
In Lees of Wine well pickled, and preserv'd.
A Garden Sallad was the third Supply,
Of Endive, Radishes, and Succory:
Then Curds, and Cream, the Flow'r of Country Fare,
And new-laid Eggs, which Baucis' busie Care
Turn'd by a gentle Fire, and roasted rare.
All these in Earthen Ware were serv'd to Board;
And next in Place, an Earthen Pitcher stor'd,
With Liquor of the best the Cottage could afford.
This was the Table's Ornament, and Pride,
With Figures wrought: Like Pages at his Side
Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/38
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Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Book 8.
Stood
