So grateful to the sense, that none refuse;
While odoriferous gums fill all the room.
Water is served too, cold, and fresh, and clear;
Bread, saffron tinged, that looks like leaves of gold.
The board is gaily spread with honey pure,
And savoury cheese. The altar, too, which stands
Full in the centre, crown'd with flow'ry wreaths;
The house resounds with music and with song,
With songs of grateful praise, such as become
The wise and good to offer to the gods,
In chaste and modest phrase. They humbly ask,
Pouring their free libations, to preserve
A firm and even mind; to do no wrong,
But equal justice to dispense to all;
A task more easy, more delightful far,
Than to command, to slander, or oppress.
At such repasts each guest may safely drink
As much as suits his sober appetite,
Then unattended seek his home, unless
His feeble age requires assistance. Him
Above all others let us praise, who while
The cheerful cup goes round, shall charm the guests
With free recital of acts worthy praise,
And fit to be remember'd; that inspire
The soul to valour, and the love of fame,
The meed of virtuous action. Far from us
The war of Titans; or the bloody strife
Of the seditious Centaurs; such examples
Have neither use nor profit—wiser far
To look to brighter patterns that instruct,
And lead the mind to great and good pursuits.—Anon.
Alexis. (Book xi. § 9, p. 731.)
Do you not know that by the term call'd life,
We mean to give a softer tone to ills
That man is heir to? Whether I judge right
Or wrong in this, I'll not presume to say—
Having reflected long and seriously,
To this conclusion I am brought at last,
