Horace in London Consisting of imitations of the first two books of the odes of Horace. By the authors of the rejected addresses, or the new theatrum poetarum [Horace and James Smith] |
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Horace in London | ||
72
ODE XX. THE BARD'S BANQUET.
Vile potabis modicis Sabinum.
To George Colman the Younger.
Accept, comic mortal, this poor imitation;
Its birth was propitious tho' humble its claim;
'Twas penn'd when the Theatres' loud acclamation
Established for ever your title to Fame.
Its birth was propitious tho' humble its claim;
'Twas penn'd when the Theatres' loud acclamation
Established for ever your title to Fame.
When London re-echos the praise of Colman,
Shall I by my Harp in despondency sit?
No—Horace in London shall not be the sole man
Withholding his tribute from genius and wit.
Shall I by my Harp in despondency sit?
No—Horace in London shall not be the sole man
Withholding his tribute from genius and wit.
Then come to my banquet, 'tis lowly I know it,
And no pungent relish the appetite lures,
For what can a dull inexperienced poet,
Produce that will tickle a palate like yours?
And no pungent relish the appetite lures,
For what can a dull inexperienced poet,
Produce that will tickle a palate like yours?
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But as to my guests, they shall feast upon treasures
Sufficient to charm the most epicure elf;
My long bill of fare is a budget of pleasures,
Comprised in one exquisite item—yourself.
Sufficient to charm the most epicure elf;
My long bill of fare is a budget of pleasures,
Comprised in one exquisite item—yourself.
Horace in London | ||