University of Virginia Library

A Burlesque Imitation of the First Ode of Horace.

Hinton , whose happy-humour'd Face
Proclaims thy gen'rous jovial Race;
Frequent thou hast observ'd at Feasts,
The various Tastes of different Guests.
This Squire in Venison is a Glutton,
That swears the Prince of Meats is Mutton.
East-Saxons stick by kindred Veal,
And Pork to Tarr is Duck and Teal.
Hucks will forsake good Beef and Mustard,
To run a muck at filthy Custard;
And Thee I've seen, with Paunch of Yeoman,
Quilt Cheesecake like a very Woman.
Pudding the Parson still commends,
And Dumpling too has many Friends.
Yet oft in vain an honest Host,
May lavish forth Boil'd, Bak'd, and Roast:
Some travell'd Fop, more nice than wise,
Shall wholesome Luxury despise,
And rise from Table in Disdain,
For want of Ragouts and Champaign.
To me, whom frugal Nature meant
A Fool on easier Terms content.
Nought comes amiss that Fate assigns,
Soups, Hashees, Fricasses, or Chines:
But, since each Man will chuse his Dish,
If I too might indulge my Wish,
When in the circling Annual Dance
November shall her Ides advance,
To grace my Birth-Day ev'ry Year,
Turkey should Crown my Bill of Fare.