Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects Occasionally Composed By An Eminent Author. Collected and Published by Sergeant-Major P. F. [i.e. James Howell] |
Of the tru Observation of Lent.
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Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects | ||
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Of the tru Observation of Lent.
Now Lent is come, let us refrainFrom Carnal Cretures quick or slain:
Let's curb, and macerat the Flesh;
Impound, and keep it in distress
For forty days, and then we shall
Have a Replevin from the thrall
By that bless'd Prince, who for this Fast
Will give us Angels food at last.
But to abstain from Beef, Hog, Goose,
And let our Appetites go loose
To Lobsters, Crabs, Prawns, or such Fish,
We do not Fast, but Feast in this.
Not to let down Lamb, Kid, or Veal;
Hen, Plover, Turkicock or Teal,
And eat Botargo, Caviar,
Anchoves, Oisters, and like fare:
Or to forbear from Flesh, Fowl, Fish,
And eat Potatoes in a Dish
Done o'er with Ambar, or a Mess
Of Ringos in a Spanish Dress:
Or to refrain from each hot thing
Which Water, Earth, or Air, doth bring;
And play a hundred pounds at Gleek;
Or be at Saunt when we shold sleep:
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And feed our thoughts with Wanton Wishes;
Making the Soul, like a Light Wench,
VVear Patches of Concupiscence.
This is not to keep Lent aright,
But play the Juggling Hypocrit.
He keeps Lent more, who tames the inward Man,
Then he, who makes the outward feed on Bran.
Poems On several Choice and Various Subjects | ||