Poems on Various Subjects with some Essays in Prose, Letters to Correspondents, &c. and A Treatise on Health. By Samuel Bowden |
Translation from Martial.
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Poems on Various Subjects | ||
159
Translation from Martial.
Lib. 7. Epig. 84.
To John I*****d, Esq;
By the Same.
O! how shou'd my friendship, my bounty appear,
Wou'd heaven but give me five hundred a year?
What a table I'd keep! what numbers maintain?
Treat strangers with port,—and my friends with champaigne:
Not a creature shou'd sigh for a favour deny'd;
The Gods prais'd thy bounty,—and kindly comply'd.
But now not a stranger must enter thy door,
Thy coat, and thy table, much worse than before.
Instead of thy port, and champaigne,—who wou'd think it?
Thy wine is so bad, not a creature can drink it.
Ne'er a friend in distress—now 'tis come to a trial,
Who desires thy help—but receives a denial.
Either let thy great bounty, and friendship appear,
Or restore back again the five hundred a year.
Wou'd heaven but give me five hundred a year?
What a table I'd keep! what numbers maintain?
Treat strangers with port,—and my friends with champaigne:
Not a creature shou'd sigh for a favour deny'd;
The Gods prais'd thy bounty,—and kindly comply'd.
But now not a stranger must enter thy door,
Thy coat, and thy table, much worse than before.
Instead of thy port, and champaigne,—who wou'd think it?
Thy wine is so bad, not a creature can drink it.
Ne'er a friend in distress—now 'tis come to a trial,
Who desires thy help—but receives a denial.
Either let thy great bounty, and friendship appear,
Or restore back again the five hundred a year.
Poems on Various Subjects | ||