Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE INVITATION (IN IMITATION HORACE'S EPISTLE TO TORQUATUS), by THOMAS SHERIDAN (1687-1738)


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE INVITATION (IN IMITATION HORACE'S EPISTLE TO TORQUATUS), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear doctor -- being you're so kind
Last Line: Since nought can more oblige your, sh----ry.
Subject(s): Food & Eating


Dear Doctor -- Being you're so kind
To take a snack of what you find
With me today, let me just think
How I may make the sequel clink
(For you I know will dine the better
When invitation comes in meter);
Hold -- let me see -- I've found a way.
I borrowed Pegasus today
To ride -- to church; and, being Sunday,
I'll make the most of him for one day.
Him I ha'n't crossed this year before,
And mayn't again in two years more.
It now is past the eleventh hour,
And faith I dread this heavy shower
(And can you say my fears are vain?
Who don't lament this heavy rain?),
For this may change the ladies' minds,
Since they are oft compared to winds;
And lest it should, this note must go
To beg that I mayn't find it so,
But that they'll come and take a share
Of such, as here's the Bill of Fare.
With roots, of beef that's boiled, a buttock,
Crammed fowls with oyster sauce, a fat duck.
A side dish made for your own belly --
You know what you bespoke -- an eel-pie.
These, celery, goose, and nothing worse
This completes; now for second course.
At th' upper end the wild fowl's placed.
The sideboard with a sirloin's graced.
Four things more make up the meal,
Our liquors -- claret, potent ale,
A quart of rum with juice of lemon,
Which we'll tope off like any seamen;
And then -- break up, for too much drinking
Dulls the wit and spoils our thinking,
Makes us trip like foundered horses --
Nor tongue nor feet can keep their courses --
Divulges secrets, dims our reason,
Makes (mum for that) the W----gs talk treason.
This pocket from your Lady's sight
And Mrs. W----, that toast so bright,
Whose eyes may light you home at night.
Be sure you don't forget Miss E----e,
Who I desire may wear her new stays,
And come and play and bawl and squeak
Enough to serve her for a week.
I hope, like her, you'll all be merry,
Since nought can more oblige your, Sh----ry.





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