How nice it is to eat! All creatures love it so That they who first did spread, Ere breaking bread, A cloth like level snow, Were right, I know. And they were wise and sweet Who, glad that meats taste good, Used speech in an arch style, And oft would smile To raise the cheerful mood, While at their food. And those who first, so neat, Placed fork and knife quite straight, The glass on the right hand; And all, as planned, Each day set round the plate, Be their praise great! For then, their hearts being light, They plucked hedge-posies bright Flowers who, their scent being sweet, Give nose and eye a treat: 'Twas they, my heart can tell, Not eating fast but well, Who wove the spell Which finds me every day, And makes each meal-time gay; I know 'twas they. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ELEONORA; A PANEGYRICAL POEM by JOHN DRYDEN BEAUTIFUL MEALS by THOMAS STURGE MOORE FARM-YARD SONG by JOHN TOWNSEND TROWBRIDGE PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 79. AL-TAWWAB by EDWIN ARNOLD SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 7. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) ASTROPHEL'S SONG OF PHILLIDA AND CORYDON by NICHOLAS BRETON TWO SKETCHES: 2. A.B. by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |