Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE INVITATION, by ROBERT HERRICK


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE INVITATION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: To sup with thee thou didst me home invite
Last Line: I'le bring a fever; since thou keep'st no fire.
Subject(s): Food & Eating; Guests; Inhospitality; Visiting


To sup with thee thou didst me home invite;
And mad'st a promise that mine appetite
Sho'd meet and tire, on such lautitious meat,
The like not Heliogabalus did eat:
And richer Wine wo'dst give to me (thy guest)
Then Roman Sylla powr'd out at his feast.
I came; (tis true) and lookt for Fowle of price,
The bastard Phenix; bird of Paradice;
And for no less then Aromatick Wine
Of Maydens-blush, commixt with Jessimine.
Cleane was the herth, the mantle larded jet;
Which wanting Lar, and smoke, hung weeping wet;
At last, i' th' noone of winter, did appeare
A ragd-soust-neats-foot with sick vineger:
And in a burnisht Flagonet stood by
Beere small as Comfort, dead as Charity.
At which amaz'd, and pondring on the food,
How cold it was, and how it child my blood;
I curst the master; and I damn'd the souce;
And swore I'de got the ague of the house.
Well, when to eat thou dost me next desire,
I'le bring a Fever; since thou keep'st no fire.





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