Classic Poem

SAT. III.

The courteous Citizen bad me to his feast,
With hollow words, and ouerly request:
Come, will ye dine with me this Holy day?
I yeelded, tho he hop'd I would say Nay :
For had I mayden'd it, as many vse,
Loath for to grant, but loather to refuse.
Alacke sir , I were loath, Another day:
I should but trouble you: pardon me if you may.
No pardon should I neede, for to depart
He giues me leaue, and thanks too in his heart.
Two wordes for money Darbishirian wise :
(That's one too many) is a naughtie guise.
Who lookes for double biddings to a feast,
May dine at home for an importune guest.
I went, and saw, and found the great expence,
The fare and fashions of our Citizens.
O: Cleopatricall : what wanteth there
For curious cost, and wondrous choise of cheare?
Beefe, that earst Hercules held for finest fare:
Porke for the fat Baeotian , or the hare
For Martiall: fish for the Venetian ,
Goose liuer for the likerous Romane ,
Th' Athenians goate, Quaile, Iolaus cheere,
The Hen for Esculape , and the Parthian Deere ,
Grapes for Arcesilas, figs for Platoes mouth.
And Chesnuts faire for Amarillis tooth.
Had'st thou such cheer? wer't thou euer ther before?
Neuer: I thought so: nor come there no more.
Come there no more, for so ment all that cost:
Neuer hence take me for thy second host.
For whom he meanes to make an often guest,
One dish shall serue, and welcomes make the rest.