[This little song describes the different members of the party just spoken of.]
WHY pacest thou, my neighbour fair,The garden all alone?
If house and land thou seek'st to guard,I'd thee as mistress own.
My brother sought the cellar-maid,And suffered her no rest;She gave him a refreshing draught,A kiss, too, she impress'd.
My cousin is a prudent wight,The cook's by him ador'd;He turns the spit round ceaselessly,To gain love's sweet reward.
We six together then beganA banquet to consume, When lo! a fourth pair singing came,And danced into the room.
Welcome were they,--and welcome tooWas a fifth jovial pair.
Brimful of news, and stored with talesAnd jests both new and rare.
For riddles, spirit, raillery,And wit, a place remain'd;A sixth pair then our circle join'd,And so that prize was gain'd.
And yet to make us truly blest,One miss'd we, and full sore;A true and tender couple came,--
We needed them no more.
The social banquet now goes on,Unchequer'd by alloy;The sacred double-numbers thenLet us at once enjoy!
1802.
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