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A
ROMAN
BANQUET.
83
Another
sweeps
the
fragments
of
the
feast,
That
nothing
useless
might
offend
the
guest.
Like
Ceres'
priestess
dark
Hydaspes
rears
A
bowl
that
Caecuba's
rich
vintage
bears,
While
of
the
Chian
grape,
the
much-famed
juice,
But
dead
and
vapid,
Alcon's
hand
produce.
"
If
Alban
or
Falernian
please
you
more,"
So
says
our
host,
"you
may
have
both,
good
store."
Poor
wealth,
indeed
!
HORACE.
But,
tell
me,
who
were
there,
Thus
happy,
to
enjoy
such
luscious
fare
?
FUNDANIUS.
On
the
first
couch
I
haply
lay
between
Viscus
and
Varius,
if
aright
I
ween
;
Servilius
and
Vibidius
both
were
there,
Brought
by
Maecenas;
and
with
him
they
share
The
middle
bed.
Our
master
of
the
feast
On
the
third
couch,
in
seat of
honor
placed,
Porcius
betwixt
and
Nomentanus
lies
Porcius,
who
archly
swallows
custard
pies
While
Nomentanus,
with
his
finger,
shows
Each
hidden
dainty,
which
so
well
he
knows;
For
we,
poor
folk,
unknowing
of
our
feast,
Eat
fish
and
wild
fowl
of
no
common
taste.
But
he,
to
prove
how
luscious
was
the
treat,
With
a
broiled
flounder's
entrails
crowds
my
plate.
Then
told
me:
Apples
are
more
ruddy
bright,
If
gathered
by
fair
Luna's
waning
light.
He
best
can
tell
you
where
the
difference
lies
But
here
Servilius
to
Vibidius
cries:
" Sure
to
be
poison'd,
unrevenged
we
die,
Unless
we
drink
the
wretched
talker
dry.
Slave,
give
us
larger
glasses
!
"
Struck
with
dread,
A
fearful
pale
our
landlord's
face
o'erspread;