Irish Wit and Humor / Anecdote Biography of Swift, Curran, O'Leary and O'Connell

by Anonymous

GRACE AFTER DINNER.

Swift was once invited by a rich miser with a large party to dine; being requested by the host to return thanks at the removal of the cloth, uttered the following grace:—

Thanks for this miracle!—this is no less
Than to eat manna in the wilderness.
Where raging hunger reign'd we've found relief,

And seen that wondrous thing, a piece of beef.
Here chimneys smoke, that never smok'd before,
And we've all ate, where we shall eat no more!