Mrs. Merdle Discourseth again on Dinner.
But you are not eating, and I fear that the fish,
Or else 't is the gravy's not done to your wish.
You're starving while waiting for something to eat—
Thank fortune I told you how poorly we live—
I hope John now will give us a piece of roast meat,
Or else such a dinner you'd never forgive.
Why yes, Merdle, look, there is beef on that dish—
Jane Hill, don't you see, there's a plate here to shift—
That John is now bringing—'t is all he can lift—
And Colonel, that turkey, you know 't is my wish—
You know that Excelsior's your motto in carving—
As nothing more now we shall have on the table
“We'll eat and give thanks this day that we're able
To keep our poor bodies entirely from starving.
Now Susan's this all that you've been able to pick up?
Oh, no! there's a ham, and it's done to a turn
So nice, that the nose of a Jew needn't stick up;
And a tongue—well, a tongue I never could spurn;
It's nice while the wine at our leisure we sip;
And good with a cracker in wine we can dip.
{Illustration: “MY APPETITE'S NONE OF THE BEST AND SO I MUST PAMPER
THE DELICATE THING. AND TICKLE A FANCY THAT'S VERY CAPRICIOUS WITH
BITS OF A TURKEY, THE BREAST OR THE WING. WITH KIRF VERY TENDER AND
GRAVY DELICIOUS."}
Mrs. Merdle Accepteth of a slight Dinner, suitable for a Woman suffering with Dyspepsia.
Some turkey? why yes—the least mite will suffice;
A side bone and dressing and bit of the breast;
The tip of the rump—that's it—and one o' the fli's—
In spite of the doctor: my appetite's none of the best,
And so I must pamper the delicate thing,
And tickle a fancy that's very capricious
With bits of a turkey, the breast or the wing,
With beef very tender, and gravy delicious.
Some beef now? I thank you, not any at present;
I'll nibble a little at what I have got,
And wish for a duck, or a grouse, or a pheasant,
Though none of them come for a wish, in the pot.