THE MINISTERS AT GREENWICH.
"GREENWICH," they said, and pointed into space;
"The steaming train will bear us thither soon,"
In time for dinner came they to that place,
In which it seemèd always dinner-time.
A place of diners: some with friend or fair,
Slow dropping down the stream, to feast did go;
And those by quicker train did there repair
Who deemed all other locomotion slow,
Nor cared to watch the muddy river's flow.
The sky looked showery, as is oft the case
Now, when no two days ever seem the same;
But yet, despite of Nature's frowning face,
To dine the whitebait-eating members came.
Baskets they saw of that delightful fish
Whose flavour is seductive, and doth make
Those who have tasted say that never dish
Was so delicious, and when they partake
Of these, all other food they straight forsake.
Then some one said, "Why further should we pace?"
And all at once they sang, "This is the place
To spend a happy day. Rest we a little space.
Refreshing is this liquor dry,
Iced well as well can be;"
Drink is "the best of life." Then why
Abstain teetotally?
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