But soon each dainty dish was clear’d,
And only fleshless bones appear’d,
Each vied with each,[23] and seemed to say,
“I’ll have my belly full to-day.”
The dinner o’er each takes his glass,
And tries his neighbour to surpass:—
“For, where’s the use of wine,” say they,
“Except to banish care away?”—
Forgive my Muse,—her task is o’er;
She recollects but little more,