And mourn the manners of a feebler race?

130

At that long table, where the servants found

Mirth and abundance while the year went round;

Where a huge pollard on the winter-fire

At a huge distance made them all retire;

Where not a measure in the room was kept,

And but one rule—they tippled till they slept:

There would it see a pale old hag preside,

A thing made up of stinginess and pride;