From family repasts,

Where all the guests claim kin,—nephews and uncles,

And aunts and cousins to the fifth remove!

First you've the sire, a goblet in his hand,

And he deals out his dole of admonition;—

Then comes my lady-mother, a mere homily

Reproof and exhortation!—at her heels

The aunt slips in a word of pious precept.

The grandsire last—a bass voice among trebles,

Thunder succeeding whispers, fires away.