Stand sniffing the duck-stuffing (onion and sage),

And the scullions and cooks,

With fidgety looks,

Are grumbling and mutt'ring, and scowling as black

As cooks always do when the dinner's put back;

For though the board's deckt, and the napery, fair

As the unsunned snow-flake, is spread out with care,

And the Dais is furnished with stool and with chair,

And plate of orféverie costly and rare,

Apostle-spoons, salt-cellar, all are there,