3690Their table with rich damask cloths was spread,

Whose every twist outvied the double cable,

The napkins diaper, of equal thread,

The mourning trenchers clothèd were in sable.

A curious salt cut out o' th' boulder stone—

And for their plate—sincerely there was none.

The dropsied host like to a sew'r did strut,

To marshal every dish; and first did bring

A spacious bowl, to scour the narrow gut,

Of nut brown ale, a liquor for a king.