The evening sun was sinking fast;

I sat me down in sorry mood,

And darkly look'd upon the food.

Dyspepsia!

My happy comrades' bright eyes beam'd,

And o'er the steaming potage gleam'd;

Alas! not mine to find relief

In whitebait's flavour bright and brief.

Dyspepsia!

"Try not the duck," my conscience said;