This page has been validated.
THE GROANS OF THE TANKARD.
95
"I, who was wont the festal board to grace,
"And 'midst the circle lift my honest face
"White o'er with froth, like Etna crowned with snow,
"Which mantled o'er the brown abyss below,
"Where Ceres mingled with her golden store
"The richer spoils of either India's shore,
"The dulcet reed the Western islands boast,
"And spicy fruit from Banda's fragrant coast.
"At solemn feasts the nectared draught I poured,
"And often journeyed round the ample board:
"The portly Alderman, the stately Mayor,
"And all the furry tribe my worth declare;
"And the keen Sportsman oft, his labours done,
"To me retreating with the setting sun,
"Deep draughts imbibed, and conquered land and sea,
"And overthrew the pride of France—by me.
"And 'midst the circle lift my honest face
"White o'er with froth, like Etna crowned with snow,
"Which mantled o'er the brown abyss below,
"Where Ceres mingled with her golden store
"The richer spoils of either India's shore,
"The dulcet reed the Western islands boast,
"And spicy fruit from Banda's fragrant coast.
"At solemn feasts the nectared draught I poured,
"And often journeyed round the ample board:
"The portly Alderman, the stately Mayor,
"And all the furry tribe my worth declare;
"And the keen Sportsman oft, his labours done,
"To me retreating with the setting sun,
"Deep draughts imbibed, and conquered land and sea,
"And overthrew the pride of France—by me.
"Let meaner clay contain the limpid wave,
"The clay for such an office nature gave;
"The clay for such an office nature gave;
