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— William Blake

Does the Eagle know what is in the pit?

Or wilt thou go ask the Mole:

Can Wisdom be put in a silver rod?

Or Love in a golden bowl?

…

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noun

One who, or that which, accelerates.

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FIRST PRINTED IN MDCCLXXIV., AFTER THE AUTHOR'S DEATH.

27 lines
Oliver Goldsmith·1728–1774
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r. Goldsmith and some of his friends occasionally dined at the St.James's Coffee-house. One day it was proposed to write epitaphs on him.His country, dialect, and person furnished subjects of witticism. Hewas called on for retaliation, and at their next meeting produced thefollowing poem. Of old, when Scarron his companions invited,Each guest brought his dish, and the feast was united;If our landlord[4] supplies us with beef and with fish,Let each guest bring himself, and he brings the best dish.Our Dean[5] shall be venison, just fresh from the plains;Our Burke[6] shall be tongue, with a garnish of brains;Our Will[7] shall be wild-fowl of excellent flavour,And Dick[8] with his pepper shall heighten the savour;Our Cumberland's[9] sweet-bread its place shall obtain,And Douglas[10] is pudding, substantial and plain;Our Garrick's[11] a salad; for in him we seeOil, vinegar, sugar, and saltness agree:To make out the dinner, full certain I amThat Ridge[12] is anchovy, and Reynolds[13] is lamb;That Hickey's[14] a capon, and, by the same rule,Magnanimous Goldsmith a gooseberry fool.At a dinner so various—at such a repastWho'd not be a glutton, and stick to the last?Here, waiter, more wine! let me sit while I'm able,Till all my companions sink under the table,Then, with chaos and blunders encircling my head,Let me ponder, and tell what I think of the dead.
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