Poets I invited,
Who love other’s songs far more

Than what they’ve indited. 
All acceded to my wish,

All proposed attending. 
Johnny, go and look around!

Are they hither wending?

Not a single one appears,

None seem this way posting. 
All the soup boils fast away,

Joints are over-roasting. 
Ah, I fear that we have been

Rather too unbending! 
Johnny, tell me what you think!

None are hither wending.

Johnny, run and quickly bring

Other guests to me now! 
Each arriving as he is—­

That’s the plan, I see now. 
In the town at once ’tis known,

Every one’s commending. 
Johnny, open all the doors: 

All are hither wending!

1815.*
-----
The reckoning.

Leader.

Let no cares now hover o’er us

Let the wine unsparing run! 
Wilt thou swell our merry chorus?

Hast thou all thy duty done?

Solo.

Two young folks—­the thing is curious—­

Loved each other; yesterday
Both quite mild, to-day quite furious,

Next day, quite the deuce to pay! 
If her neck she there was stooping,

He must here needs pull his hair. 
I revived their spirits drooping,

And they’re now a happy pair.

Chorus.

Surely we for wine may languish!

Let the bumper then go round! 
For all sighs and groans of anguish

Thou to-day in joy hast drown’d.

Solo.

Why, young orphan, all this wailing?

“Would to heaven that I were dead! 
For my guardian’s craft prevailing

Soon will make me beg my bread.” 
Knowing well the rascal genus,

Into court I dragg’d the knave;
Fair the judges were between us,

And the maiden’s wealth did save.

Chorus.

Surely we for wine may languish!

Let the bumper then go round! 
For all sighs and groans of anguish

Thou to-day in joy hast drown’d.

Solo.

To a little fellow, quiet,

Unpretending and subdued,
Has a big clown, running riot,

Been to-day extremely rude. 
I bethought me of my duty,

And my courage swell’d apace,
So I spoil’d the rascal’s beauty,

Slashing him across the face.

Chorus.

Surely we for wine may languish!

Let the bumper then go round! 
For all sighs and groans of anguish

Thou to-day in joy hast drown’d.

Solo.

Brief must be my explanation,

For I really have done nought. 
Free from trouble and vexation,

I a landlord’s business bought. 
There I’ve done, with all due ardour,

All that duty order’d me;
Each one ask’d me for the larder,