Call the roller of big cigars, / the muscular one, and bid him whip / in the kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
-- Speaker (Lines 1 – 3)

Importance: This quote starts the poem and provides a concrete image of a sensual moment occurring in the kitchen. It is significant because it presents the speaker as a figure of authority with a task to accomplish and sets the tone for the first stanza.

Let the wenches dawdle in such dress / as they are used to wear
-- Speaker (Lines 4 – 5)

Importance: This quote comes right after the speaker gives orders to the “roller of big cigars” and provides another image to underscore the sexual innuendos being played with in the poem through the use of the word “wenches.” The direction to wear clothes “as they are used to wear” introduces the speaker’s assumed philosophy that a funeral is no more spectacular than the average day.

And let the boys / bring flowers in last month...
-- Speaker (Lines 5 – 6)