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| THUS is the Second Course now servèd in. | |
| A Course too coarse for such a dainty Dame: | |
| Yet, Lady, though the cheer be bad and thin; | |
| Because it comes of zeal, accept the same! | |
| And though not worthy of your grace it be; | 5 |
| Yet make it gracious through your courtesy! | |
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| Great sumptuous feasts the stomach doth dislike; | |
| Which oft, in body dangerous surfeits breed: | |
| Where dishes few revive our sense and sprite; | |
| And Nature ’s pleased on little for to feed. | 10 |
| This, as a sauce, your appetite to move, | |
| Accept! where meat ’s the heaRT, where cook is LOVE. | |
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| Nor think the worse, though I have spun a thread | |
| So fine (I mean your praise) I cannot mend: | |
| Since ’tis a Work to ground the wisest head; | 15 |
| And mar I should this loom, this cloth not mend. | |
| So VENUS’ matchless shape APELLES drew; | |
| But how to finish it, he never knew. | |
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| Far more ’s my mind than is my feeble might. | |
| My pencil, for thy picture is too weak. | 20 |
| The sun is only for the eagle’s flight. | |
| My strength’s too small, this hardened ice to break. | |
| Not painted, scarce I thee have shadowed here: | |
| This task ’s for such as have in skill no peer. R. T. | |
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