Hoyt & Roberts, comps. Hoyts New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations. 1922.
Festivities
On such an occasion as this, All time and nonsense scorning, Nothing shall come amiss, And we wont go home till morning. John B. BuckstoneBilly Taylor. Act I. Sc. 2.
Why should we break up Our snug and pleasant party? Time was made for slaves, But never for us so hearty. John B. BuckstoneBilly Taylor. Act I. Sc. 2.
As much valour is to be found in feasting as in fighting, and some of our city captains and carpet knights will make this good, and prove it. BurtonAnatomy of Melancholy. Pt. I. Sec. II. Memb. 2. Subsect. 2.
There was a sound of revelry by night, And Belgiums capital had gatherd then Her Beauty and her Chivalry, and bright The lamps shone oer fair women and brave men. ByronChilde Harold. Canto III. St. 21.
The music, and the banquet, and the wine The garlands, the rose odors, and the flowers, The sparkling eyes, and flashing ornaments The white arms and the raven hairthe braids, And bracelets; swan-like bosoms, and the necklace, An India in itself, yet dazzling not. ByronMarino Faliero. Act IV. Sc. 1. L. 51.
Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry. Ecclesiastes. VIII. 15. See also Luke. XII. 19.
Neque pauciores tribus, neque plures novem. Not fewer than three nor more than nine. Quoted by ErasmusFam. Coll. The number for a dinner, according to a proverb.
The service was of great array, That they were served with that day. Thus they ate, and made them glad, With such service as they had When they had dined, as I you say, Lordis and ladies yede to play; Some to tables and some to chess, With other games more and less. The Life of Ipomydon. Harleian Library. (British Museum.) MS. No. 2,252.
Non ampliter, sed munditer convivium; plus sails quam sumptus. A feast not profuse but elegant; more of salt [refinement] than of expense. Quoted by MontaigneEssays. Bk. III. Ch. IX. From an ancient poet, cited by Nonnius Marcellus. XI. 19. Also from Cornelius NeposLife of Atticus. Ch. XIII.
This night I hold an old accustomd feast, Whereto I have invited many a guest, Such as I love; and you among the store, One more, most welcome, makes my number more. Romeo and Juliet. Act I. Sc. 2. L. 20.
We keep the day. With festal cheer, With books and music, surely we Will drink to him, whateer he be, And sing the songs he loved to hear. TennysonIn Memoriam. CVII.