And all the house with the rich odour steam'd. The host bade all sit down: myself, I thought This woman's food, and something solid sought. Large in the centre lay a vacant space, Which herbs and salads did with verdure grace. Then a sea blackbird came, a morsel nice, And disappear'd, devoured in a trice. Then came a ham, t' its foes a helpless prey, And while it lasted none could keep away. But when the feast was o'er I wept with sorrow To think I could not eat on till to-morrow, But must fall back on barley-meal and cheese. * * * * * Black broth subdued him and boil'd pettitoes; Then came some ducks from Salamis, sacred isle, Borne by the cook, who with a cheerful smile, Marshall'd them where the Athenian phalanx stood; And Chærephon survey'd the various food, That he might know to choose and eat the best; Then like a lion leapt he on the feast,[222:1] And seized a mighty leg of turkey hot, To make his supper when he home had got. Then groats which Vulcan made into a cake, And in Attic pan full thirteen months did bake But when our wish for food was satisfied, We wash'd our hands in ocean's foaming tide; One beauteous slave came round with rich perfume, Another garlands strew'd around the room. Then foam'd around old Bacchus' rosy tide, And each guest merrily with his fellow vied. Then the dessert was served; the juicy pear, The apple and pomegranate too were there. The grape, the nurse of Bacchus, and the plum, And fig, and medlar on the table come. But I ate nought, I was so full before, Till I that lovely child of Ceres saw, A large sweet round and yellow cake; how then Could I from such a dish, my friends, abstain? Had I ten mouths, aye, and as many hands, A brazen stomach within brazen bands,[222:2] They all would on that lovely cake have sprung. And so the feast of Stratocles I've sung. 14. And Alexis, in his Men running together, ridiculing the Attic banquets, says-- I wish that I could get a brace of cooks, The cleverest in their art in all the city. For he who a Thessalian would invite, Must never stint his fare in Attic fashion, Nor practise over strict economy; But have in all things a well-order'd feast. And the Thessalians are truly fond of eating; as Eriphus says in his Light-armed Soldier, thus-- It is not Corinth now, nor Lais here, Nor any feast of sumptuous Thessalians, Whose habits well I know.