A dinner lubricates business.

A dinner lubricates business.

But that our feasts
In every mess have folly, and the feeders
Digest it with a custom, read more

But that our feasts
In every mess have folly, and the feeders
Digest it with a custom, I should blush
To see you so attired, swoon, I think,
To show myself a glass.

The belly (i.e. necessity) is the teacher of art and the liberal
bestower of wit.
[Lat., Magister artis read more

The belly (i.e. necessity) is the teacher of art and the liberal
bestower of wit.
[Lat., Magister artis ingenique largitor Venter.]

Blest be those feasts, with simple plenty crowned,
Where all the ruddy family around
Laugh at the read more

Blest be those feasts, with simple plenty crowned,
Where all the ruddy family around
Laugh at the jests or pranks that never fail
Or sigh with pity at some mournful tale.

Some men are born to feast, and not to fight;
Whose sluggish minds, e'en in fair honor's field,
read more

Some men are born to feast, and not to fight;
Whose sluggish minds, e'en in fair honor's field,
Still on their dinner turn--
Let such pot-boiling varlets stay at home,
And wield a flesh-hook rather than a sword.

They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet
Quaff immortality and joy.

They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet
Quaff immortality and joy.

A very man--not one of nature's clods--
With human failings, whether saint or sinner:
Endowed perhaps with read more

A very man--not one of nature's clods--
With human failings, whether saint or sinner:
Endowed perhaps with genius from the gods
But apt to take his temper from his dinner.

I am a shell-fish just come from being saturated with the waters
of the Lucrine lake, near Baiae; but read more

I am a shell-fish just come from being saturated with the waters
of the Lucrine lake, near Baiae; but now I luxuriously thrust for
noble pickle.

Mithriades, by frequently drinking poison, rendered it impossible
for any poison to hurt him. You, Cinna, by always dining read more

Mithriades, by frequently drinking poison, rendered it impossible
for any poison to hurt him. You, Cinna, by always dining on next
to nothing, have taken due precaution against ever perishing from
hunger.