Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/896

 WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY

The kind old voices and old faces My memory can quick retrace;

Around the board they take their places, And share the wine and Bouillabaisse.

There's Jack has made a wondrous marriage;

There's laughing Tom is laughing yet, There's brave Augustus drives his carriage;

There's poor old Fred in tfic Gazette; On James's head the grass is growing.

Good Lord! the- world has wagged apace Since here we set the Claret flowing,

And drank, and ate the Bouillabaisse.

Ah me' how quick the days are flitting'

I mind me of a time that's gone, When here I'd sit, as now I'm sitting,

In this same place but not alone. A fair young form was nestled near me, ..

A dear, dear face looked fondly up, And sweetly spoke and smiled to cheer me

There's no one now to share my cup.

��I drink it as the Fates ordain it.

Come, fill it, and have done with rhymes* Fill up the lonely glass, and drain it

In memory of dear old times. Welcome the wine, whatc'er the seal is;

And sit you down and say your grace With thankful heart, whate'er the meal is.

Here comes the smoking Bouillabaisse'

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