All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL AV A GARDEX FAIR. 275
Their lio.st urged tliem to i>uperliuinau
efforts, and congratulated them on tlieir prowess,
as if a wliole hunb cutlet was in itself a
feast worthy of an alderman. The young
men, stimulated by these exliortations, went
on eating until there was not a stalk of
asparagus, or a single potato, or a morsel of
cauliflower.
'Go on, biave boys,' cried their host, with
glowing eyes. ' The English are as valiant at
the table as on tlie field. They are lusty
foasters. Allen, another potato. Will, more
>pinach. Olinthus, you spare the cheese. It
is good to see these young athletes. It is
Achilles, with Ajax and Diomede—brave Dio-
niede ;
no doubt he greatly resembled Olinthus.
It is a Homeric banquet, or— yes, it is the
Centaurs feasting after a fight ; or, still better,
it is tlie suitors of Penelope feasting in the
Talace of Ithaca. Desist not; eat as valiantly
iis Friar John; drink as deej) as a Franciscan
fiiar. Allen, the bottle stands by you ; let it
move on— !'•' M hot—It :e'. galloi). (Jlinthn*^.
T '2