Orientale
Reading edition
Louis Gilmore
Wil’t thou listen To the voices of peacocks; Or would’st thou prefer that the cats Perform a nocturnal serenade? This is no common Entertainment That I have prepared for thee, Indifferent one. The columns are smeared With fire-flies, And the glow-worms shed a light Among the dishes.... But first let the slaves Anoint thee with what Has lain a long while In the sun; Or with this Thou perceive’st In a yellow Vial.