[Illustration]
Yea, from the table of my dining-room,
I'll take away all tasty joints and _entrées_.
All sorts of meat, all forms of animal diet
That the carnivorous cook hath gathered there:
And, by commandment, will entirely live
Within the bounds of vegetable food,
Unmixed with savoury matters. Yes, by heaven!
O most pernicious Meat!
O Mutton, beef, and pork, digestion-spoiling!
My tables, my tables! Meat? I'll put it down;
For men may dine, and dine, and do no killing,
At least I'm sure it may be so--on lentils.
So, _gourmand_, there you are! Now to my _menu_;
It is, "_All Vegetables and no Meat!_"
I have sworn't!
* * * * *