528. Answer to an Invitation to Dine at Fishmongers Hall by Sydney Smith
S Smith read by Classic Poetry Aloud:\nhttp://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/\n\nGiving voice to the poetry of the past.\n\n---------------------------------------\n\nAnswer to an Invitation to Dine at Fishmongers Hall\nby Sydney Smith (1771 \u2013 1845)\n\nMuch do I love, at civic treat,\nThe monsters of the deep to eat;\nTo see the rosy salmon lying,\nBy smelts encircled, born for frying;\nAnd from the china boat to pour,\nOn flaky cod, the flavour'd shower.\nThee, above all, I much regard,\nFlatter than Longman's flattest bard,\nMuch honour'd turbot! sore I grieve\nThee and thy dainty friends to leave.\nFar from ye all, in snuggest corner,\nI go to dine with little Horner:\nHe who, with philosophic eye,\nSat brooding o'er his Christmas pie:\nThen, firm resolv'd, with either thumb,\nTore forth the crust-envelop'd plum,\nAnd, mad with youthful dreams of future fame,\nProclaim'd the deathless glories of his name.\n\n\nFirst aired: 23 December 2009\n\nFor hundreds more poetry readings, visit the Classic Poetry Aloud index.\n \nTo learn a little more about the poems and poets on Classic Poetry Aloud, join the mailing list.\n\nReading \xa9 Classic Poetry Aloud 2009