Poem by Matthew Prior

An Extempore Invitation to the Earl of Oxford, Lord High Treasurer

My Lord,
Our weekly friends to-morrow meet
At Matthew's palace in Duke-street,
To try for once if they can dine
On bacon-ham and mutton-chine.
If, wearied with the great affairs
Which Britain trusts to Harley's cares,
Thou, humble statesman, may'st descend
Thy mind one moment to unbend,
To see thy servant from his soul
Crown with thy health the sprightly bowl,
Among the guests, which e'er my house
Received it never can produce
Of honour a more glorious proof —
Though Dorset used to bless the roof.

1. To the Author of the Foregoing Pastoral - (Love and Friendship)
2. Seeing the Duke of Ormond's Picture, at Sir Godfrey Kneller's
3. A Letter to Lady Margaret Cavendish Holles-Harley, When a Child
4. Cupid Mistaken
5. Written in an Ovid

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