Hope is a subtle Glutton－1
He feeds upon the Fair－
And yet－inspected closely
What Abstinence is there－
His is the Halcyon Table－5
That never seats but One－
And whatsoever is consumed
The same amount remain－
He feeds upon the Fair－
And yet－inspected closely
What Abstinence is there－
His is the Halcyon Table－5
That never seats but One－
And whatsoever is consumed
The same amount remain－
(F.1493/J.1547)
[1] Hope:: one who gives expectation, a fortune-teller.
[2] Fair:: a festival, gathering of buyer and seller; and wonderful dreams a fortune-teller tries to sell.
[3] inspected closely:: the fortune-teller inspected the customers.
[4] Abstinence:: known what should not say.
[5] Halcyon:: happy and peaceful, what usually fortune-teller will tell.
[6] seats but One:: one customer a time usually.
[7] consumed, remain:: only words are consumed, and repeated.