Classic Poem

Against Valentine the Prodigall

V ITELLIUS had at one feast seru'd to him
Two thousand fishes, and seau'n thousand burds;
Heliogabalus (that in wine did swim)
Three hundred ostriches once charg'd his boord;
Maximianus euery day did eate
Fowre times ten pound of flesh, and of strong wine
Fiue times ten gallons dranke he with his meate;
But these are all but babes to Valentine;
 Who in short time, with feasting did confound
 A thousand pound a yeare of gallant ground.