- in the spirit of Rabelais -
Each morning we found ourselves at half past seven
awoken, dressed, combed, curled, trimmed and perfumed,
clothed in accordance with the best taste and fashion.
Thus would we begin our day. In life and its runes,
means, arrangements and reasons were we trained,
and the changing seasons were taken at our ease.
Our sport and our play were entirely unconstrained –
we gave up the game whenever we pleased.
At table grace was said before breaking the bread
so as first to quiet the animal spirits,
neglecting neither the living nor dead.
And we made a toast for the clearing of palates,
commending the virtues of whatever was served:
the bread, the meat, the wine, the fruit, the herbs –
not omitting on cheering to clink one’s chalice.
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