We Happy Few

(a song in praise of a ten-course Qabalistic feast held on the Eve of Saints Simon and Jude, October 27, 2001 Era Vulgara)

A Loving Tribute to

Ms. Carolyn Tillie

(in stunned gratitude for an exquisite evening of food and friendship)

by

Archbishop Lon Milo DuQuette

(with some help from William Shakespeare)

Robcluff:

O that we now had here

But one ten thousand of those Qabalists

That gorge not themselves today!

ARCHBISHOP LON:

What's he that wishes so?

My brother Robcluff ? No, my fair brother:

If we are mark'd to expode, we are enow

To do our Order loss; and if to live,

The fewer maws, the greater share of victuals.

God's will! I pray thee, wish not one chair more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,

Nor care I my girth is held in ridicule;

It yearns me not if men leave my tomes unread;

Such outward things dwell not in my desires:

But if it be a sin to covet rich foods and fine wine,

I am the most offending soul alive.

No, faith, my bro, wish not one mouth more:

God's peace! I would not lose so great a filling

As one guest more, methinks, would share from me

For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, Robcluff, through my host,

That he which hath no stomach to this repast,

Let him depart; his passport shall be made

And crowns for convoy put into his purse:

We would not glut in that man's company

That fears his fellowship to stuff with us.

This day is the Eve of Saints Simon & Jude:

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,

And rouse him at the names Simon & Jude.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,

And say 'To-morrow's the feast of Saints Simon & Jude:

Then will he loosen his belt, pull up his shirt and shew his stretch-marks.

And say 'These wounds I had on Saints Simon & Jude Eve.'

Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember with advantages

What delicacies he et that day: then shall our names

Familiar in his mouth as household words

Archbishop Lon, Saint Constance of the Well,

LeRoy the Sage and Troubadour Jane,

Their Most Excellent Graces, Doug and Karen,

Divine Fool Michael, Lady Sandy, and Queen Vinetta,

Sir Robcluff and Damsel Liesl,

Maestro Jonathan and Consort Leslie,

Shawn the Seer, and Sweet Goddess Carrie,

She to whom we surrender our palates,

Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.

This story shall the fat man teach his son;

And Saints Simon & Jude eve shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of drooling brothers and sisters;

For them today that cram their guts with me

Shall be my kin; be they ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle their condition:

And Qabalists everywhere now enhungered a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their gluttony cheap whiles any speaks

That dined with us upon Simon's & Jude's Eve!

Lon Milo DuQuette