Epigram LIII. Ben. Johnsons sociable rules for the Apollo

Let none but Guests or Clubbers hither come;
Let Dunces, Fools, sad, sor did men keep home;
Let learned, civil, merry men b'invited,
And modest too; nor the choice Ladies sleighted:
Let nothing in the treat offend the Guests,
More for delight then cost prepare the feasts:
The Cook and Purvey'r must our palats know;
And none contend who shall sit high or low:
Our waiters must quick-sighted be and dumb,
And let the drawers quickly hear and come:
Let not our wine be mixt, but brisk and neat,
Or else the dinkers may the Vintners beat.
And let our only emulation be,
Not drinking much, but talking wittily:
Let it be voted lawful to stir up
Each other with a moderate chirping cup;
Let none of us be mute, or talk too much,
On serious things or sacred let's not touch
With sated heads and bellies: Neither may
Fidlers unask'd obtrude themselves to play:
With laughing, leaping, dancing, jests and songs,
And what ere else to grateful mirth belongs;
Let's celebrate our feasts; And let us see
That all our jests without reflection be:
Insipid Poems let no man rehearse,
Nor any be compell'd to write a verse:
All noise of vain disputes must be for born,
And let the lover in a corner mourn:
To fight and brawl (like Hectors) let none dare,
Glasses or windows break, or hangings tare.
Who ere shall publish what's here done or said,
From our Society must be banished:
Let none by drinking do or suffer harm,
And while we stay, let us be alwaies warm.