On one occasion , Mr. Pickwick put on a pair of spectacles without any glass , rapped upon the table , hemmed , and having stared hard at Mr. Snodgrass , who was tilting back in his chair , till he arranged himself properly , began to read : _________________________________________________ `` THE PICKWICK PORTFOLIO '' MAY 20 , 18 -- POET 'S CORNER ANNIVERSARY ODE Again we meet to celebrate With badge and solemn rite , Our fifty-second anniversary , In Pickwick Hall , tonight . We all are here in perfect health , None gone from our small band : Again we see each well-known face , And press each friendly hand . Our Pickwick , always at his post , With reverence we greet , As , spectacles on nose , he reads Our well-filled weekly sheet . Although he suffers from a cold , We joy to hear him speak , For words of wisdom from him fall , In spite of croak or squeak . Old six-foot Snodgrass looms on high , With elephantine grace , And beams upon the company , With brown and jovial face . Poetic fire lights up his eye , He struggles ` gainst his lot . Behold ambition on his brow , And on his nose , a blot . Next our peaceful Tupman comes , So rosy , plump , and sweet , Who chokes with laughter at the puns , And tumbles off his seat . Prim little Winkle too is here , With every hair in place , A model of propriety , Though he hates to wash his face . The year is gone , we still unite To joke and laugh and read , And tread the path of literature That doth to glory lead . Long may our paper prosper well , Our club unbroken be , And coming years their blessings pour On the useful , gay ` P. C. ' . A. SNODGRASS ________ THE MASKED MARRIAGE -LRB- A Tale Of Venice -RRB- Gondola after gondola swept up to the marble steps , and left its lovely load to swell the brilliant throng that filled the stately halls of Count Adelon . Knights and ladies , elves and pages , monks and flower girls , all mingled gaily in the dance . Sweet voices and rich melody filled the air , and so with mirth and music the masquerade went on . `` Has your Highness seen the Lady Viola tonight ? '' asked a gallant troubadour of the fairy queen who floated down the hall upon his arm . `` Yes , is she not lovely , though so sad ! Her dress is well chosen , too , for in a week she weds Count Antonio , whom she passionately hates . '' `` By my faith , I envy him . Yonder he comes , arrayed like a bridegroom , except the black mask .
When that is off we shall see how he regards the fair maid whose heart he can not win , though her stern father bestows her hand , '' returned the XXXXX .
Adelon Antonio PICKWICK Tupman Winkle doth left troubadour week years