A Puzzling Invitation

If you were a British soldier in Malta in the 19th century, you might receive this card from a local dram-shop:

a puzzling invitation

What does it mean?

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Just read it straight through: Here stop and spend a social hour In harmless mirth and fun. Let friendship reign, be just and kind, And evil speak of none. From William T. Dobson, Literary Frivolities, Fancies, Follies and Frolics, 1880. See also Requiescat In Pace.