Would the cook were o' my mind!

Would the cook were o' my mind!

I never strove to rule the roast,
She ne'er refus'd to pledge my toast.

I never strove to rule the roast,
She ne'er refus'd to pledge my toast.

Ever a glutton, at another's cost,
But in whose kitchen dwells perpetual frost.

Ever a glutton, at another's cost,
But in whose kitchen dwells perpetual frost.

To make a ragout, first catch your hare.
[Fr., Poure faire un civet, prenez un lievre.]

To make a ragout, first catch your hare.
[Fr., Poure faire un civet, prenez un lievre.]

A cook should double one sense have: for he
Should taster for himself and master be.

A cook should double one sense have: for he
Should taster for himself and master be.

The vulgar boil, the learned roast, an egg.

The vulgar boil, the learned roast, an egg.

If your slave commits a fault, do not smash his teeth with your
fists; give him some of the read more

If your slave commits a fault, do not smash his teeth with your
fists; give him some of the (hard) biscuit which famous Rhodes
has sent you.

Oh, better no doubt is a dinner of herbs,
When season'd with love, which no rancour disturbs
read more

Oh, better no doubt is a dinner of herbs,
When season'd with love, which no rancour disturbs
And sweeten'd by all that is sweetest in life
Than turbot, bisque, ortolans, eaten in strife!
But if, out of humour, and hungry, alone
A man should sit down to dinner, each one
Of the dishes which the cook chooses to spoil
With a horrible mixture of garlic and oil,
The chances are ten against one, I must own,
He gets up as ill-tempered as when he sat down.

Her that ruled the rost in the kitchen.

Her that ruled the rost in the kitchen.